Book of Shadows Paperback – October 5, 1999

I will read again and again. I appreciate how Phyllis wove her magical life with her mundane life and her cynicism with awe. This is how the Goddess works!

A decent book. It's labeled as a true story, but I feel there is clearly quite a bit of embellishment at work here probably to make it more readable. Curott isn't a bad writer, but the book has too few changes of scenery, so it can get to be a dull read. There is quite a bit of introspection as well: Curott spending pages detailing connections she is making in her mind between different deities and practices. If you've read Robert Graves' "The White Goddess" you will recognize some of these inspirations immediately. It's not bad, but it does make the book tedious at times. I wanted more from the other characters and I wanted to see more of her life. Instead the book alternates between the coven and her office space for the most part. She mentions a boyfriend a few times, but we see almost none of him. Exploring how her relationship to her partner changed as she delved further into the Goddess mysteries of her coven would have been a nice topic. Perhaps his absence all the more accentuates the fact that this was Curott's journey, along with her sisters, and theirs alone.There is a criticism that she is unrelatable as a character as well. I did find her life to be quite "charmed", but I never disliked her character in the book. Was she relatable? In some ways, I guess in the most human of ways, yes. Was she relatable in her professional life? No, not to me. If the idea of a New York dwelling, well educated, white lawyer conjuring up Yemanja sounds like it would grate on your every nerve then you will hate this book. I found it kind of silly at times, a bit stereotypical, but the overall gist of the message she is trying to get out with her story was a good one. One certainly cannot say that Curott is not sincere.Overall if you're looking for easy reading on Wicca told as a memoir with quite a bit of entertaining embellishment (of course, I could be wrong about it being embellishment and magic may follow Curott wherever she goes) then you'll enjoy "Book of Shadows". If you are new to Wicca then I recommend pairing it with a more informative text.

Book of Shadows struck a spark in the deepest part of my soul. Although having been raised religious, even to the point of becoming a minister, by the time I entered my early 60’s I had lain most of it aside, having become totally disillusioned with religion. What was left over however was the certain knowledge that religion and spirituality, while sharing some commonality, are two completely different paths and the search for that fulfillment finally led me to look at Wicca. I have read extensively over the past few years but none of the authors touched my soul in the way that this story did; the story of how this agnostic professional woman found the same path that I had come to - but from a completely different direction. I could not put this book down without reading it all. It struck such a chord within my soul that I could not stand the absence of this woman’s story any longer, so I picked it up again. I am now reading it for the second time, taking my time and savoring it, and I am finding things that I never noticed before, things that are speaking to me in a way that is totally new and wonderful. In the same way that she offered thankfulness for friendship and trust at her very first circle, I offer thankfulness for Phyllis and her story. I cannot recommend this book enough. I wish it were required reading for all initiates and seekers. It really is that good.

This book is something else. I wanted to read it all in one day, but it took a week. It is jam packed with information. If earth based religions seem intimidating or a person is off the track of their own faith, this book is great at explaining the possibilities of why a person could be missing it. She has a completely different approach at describing the various differences of faith and how studying through them, one can grasp the idea of really learning to know themselves and understanding the roles of faith in a person's life. You really feel the emotions of the book and the warmth she put into. This book is a memoir style book, but it can be applied to your own life. It's almost like she's teaching you, herself. Be a little open minded.

I really enjoyed this book. I'm a big fan of memoirs by "regular people" who have a strong interest in something unusual, and this definitely fits the bill. My only wish for the book was that the author had stuck to what she does best: describing her personal experiences and emotions in a vivid and lively way. Occassionally she wanders off into a little mini-lecture on Wicca and the "history of witchcraft" (which is of course a subject of some controversy) and when this happens, the book gets rather flat and dry. Better to leave off the educating and stick to the storytelling. Perhaps it is because I am already well-read on elementary Wicca that I found these diversions distracting, but I suspect that even if it was new to me I would have preferred to have Curott "show me" instead of "tell me." Overall a good read, though.

I own this book somewhere, so got the kindle edition for the meanwhile. There is a lot in here that does not appeal to me, but its not my journey. What I do like is the way this person tells the story of how she made her journey, what it meant to her, how it helped her, how she grew and expanded her life because of it. Sometimes, when you are the only person you know walking this path, its nice to share with someone, and this book is written in such a way, that you are indeed, sharing the experience.

The book follows the author in her first year of linking to witchcraft and a coven she is introduced to by a friend. As she learns about what they do, all manner of insights come to her and the pathway opens up, bringing potency and understanding on deeper levels, and an innate strength of being.I would recommend this book for anyone thinking of witchcraft or simply wanting to know more about pagan ways.

Please note that I have left four stars only because, as an American publication, this book has limited value for UK Wiccans, who may not even consider US Wicca to be the same section of the Path.This is a beautifully written, often moving account of Phyllis's awakening to Goddess spirituality as part of a Dianic group whose trials and problems as Wiccans in a male dominated world also form part of the story. It is a story that many experienced Wiccans and witches will identify with and enjoy with a sense of sisterhood and validation. The people Phyliis describes, though veiled and composited to hide their real identities, are very real, and the beautiful temple in which they meet to celebrate their spirituality is vividly drawn. Obviously I know what a Book of Shadows is; my feeling on reading this lovely work is that it should have been entitled "Book of Light".

I really enjoyed reading this book,while being the story of the author's journey into wicca-which is a fascinating and inspiring story,it is also a book in which you can learn about the craft.I learned alot from this book,the group she joined sounded wonderful,as a solitary witch it made me really long to be part of a teaching circle.At the back of the book is a short appendix with a useful handful of spells,and informantion about the sabbats.I highly recommend this book,its a must read for wiccans or anyone who wants to know what wicca is about.Blessed be.

I read this book some years ago but didnt have the title to read again. A couple of google searches came up trumps. Part way through now and enjoying this book just as much second time around.

a real page turner .. i found the back story of the day job as compelling as the journey of sisterhood