A review by jessicaminster
Before You Cast a Spell: Understanding the Power of Magic: Understanding Power Before You Use It by Carl McColman

fast-paced

3.5

Although the lessons and ideas that are presented in this book are very helpful for someone who's just getting into witchcraft (read: me), it is a weirdly underhanded "Backdoor Wicca" book. I really thought the information is totally useful, from what you should understand ethically to just mechanically about magic before doing a single spell. I happened to be sucked in with the Wicca stuff too, so read at your own discretion with all that. There is a good deal of repetition in the book, but it never gets to be too much-- it's more so for the sake of emphasis than anything, and it's stuff that you really should know, so I think it's excusable. The Wicca stuff is potentially troubling, but for someone who's open to it, I was receptive. If you're vehemently opposed to Wicca for whatever reason, maybe stay away or at least keep in mind that regardless of what it appears to be, this *is* a primarily Wiccan text.

Also, side note: McColman's use of very casual language was sometimes a little grating, or even cloying. Maybe I'm just more accustomed to more academic language at this point, I'm not sure. It's not super bad, he's not using terrible outdated slang or anything, it's just a little bit distracting at times.