Power of the Witch (Arkana) [Paperback]

I am convinced, more and more, that this important work found its way to me as the answer to a prayer. Simply because, when I first embarked upon this Path, many of the books spoke of spells in a rather dodgy manner. One "popular" author simply adressed this by staiting, "You have to believe in spells for them to work" and left it at that, without giving the reader any reason "to believe"! How aggrivating! I was almost ready to drop what we call "spells"...at least before this book found its way into my heart. Laurie Cabot uses science and the latest developements in theoretical physics, and physics in general, (which are all proported by such illuminaries as Einstein, Niel Bhor and Stephen Hawking, etc...) to discuss how spells work. Her book describes a Universe which makes sense to the Witch! For this, alone, it is worth the purchase of the book! Her description of The Science Tradition of Witchcraft is fully grounded in fact, as revealed by her bibliography and such authors as Michael Talbot, Fritja Capra, F. David Peat, Itzhak Bentov, PhD. Fred Alan Wolfe and John Gribbin, etc... While her non-"Wiccan" history is certainly very well grounded in fact, her Wiccan history stummbles on the very odd occasion (only once, or maybe twice, as I can currently recall). But, we must take into account the date in which it was printed- in fact, the date in which it was written, as the 2 are usually off by a number of years. She may, very well, have been told something by a Gardnerian Witch, from the Gardnerian Book of Shadows, and neither of them were the wiser. However, 10 years has elapsed since then. She is always very well researched.Also, the sub-title is different than the original US publication, which was "The Earth, The Moon, and the Magickal Path to Enlightenment." However,I must admit, I am more partial to "A Witch's Guide to Her Craft". To sum it up, if you have ever wondered how/why spells work- I can't recommend this book highly enough! Also, if you've wished to explain how spells work to a student, using a logical, rational, left-brained approach, the same applies! Because, to briefly quote the author, "The Science Tradition draws on both ancient wisdom and the latest in theoretical physics. Using science as an approach to Witchcraft gives my students a solid grounding on which to stand. Some teachers in The Craft present our practices & beliefs in terms of art or religion or psychology or mythology, and these have their merits, but at some point the student wants to know 'how magick works'. Science is our country, it is where we feel at home. ...Science describes a world that makes sense." Actually, what's most fascinating is that one of the authors whom her Tradition draws upon is F. David Peat, who is reknowned for "Synchronicity", which at its most basic level states, "coincidences that are so unusual and so psychologically meaningful they don't seem to be the result of chance alone." Thus, what I have seen at the tail end of last year, and at the beginning of this year (indeed from various Craft Elders within recent months, whom also happen to teach similarly) is that a variety of Pagan books being published also use quantum physics/mechanics to teach what we refer to as "spells". I haven't seen this since the publication of "Power Of The Witch"! How extraordinary!This book deserves 5-stars, and more!

I am surprised to read that some reviews on this book appear to be negative. We must all take from everything what we find most beneficial and find other information from alternative sources.
I personally admire Laurie Cabot for the way she has tackled certain issues in the book. It was a pleasure to read as in parts it's like a story of her own experiences and very real ones at that. Or general information on Witchcraft history. Perhaps the angle of religion disturbs some in this book. But it is a witch book and not Wiccan, therefore there is a difference and this should be addressed before critisizing. I would recommend this book and infact the first time i saw it a male friend of mine, gave it to me to read, not knowing i am a witch. Enjoy, for you will feel your own truth within.

Laurie Cabot uses science and the latest developements in theoretical physics, and physics in general, (which are all proported by such illuminaries as Einstein, Niel Bhor and Stephen Hawking, etc...) to discuss how spells work. Her book describes a Universe which makes sense to the Witch! For this, alone, it is worth the purchase of the book! Her description of The Science Tradition of Witchcraft is fully grounded in fact, as revealed by her bibliography and such authors as Michael Talbot, Fritja Capra, F. David Peat, Itzhak Bentov, PhD. Fred Alan Wolfe and John Gribbin, etc...

While her non-"Wiccan" history is certainly very well grounded in fact, her Wiccan history stummbles on the very odd occasion (only once, or maybe twice, as I can currently recall). She is always very well researched.

If you have ever wondered how/why spells work- I can't recommend this book highly enough! Also, if you've wished to explain how spells work to a student, using a logical, rational, left-brained approach, the same applies! extraordinary!

This book deserves 5-stars, and more!