Gray Witch's Grimoire, The

I found 'The Gray Witch's Grimoire' by Amythyst Raine to be an honest, intelligent and accessible presentation of the practice of witchcraft in general and the way of the gray witch in particular. Ms. Raines' approach to the craft unfolds in a simple, yet subtly elegant writing style that is both inviting and informative. I appreciated the all inclusive nature of the information she has to share, neither couching her spiritual practices in obtuse language that would exclude the novice reader, nor relying on the fiction of familiarity which is too often relied on in books of this genre. You know what I mean, books that attempt to create the illusion that the author is writing secretively to a fellow coven member on quill and parchment under a full moon at midnight. In other words there's no theatrics here; just solid, reliable, constructive information that the reader can either file away mentally or make the personal choice to use as they choose.It has been written by several reviewers that there is really nothing new being presented here, that it contains much information that you can get elsewhere. To a certain extent that may be true but then that's true about anything and everything one may choose to write about. There is always an accepted body of facts or a traditional teaching that constitutes a foundation. It's how you build upon that foundation that presents the possibility of something new being created. In her preface the author begins with a iconic quote from 'The Wizard of Oz', "Are you a good witch or a bad witch?" Here is the crux upon which the book rests; what is the role of the gray witch and where are they located on the path moving back and forth between darkness and light? Amythyst Raine successfully answers that question. The answer; they're balancing ever so delicately right in the middle.

This is a great straight-to-the-point book for witches who want to practice the old ways of our ancestors, and those who are sick and tired of hearing “Harm none” and “The rule of three…blah blah blah”. Those concepts are for very modern wiccan-types (wicca is only 80 years old), concepts for witches who live in fear of their place in history, and in fear of their own power.It’s not full of boring basics like The Crooked Path, which reads like a car manual in my opinion. It’s just right.

I had high hopes for this book. I really did. After reading the pages available as a preview, and going through the reviews available on Amazon, I was excited! Finally, a book that took (what I believe to be) a realistic perspective on Witchcraft – that all parts of it are to be respected, not feared.I wish I could say I wasn’t disappointed. For one, its short. Less than 200 pages. (If I had the ability to focus I once did, I could read it in one sitting.) For another, it doesn’t really address Gray Witchcraft. It reads like a basic introduction to Witchcraft for the average seeker rather than someone who’s experienced in the Craft and wants to dive a little deeper into areas not typically covered.I can appreciate her opening with “Magickal Principles” and a “Code of Ethics” for us “gray witches”, but that doesn’t even cover a full dozen pages. After that, it’s discussion on some symbols, and basic Witchcraft beliefs.I understand this is titled as a Grimoire, so I’m not taking issue with the fact the rest of the book is full of correspondences. However, they are correspondences that can be found with just a few keystrokes on Google, with no real link to the concept of Gray Witchcraft.That being said, there are a few things in the book that I think are missing from most basic Wicca/Witchcraft books on the market today – but again, nothing really specific to Gray Witchcraft. It was neat seeing how the author viewed Initiation, as that almost always ends up being a contentious subject. I enjoyed her take on how one experiences initiation not being a part of a group. I also enjoyed how she expanded on “The Metaphysical Laws of Witchcraft.” Again, something I think most books on Witchcraft are missing, but nothing special to the Gray Witch.To wrap this up, I’ll say this: I think Amythyst Raine had a great idea, but the execution could have been done much better. The book itself is a good book – not something I would sit down and read, but definitely something I would still use as a quick reference as it has a lot of good information. If you are looking for a book that might actually be a good reference for the Gray Witch, I’d strongly suggest you search elsewhere.

No matter what your skill level I think everyone will get something from this book. Maybe you’re interested in certain little history tidbits of Witchcraft. Well Amythyst has many gems throughout the book. Maybe you’re just getting started and don’t know where to begin. Well this book would be a great starting point. Maybe you are an established practitioner just looking to expand your library with different thoughts. Well here you go!I found this book a real easy read, filled with an array of information but not to in depth that it goes over your head. Amythyst shares her years of insight into this world in very easy to follow steps allowing the reader to get their feet wet into this world of Witchcraft. Amythyst includes a few basic spells and rituals that will allow the reader a better understanding of what it is to be a witch.I grew up just over an hour from Salem, MA and found some of the background history in regards to different dates as well as rituals inspiring as well as informative. I will say that after reading this book I am even more inclined to pick up her other books in order to expand my library. A must read!

At first I thought this was going to be another flowery prose sort of book which required me to have my brain so "open" it would leak out my ears; conversely perhaps written by a bregrudging walker of the crooked path who thinks having a bitter tongue denotes wisdom. However, once I had read the first five pages, I realised I was reading the real deal: someone who walked the Crooked Path but had kept their head on straight the whole while, and was willing to guide others through the thorns and brambles a bit (although, quite sensibly, not the whole way through). The book has plenty of great details about the months of the year, touches on the use of hoodoo, and yet also touches on Hermetic magick and application. These subjects are very broad and would require their own book, but the author gives enough for the starting witch to get on with, and breaks it down in straight-forward language. This is indeed a path which is for people who are not of the fluffy-witch variety, or of the hard-core Chaosite/vampiric types, but it does carefully bridge the gap between the two.It should be noted the book is primarily of a Dianic standpoint and therefore men who read the book for insight may feel a bit left out, but I still think it's a good resource for those who may just be starting out on the Path. Personally, I have been Working for over 20 years, but even I read some things I didn't know about (having never been a part of a coven), and I will definitely be incorporating some things into my practice. All in all, a good book for those who aren't afraid to bring down a hex or two upon a deserving head - but only when it is deserved.

I chose this book mainly due to the title, and my age haha. Learning through reading as much as I can I have come across a few less than helpful or accurate books. This however gives a greater insight and better understanding of why, how and when things are being, or have been, done. Great shelf filler you will pull out time after time

Very good ! It explains things so simply and lays it out for you leaving from for your own creation

Great service ,thank you AAAAA+++++

A lovely book which is written clearly and set out neatly.