I was in my mid teens when I took my first steps on the Path. I don’t remember my reasons too clearly, but looking back, it seems like a mix of depression and powerlessness made me yearn for some small area where I could have something “mine”. My mother’s a witch, and when I first asked her to take me to a “craft store”, she was tickled pink.

It was a balmy, breezy day in Wales, and after an hour of wide-eyed window-shopping, I bought my first witchy book, a vaguely beige-y tome with a picture of a straw pentacle lying in a patch of sand. Incidentally, that same book is the book I’ll be tackling first on this blog.

So does the book that first hooked me still possess the power and mystery it did when I was young? Let’s talk about that.

The Real Witches’ Handbook by Kate West, 2001.

“For all those ‘young in the Craft’…I offer an introduction to practicing the oft misunderstood and misconstrued belief system of the Witch” Page X.

The Real Witches’ Handbook is billed as “A Complete Introduction to the Craft”. Originally published in 2001, the book came out during an oft-forgotten pop culture fad where the occult was young, hip, and even sorta sexy. Harry Potter’d just discovered that no-nosed magic Hitler was trying to take over the government, Willow Rosenberg was coming to terms with her sexuality, and Sabrina Spellman was still failing to realize that real, adult problems can’t be fixed by turning random things into cheese whiz.

In the midst of madness was Kate West, a mid-forties Englishwoman and High Priestess who decided to sit down and tell the kids who’d been following these fictional mages what witchcraft was REALLY about. Or rather, what Wicca is really about. Because it was 2001 and the words “witchcraft” and “Wicca” were still seen as synonyms by a surprising number of people.

“Speaking practically, we believe that there is a Goddess as well as a God and that both are equally powerful…” Page 13

About half the book is dedicated to setting the record straight (No, you can’t change your eye color, no matter what spellsandmagic.com says) and introducing readers to the concept of Wicca as a real life religion. West’s main thrust is that Wiccans are everyday people who just happen to have certain deities and rituals that aren’t as well known as the so-called “major” faiths. It’s written in a lively, compelling fashion that uses just the right amount of humor to be funny without being obnoxious or condescending to the reader.

“Many Witches do have a long cloak for use outdoors, as it covers clothing and keeps the weather out…The pointed hat, however, is not something many Witches will own unless they have a taste for fancy-dress parties” Page 8.

Even when it comes to magic, she’s quick to assure us that REAL witches don’t sling spells at every little problem, and that most witches practice so subtly that only another witch could find them. There’s a lot of stuff like this in the book, and in many ways, it feels like there’s more time devoted to making sure prospective witches have the right attitude and ideals than actual discussion of magic. It’s less like a “101” book, and more like a remedial or prep text; the book you’d want if you weren’t quite sure whether you actually wanted to be a witch.

What subjects the book does cover are varied, but fairly shallow. There’s a list of a dozen herbs and what they’re usually for, a list of divination tools, a dozen or so simple spells, and some basic knowledge about different deities who some Wiccans worship. The most in-depth section of the book is the content concerning the Sabbats and Esbats. Each Sabbat has at least two or three pages devoted to things like it’s origins, historical British traditions, and a mix of spells to perform on each one. Typically, there’s one “serious” ritual, with lots of steps and tools and chants to recite, and then a handful of smaller, simpler observances recommended for those who want something a little less intensive. The spell instructions are written in plain English, and feature a lot of suggestions for substitutions and modifications based on your situation.

“The usual symbol is a candle. A tea light or nite-light is a perfectly acceptable and far less expensive form of this. However, you can also use a quartz crystal, which reflects the light of Fire, or a gemstone with a Fire correspondence, such as sunstone or tiger’s eye” Page 135

The best way I can describe the book is that it’s a bit like eating samples at a fancy ice cream shop: you’ll know what witchcraft IS, and that there are many different disciplines and varieties, but if you’re looking for serious knowledge, then this isn’t the place. In addition to this, some of West’s statements concerning things like the history of witchcraft aren’t exactly historical, and the whole “Witchcraft=Wicca” equivalency leads to a lot of fuzzy blanket statements like “Witches do believe in, let alone worship, a devil” (pg 4). Just remember to mentally find/replace every instance of the word “Witch” with “Wiccan”, and you’ll be fine…mostly.

Despite all the criticism I have, the book is still immensely enjoyable. It’s down-to-Earth and accessible without being patronizing, and there’s a definite sense of heart in what Kate West writes. She paints a realistic portrait of what witchy life is like, and makes sure to remind the reader that her methods are just one suggestion, and that there are many different ways to witch. (As long as your way is Wiccan, of course. Again, 2001).

When I first read it, The Real Witches’ Handbook meant so much to me. It was one of the few books I found that didn’t try and make it seem like witchcraft was some supernatural fix-all, or that witches are somehow superior to non-witches. This book made witchcraft seem normal, and as a teenager, that was exactly what I needed to hear.

Even as a fairly well-read adult, I loved this book. It’s aimed at someone who’s only encountered fictional witches, but even as someone who knows they can’t throw fireballs at their relatives (at least not in the sense I’d LIKE to), I found this a charming read. It’s a great book for those who’re dipping their toes into the craft and want to know what sort of stuff they’re getting into. West even suggests giving this book to a non-Wiccan friend to make them more comfortable with your faith, so hey, if you have any skeptical friends…why not try it?

Reading The Real Witches’ Handbook was a nice way for me to reconnect with my craft after many years away, and I’m very excited about reading and reviewing more in-depth books in the future.

Thanks for reading, and as always, be well, my witches. ❤