Energy Essentials for Witches and Spellcasters Paperback – August 8, 2009

I knew I had to have this book as soon as I saw the title. I think it's long overdo for someone to have written a book on how to actually make spells work. When the book itself arrived I was a little disappointed. It's a pretty small book to have a list price of $14.95! But as I started to read it I knew that it was worth every penny. When the author wrote in the Introduction: "As you become more experienced, you'll realize that there is a difference between Wicca as a religion and witchcraft as a skill." I knew that I was going to love this book! It's refreshing to see that there are Wiccans out here that realize that anyone of any religion (and no religion) can practice witchcraft, because witchcraft is basically the practice of magic and spells. I also found it interesting that when the author moved to America when she was in her early teens, less than a year later she discovered Wicca. This is exactly what happened to me! I've since moved on to only practicing witchcraft and don't consider myself Wiccan, but it was the religion that showed me that there are others out there practicing magic and that it wasn't all in my head. I also found it interesting that the author comes from an Islamic background, because most of the books I have are by people who come from a Christian or Jewish background.Now to the actual book itself. This book has seven chapters. Chapter one, "Foundations of Spellwork," is excellent because it talks about the mindset of the witch. If you cast a spell but you are not physically and mentally ready for the results, your spell will probably fail or manifest in a way you didn't want it to. This chapter has exercises that help you get clear on what you want or need and how those things might affect your life if they manifest. This is very important because if you're not really clear on what you want, how do you expect the universe to give it to you? Chapter two, "Sensing Energy," has a bunch of exercises to get in touch with the energies around you. To be honest, I didn't find much use for most of them. I liked the exercise to awaken the chakra centers, the one to get in touch with earth energy, and the one to clear negative energies from your aura. The other exercises, like getting in touch with the energy of objects, plants, animals and humans I didn't find that useful for me personally, but I can see how they can be useful to other people. Chapter three, "Manipulating Energy," is really the meat of the book. Here you will find various exercises of raising, directing, and using energy. Once again, there are some exercises that didn't speak to me personally. Like raising energy with chanting, dance or song. Those might be useful if I didn't live with other people. But she did provide a technique of raising earth energy and shaping it into an energy ball that I did find very useful for those of us who prefer mental/direct magic without any other trappings. I was glad that the author mentioned throughout the book that we don't really need physical tools to cast spells, though they can be helpful to focus one's energy. This chapter also has techniques for charging charms and candles. Chapter four, "Revising Existing Spells and Writing Your Own," is another excellent chapter that's been missing from most magic books I've read (I've read hundreds of them!) and she goes further than any other author I've read in explaining how to revise existing spells and writing your own. She provides examples of actual spells and then revises them so that they make sense and actually include instructions on when and where you are supposed to raise and direct energy. Chapter five, "Other Useful Techniques," has some interesting ideas on manipulating energy. There's a section on kitchen witchery which I didn't find interesting but others might. What I did find interesting were her techniques for energy shields and glamour. Very interesting and it shows the reader that the applications of energy are only as limited as your imagination. Chapter six, "Ten Practical Tips," is a short chapter with some useful advice from the author. Chapter seven, "Guided Meditations," is another short chapter providing two guided meditations which I didn't find that useful or interesting.Overall, I think that this book belongs on every witch's bookshelf. If you've got a bunch of spellbooks with spells that sound interesting but aren't really clear in how to raise and direct energy to make them work, this is the book for you! I own hundreds of books on magical topics and I think I'd put this one in my top five of all time favorite and useful books. And even though the author is Wiccan, she realizes that not everyone reading her book is and it was refreshing to be talked to like an adult when she mentioned ethics. I also liked how she shared personal stories of her own spells, which you don't find in many magical books these days. The only problem that stands out for me with this book is that there are several paragraphs from chapter one that are repeated word-for-word in chapter two! But that's a minor complaint, and it probably has more to do with the editor than the author. I also didn't care for some of the exercises, but that's a personal thing. I can see how those exercises can be useful to other people, they just didn't speak to me personally.In conclusion, this is one of the best books on magic available today, and one of the most useful if you want to cast successful spells.Highly recommended!

I've changed my review, although there should be something in the discription that it is Wiccan, there are only a few and far between, thankfully. The information in this book is something I have been searching for for a decade! And to find it in an unassuming little book is a wonderful surprise. I didn't expect much from this book being annoyed that it was Wiccan, I read it anyways and as a big reader of MANY books on the Craft over 20 years I have never come across one with this much incredibly useful, practical, hands on information, AND exercises to put it into practice immediately. THANK U Mya Om!

This book is so amazing, very easy to read. It has tons of information for a beginner like me. I find most of the exercise were very useful. I like how she talks about her own experiences and her grandmothers way of doing magick, it keeps it interesting and makes it easier to understand. The writer goes into detail on why things didn’t work for her and how she corrected them for herself. She does touch on Wiccan religion but it’s not annoying or too much to make you want to put the book down. The only thing i say was lacking was how to the write the spells. She did have a few examples but I would’ve liked more. That’s a personal thing. All in all I recommend this book to those who need help understanding energy and how it works.

This book is great. Other books talk about energy and raising it but this one goes further. It explains how, why, what to do with it, and when. It also explains how to you might experience energy and recognize it. I highly recommend.

Read it long ago, can't remember the details but DO remember that it's a well written account of how to use energy (which is all "witchcraft" is about - has nothing to do with the Devil at all, just moving energy around). Well worth the read.

Amazing book!!! For all of us in the Spiritual Path Mya Om explains in simple quite very precise words a very powerful methodology to materialize our thoughts. She summarizes in a simple book what for other authors its has taken several books to just scratch the surface, This books and the sequel are the most valuable books in my collection. Other books may offer more theory about how to materialize our thoughts however this book is practical and amazingly effective. A must read for all Energy Workers.

I normally don't leave reviews but this starter book is the BEST! Mya goes step by step explaining everything you need to know. Be patient & take your time & your life will begin to change with the powers you'll gain. Her writing skills & the ability to keep the reader interested from page 1 to the end is absolutely awesome! If you are just starting out or thinking about getting into the craft, begin w/this book. Mya is an absolute blessing!!

I love Mya Om's books. I wish she would write more. I like her to- the- point, honest approach to spell casting and raising energy. She provides several different techniques and doesn't bog you done with a lot of complicated and strict ritual steps. -Kim B

This is the single best books on raising/directing energy for successful spells. It is not receiving nearly enough praise online but it is truly outstanding.It's a very short book and the author recommend doing the exercises to raise and direct energy everyday for 30 days to build up the habit and this is one of the only book where I've seen such focus on the energy which is the only reason why spells work.

Not finish reading but so far I love this book make sense!

You have done the preparation, mixed the herbs, checked the moon sign etc, everything great -way to go only to find nothing happens :( if that's you, then this book is a must read, the missing ingredient Energy!

very nice