Book Review: Ancestral Slavic Magic by Natasha Helvin

Natasha Helvin’s newest book, “Ancestral Slavic Magic: Transcend Family Patterns and Empower Ancestral Connections”, was released in July 2024 – and I am certain that I’m not the only one who was long awaiting its arrival.

by: Kimberly Anne

Special thank you to everyone at paganpages.org, the author Natasha Helvin, and the publishing company DestinyBooks & Inner Traditions <3 

• Pages: 288
• Book Size: 6 x 9
• ISBN-13: 9781644119570
• Imprint: Destiny Books
• On Sale Date: July 9, 2024
• Format: Paperback Book
• Illustrations: 30 b&w illustrations

 

In Eastern Europe, many traditions and rituals touch on interactions with family and ancestors, and Helvin gives insight into these cultural traditions. The book primarily focuses on connecting to our lost loved ones and ancestors through multiple generations and the folk rituals that accompany ways of connecting to them.

 

“In the Slavic tradition, the connection between the living and the deceased members of the clan never ends. Furthermore, the well-being of the living depends on their ancestors.”

 

Helvin’s instructive approach conveys the key message that genuine magic requires diligent and unwavering effort, yet also requires the wisdom of not just our parents and grandparents, but also those who came before them.

“It’s important to understand that ancestors extend beyond your grandmother and grandfather, mother and father. There is also that faceless multitude who stand behind the people who directly influenced your life – the clan! So, the contact points with the ancestors and the days on which they are celebrated occur at liminal points during the calendar year – both purely solar events (like solstices and equinoxes) and the moments of the change of seasons as determined by natural signs.”

The significance of observing natural cycles is discussed throughout the book, highlighting the importance of dedicating time to nature and respective holidays. Wonderful chapters discuss Slavic cultural and folkloric beliefs from Eastern Europe, often from the dual-faith Russian perspective which is to be expected as the author grew up in the Soviet Union. Ancestral Slavic Magic teaches readers about Slavic Pagan holidays, and how the church transformed them and their meanings.

Inside this book, numerous examples of important colors, items, and symbolism of Slavic Paganism are examined. Readers will find details on burial rites, wedding practices, and a glimpse of the Slavic gods and goddesses. Information regarding Shamanic practices and how families are affected by transformation including death and magic are key points.

Helvin stresses the enchantment of natural elements such as fire and water and how they relate to Slavic Paganism and rituals. The book emphasizes that Pagan origins and practices of today and the past, possess the means to shape our destiny. 

 

When discussing Slavic Paganism, particularly within Russia as Helvin does, it is extremely difficult not to acknowledge the strong influence of Eastern Orthodox Christianity. The work extensively references the Eastern Orthodox traditions and touches on the dual faith. There’s also an interesting chapter on the occultism in Christianity within Eastern Europe.

The book contains captivating and informative content for anyone wishing to learn more about aspects of Slavic Paganism, and how the Russian folk magic beliefs correspond to Haitian vodou practices. Furthermore, she investigates the customs and practices of the Vodouists in Haiti. The prominence of the Vodou and Haitian aspects in the book is so significant that the title of her book appears deceptive.

This book is marketed as Slavic Ancestral Magic, and it combines the author’s personal experiences with her Slavic background and her Vodou practices as a contemporary Voudou priestess. I do not intend to dismiss or show contempt towards the book, but it lacked complete transparency. The book seeks to promote diversity, while its title fails to do so.

In the final chapter of the book the author touches on this and clearly states that her reason for combining the two is to show readers that the two practices are linked due to their, “roots and the associated ancestral power to rise to the challenges of the betrayal, ostracism, and isolation that have accompanied the New Era.” The commonalities also include the link of ancestral worship. Enlightening as the information is, the title of the book itself should have not been Slavic-focused.

 

The book contains a bibliography although the information within the book is not cited. The author created this work based on her knowledge and reflections on Slavic and Vodou traditions. This is not an academic text. It is more of an essay kind of traditional and experiential knowledge, hence citations would potentially interrupt the writing. Readers can move more freely through the work without reference notes. Some parts of the book transition abruptly between Vodou and Slavic practices, occasionally doing so to highlight similarities that may confuse a reader inexperienced with this subject. Thankfully, there are several key chapters with great information listed in the table of contents at the beginning of the book specifically about Slavic beliefs.

 

“Natasha Helvin is an occultist, hereditary witch, and priestess in the Haitian Vodou tradition as well as an avid scholar of other magical traditions. Raised in the Soviet Union, she learned the ancient Slavic secrets of magic and healing from her family and, as a child, often saw her grandmother and mother use magic in their everyday lives to help neighbors and friends. A professional rootworker and spiritual coach, she is the author of Slavic Witchcraft and Russian Black Magic and lives in the Pacific Northwest.”

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Kimberly Anne is a USA freelance writer and Administrative Secretary of Art and Music at a college near her hometown. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, she holds a bachelor’s degree with honors in Creative Writing and English Literature and is also a member of Sigma Tau Delta. She is currently working on her Masters in Library and Information Science degree. 

After devoting a decade to the personal study of global mythology and folklore, she began writing about them. She focuses primarily on Nordic, Germanic, and Slavic pre-Christian beliefs. Kimberly has worked with various clients on freelance work including Patricia Robin Woodruff, PhD. MDiv and the YouTube channel Mythology Unleashed. She is a polytheist with animist beliefs who loves to talk about it all! You can find her in the book stacks of the library, in a forest with Landvættir, or at www.kimberlyanneinc.com