Spellcrafting: Strengthen the Power of Your Craft by Creating and Casting Your Own Unique Spells by Arin Murphy-Hiscock

Spellcrafting: Strengthen the Power of Your Craft by Creating and Casting Your Own Unique Spells Reviews

• 
  mari_is_sleeping

  Another book I wish I had read when I started my practice, it covers just about everything about crafting and casting spells.
  
  Might be a nitpick, but this is one thing I noticed: the author claims time and time again that synthetic components don't hold the same energy as their "natural" counterparts, going so far as to say that "using a microwave is not the same thing as a traditional oven", but later encourages using a USB drive for a house protection spell. Interesting.
• 
  Joanne

  Due to my fragrance sensitivity, right from the get-go of starting on my spiritual journey, I have had to occassionally adapt spells and rituals written by others, but more often write my own from scratch, with only the spells I couldn't use in other books as a guide. I've done pretty well, and I'm actually quite proud of what I've written myself, and what I've achieved with those spells, but I always thought it would be good to have a guide to actually writing your own, to give me more confidence or other ideas. So when I heard Spellcraft by Arin Murphy-Hiscock was being published, I was super excited to read it!
  
  Right from the offset, I was pretty sure this would be a book I could trust; Arin Murphy-Hiscock is a prolific author, with her most well known probably being The Green Witch, The House Witch, and The Witch's Book of Self-Care. Spellcrafting is a very accessible and indepth look at the steps required to writing your own spells. The first part of the book discusses exactly what spellcasting is, and the ethics of spellcasting, before a chapter on each step required in Murphy-Hiscock's opinion to cast your own spells, talking you through each step in great detail. The second part then breaks down each step further; for example, one of the steps discussed in the Crafting a Spell chapter is raising energy, and in part two, there's a whole chapter on various methods of raising energy, and guides you through figuring out which method is appropriate for your particular purpose.
  
  What I especially loved about Spellcrafting is it explains the why behind each element of a spell. All of the witchcraft 101 books I have read have featured spells the reader can cast themselves, as well as lots of information about various correspondences and timing, and so on. And while it makes sense that you might use a particular component for a spell based on it's correspondences, there's never been any proper explanation as to why the various components are used. They all say that the components aren't necessarily needed, that all that's needed is you and your intent, but that these tools and components aid in intent and focus, and keys for your subconcious mind, but never what they actually do - and to be honest, it had never occurred to me to question it. The answer, in very simple terms, is that the energy of those tools and components combines with your own to help aid the spell. Basically, in Spellcrafting, Murphy-Hiscock explains the science of spells, the why and how of each and every step. And there is just so much detail. So much! It really is such a brillaint resource. From the timing of your spell, to the methods of magic, to how you can raise energy, and so much more - each has it's own dedicated chapter. I have bookmarked so many pages in this book, it really in just brilliant.
  
  There's something I want to touch on, but I want to make it clear this isn't a criticism of the book. I've just reached the point in my studying where I'm actually following the advice I've read in most books - take wahat resonates, and leave the rest. After all we shape our own paths, and our craft is personal to us. For me, I found Murphy-Hiscock's structure for writing and casting spells to be quite complicated. As I said at the beginning of this review, I've been writing my own spells and rituals for a while now. Yes, I want to learn more about doing so, but I already know that how I have written spells in the past is fine, because they worked - and they weren't quite as complicated as Spellcrafting sets out. I've learnt a huge amount from Spellcrafting, it's made me think a lot, and I'll definitely be using what I've learned when I write spells, but there are elements I'll skip for some spells but use in others. I don't think it's necessary to follow Spellcrafting rigidly. At least that's how I view it - take what resonates and leave the rest.
  
  Along similar lines, it's important to say that Murphy-Hiscock is Wiccan, and some of her beliefs in that regard do make it into the book. She may not outright mention the three-fold law, but she does talk several times about the energy you put out into the world coming back to you. The Ethics of Spellcasting is a really interesting chapter, and one that really makes you think about who may be effected by your spell and how. It gets you to ask yourself a lot of questions before even crafting the spell, and to be sure of your ethical position. Murphy-Hiscock's emphasis is on you thinking it through right to the end, of all the possibilities, and to adapt as you see fit, and basically you should do you - and it is a great chapter. But you can very much read Murphy-Hiscock's opinion through the lines, and there's definitely a sense of her not being for spells that badly effect people. It made me a little uncomfortable - not everyone has the same moral code, and not everyone abides by the Wiccan Rede of "An' ye harm none, do what ye will", and I just feel there's a sense of judgement of those who do cast "unethical" spells. However, while there is that sense, she doesn't bash you over the head with it - she doesn't even outright state it. So if you can overlook this, maybe it won't bother you too much. Again, take what resonates with you, and leave the rest.
  
  Spellcrafting really is a fantastic book, and one I will come back to time and again. I really recommend it if you want some guidance in writing your own spells, and to understand the nitty gritty of spellcasting.
• 
  Vintage Veronica

  Rating: 2.4 / 5
  
  It's been several days that I've been trying to get through this, but in the end I stopped because I just couldn't do it. This book is just not what I'm looking for and NOT what I expected based on the title.
  
  I'll admit, it's partly my own fault for assuming that in writing a book on crafting one's own unique spells, some amount of foreknowledge is assumed on behalf of the author--i.e. based on the universal rule that you first have to see how others do things and "monkey see monkey do" before attempting to create your own variant. A good writer must always be a reader first, in other words. So, naturally, based on this assumption, I thought that this book would be a breakdown of advanced spellcrafting, step-by-step textbook ingredients that presupposes knowledge of the craft by witches/Wiccans/Pagans already.
  
  Unfortunately, it's more of a Magick 101 book that I could've used when I first started in the craft, rather than what I need now. I was just losing patience with how much I already knew, and, as a result, I felt that the author's didactic tone came off as being "know it all" and overly-detailed. It reminded me of a high school math teacher I didn't like that spoke to all of us students like we were kindergarteners. And if that's the tone you're striking with me, then you already know that's not good.
  
  Also, in terms of the layout of the book, while the cover is pretty and the feel of the book in my hands is really nice, it's a veryreally should have been. This author tends to write in long paragraphs that just take up page after page, and so, unlike you're willing to highlight or underline your book--which I'm not comfortable doing unless I'm 100% sure I'm keeping the book and not holding out for a return policy, which for this book wasn't the case--then all of the important tidbits will get lost amid a lot of unimportant opinions and views from the author.
  
  So, yeah, all in all, I'm fairly disappointed with this read and can't say that I was helped by it. I'd recommend it to beginner witches who need the specifics and explanations of absolutely everything as though hearing it for the first time; but otherwise, for more seasoned witches out there, I'd look elsewhere for how to craft your spells.
• 
  Indigo Crow

  I'm glad I listened to my intuition and bought this book. I have a lot of various books on witchcraft and spells, but none ever seemed to serve the purpose I needed and I always felt like something was missing. This book mostly filled in the emptiness those others left me feeling.
  
  The author does a good job explaining how to create and cast effective spells from start to finish and offers practical examples for how to do it all. From explaining how to word the spells and the purpose of various correspondences to giving good examples of how to raise power and then release it, everything is presented in an easy to understand way that even a fresh-out-of-the-box beginner can use.
  
  I can't help it, but I did feel a bit turned off by the author's suggestion of using Abrahamic elements in spellwork and also a heavy insistence on Wiccan dogma. The author doesn't say that you HAVE to follow the Wiccan rule of "3-fold Return", but brings it up over and over and over again. I appreciate that the book isn't aimed directly at Wiccans like a lot of others are, and so even if you're not Wiccan you can benefit from this information, but it's gotten to the point that finding pagan material, especially involving witchcraft, without the heavy influence of Wicca is irritatingly difficult. The Wiccan aura of it coupled with mentions of the Abrahamic god, angels, and other such things, just made me feel uncomfortable. Thankfully, unlike other books in which these things are included, removing those elements and replacing them with pagan gods or spirits is easy.
  
  I'll be referencing this book a lot, I think, and I'm really glad I spent the money on it. I think it's going to be worth it!
• 
  Rebecca

  I'd like to preface that I'm a very hard judge when it comes to reviewing books - but I also try to judge books as they are in their own genre, as opposed to comparing them against books beyond their inherent scope. I think most new witches might give it a four star review— and probably rightfully so based on the scope of the book (which is not a bad thing). I'm not a huge fan of many foundational witchcraft books that follow the Llewellyn publisher style of book content patterns. They largely "miss the forest for the trees". Oftentimes they don't even bother to delve into the deeper dynamics of magic, and as a result, often have poor educational material.
  
  This book managed to slip through the cracks of those issues. The point of this book is to offer foundational knowledge for spell-crafting to those new to modern witchcraft or neopaganism. In that regard, the book does its job. And decently compared to most other books of its likeness.
  
  Notable feedback: The author was wise to suggest that things like synthetic fragrances aren't going to offer the same type of influence on magic as naturally derived fragrances. The two things are completely different on a molecular level. You can feel their energetic difference when you compare them, and their differing effects on the work you do. Do you need any of it? No... but if you do, what you use, and how, you use it completely matters.
  
  If you are a beginner, consider this book as a stepping stone to help build the foundations of your own path, and it will be a worthwhile read.
• 
  Nicole

  What I love about Murphy-Hincock's philosophy about witchcraft that comes through in all of her books is that anything can be magical. Cooking, sewing, gardening, walking, anything can be a spell if you do it with intent. Magic becomes more about mindfulness and intention, and spell craft becomes supportive and supplemental ritual to achieving your goals. I was worried that this book would be a little over my head as I'm very much in the research space rather than practicing actual spells, but instead she goes over the basic fundamentals of spellcrafting in a practical way which I found incredibly helpful.
• 
  Mackenzie Chance Harte

  This was so fascinating, and I’m glad I chose to pick this book up in particular compared to other options I saw. Spellcraft and energy work have been topics I have been interested in and loosely connected with, but this really gave me the tools I needed to explore further.
  4.2/5 rounded down to 4 since I did find some of the author’s guidance to contradict itself from time to time.
• 
  Autumn

  I LOVED this book! LOVED! I don't know if I've ever read a more comprehensive book on spellcasting. Seriously. The author covered everything you could possibly need as well as other aspects that aren't "necessary" to spellcasting but are nonetheless important to magic and living as a witch.
  
  She opens by stating clearly what the book is about and then proceeds to deliver. She helpfully defines spells vs prayers and spells vs rituals, teaches about energy and how it flows, and breaks down how a spell works within the frame of magic/energy.
  
  Unlike a lot of witches today, she has a refreshing approach to baneful magic. It's fine to point out the ethics and encourage a more peaceful path, but sometimes "bad spells" need to be cast. She gets that the world is gray and she's not judging anyone; she just warns you not to jump the gun, which is a fair point. There is a huge emphasis on record keeping, which I appreciate, as it helps you refine your craft and look back on what worked and what didn't. I love that she gives practical and rational explanations of spellcasting and how to do it without any sort of judgment. She didn't spend the whole book telling you NOT to cast a spell, like some other authors.
  
  When it comes to the timing of spells, she goes into a whole breakdown of lunar cycles, solar cycles, planetary movements, days of the week, etc. And while she encourages you to set a specific period of time to determine if your spell has worked (like one to three lunar cycles), she reminds you throughout to have patience. The universe doesn't produce anything on the spot and spells take time. It's a good reminder for ALL witches, not just beginners. She covers a LOT of information with a practical, no-nonsense approach, and gives people good points to consider so they have options and a successful spellcasting experience. I loved how accessible her writing was. She doesn't talk down to her readers or shame them for not knowing something.
  
  The exercises/tips she gives won't make you feel stupid for trying them out, and they're useful to your practice instead of being mindless fluff the author threw in there. I loved her tone and the fact she isn't telling you to buy all of the accouterments for witchcraft, that you can be as simple or elaborate as you want with your spells, it all depends on YOUR personal style.
  
  I love the breakdown of the different spellcasting methods and why you'd want to choose one style over another. She also addresses different issues that may come up and how to handle them, as well as troubleshooting spells after the fact if you realize you've forgotten something, worded it wrong, or simply changed your mind, whatever the case may be.
  
  She also includes a chapter on making spells YOURS, basically how to take spells from other sources and modify them to suit your needs, whether it's changing the wording or substituting ingredients. She even included a "negative" spell and showed how you could adapt it to get the same outcome but in a less "harsh"/friendlier manner, which was refreshing instead of the blanket "don't cast negative spells!"
  
  The spells she includes are also a great selection of useful/basic/well-rounded spells for beginners or people who want to use them as a template to start crafting their own.
  
  The last chapter is how to advance your magical craft and grow beyond spellcasting, which was a great bonus that not a lot of authors talk about. They act as if spellcasting is the be-all, end-all of magic and she states quite simply that it's not. You may get to a point in your practice where you don't cast much at all because you're living your magic on a daily basis and it just gets incorporated naturally and I loved that she said that!
  
  There's also a very nice/useable list of correspondences, a useable index, AND a list of resources/further reading.
  
  While she is (or was) Wiccan (the sources vary—she states she's a green witch and a pagan on her website, but also a high priestess, and in her Goodreads profile she states she's a Wiccan High Priestess), I firmly believe this book is useful for ALL magical practitioners who do spellwork. I didn't see the Threefold Law or the Wiccan Rede come up once in the text, if that's a concern for you.
  
  I seriously cannot recommend this book highly enough. Whether you're new or fairly versed in spellcasting, the information she includes is practical and helpful for everyone and would serve as a great foundation for beginners or a great refresher for seasoned practitioners.
• 
  GollyRojer

  I first read Spellcrafting as a hardback. Then I bought the Audible version and listened to it.
  Forget all you know about 16-year-old wannabee witches reading how to make love spells. This is a serious book for serious, mature people. There is no woo-woo here. It's a clear, well-expressed discussion of the methodology behind the magic.
  What it amounts to is that spells are a means of expressing your intention and gathering and channeling energy to accomplish your will. This is the same energy referred to as "ki", "chi" or "qi" in practices such as Tai Chi, Aikido, Qi Gong, Reiki, and so forth.
  At each new topic the author mentions concerns the reader might have, and then addresses those before continuing on. Explanations are concise, yet full of information. There is no verbiage here. As a result, the book is short, yet exceptionally informative.
  This is not a book of spells. It is a book on how to create your own spells. Rather than tell you what to do, she shows you how to decide for yourself what to do.
  I have read it twice now, and will read it at least once more while using the hardback as a reference.
• 
  Carla S

  Lo mejor de Arin-Murphy, ¡gratamente sorprendida!
  
  Libro muy completo sobre hechicería: puntos a considerar, métodos, ejercicios, hechizos, deidades, ángeles, objetos a utilizar, etc.
  Muy neutral, no te impone doctrinas ni ideologías.
  
  Muy recomendado para principiantes y para quienes ya tienen algo de experiencia realizando hechizos pero quieren dar el salto a crear sus propios.
  
• 
  Ivan Dwiasmoro

  In this book not just about spellcrafting but Energy works too!!, And some correspondencies, this book for beginner to intermediate practioner
  And yess, this book also teach about how spell become energy and teamwork with correspondencies
• 
  K

  This book feels light, looking at it, but I feel it should be read once then read again with a notebook to fully absorb the knowledge you want from it.
  It's very inspirational for those not following an established/codified tradition. The author feels very supportive of free-form craft.
• 
  Ann

  This book is amazing!! The author explains concepts difficult for beginners to wrap their heads around, and its done without any influences from any trad. This book also contains a list of correspondences, exercises and spells to use.
• 
  Dave Hileman

  Loved this title.
  
  This book was so informative. It didn't just tell you the information, it gave you explanations and examples. I also like that she laid out charts and tables. It was really just one of those books that you should have in you magical collection.
• 
  Cat

  I loved this book for everything it offers. This author is someone I'm a huge fan of and she never fails to deliver! Very informational and inspirational, great for all practitioners no matter how experienced you are.
• 
  Sherri

  This book is fantastic !
• 
  Nikolaj

  One of the best resources for spellwork. Helpful for all experience levels!
• 
  Erin

  Helpful, accessible, thorough.
• 
  Ashley Newberg

  This is essentially a book about mindfulness, living with intention, and the awareness of how everything and everyone is connected... All through the lens of witchy magick and spells. Such a helpful and well-written book!
• 
  RJ Patulot

  This book covers the fundamentals of spellcrafting, which makes it ideal for the solitary practitioner. It provides a good list of components to tweak and modify to your own wants or needs.
• 
  Kimberly Jobe

  Great resource book that I know I’ll reference later on in my practice.
• 
  RynTheBookwormWitch

  Great, I recommend to anyone serious about spell craft! The author is very easy to follow and understand, offers substitutions and give many, many great tips and advice.
• 
  sahar 𖤐

  so much misinformation
• 
  Sam García

  Took my time, but it was worth it.
  I found a little difficult to keep reading, but it serves its purpose.
• 
  Valeria

  Excellent book for beginners!!
• 
  Sam With Veggies

  Surprisingly loved this book.