Witches Book Of The Dead [Paperback]

The name Christian Day in the Pagan community comes with a trail of controversy. Luckily for me, I feel, I had no clue who he was before reading this book (to be frank, I never heard of him...I just liked the book's premise. Hell, I didn't even read the "about the author" till after I read the book!), so whatever he said on TMZ about Charlie Sheen or what not had no effect on my review. With that being said, I thoroughly enjoyed The Witches' Book of the Dead and have been dying to tell you all about it!

The book opens with a bit of history and back story about Witches and their role in the practice of talking to the dead. Day does a very good job at showing how in old times, people who were known to communicate with the dead were outcast...yet called upon in secret by people in power. It's well written, not too long or drawn out, and interesting.

The next part of the book goes into the basics: tools, connecting with the spirit world, and what Christian calls "The Death Current", or the state of being connected with the flow of energy of the dead. Day also goes into having an altar to the dead and the importance of the Skull to a Witch. To some, the idea of having an actual skull is a bit...well strange (I thought so at first), but Day does a fantastic job in letting people know the importance it has in working with the dead and the symbolism it hold in Witches' history (I still do not own a real human skull, but I do have plenty of great substitutes on my altar such as a glass skull and a resin skull with a lid I use for offerings to The Morrigan).

The book then goes into the heart of what readers want to know, how to work with the dead, protect yourself if needed, and how to communicate with the dead. Each of these sections are covered step by step, making it easy for both the novice and the expert to commune with those passed over. Every form of communication and spellwork you could think of performing is listed: Mediumship, EVP, Scrying, Ouiji board,the Pendulum, and so many more!

It also goes into how you can ask the dead to work with you in casting spells as well. The one thing that I didn't like about this section is how Day gave the sense that it was perfectly fine to call upon the dead everyday if needed to work magic. This is just my personal opinion, but I think the dead should be allowed to rest in peace and should only be called upon to help you with spells when they are needed in a dire situation, on Samhain, or if you are working with a loved one who really doesn't seem to mind helping you (my mother's spirit for instance helps me all the time, even without me asking!). Again, this is my personal feeling towards working with the dead in magic, and Day's is different, as is every Witch's

This book is a must have resource in every Witch's library! Even if you don't agree with everything in the book, the information on how to communicate with the dead, work with them, and how to protect yourself in the event it becomes necessary is something every Witch should know. Whether you buy into the controversy surrounding Christian Day or not, this is one hell of a good book! Get your copy now HERE!
8.5/10

Blessed Be )O(
Rhonny

This book deals with a topic that a lot of people have problems facing - Death. Working with the spirits of the dead, suggestions for how to interact with them and involve them in your daily life are approached with practicality, wisdom, and a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor at times.

Honestly, there is a LOT of really great historical research in there, and I'd have bought the book for that alone. It puts a lot of facts in order and ties an overall picture together that many modern-day witches have forgotten about.

I will probably never have a human or other skull on my altar, except possibly a crystal one (when I can afford it), but then I don't think the skull is at all necessary. Each of us needs to find what works best for us when dealing with the spirits of the dead, after all. However I also don't think *having* a skull as part of your spiritual work is a bad thing. That is, in addition to the one that (hopefully) houses your own brain.

Christian Day, that colorful boisterous fellow who people love to pay attention to, is a natural born storyteller and should consider some fiction writing as well, he'd probably be good at it. I've been practicing Wicca since 1984, and I heartily recommend this excellently crafted book. Mr. Day has included some poignant personal stories, as well as amusing anecdotes, and I think has treated the subject of necromancy with the practicality and respect that it deserves, while not taking himself or the subject matter too seriously.

Real witches don't run from death, and apparently neither do real warlocks. After all, it's going to happen to all of us eventually, isn't it?

I was looking for a title for this review like "WOW!" or "AMAZING!", but I will go with a very sincere "Impressed" because having studied the Occult for 23 years now, it takes a lot to impress me.

While we are always learning on our path, even after 23 years, I found myself reading this book and running to the nearest Witch Shoppes to buy Skeleton Keys, searching on line for Skulls, and going to CVS for a jar of honey. Not because I felt they are 'required', but because it just made Magickal sense.

I was elated to see the author didn't 'tip toe through the tulips' as it were and is not a fluffy bunny Wiccan. Witchcraft is gray. I found myself in complete agreement with his ideology, while our pantheon is different.

The research is amazing. I can't say I could have put this together. When I first saw the title, "The Witches' Book of the Dead", I figured that was a pretty damn tall order to follow the Egyptian Book of the Dead, the Tibetan Book of the Dead...books that have for eons been the standard for religious practice. I was further shocked that nobody put such a book together for Witches and Warlocks until now. Kudos to the author for that one.

Suffice it to say, I do believe it lived up to it's title. My Magickal life is richer for having read (and practiced) what is within the book. But honestly, do I have anything negative to say? Not really. Definitely go out and buy this book, especially if you wish to do any work with the dead.

~ Reverend Eric Fraize