Book Review

Dark Goddess Magick

Rituals and Spells for

Reclaiming Your Feminine Fire

by C. Ara Campbell

Publisher: Fair Winds Press

192 Pages

Publication Date: 9/14/2021

 

 

…. Deep transformation occurs when we connect to the ancient wisdom of the dark goddesses. Through her practices and rituals, we can reshape our world. By embrac­ing our darkness and dancing with our shadows, we embrace the truth of all that we are. The wisdom in these myths aids us in finding our truth….C. Ara Campbell

Dark Goddess Magick: Rituals and Spells for Reclaiming Your Feminine Fire by C. Ara Campbell is a thoughtful book that expands on the traditional Goddesses associated with darker magick and introduces the reader to a darker side of many others normally favored for their gentler and more nurturing nature. Twenty (20) Goddesses grace this book from a variety of pantheons and cultures which offers up the theme of dark and powerful energy residing throughout. These include Hecate, Kali, the Morrighan and Lilith; as well as Aradia, Spider Woman, Yemaya and Persephone. Persephone is a perfect example of thinking outside of the usual attributes of being the “victim” and in this writing she becomes the transformer and bridge between the worlds of separation, loss and love.

Each of the twenty (20) sections is dedicated to a single Goddess and is formatted in the same way for all, making this title a very user friendly book suitable for both the beginner and the more experienced practitioner. By the time you have arrived at the third or fourth Goddess, the expectations and patterning of what will be revealed of their mysteries has been established giving the journey through this reading a very cohesive and organized approached around what can often become very chaotic subject matter.

A beautiful and compelling color image graces the page that introduces each Goddess and Ms. Campbell offers a listing of the epithets by which She may be known and an invocation specific to the energy of She who is the focus. An invocation to the deity is the first offerings towards learning more. Following a brief introduction to the Goddess and Her attributes, the reader is guided through a brief visualization taking the reader on a visioning unique and distinct to the energies that may be accessed in working with that Goddess. These would be useful as stand alone contemplatives that the reader could incorporate into their personal practice and /or for ritual workings.

Ms. Campbell goes on to provide basic information about the Goddess’ energy and the needs for which that particular Goddess may be called upon. A listing of correspondences and associations that can be employed to enhance the projection of Her energy is provided and these included crystals, colors, archetypes, symbols and more. These add another layer to the building of a conscious identity of the Goddess for the reader to pursue and explore.

An additional component that Ms. Campbell has added is that of an affirmation for each of the Goddesses. This lends a very personal approach and encourages a deepening of connection to that Goddess immediately. It is a very simple and practical way of experiencing the gifts of Dark Goddess energy and allows the reader to become a co-creator in whatever outcome is desired…

…I make decisions that are in alignment with my highest good and deepest truth. I honor my own path forward. I make choices that honor my needs and desires. I am a channel for divine wisdom and magick… Hecate Affirmation

Practical application of what has been learned is provided by way of a ritual aligned with Dark, New or Full lunations. Spell work follows; these often being suitable to incorporating into the ritual aspect and I appreciate that the supplies required for these are easily obtainable and few in number. This encourages the reader to be more spontaneous in trying out what is being presented without concern over having to gather a laundry list of items and engages both those new to the path and the more adept in a personal experience of the Goddess’ energy.

All in all, each section is comprehensive yet simple and concise in what is offered as some of the many ways to access the magick of the selected Goddesses.

Would I Recommend:

Dark Goddess Magick: Rituals and Spells for Reclaiming Your Feminine Fire by C. Ara Campbell is an excellent resource for the practitioner who wishes to attune to a power that is more fierce in its nature and provocative in what it arouses in its seeker. A Glossary, Resources listing and Index at the end of the book provide the perfect “go to” for quick reference and reinforcement of the material previously presented. Additionally, the inclusion of so many Goddesses that may aid in the work of a type of magick that is truly transformative by virtue of its disruptive and re-organizing flow is in support of the concept that one size does not fit all. Traditionally, these as well as those Goddesses of a lighter nature have often been categorized under the same archetypal energy and attributes. Dark Goddess Magick: Rituals and Spells for Reclaiming Your Feminine Fire offers the resounding reply to that sentiment and demonstrates that the individuality of all beings, God-Goddess-Human or otherwise is both unique and very specific in its outcome in alignment with their deeper mysteries.

About the Author: C. Ara Campbell

C. Ara Campbell is a visionary writer, author, and founder of The Goddess Circle. She is a soul guide, cosmic channel, facilitator of The Inner Priestess Awakening Online Journey and Relationship Empowerment & Sacred Love Online Journey, and author of The Astro Forecast Publication. She is also a purveyor of rare and high vibration crystals in her popular Etsy Shop. Ara is a modern day mystic dedicated to the rising feminine, and connecting others with their gifts and healing using the natural world.

Dark Goddess Magick: Rituals and Spells for Reclaiming Your Feminine Fire on Amazon

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About the Review Author:

Robin Fennelly is an Elder within The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition and serves as High Priestess of Coven of the Mystic Path, the 12th Coven within the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition. She teaches and facilitates classes for the Pagan Experience Study Group that serves as foundation for membership within Coven of the Mystic Path.  

Her spiritual journey is strongly rooted in both Eastern philosophy and the Western Magickal systems from which she has formed a core foundation that is diverse in knowledge and rich in spiritual practice.  A life-long learner, her practice has evolved from the classical and philosophical teachings of books, practical experience and enrichment of this knowledge base by attending workshops of various spiritual traditions presented by master teachers.

Robin formally came to the Wiccan path in 1994. Following a practice as a solitary for 2 years, she dedicated to Oak and Willow Coven of The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition in November of 1996. She received her 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th (Elder) degrees within the Assembly Tradition and has served as High Priestess of two ASW covens since Samhain of 2001 and the Winter Solstice of 2015.

As a teacher of esoteric and magickal studies she uses Energetic Anatomy, Tarot, Astrology, Hermetic Qabala, Eastern Philosophy, and Numerology as the foundations of her diverse selection of workshops and writings for more than 25 years. Exploration of varied energetic protocol has been the focus of her work for some time now and the information gained through direct experience informs all of her magickal and spiritual work.

Robin’s writings have been featured online, and in print Internationally.  She has authored several books incorporating her unique style of writing making use of poetry, prose and pathworking to enhance the concepts presented.  She has taught extensively throughout the Pagan community, including Sacred Space Conference, Spring Magick, Between the Worlds Interfaith Conference and Free Spirit Gathering Festival. Her most recent projects include a channel on youtube: A Journey to the Inner Chamber. She also shares audio pathworkings and ritual on her bandcamp site: Teachings on the Path with Robin.

Robin is the owner of Holistic Embrace providing services for mind, body and spirit such as Tarot readings, Astrology reports, Spiritual Guidance and other related offerings.  She lives in Eastern Pennsylvania and her life is blessed by a 40+- year marriage, five children and the opportunity to work in the field of public education.

Robin’s Website: www.robinfennelly.com

Coven of the Mystic Path, ASW: www.covenofthemysticpath.org

Her books can be found on Amazon or purchased directly through her website:

For more info: http://www.robinfennelly.com/books.html

The Inner Chamber, Vol. 1 It’s Written in the Stars-Astrology

The Inner Chamber, Vol. 2 Poetry of the Spheres-Qabalah

The Inner Chamber, Vol. 3 Awakening the Paths-Qabalah

The Light of SELF: Consciousness, Spiritual Practice and Learning to Breathe

Magickal Verse: A Collection of Poetry and Prose

A Year of Gaia: The Eternal Cord

The Elemental Year: Aligning the Elements of SELF

Temple of the Sun and Moon: Luminous Devotions

Sleeping with the Goddess: Nights of Devotion

A Weekly Reflection: Musings for the Year

The Magickal Pen: A Collection of Esoteric Writings

The Enchanted Gate: Musings on the Magick of the Natural World

The Temple of the Sun: An Astrological Solar Year

Writings in the Shadow: An Exploration of the Shadow Nature