True Magick: The Little Green Book

Some Reviews

Great Intro Book

This book by Amber K is perhaps one of the best general overviews of the Magickal tradition out there. Her approach is very general and while writtent from a Wiccan point of view, is extremely inclusive and attentive to the foundations of the magickal approach – so anybody interested in the topic – regardless of their specific tradition or lack thereof, will find the book useful for basic understanding.

Amber discusses what magick is, how magick works, how to prepare yourself both physically and mentally, the elements of magickal education, and the ethics and hazards of magickal practice. Her focus on the higher, lower and present self is well presented, and her writing style includes humor and levity. A good introduction and a fun read as well.

Readable and Balanced Guide to Neopagan Magick for Beginners

This is a classic beginner’s guide for someone interested in magick as practiced in contemporary popular forms of Wicca and related practices. I give it 5 stars, because for its intended audience it simply can’t be beat.

The author’s tone is friendly, earthy, and informative. This makes for very easy reading. She covers how magick works, with plenty of advice, exercises, and examples to help the novice get started doing things. There are also good chapters on a range of ancillary topics pertinent to someone beginning a magickal practice: a bit of history, ethical and social issues, and self-care advice that emphasize the whole-life nature of a spiritual practice of any sort.

It seems that most people who don’t care for this book are not really part of the book’s intended audience. No little book can be everything for everyone. It is for beginners. Experienced practitioners may find it a pleasant read or refresher, but not a must-have. It has a Wiccan perspective. Other magickal traditions are described briefly, but the heart of the book reflects Wiccan attitudes toward magick, particularly when it comes to ethics and the way ritual is used. Someone who has already decided that Wicca (or related neopagan paths) is not for them will probably want to go elsewhere. Finally, the book is about Wiccan *magick*, not Wiccan practice as a whole, so some basic material about Wicca as a religion is simply not here.

If you are a beginner or a curious onlooker interested in magick as a spiritual practice, in the context of Wicca specifically (or neopaganism generally), then this book is an inexpensive and delightfully direct way to answer most of your early questions about the subject and get you started.

Lays Excellent Groundwork for Magickal Path

If for no other reason, I appreciate this book because it is one of the few that emphasizes the importance of living a balanced, ethical life before attempting to work magick. I am sick and tired of psychologically imbalanced, power hungry people who mistakenly believe that the Craft is a panacea for all their problems. Magick is about self-empowerment, NOT power over others. As someone who has practiced for twelve years, I can vouch for the fact that if your house is not cleaned, your bills are not paid and you otherwise do not have it together, you’d be better off working to improve these earthly matters before moving into the magickal realm. “As above, so below.” Blessed Be!

Solid as a Rock

This book contains the most sensible advice to beginners I could hope to find. She hits the proverbial nail on the head with Chapters 1, 2, and 4 through 7, which explain what magic (theurgy) IS, and the basics of preparation and readiness for the practice thereof. (Chapter three is fine as well, but I would have preferred it come later in the book. I would also refer seekers to “Drawing Down the Moon” by Adler for more in-depth coverage, after the abovementioned chapters are read.) The rest of the book concerns itself with specifically Wiccan magic, which is fine, and a wonderful case study of the application of magick. I read some other reviews and I have a few comments to make. “this book had a lot of good facts and interesting points, but was not all that entertaining”… This book was not MEANT as entertainment. For that, I refer you to the fiction section of Amazon. 🙂 “I was hoping for some easier reading material that maybe offered some more beginner spells” The material *IS* easy reading, it was offered in a light, easily comprehensible, almost conversational manner, which in no way lessens its effectiveness or diminishes its important message. And I feel the spell level of the book is appropriate, especially for someone who is a raw beginner. True magick comes from within, as she admirably repeats. I would very much advise that you reread the fore part of the book and take those lessons to heart before skipping to the end to get to the spells… you will be thankful you did, and your magick will be much more effective. Bright Blessings!