-
Book Review-Enchanted Tales: Magical Fairy Tales from Around the World, written by Laura Sampson, illustrated by Quang and Lien
Photo Credits: Stock Photo of Enchanted Tales, courtesy of publisher Enchanted Tales: Magical Fairy Tales from Around the World written by Laura Sampson, and illustrated by Quang and Lien, is a 95 page book, published by Running Press Kids Publishing, of which I received an e-book copy. This is a beautifully illustrated kids’ book, filled with fairy tales, folklore and myths from various regions of the world. If you’ve been looking for a diverse book of kids’ fairy tales, either for them to read themselves, or be read to, this book is worth consideration, especially. for those looking to keep our lore, collectively, as humans, alive and well in the next generations.…
-
Book Review: Your Book of Shadows
Title: “Your Book of Shadows: Make your own magical habit tracker” Author: Gerridwen Greenleaf Publisher: CICO Books Date: April 9, 2024 Pages: 144 The table of contents in “Your Book of Shadows” gives readers a structure for organizing their personal Book of Shadows rather than buying one written by someone else. Author Gerridwen Greenleaf begins with a history of the Book of Shadows that includes a gratitude ritual for the witches who have come before. In the second chapter she guides readers through choosing the right book as well as how to inscribe, adorn and protect this magical tool. Chapter 3 offers directions to make a consecration charm and a…
-
Book Review-The Witch’s Workshop: A Guide to Crafting Your Own Magical Tools by Melissa Jayne Madara
Photo Credits: Stock Photo of The Witch’s Workshop, courtesy of Publisher The Witch’s Workshop: A Guide to Crafting Your Own Magical Tools by Melissa Jayne Madara is a 231 page book published by Watkins Publishing, a division of Watkins Media Group, of which I received an e-book copy. This book, to start off with, is beautiful, with full color pages, photos and vintage style plant illustrations gracing the pages. As far as the material within the book goes, the recipes are tried and true, having used the same or similar recipes myself in the past. Madara gives recipes for incense, oils, powders, candles, dyes, inks, how to craft ritual paper, ritual chalk, and making…
-
Book Review- Shamanic Teachings of the Condor: Encounters with the Mystical Traditions of the Andes by Martha Winona Travers, Ph.D.
Photo Credits: Stock Photo from Publisher, Shamanic Teachings of the Condor Shamanic Teachings of the Condor: Encounters with the Mystical Traditions of the Andes by Martha Winona Travers, Ph.D., is a 170 page book, published by Bear & Co., an imprint of Inner Traditions Publishing. Shamanic Teachings of the Condor is not an outsider attempt at assimilating an indigenous people’s beautiful, and ancient, beliefs, but rather, an open-hearted account of decades’ experiences with what the Andean kichwa people refer to as an iachak, or medicine person/shaman. The wise one who taught, and developed a positive relationship with Travers, was Taita Alberto. Throughout the pages, you can feel, and I will make use of that word a lot in…
-
Book Review: “Wiccan Self-care Spells”
Title: “Wiccan Self-care Spells: Restorative rituals to ease stress, heal mind and body, and conjure contentment” Author: Gerridwen Greenleaf Publisher: CICO Books Date: October 8, 2024 Pages: 144 Gerridwen Greenleaf loves that the simple wisdom she brought from her family farm is helping people in high-tech centers create sanctuaries both within themselves and their homes. In “Wiccan Self-care Spells” are chapters addressing such topics as reducing stress, creating a harmonious home, and rituals for relaxing and letting go. Pages are filled with spells, practices, and recipes for healing teas, potions, and cures that have been handed down by foremothers who turned to what was in their kitchen cabinets when times…
-
WitchCrafting (Spells for the Craft): Pagan Patches
Merry meet! This month’s WitchCrafting column is about something I have dreamed of doing for twenty years and I am now facing the fact I never will … so I’m passing along the idea in the hopes that someday someone somewhere will run with it – Pagan patches. When I was a newbie witch, I’d get excited when I’d “master” another skill. I found myself thinking a badge like those I earned in Girl Scouts would be so cool. I envisioned them for things like working with crystals, tarot, the elements, candle magic, and making my first spell jar. I thought about ones for each of the sabbats I celebrated…
-
Good God!: Sucellus
One of the gods that fits well with Mabon is Sucellus (also known as Sucellos), the god of wine and crops – two main components of many Mabon celebration feasts. Although originally a Celtic god of agriculture, forests, fertility, and of alcoholic drinks of the Gauls, his cult flourished with the Gallo-Romans and in Britain. The Encyclopaedia Britannica refers to him as “a humble but powerful guardian … protecting and blessing marginalized communities” which included the working class. “He was seen as the guardian of crops, ensuring their growth and protection from harm.” Sucellus was depicted as a robust bearded man of middle age, carrying a large mallet and sometimes…
-
Book Review- Tarot For The Hard Work: An Archetypal Journey To Confront Racism and Inspire Collective Healing by Maria Minnis
When I was offered a chance to review this book I knew I had to take it. As someone with a serious love of all things tarot and step mother two three beautiful mixed children who have already expressed feeling the weight of the learned societal beliefs that are so prevalent in the world today, I saw this as an opportunity to learn more about both. Having taken over a month to break down this book and all the work I did based on what I learned, I think this is a must read book for all new practitioners with an interest in tarot and shadow work. The activities in…
-
Book Review-2025 Lunar & Seasonal Diary: Northern Hemisphere by Stacey DeMarco
Photo Credits: Stock photo, 2025 Lunar & Seasonal Diary: Northern Hemisphere 2025 Lunar & Seasonal Diary: Northern Hemisphere by Stacey DeMarco is a spiral bound, beautifully illustrated and designed yearly planner and diary for beginner and advanced witches alike. The diary begins with the basics of witchcraft, spellcasting, lunar phases, signs, as well as crystals for lunar phases, lunar deities, and even more. After that, DeMarco encourages each owner of the diary to respond to certain prompts given, and at the beginning of each month, there is information regarding the Sabbat of the month, a deity of the month, as well as seasonal themes and magick. The months themselves are broken down…
-
Weyland’s Whey, August 30 2024 Column, Tiny Familiars
Weyland’s Whey, August 30th, 2024 Good Morning, Good Morning I like writing my column in bed. It violates just about every feng shui rule I can think of, but this way I can spread out my notes and New York Times and listen to music while I work. My fierce little doxie and familiar Delinquent joins me, pressing her furry little buttski against my hip while she keeps a close eye on the open bedroom door, ready to defend me from any invaders who might try to barge in. On my other side, our rescue Yorkie (and five pound familiar) Morsel slumbers in his own little bed, one ear standing straight up…
