{"id":19445,"date":"2019-03-01T01:10:57","date_gmt":"2019-03-01T06:10:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/paganpages.org\/content\/?p=20803"},"modified":"2019-03-02T10:53:23","modified_gmt":"2019-03-02T15:53:23","slug":"book-review-the-witchs-book-of-mysteries-by-devin-hunter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2019\/03\/01\/book-review-the-witchs-book-of-mysteries-by-devin-hunter\/","title":{"rendered":"Book Review \u2013 The Witch\u2019s Book of Mysteries by Devin Hunter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Book Review<\/strong>
The Witch\u2019s Book of Mysteries<\/strong>
by Devin Hunter<\/strong><\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\nThe\nforward of The Witch\u2019s Book of Mysteries, written by Jason Miller,\njumps right into what the reader can expect from The Witch\u2019s Book\nof Mysteries by Devin Hunter. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n…\n\u201cWhat is a Witch? It\u2019s a tricky label. For some people witchcraft\nis a religion. If you worship the old Gods and fol<\/em>l<\/em>ow\na religion like Wicca, then for those people your are a Witch. Other\nPeople focus on the craft part of witchcraft and consider use of folk\nmagic as the defining <\/em>characteristics<\/em>\nof a Witch. If you know the magical properties of herbs, the words of\nspells and the use of oils and candles and stones, then you are a\nWitch.\u201d….<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nAnd,\nas Jason aptly states, the definition of what a Witch has all of the\noverlays of modern society and traditional practices rolled into one.\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nThis\nis the third book by Devin in a systematic approach to introducing\nthe experienced student to the practices of witchcraft and honing\ntheir skills into becoming a Witch. The first of the books, The\nWitch\u2019s Book of Power, explored all that comprises the journey of\ndeveloping your power and knowing when and how to tap into it for a\nsustainable and effective practice. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nThe\nSecond book, The Witch\u2019s Book of Spirits furthered developed the\npower of the burgeoning Witch in accessing the world of spirits,\nmediumship and all that is of what Devin calls the Familiar Craft.\nAnd, as promised in this third book, The Witch\u2019s Book of Mysteries\ncoalesces all that has preceded and the reader begins the practice of\nworking with those of the Sacred Fires, the Grigori, and the\nexpansion of the practitioners powers to becoming one with all of the\nworlds. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nThis\nis not a book for the beginner and demands of the reader a\nworking-not theoretical-knowledge of witchcraft and all that goes\ninto claiming the title of Witch. The book is divided into two parts\nand each builds upon the other in knowledge and practical\napplication. Many of the concepts presented are not your traditional\ncraft practices. Instead, they are a refining and adaption of\nconcepts that include some techniques and teachings that would have\nbeen designated as disciplines for other paths. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much like Christopher Orapello and Tara Maguire\u2019s book Besom, Stang & Sword<\/a> (read the review of this book in our February Issue<\/a><\/strong>)<\/em>, these are concepts of the Modern Witch drawing on the best of the old and propelling the seeker into a new form of witchcraft that makes use more cosmic principals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nOne\nof the best examples of what this new craft encompasses is the\ndefinition and explanation of the a familiar concept, the Witch\u2019s\nSabbat. As Devin points out, this term has come to be associate with\nthe eight festivals of the Witch\u2019s Wheel of the Year. These being\ntied to celebrations of specific times of the year, deities and\nexperiences largely pulled together and used as such associations by\nthose of\nscholarly works and not necessarily of the craft themselves. Just\nthis idea makes so much sense if you consider that those we\nconsidered to be practicing witch\u2019s hundreds of years ago would not\nnecessarily have set aside valuable time and resources to celebrate\nin the ways we do today. Even the Deities that may have been\nassociated with such rites would have been culturally based. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nWe\nlearn in this book that the Sabbat is an experience that occurs in\ndeep trance or while sleeping and requires the Witch have command\nover his\/her magical form that has the power and ability to move in\nits pure form of power onto the plane of the Sabbat. This requires\nthe development of lucid dreaming, psychic awareness. and as Devin\nstates regarding the goal…\u201disn\u2019t\nnecessarily to leave the body and travel to a different dimension,\nbut rather to travel through the inner realms of the mind and the\npaths of the psyche to get to a different dimension\u201d….<\/em>I\nfound this a telling perspective that emphasizes the reality that\nbeing a Witch is really hard work that demands knowing yourself and a\nvery mature attitude towards stepping into your power. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nPart\nTwo of \u201cMysteries\u201d focuses on taking the Witch beyond their scope\nof power and realms of working and issues the call to reaching beyond\nwhat is believed of the limitation of form and reach out to those\nSpirits and guardians responsible for creation-particularly\nours-itself. These entities move well beyond the archetypal and\nanthropomorphic energies of specific Deities, pantheons and the\ntraditional Gods\/Goddesses. The Witch must thoroughly know who they\nare in all of their power and rise to stand as co-creators with those\nlesser known (and worked with) beings who are of support. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nThe\nbibliography and recommended reading at the end of the book\nexemplifies the care and thought that went into this book and, more\nimportantly supports Devin\u2019s encouragement to learn as much as you\ncan about as much as you can to truly be informed in your own\npractice. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nThe\nWitch\u2019s Book of Mysteries is a valuable resource to the advanced\npractitioner regardless of the form your witchcraft may take. In\nfact, whether you consider yourself a witch or not, the information\nand way in which it has been compiled is well worth reading. This is\nthe craft that will move into the next generation of and with that\nstatement, you will hopefully see the durability and strength of a\npower that is organically a creative and universal energy. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nTo\nhear more from Devin about his practices, Tradition and more:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nThe\nModern Witch Podcast<\/p>\n\n\n\n

modernwitch.podbean.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Witch’s Book of Mysteries on Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

***<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

About\nthe Author:<\/strong>\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Robin\nFennelly is a Wiccan High Priestess, teacher, poet and author. <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She\nis the author of (click on book titles for more information):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nInner Chamber Volume One on Amazon<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s\nWritten in the Stars<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Astrology<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nInner Chamber, Vol. Two<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

poetry\nof the Spheres (Volume 2) on Amazon<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Qabalah<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nInner Chamber, Vol. Three<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Awakening\nthe Paths on Amazon<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Qabalah<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A\nYear With Gaia on Amazon<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nEternal Cord<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Temple\nof the Sun and Moon on Amazon<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luminous\nDevotions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nMagickal Pen Volume One (Volume 1) on Amazon<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A\nCollection of Esoteric Writings<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nElemental Year on Amazon<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aligning\nthe Parts of SELF \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nEnchanted Gate on Amazon<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musings\non the Magick of the Natural World<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sleeping\nwith the Goddess on Amazon<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nights\nof Devotion<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A\nWeekly Reflection on Amazon<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musings\nfor the Year<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her\nbooks are available on Amazon<\/strong> or\non this website<\/a><\/strong> and\nher Blogs<\/a><\/strong> can\nbe found at<\/strong>: Robin\nFennelly<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow\nRobin<\/strong> on\nInstagram & Facebook.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Book Review The Witch\u2019s Book of Mysteries by Devin Hunter The forward of The Witch\u2019s Book of Mysteries, written by Jason Miller, jumps right into what the reader can expect from The Witch\u2019s Book of Mysteries by Devin Hunter. … \u201cWhat is a Witch? It\u2019s a tricky label. For some people witchcraft is a religion. If you worship the old Gods and follow a religion like Wicca, then for those people your are a Witch. Other People focus on the craft part of witchcraft and consider use of folk magic as the defining characteristics of a Witch. If you know the magical properties of herbs, the words of spells and the use of oils and candles and stones, then you are a Witch.\u201d…. And, as Jason aptly states, the definition of what a Witch has all of the overlays of modern society and traditional practices rolled into one. This is the third book by Devin in a systematic approach to introducing the experienced student to the practices of witchcraft and honing their skills into becoming a Witch. The first of the books, The Witch\u2019s Book of Power, explored all that comprises the journey of developing your power and knowing when and how to tap into it for a sustainable and effective practice. The Second book, The Witch\u2019s Book of Spirits furthered developed the power of the burgeoning Witch in accessing the world of spirits, mediumship and all that is of what Devin calls the Familiar Craft. And, as promised in this third book, The Witch\u2019s Book of Mysteries coalesces all that has preceded and the reader begins the practice of working with those of the Sacred Fires, the Grigori, and the expansion of the practitioners powers to becoming one with all of the worlds. This is not a book for the beginner and demands of the reader a working-not theoretical-knowledge of witchcraft and all that goes into claiming the title of Witch. The book is divided into two parts and each builds upon the other in knowledge and practical application. Many of the concepts presented are not your traditional craft practices. Instead, they are a refining and adaption of concepts that include some techniques and teachings that would have been designated as disciplines for other paths. Much like Christopher Orapello and Tara Maguire\u2019s book Besom, Stang & Sword (read the review of this book in our February Issue), these are concepts of the Modern Witch drawing on the best of the old and propelling the seeker into a new form of witchcraft that makes use more cosmic principals. One of the best examples of what this new craft encompasses is the definition and explanation of the a familiar concept, the Witch\u2019s Sabbat. As Devin points out, this term has come to be associate with the eight festivals of the Witch\u2019s Wheel of the Year. These being tied to celebrations of specific times of the year, deities and experiences largely pulled together and used as such associations by those of scholarly works and not necessarily of the craft themselves. Just this idea makes so much sense if you consider that those we considered to be practicing witch\u2019s hundreds of years ago would not necessarily have set aside valuable time and resources to celebrate in the ways we do today. Even the Deities that may have been associated with such rites would have been culturally based. We learn in this book that the Sabbat is an experience that occurs in deep trance or while sleeping and requires the Witch have command over his\/her magical form that has the power and ability to move in its pure form of power onto the plane of the Sabbat. This requires the development of lucid dreaming, psychic awareness. and as Devin states regarding the goal…\u201disn\u2019t necessarily to leave the body and travel to a different dimension, but rather to travel through the inner realms of the mind and the paths of the psyche to get to a different dimension\u201d….I found this a telling perspective that emphasizes the reality that being a Witch is really hard work that demands knowing yourself and a very mature attitude towards stepping into your power. Part Two of \u201cMysteries\u201d focuses on taking the Witch beyond their scope of power and realms of working and issues the call to reaching beyond what is believed of the limitation of form and reach out to those Spirits and guardians responsible for creation-particularly ours-itself. These entities move well beyond the archetypal and anthropomorphic energies of specific Deities, pantheons and the traditional Gods\/Goddesses. The Witch must thoroughly know who they are in all of their power and rise to stand as co-creators with those lesser known (and worked with) beings who are of support. The bibliography and recommended reading at the end of the book exemplifies the care and thought that went into this book and, more importantly supports Devin\u2019s encouragement to learn as much as you can about as much as you can to truly be informed in your own practice. The Witch\u2019s Book of Mysteries is a valuable resource to the advanced practitioner regardless of the form your witchcraft may take. In fact, whether you consider yourself a witch or not, the information and way in which it has been compiled is well worth reading. This is the craft that will move into the next generation of and with that statement, you will hopefully see the durability and strength of a power that is organically a creative and universal energy. To hear more from Devin about his practices, Tradition and more: The Modern Witch Podcast modernwitch.podbean.com The Witch’s Book of Mysteries on Amazon *** About the Author: Robin Fennelly is a Wiccan High Priestess, teacher, poet and author. She is the author of (click on book titles for more information): The Inner Chamber Volume One on Amazon It\u2019s Written in the Stars Astrology The Inner Chamber, Vol. Two poetry of the Spheres (Volume 2) on Amazon Qabalah The Inner Chamber, Vol. Three Awakening the Paths on Amazon Qabalah A Year With Gaia on Amazon The Eternal Cord Temple of the Sun and Moon on Amazon Luminous Devotions The Magickal Pen Volume One (Volume 1) on Amazon A Collection of Esoteric Writings The Elemental Year on Amazon Aligning the Parts of SELF The Enchanted Gate on Amazon Musings on the Magick of the Natural World Sleeping with the Goddess on Amazon Nights of Devotion A Weekly Reflection on Amazon Musings for the Year Her books are available on Amazon or on this website and her Blogs can be found at: Robin Fennelly  Follow Robin on Instagram & Facebook.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":208,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19445","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19445","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/208"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19445"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19445\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19445"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19445"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19445"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}