While the “A Witche’s Grimoire” book may not be as flashy as some of the new era fiction in the witch literature section, the authorship caught my eye. A Witche’s Grimoire is by Gavin Frost, Ph.D and Yvonne Frost, D.D, who term themselves the Founders of the Church and School of Wicca. The text suggested a revised and updated edition, but also specifically mentioned amulets and talismans. For a person planning an authentic witch costume many Wicca symbols and the importance of jewelry can be helpful.

This book contains a very positive energy. While some witchcraft books have a somber and suggestive note, this one reads more like a self-help book out of depression with a few cheery spells and charts. How do ancient omens, portents and charms play into this? One learns in A Witche’s Grimoire about tamulets and hex signs and other witchly traditions. But the spheres of influence and the other themes in this book are not for children.

The readership for the book A Witche’s Grimoire should be an adult. Some of the phrasing will not be understood in or out of context by today’s young readers. This book illustrates in part why so many “new’ witch books are so popular (and why so many of them are being written). Magic Money Balance and other concepts as written here seem more entertaining than serious.

The devotees of Wicca will embrace this book, while others will find it heavy sledding. There are many anecdotal stories included which have the feel of a get-rich-quick advertisement. Some of the claimed religious and spiritual totems were described as having qualities or characteristics I do not believe.  Do people wear rings as safeguarding devices to control the flow of energy out of the body? Do belt buckles guard the solar plexus from negative energy?

The connection of inpourings of money and fair fortune connected to placement of amulets in a courtroom has a “magical belief system” warning over it, or should have. Any book that connects the wearing of jewelry and chanting directly to $100,000 reads like a phony sales pitch. The anecdotal scenarios seem to guarantee getting the man you love if you can send him the right necklace or crystal.

The transliteration of the device and amulets and personal fortune devices like rings is interesting. This is because there are people among who who are stalwart in their beliefs regarding the power of these objects and live their lives that way. But highly suggestible people may find this book somewhat persuasive to a case not yet proven. The use of rings, charms, and amulets to actually influence others is a mystical practice not actually demonstrated to work.