Book Review

Practically Pagan: An Alternative Guide to Magical Living

by Maria DeBlassie

Published by Moon Books

128 Pages

Published: October 1, 2021

 

 

Practically Pagan: An Alternative Guide to Magical Living by Maria DeBlassie is a very readable book that provides the reader with all of the necessary tools to set out to explore a path of magical living. The content is organized in a way that is easy to move through and offers plenty of opportunities to try out spells, rituals and more.

Practically Pagan: An Alternative Guide to Magical Living is separated into eight (8) sections, including the Introduction and Conclusion: Conjure Your Own Special Magic. This title is part of the Practically Pagan series published by Moon Books focused on the new seeker who is exploring ways to deepen their spirituality and not necessarily identify as “pagan”.

“…This is a practical guide to everyday magic, and like the title suggests, means it will be less double-double toil and trouble and more like making soup. Hey, never underestimate the power of a good soup! It heals sickness, mends broken hearts, and soothes tired souls. That’s the kind of magic I’m talking about…” ¹

The Introduction gives a very thorough background of the author’s experiences, what drew her to a magickal path and the “work” that is involved in crafting a sustainable and fulfilling practice. Continuing with a theme of personal examples, Chapter 1: What is Everyday Magic? drives home the perspective that those who choose this path are in it 24/7-365 days a year. That the craft is a way of life and that there is inherently something sacred and magical about every day’s experiences.

Each chapter that follows takes another aspect of how to integrate and what to expect when choosing to walk the magical path and provides real life lessons, anecdotes and recommendations. These topics move from Radical Self-Care & The Goddess Within (Ch2), Make (ing) Your Routine Ritual (Ch3), Practice Pleasure Magick (Ch4), Be(ing) Open to Synchronicity (Ch5) and Live(ing) Beyond the Expected (Ch6). All contain sound advice and an approach that invites the reader to settle in and allow for an organic flow as mundane and magic become woven together.

Would I Recommend:

Practically Pagan: An Alternative Guide to Magical Living by Maria DeBlassie is a wonderful introduction to magic and infusing your life with the wonder of magic. The book is reader friendly and offers “just enough” in moving through the nuances of adopting a magical lifestyle to allow for shifts, changes and the reader’s personal revelations. And, I would also recommend this title as a refresher for those who have walked this path for many years as a way to re-ignite the excitement of new beginnings that arise.

Reference:
1. Introduction

Maria DeBlassie, Ph.D. is a native New Mexican mestiza blogger, award-winning writer, and award-winning educator living in the Land of
Enchantment. Her first book, Everyday Enchantments: Musings on Ordinary Magic & Daily Conjurings (Moon Books 2018) and her ongoing blog, Enchantment Learning & Living, are about everyday magic, ordinary gothic, and the life of a kitchen witch. Find out more about Maria and conjuring everyday magic at www.mariadeblassie.com.

 

Practically Pagan: An Alternative Guide to Magical Living on Amazon

 

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About the 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