The Witches Shield

Christopher Penczak takes a threefold approach to protection magick in this guide for Witches, pagans, shamans, and psychics. First, find out how to protect yourself using personal energy, will and intent. Next, discover how to connect with your guardian spirits, angels, and patron deities. Finally, learn how to use traditional spell craft and ritual for protection.

Review

Psychic Protection is a subject that seems to be rarely talked about in many ‘how to' books. It may have a paragraph or two devoted to it within the subject matter, but the majority of today's books on witchcraft seem to spend much of their time on spells and the like. Of course, for many druids, the idea of using magick - spelt with a ‘k' would be anathema in any case. Many, if not all of those who follow a druidic path would perhaps consider themselves more ‘natural' witches than ones concerned with elaborate ritual and the tools thereof.

That having been said, and allowing for the fact that Mr Penczak approaches this subject very much from the perspective of the modern witch, this book holds a great many useful and enlightening techniques that may prove useful to those who practice different paths to the one described in this book. Working methodically through a discussion on whether Psychic Attack actually exists at all, through the dangers that may be faced by those unprepared to the symptoms that someone may experience where things may have gone wrong, the book leads us to the basics of protecting ourselves when we contact other realms of reality. The author talks sensibly about the need of physical, emotional, mental and soul protection before going on to tell us about protective symbols and techniques as well as evocations to angels, power animals, deities and nature spirits. The last few chapters concentrate on banishing, bindings, and a discussion on the rights and wrongs of revenge and retribution, and finally a discussion on the nature of good and evil, and the divine in all of nature.

The book also has a very useful CD of over 70 minutes, recited by Christopher Penczak himself, which covers meditations and instructions on many of the areas discussed in the book

I have no doubt that this will be a useful addition to the bookshelves of many. It contains some real wisdom, and never preaches at the reader. Penczak does make his own points of view strongly, and argues his case on aspects of his teachings well. However, there are parts of his book that do not feel in tune with my own practice and beliefs, sometimes in his style, and occasionally and quite profoundly in the substance. That doesn't imply I find this book of little use. On the contrary, it is a book that offers advice and insight into an often neglected but important part of modern spiritual practice, giving reason for the reader to stop and think consciously as to their own intention. You may not always agree with Mr Penczak, but at least you will have thought about what he is saying!