Quick Specs
- Author: Dorothy Morrison
- Publisher: Crossed Crow Books (Weiser reprint)
- Pages: 272
- Best for: Intermediate practitioners, those exploring offensive magic, Wiccan tradition
The Book That Takes the Topic Seriously
Dorothy Morrison is a Wiccan Elder and High Priestess with decades of practice and several published books to her name. She is not a sensationalist. When she wrote Utterly Wicked, it was specifically to fill the gap left by magical authors who refused to address hexes and curses at all, treating the silence as a kind of ethical stance. Morrison’s position is that the silence serves no one and that pretending offensive magic does not exist is neither honest nor helpful.
The book covers over 100 spells and rituals, including hexes, curses, bindings, poppet magic for both harmful and healing purposes, spells using personal items and grave dirt, and a full discussion of when using offensive magic is justified. Morrison sets a higher threshold than readers might expect. The chapter on poppets alone demonstrates how the same technique serves completely different ends depending on intention.
Morrison also addresses the concept of magical repercussions directly. Her view is that energy is neutral and that responsibility lies with the practitioner’s intent. She does not pretend consequences do not exist, but she also does not moralize. This makes the book a rare combination: honest about what the magic does and why, without either glorifying harm or refusing to discuss it.
How to Use Utterly Wicked
Utterly Wicked is most effective when you engage with the full context Morrison provides. Here is how to approach it.
- Read the Framework Chapters First
Read the opening chapters before attempting spells. Morrison is explicit about her ethics and why hexing can be valid. Understanding her reasoning prepares you to work deliberately rather than reactively or out of unchecked emotional anger.
- Apply Morrison’s Own Threshold Before Working
Use the book as a reference: look up the outcome you need and assess whether the situation meets Morrison’s own threshold. She sets a higher bar than readers expect. Applying that discernment is part of working with this material responsibly.
- Explore the Poppet and Energy Chapters
Work the poppet chapters even if hexes are your primary interest. Morrison covers poppets for healing and harm, making those sections useful for constructive work too. Her material on transforming and repurposing energy is the book’s most practical.
The Tarot Fellow Standard
I stock this book because it is one of the few texts that treats offensive magic with both practicality and genuine ethical reflection. Morrison does not condescend or moralize, and she does not pretend that every magical practitioner operates exclusively in positive territory. This is an honest book for serious practitioners, and it has earned a permanent place in my book collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dorothy Morrison is a Wiccan Elder, High Priestess, and author of multiple witchcraft books. She takes the ethics of harm seriously without pretending offensive magic is not legitimate. Her tone throughout is direct and non-condescending throughout.
It covers hexes, curses, binding spells, poppet magic for both harm and healing, dirt-based spells, and Morrison’s framework for when offensive magic is justified. The book includes over 100 spells and rituals across all these categories throughout.
Curses rely on words or emotion alone. Hexes are structured spells using tools like personal effects, powders, and charms. Morrison distinguishes them carefully and addresses the practical differences, ethics, and risks of working each type.
Morrison says energy is neutral and takes on the practitioner’s intent. She does not dismiss consequences but frames them in terms of responsibility, not automatic karmic payback. Her position is nuanced and avoids moralizing at the reader entirely.
Perfect
Can’t wait to read it! I love collecting books and this will fit in right with my witchy collection.
Just the few chapters I have read have intrigued me. I know I am going to love this book.