What is a good beginner book for witchcraft (low magick)?

[Romez]

Hello,
I am a complete beginner and i was wondering what is a good book for witchcraft? I have the book the inner temple by Penczak and i was wondering if this is a good one to start with or are there some better ones out there to start with? One point that I am hesitant with is that in the Penczak book some of the exercises require that you work with someone else, unfortunately I have no one in my life who could be of such help to me, is it still fine if I just progress through out the book just doing the solo exercises or is there a better book that I should work with? I am specifically looking for a guide book that has step by step instruction similar to Modern Magick by Donald Kraig or Initiation into Hermetics by Franz Brandon.I want a similar book for witchcraft, I just want the book to be focused on guess what would be called "low magick". If i used any terms incorrectly or didnt explain well enough, than I am very sorry for this and please let me know what I said that was wrong so I can learn from it.
thank you very much for your time
greatly appreciate it

[TheSeeker]

The answer to your question actually depends on how you personally define Witchcraft.
Are you referring to British Traditional Witchcraft; Wicca; Stregheria, etcetera?
Narrow it down a bit for us please. There's a ton of 101 stuff out there, and not all of it worthwhile.

[Romez]

hey,
that is a very good question, I have no idea actually. What are some of the good 101 stuff out there in your opinion in the different traditions, and where would be a good place to start? Would traditional witchcraft be a good place to start or you recommend another place to start? I have the Penczak book the Inner Temple of Witchcraft, is that a good book? Or maybe something better that is out there? Any recommendations or suggestions about a good start point when it comes to "low magick"? Thank you very much for all your help

[Gaeus]

Look up a book called Pure Magic by Judika Illes. Her books generally include everything from everywhere. It'll give you all the information you need to start. I personally haven't started casting spells due to a severe deficiency in privacy. She places a huge emphasis on "the earth mother" and rubs off as one of those fruit loops that throw paint on ppl for wearing furs but as I said, she includes everything, and every ones view which made her books most invaluable to me. Take a look at her encyclopedias on spirits and on spells as well hope this helps.

[TheSeeker]

hey,
that is a very good question, I have no idea actually. What are some of the good 101 stuff out there in your opinion in the different traditions, and where would be a good place to start?

Hey Romez, Sorry I didn't see you'd replied.
Have a look here:
http://www.occultforum.org/forum/viewto ... =2&t=32338
[geek2]

[Romez]

Hey,
Thank you for your replies, and yea I checked out the link. Has many very valuable information there and thank you very much for it. Any comments on Penczak and his books?

[TheSeeker]

Thank you for your replies... Any comments on Penczak and his books?

Mmmm, I kind of stopped reading stuff like that when I turned my back on Wicca some years back.
I don't really have anything bad to say about the guy per se. Just not really my cup of Tea.
That being said there are probably others on here who can offer a more informed opinion.
I think I read one of his books once about 7 or 8 years ago.

If you're really new to the whole occult thing you should go check this place out:
http://english.grimoar.cz/?Loc=idx&Lng=2
Do an Author Search for the name Ophiel.
He wrote a book way back called "The Art and Practice of the Occult". It's written in very plain English, and is very basic and straightforward.
It would probably serve you well as a place to start out.

[Romez]

Ok will definitely do that, thank you very much. If not Penczak then who would you recommend for Low magick in that case?

[Nahemah]

Paul Huson's Mastering Witchcraft.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastering_Witchcraft

[Romez]

Cool thank you very much, and would you feel that it compares to the Penczak book? Like the pros and cons of it?