EXPLORING SPELLCRAFT

by Gerina Dunwich

a review by John Gilbert

Exploring Spellcraft by Gerina Dunwich (ISBN 1-56414-494-1) is published by New Page Books, a division of Career Press. By my count, this is Gerina's nineteenth book on spellcasting and Wicca. Like her other books, Gerina approaches her subject at a basic level so beginners can grasp the essence of her teaching. At the same time, she drops pearls of wisdom to challenge advanced students as well. You can check her out at the following two websites: Gerina and Grimoire

I'm almost embarrassed to admit I was casting spells before Gerina was born because I learned several new things in this book. Goes to show you we never know too much and we're never too old to learn.

Gerina starts out by defining the tools of the trade, the four elements, and discusses several important issues including ethics. She approaches her subject from a Witches point of view but one which, as a Christian, I don't find offensive in the least.

In chapter two the author discusses astrological, lunar, calendar (solar), and color correspondences. I wish she'd also included sound correspondences but what she does cover, she covers well. While she speaks only of candle color correspondences, these hold true for the color of other magical elements and clothing as well.

I like using the New Moon for rituals involving new ventures. New Moons in Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are good times to start new intuitive or energetic projects. New Moons in Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn are good times to start new financial ventures. New Moons in Gemini, Libra and Aquarius are good times to start new mental projects. New Moons in Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces are good times to start new romantic or partnership projects.

In chapter three Gerina discusses when to do spellcasting. I like her review of the accumulated knowledge in this area. In chapter four she suggests divination before spellcasting. This is the same recommendation as master magician Donald Michael Kraig makes in his books Modern magic and Tarot & Magic. In her forward to the latter book, Mary Greer endorses this approach. Gerina uses only the Major Arcana for this purpose and gives a very good synopsis of each card for divination.

With these basic skills well covered, the author spends the rest of the book talking about spellcrafting. Her remarks concerning amulets, talismans, charms and fetishes are historically based and quite complete. I like her short but penetrating analysis of natural, gypsy, pentagram and other man-made amulets. We often forget that all the fruits of the Divine are ours to use as we will. We can use them as amulets to protect ourselves. I don't know much about fetishes, but Ms. Dunwich says these are the most powerful amulets. I'm going to give them a try.

Another topic about which I'm not well versed (short for ignorant) is charms. Amulet charms are used to attract good luck. Verbal and written charms are used to conjure and to protect according to the author. She believes the most well-known and one of the oldest charms is Abracadabra.

Her discussion of talismans includes correspondences to the planets, colors, gemstones, days of the week, metals associated with the planets and spheres of influence. Because the metal mercury is so toxic, she suggests working with a seal of mercury in the form of a parchment talisman. I prefer to work with Cinnabar, a bright red ore of mercury. Actually it's a sulfide of mercury. Some magicians use Dragon's Blood instead.

Her Book of Shadows and her discussion of converting your kitchen into a magical workplace may cover familiar ground, but I like her no-nonsense approach. She gives me the impression that with magic all things are possible and anything can be used as a tool. I generally agree with this approach though I do avoid using certain things. Since she speaks out against using black magic, I believe she avoids some things too.

Chapter Thirteen is aptly named Black Magic. The important thing here is not to learn how to use black magic but how to protect yourself against black magic. Don't get hung up in the terminology. If somebody wishes bad things for you or sends negative energy toward you, that's black magic. They don't need to be magicians to wish you harm and they don't need ceremonies to have a negative effect on you. But then, in my opinion we're all magicians all the time whether we want to be or not.

Unfortunately, any person who starts traveling a spiritual path, regardless of what that path may be, becomes the target of negative energy. Learning how to protect yourself against this negative energy is an important part of your spiritual journey. Doubly unfortunate is the fact that studying tarot is an initiation into traveling a spiritual path. Some people believe that ever since you first picked up your tarot cards, negative forces have been sending negative energy your way. It may be true, but it doesn't matter. You can protect yourself by using amulets, talismans, fetishes, charms, spells, pentagrams and rituals. This book will give you a good foundation for doing that. In the meantime, and for all time, pray for protection and you will receive it.

I like Exploring Spellcraft by Gerina Dunwich.

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