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brittni915's review against another edition
3.0
I read this to understand more about the history of witchcraft. It was very good for someone who’s a “beginner”, but I really just skimmed over the last bit as I wasn’t much interested in spellwork. I was more interested in a basic read about the history of witches and what that looks like now.
hugnat17's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic starting guide. I highly recommend this if you’re just starting the art.
littledollreads's review against another edition
4.0
I think that the fall season has inspired me to do some more research into witchcraft. I find that it is a fascinating subject that I am contemplating taking up as a practice. This book delivered on its promise of being a great starting point for new witches. I loved the way that this book presented the information, it was easy to digest, and would be great to look back at if you needed a refresher in the basics. Overall this was a great book for entry into witchcraft and I think I'm going to continue on with my research.
kelleykamanda's review against another edition
5.0
“The Door to Witchcraft” by Tonya Brown was an extraordinary read. The label of a simple introductory guide does not do this work justice. To describe this book as bluntly as possible, I would present “The Door to Witchcraft” as a whimsical and easy to access piece that has a copious amount of research at its core.
Emphasizing that knowledge is power, Brown begins her book by presenting history, misconceptions of witchcraft, and resources to readers at the forefront before showcasing spell work. Brown emphases the importance of understanding where the practice stemmed from historically and how the practice is so much more than what media offers us. This book is meant for the true beginner and what I like the most about this book is the shear amount of resources. In no way does Brown showcase her book as the end all be all to witchcraft knowledge. “The Door to Witchcraft” is a guide of basics, offering an overview of all things witchcraft while also tipping her hat to other witch authors and historians.
Apart from Brown’s historical presentation, I also valued Brown’s openness to deconstructing problematic norms of witchcraft. Brown displays how her view of witchcraft differs from other ideologies with her empowering statement that not only does “magic and our identity not stem from our genitals” but also that if we choose the path of witchcraft in whatever way we choose, “no one has the right to judge the validity of how” we choose to label ourselves. In so many previous works, books of a similar purpose present themselves as being closed off or rigid in practice, only opening its doors to individuals with wombs or of a strict Wiccan faith, OR present the mainstream, and often misleading, falsities of what witchcraft is at its core. Brown’s book seeks to be different.
For readers with an interest in witchcraft, especially at the beginner level, I highly recommend Brown’s work. Not only will it provide readers with an empowering desire to practice, it will actually “open its doors” to other, more focused, paths to becoming your personal dream of being a witch.
Emphasizing that knowledge is power, Brown begins her book by presenting history, misconceptions of witchcraft, and resources to readers at the forefront before showcasing spell work. Brown emphases the importance of understanding where the practice stemmed from historically and how the practice is so much more than what media offers us. This book is meant for the true beginner and what I like the most about this book is the shear amount of resources. In no way does Brown showcase her book as the end all be all to witchcraft knowledge. “The Door to Witchcraft” is a guide of basics, offering an overview of all things witchcraft while also tipping her hat to other witch authors and historians.
Apart from Brown’s historical presentation, I also valued Brown’s openness to deconstructing problematic norms of witchcraft. Brown displays how her view of witchcraft differs from other ideologies with her empowering statement that not only does “magic and our identity not stem from our genitals” but also that if we choose the path of witchcraft in whatever way we choose, “no one has the right to judge the validity of how” we choose to label ourselves. In so many previous works, books of a similar purpose present themselves as being closed off or rigid in practice, only opening its doors to individuals with wombs or of a strict Wiccan faith, OR present the mainstream, and often misleading, falsities of what witchcraft is at its core. Brown’s book seeks to be different.
For readers with an interest in witchcraft, especially at the beginner level, I highly recommend Brown’s work. Not only will it provide readers with an empowering desire to practice, it will actually “open its doors” to other, more focused, paths to becoming your personal dream of being a witch.
themadmayqueen's review against another edition
4.0
This is a really great/helpful introduction. I was pleasantly surprised the author took care to mention that readers cannot be culturally appropriative when practicing and exploring all areas of the craft.
morchels's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.0
It's a great 101 book for people just dipping their toes in. Honestly, I thought it could be a little longer and in general it just wasn't for me. But I think it accomplishes what it sets out to do.