Merry meet all. In keeping with my ‘plan’ to reorganize and clean up for the new year. I was working on ‘cleaning up’ some of the spells I have in my BOS and I am working toward having all correspondence attached to the spells. For that purpose I need a good reference of Correspondence. The most popular book on Amazon is a Scott Cunningham book. I rather like some of Scott’s works, but I have read some reviews (supposedly from practiced and seasoned wicca devotees that Llewellyn is ‘promoting misinformation and no longer a reliable source’ ???
Does anyone have a reference that they like and trust?
I did find this book review on YouTube which is probably what I need to listen to.
I’m afraid I can’t offer much here, as the only Book of Correspondence I’m familiar with is the Scott Cunningham one and my knowledge comes mostly from the things others have shared about it!
Perhaps those who have read it can offer some deeper insights for you, Berta:
@Limeberry wrote a helpful book review for Llewellyn’s Complete Book of Correspondence- you can read her thoughts about it there.
I imagine that, as with most things in life, what works for one person may not be someone else’s cup of tea. And some people can be very tough critics!
I think it’s very smart to read reviews to get a better idea about the book- so hear what others have to say and then let your own trusty instincts guide you forward
I’ve found correspondences to vary quite a bit from person to person, and since magic is all about the intention I find those kinds of criticisms very absurd to be honest…
But also because of the variance no two books from two different authors can have the exact same correspondences, I guess that can lead to heated arguments if you’re the type… I’d say keep an open mind and try different books and see what you can connect with personally! What feels right to you, usually is
Actually when I was just starting I tried to write my own reference until I realized how huge of an undertaking it would be… Maybe I still eventually will, once I find the right format. I’m just in love with correspondences, associations and connections between things, intuitive and otherwise
Llewellyn is a platform for contributors. Some are good some maybe not. I’ve heard negative things said about D.J. Conway and Silver Ravenwolf and I find nothing wrong with their writings.
Silver Ravenwolf does the best job at explaining the confusing use of Planetary hours.
Thanks @John4. That makes sense. Some of the harshest critics were rather knit picky in their reviews and even in their harsh "don’t waste your money’ rant seemed to focus on one or two areas that were not ‘up to their standards’ or ‘conflicted with other resources’ which sometimes remained annoyingly unnamed. Others who did site texts referred to Skinner, Crawley and writings that were out of print or so pricey I couldn’t justify the expense. I know there are societies that keep treasured information close to the chest or for member use only. Perhaps I will enjoy the Cunningham book faults and all, and as one reviewer who really loved the book said - “i know it says to use a white candle but I just love purple so I use it instead…” and go with my gut. Then if the spell goes horribly awry I may have to rethink my process. LOL
I agree with the points made here. Correspondences are very personal and you can make your own:
If upon seeing a new plant/herb/crystal, it immediately tells you something (e.g. purple = spiritual awakening), then that’s going to be the correspondence that works for you, and nobody can tell you whether it’s right or wrong.
The ones in books are probably of a more traditional character or even accidental discoveries. You can see an example of this in the Philosophy of Natural Magic, by Henry Cornelius Agrippa: (Chapter XXIV)
" These things are Lunary, amongst the Elements, viz.: The earth, then the water, as well that of the sea as of the rivers; and all moist things, as the moisture of trees and animals, especially they which are white, as the whites of eggs, fat, sweat, phlegm, and the superfluities of bodies. Amongst tastes, salt and insipid; amongst metals, silver; amongst stones, crystal, the silver marcasite, and all those stones that are white and green. Also the stone selenite ( i. e. , the Moon, Lunary), shining from a white body, with a yellow brightness; imitating the motion of the Moon, by having in it the figure of the Moon, which daily increaseth or decreaseth as doth the Moon. Also pearls, which are generated in shells of fishes, and stalactites, formed from the droppings"
I enjoy Scott Cunningham’s books & was actually thinking of picking up this book for myself. I would take other’s reviews with a grain of salt because it is your craft and you agree with what is there then it should work for you. Other books may not have the same feel to them when you go through them. I feel like I am more in line with what Scott Cunningham writes about and I feel good afterward.
Honestly I am not so good at the correspondences, so that being said this all very good information. Thank you Berta what a good question. Thank you for the video. I got the book and maybe know I can apply some of this lovely knowledge to my magical workings. I guess what I am saying is since I just came to the craft I am still learning about alot! She talked about if you didnt know something about a herb than why would you use it? I thought that was a very good point. I buy herbs then I try to get to know them better. For example what came to me easy was chamomile tea. I know that one obviously thats easy. I feel like it is appealing because I know it. Its something that I have used this my whole life for sleeping. So I could definitely use it in my craft. Just like what she said.
I got my first Areo garden and that is the start of my craft just getting use to the everyday herbs. I am planting some roses in my garden this year for rose water. I am feeling like there so much to learn and I am taking it one day at a time. This book is so helpful and thank you very much! Yeah I have Cunningham Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs and I have crystal correspondences and a couple of my books I’m not sure which ones but they have charts when I find them I will let you know.
Jeannie
@berta, I am building an application with a friend of mine, similar to the correspondence book. The application is based on the Magician’s Compendium as a baseline, as mentioned by the book, 35 magical models. This allows me to develop from a technical perspective and mix/correspond abstraction of human attributes, wants and needs accordingly. This is my way of showing my dedication to my craft.
I am a mix of both Ceremonial Magus and a Witch according to the general mindset. All I know is that I am just me. I intend to show that we cross over in many aspects as we continue to evolve in the magical community yet remain unique as individuals.
I will publish it as Open Source, so anyone who wishes to create and access the information may do so. This will allow each practitioner to adjust according to their creative freedoms and beliefs. I don’t know when that will be, considering that I do work. I will publish when the time is right.
I have the book you have referenced, and I am going through it as additional resource from a process perspective, however, many of the other material comes from Agrippa, Blavatsky, Cunningham and more. I am conscientious on what I add, and I make sure that I have credible resources. With that said, it can get rough with the level of disinformation on the Internet.
Very exciting, Jeannie- may your gardens grow beautifully! Roses are a great ingredient and there are so many spells you can use rose petals or rose water in. It’s a great (and lovely!) flower to grow
You are so kind for sharing your magical wisdom, Abby! Good luck with gathering the knowledge and I am looking forward to seeing the final collection- I can’t wait!
Dear @Apikaile I hear you. I am dismayed that even as I read and compare different books there is a vast difference in information. I post all and hope that the readers will decide for themselves. I applaud you for trying to sort it all out. If I had the time I would probably start by only maintaining items that are confirmed by two or more sources, but even saying that the internet seems to be an echo chamber of misinformation. I am probably not helping that… and may only be adding to it. I wish you all the best. Maybe you will become the definitive and reliable resource.
Correspondences is something I need to work on and I hope I will grow better at it over time. @Apikaile That is an awesome idea. I too look forward to seeing it complete.
Recently I read through Solitary Witch by Silver Raven Wolf and it was jam packed with tables of correspondences for everything. It’s not a very expensive book, you might even be able to view for free somehow. Anyway that’s my input.
I will look into that. I have it somewhere in my collection of books but I have moved at least twice since I bought it. I haven’t seen it It has been so long that I don’t remember the correspondences you mentioned in that book.
@berta Your truth is important, and I respect that. I will begin with essentials and widely known practices and augment the system. Because I do respect everyone’s beliefs, I would like to have a system that allows for voting on aspects to align as a community and maintain a baseline. Something to the effect of AllSides
It has been so long that I don’t remember the correspondences you mentioned in that book.
