The Craft: A Witch’s Book of Shadows by Dorothy Morrison is a practical, engaging, and modern guide to witchcraft, designed as an accessible and hands-on Book of Shadows. Unlike dense, academic texts on Wicca, this book takes a relaxed, conversational approach, making it easy to read and immediately applicable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.
Morrison blends traditional Wiccan teachings with practical magic, offering rituals, spells, correspondences, and personal insights in a way that feels approachable and empowering. While it leans more toward an eclectic, solitary practice, it incorporates elements of traditional Wicca, making it a great resource for those seeking a balance between structure and personal creativity in their Craft.
Overview of the Book
This book serves as a user-friendly, modern Book of Shadows, filled with step-by-step instructions, magical correspondences, and down-to-earth wisdom.
1. What is the Craft?
Morrison introduces witchcraft as a spiritual and magical practice, emphasizing that:
- Witchcraft is about personal empowerment and responsibility
- Magic is a tool for improving life and manifesting intentions
- The Divine can be experienced in many forms, and practitioners are free to choose their own path
She writes:
“Witchcraft is not about waving wands and muttering incantations—it’s about working in harmony with the natural world to create real change.”
Her practical, no-nonsense approach makes this book ideal for those who want magic to be useful and applicable rather than overly ceremonial.
2. Setting Up Your Magical Practice
Morrison provides a straightforward guide to starting a personal magical practice, covering:
- How to set up an altar and choose magical tools
- Using candles, herbs, and crystals effectively
- How to charge and consecrate tools for spellwork
Unlike more rigid Wiccan traditions, she emphasizes personal intuition, writing:
“Your practice should be an extension of you—not a carbon copy of someone else’s rituals.”
3. Rituals, Spells, and Practical Magic
This section is packed with useful spellwork and rituals, including:
✅ Simple daily rituals for protection and cleansing
✅ Love spells, prosperity spells, and confidence boosters
✅ Rituals for Sabbats and Esbats
✅ Emergency spells for quick magical solutions
One of the most popular spells from the book is her “Bad Day Banishing Ritual”, where she instructs practitioners to:
“Write down everything that went wrong, burn the paper, and scatter the ashes to release negativity.”
Her spells are practical, easy to follow, and adaptable, making them accessible for any level of practitioner.
4. The Role of Ethics in Magic
Morrison discusses magical responsibility, but she takes a less strict approach than traditional Wicca. She acknowledges the Wiccan Rede (“An it harm none, do what ye will”), but also encourages witches to:
- Make their own moral decisions based on intuition and common sense
- Understand that magic has consequences, but not all “negative” spells are unethical
- Defend themselves magically when necessary
She states:
“Sometimes, the best way to protect yourself is not to turn the other cheek, but to ensure no one slaps it in the first place.”
This more flexible stance on ethics makes the book refreshing for those who find traditional Wiccan rules too restrictive.
5. Sabbats and Seasonal Celebrations
Morrison provides easy-to-follow rituals and traditions for the Wheel of the Year, including:
- How to celebrate the Sabbats with simple rituals and feasts
- Ideas for decorating and setting intentions for each season
- Correspondences for colors, herbs, and symbols related to each festival
Rather than requiring elaborate ceremonial work, her Sabbat celebrations are down-to-earth, practical, and fun.
6. Living as a Witch
One of the best parts of this book is Morrison’s focus on how to integrate witchcraft into everyday life, covering:
✅ Daily magical habits and energy work
✅ How to maintain a magical mindset in a busy world
✅ Cleansing and protecting the home with simple rituals
She encourages practitioners to:
“Live your magic, don’t just practice it. Every moment is an opportunity to weave energy and intention into your world.”
This approach makes the book perfect for modern witches who want magic to be a natural part of life, not just a weekend ritual.
Strengths of the Book
1. Practical, No-Nonsense Approach
Morrison’s conversational tone and step-by-step instructions make this book one of the easiest and most enjoyable reads on witchcraft. A reader commented:
“I love how she makes magic feel so natural—like something you can do every day, not just in big rituals.”
2. Perfect for Solitary and Eclectic Witches
Unlike books that strictly follow Wiccan traditions, The Craft is highly adaptable, making it great for:
✅ Solitary witches who want to create their own path
✅ Those who want structure but also flexibility in their practice
✅ Witches who want magic that fits into their daily routine
3. Covers a Wide Range of Topics
Morrison provides a well-rounded introduction to the Craft, including:
✅ Spellcraft and practical magic
✅ Rituals for Sabbats and Esbats
✅ Daily magical living and personal empowerment
This makes it a fantastic all-in-one guide for those looking for a solid foundation in modern witchcraft.
4. Encourages Personal Empowerment
Rather than insisting on one “right” way to practice magic, Morrison encourages:
✅ Confidence in personal spiritual growth
✅ Intuition and individual exploration
✅ Using magic as a tool for self-improvement and empowerment
A reader wrote:
“This book made me feel like I could shape my own magical practice without needing permission from a coven or a teacher.”
Weaknesses of the Book
1. Not Traditional Wicca
While Morrison includes elements of Wicca, her approach is more eclectic and personal.
❌ She does not focus on traditional initiation or coven-based Wicca.
❌ Her ethical stance is more flexible than strict Wiccan teachings.
A traditional Wiccan reader commented:
“If you’re looking for formal Wiccan structure, this book might feel too loose and non-traditional.”
2. Lacks Deep Historical Context
The book is very practical but does not provide an in-depth history of witchcraft or Wicca.
❌ It doesn’t explore ancient Pagan traditions in detail.
❌ It focuses more on personal practice than on scholarly historical research.
A reader noted:
“I wanted more background on the history of Wicca and witchcraft, but this book is more about hands-on practice than theory.”
3. Some Spells and Techniques Are Very Basic
While Morrison’s spells are easy to follow, some experienced practitioners may find them too simple.
❌ It lacks advanced magical techniques or deep occult knowledge.
❌ Those looking for high-level ceremonial magic won’t find it here.
One reviewer remarked:
“It’s a great beginner’s book, but I was hoping for more advanced spellcraft and ritual work.”
Personal Experience and Perspective
When I first read The Craft, I appreciated its practicality and accessibility. Unlike books that feel overly ceremonial or dogmatic, this book helped me integrate magic into daily life.
Some of my favorite takeaways:
✅ Morrison’s emphasis on living magic daily—not just during rituals
✅ Her practical, straightforward approach to spellwork
✅ Her encouragement to trust intuition over rigid rules
While I later expanded my studies with more historical and traditional sources, I still return to The Craft for its down-to-earth wisdom and practicality.
Conclusion: A Practical and Engaging Book of Shadows
The Craft is one of the best practical guides to modern witchcraft, ideal for solitary practitioners, eclectic witches, and those who want a hands-on approach to magic.
Recommended for:
✅ Beginners looking for an easy-to-follow guide
✅ Solitary and eclectic witches
✅ Those who want to integrate magic into daily life
Not ideal for:
❌ Traditional Wiccans seeking structured ritual and initiation
❌ Advanced practitioners looking for deep magical theory