Book Review – Crimson Craft: Sexual Magic for the Solo Witch by Halo Quin
Book Review
Crimson Craft:
Sexual Magic for the Solo Witch
Written by Halo Quin
Publisher: Moon Books
172 Pages
Release Date: February 1, 2023
“[S]ex magic is love magic; not the enchantment of another, but the seduction of oneself,” Halo Quin wrote in Crimson Craft: Sexual Magic for the Solo Witch. The book is a guide for healing the divine, erotic self, leading readers to harness the sacred power of pleasure. Its focus is on working to court, accept, and love yourself. Shamelessly.
Not everyone is comfortable, or ready, to walk the path of the Red Witch. Those who are will find the magic is real. Quin calls it “the erotic-made- divine … where spirit and flesh meet.” And it resides in everyone.
Thirteen chapters are divided into five parts, each with two or three chapters. It’s meant to be read in order, but if skipping around, it is best to read Part I first, to be familiar with the Crimson Craft. Regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or race, the exercises and rituals are valid. In addition to manifestation and spellcasting, sex magic brings about sexual healing and union with the divine.
Chapter 1, which precedes Part I, is aptly titled “Foreplay,” covering ethics, safety, and how the book is intended to be used. Part I explains the context and principles of the divine erotic and sex magic from the perspective of a witch. The second part lays the foundation, explaining the energies with which readers will work and insights into how Quin approaches magic and witchcraft. Part III describes erotic magic for the solo practitioner, beginning with the healing of the sexual self, self- expression, and a method of sexual spellcasting. That is followed by “Dancing with the Gods” exploring deities, archetypes, and sex magic as a sacred devotion. Part V lightly touches on some of the more taboo sexual topics such as kink and BDSM and the connection between them and magic. There is also a ritual and an invitation. Additional reading, and opening and closing of a ritual are in the appendices.
I have used the power of sex magic, but it was not explained to me as Quin does, of exploring my own personal erotic power as a solo witch. I accepted her invitation to learn to love myself on a sexual level and make my pleasure an offering and devotion to my divine self. I began making a small shrine dedicated to love and as a reminder to treat myself as my own beloved. I am not keeping a Crimson Grimoire tracking my work as Quin recommends, but I understand its usefulness.
Throughout the book both theory and practice are presented, as well as poetry and stories, offering multiple ways to engage with the material. Information is laid out in a logical order. I appreciated that looking after yourself, being kind to yourself, and getting support and help as needed, are stressed. Self-love check-ins follow every chapter.
I think witches from a variety of paths would be interested in adding sex magic to their tools, in large part because witchcraft is already rooted in the body and the earth, and witches work in the realm of manifestation. This would be a good book with which to begin.
About the Author:
Halo Quin is known as Halo, or Ms Quin. She describes herself as a non-binary, queer woman; a magician; a practicing pagan; a druid; and a witch. Her deepest magical roots are in Feri Witchcraft and Reclaiming – both queer, sex-positive traditions to heal the split between flesh and spirit.
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About the Author:
Lynn Woike
All my life I have known magic was real. As a child, I played with the fae, established relationships with trees and “just knew things.” In my maiden years I discovered witchcraft and dabbled in the black-candles-and-cemeteries-at-midnight-on-a-fullmoon magick just enough to realize I did not understand its power. I went on to explore many practices including Zen, astrology, color therapy, native traditions, tarot, herbs, candle magic, gems, and, as I moved into my mother years, Buddhism, the Kabbalah and Reiki. The first man I dated after my divorce was a witch who reintroduced me to the Craft, this time by way of the Goddess. For 11 years I was in a coven, but with retirement, I have returned to an eclectic solitary practice.
When accepting the mantle of crone, I pledged to serve and teach. This is what I do from my skoolie – a 30-year-old school bus converted into a tiny house on wheels that I am driving around the country, following 72-degree weather, emerging myself into nature, and sharing magic with those I meet. Find me at thewitchonwheels.com, Facebook and Instagram.