The problem with most books on paganism is that authors take "mystery religion" as meaning "I can't be bothered to explain why this works". After reading volume after volume of philosophy, correspondences, and spells, all I accomplished was having the ability to rotely repeat things that I did not understand, therefore, felt nothing for. Then this book came along.
I originally bought it for my friend, but decided to pick up a copy for myself. I am -very- glad I did! The "Scope" and "Skills" sections are jam-packed with real information and history that I could finally understand, because they actually explain the how's and why's of the craft, striking a balance between fact and feeling, knowledge and mystery, smarts and spirit. The "Spells" section continues this with a lengthy explanation of where the spell comes from, how it should be accomplished, and -why- it works. Not only that, but there are variations of each spell listed, making magick even more practical and accessible to the average Joe.
From dance to language, healing fevers to shooing your sister-in-law out of your house (BOY that comes in handy!), this book has it. Five Stars, Instant Favourite, Highly recommended!
Sometimes, rarely, a classic can be recognized from the moment it is published. "The Goodly Spell Book," like "The Art of French Cooking," or "The Elements of Style," is such a work.
As Julia Child did in the former, Deerman and Rasmussen organize, consolidate and instruct without condescension. And like "Elements" author Strunk, they take refinement of written language to a pleasurable max.
The result is a readable compendium of the dustiest, rarest and hardest-to-fathom old books . It's an instruction manual that takes readers from spellcraft 101 to the outline for their graduate course. And it's a cookbook that can be followed by anyone with a few tools and the daring to try.
"Goodly"'s clear tables and copius footnotes make it an excellent reference for fast look-ups, and an index to the old classic works. Its introduction to magickal principles -- the first half of the book -- makes basic principles clear to any novice, yet covers a breadth that will abash most initiates.
Sections like the correspondences of planets to musical modes and specific sound, make accessible layers of power previously unknown to all but a few.
"Goodly"'s second part is stuffed with historic recipes enhanced by long use, and new spells adapted from time-tested charms. Annotated with shopping lists and "why it works" explanations, it's perfect for browsers-of-oddities and the I-know-it-alls who read books from the back page to front.
For most readers interested in magick, this single title will replace an entire shelf of difficult to read, rambling tomes. The rest -- esoteric wizards and fanatic bibliophiles -- will buy it to be sure their collection is complete.
