Book Review-Bog Witch: A Semi-Mystical Immersion Into Wild Wetland Habitats, Their Myths, Magic, and Meaning by Mab Jones
Photo Credits: Stock Photo of Bog Witch: A Semi-Mystical Immersion Into Wild Wetlands, Their Myths, Magic and Meaning, courtesy of publisher
Bog Witch: A Semi-Mystical Immersion Into Wild Wetland Habitats, Their Myths, Magic, and Meaning by Mab Jones is an 82 page book published by Moon Books, of which I received an E-Book copy. Bog Witch begins with the author’s personal experiences growing up in modern western culture, and its well-known approach to nature as a resource, and in the case of many wetland areas, an eyesore and something to be removed or beautified. Jones then goes into their personal exploration of wetland areas where they live, and then immerses you into the wisdom, magic and mysticism of wetland habitats. Jones uses certain animals, either physically seen, or in meditations, and their symbolism, folklore, mythos, and other witchy tidbits, tying it all back to the wetlands, which is seen as the cauldron, or womb of life. Bog Witch truly does immerse the reader into the magic, myth, folklore and animistic power of wetlands in a “semi-mystical” way by the use of words.
Personal Thoughts on Bog Witch
I never really put much thought into the fact that Bogs, Swamps, or whatever you want to call them, were so essential for so many ecosystems, until reading this book. I was never against them, so to speak, but I never really felt a call to them for any particular purpose. Bog Witch changed all that; I live in area with several different wetland habitats, many of which are preserved by local government for ecological purposes. I’ve always been one to favor the more ceremonial forms of magick, but as of late, I’ve been craving a more simplistic, nature oriented practice, which I’ve slowly been building alongside my ceremonial practices. Bog Witch drew me to explore wetlands around me, and learn more about the different species that live there, there purpose, and their magicks. There’s a fall hiking spree in my county’s park system, and I think I just might make a visit to a few of the wetlands!
Aside from that, I found Bog Witch to be extremely enchanting, weaving images into one’s mind without even describing them to you. There’s a certain magick that Jones weaves with their writing, and it makes sense, as Jones is also a poet. Her use of word takes the spirit to the wetlands, where Dragonflies flutter, crickets chirp, snakes slither, and the mud is the fertile clay of Mother Earth. There’s no exercises or rituals in Bog Witch, but you don’t need them; Mab Jones, through her bardic use of prose, inspires one to instead go to the Swamp, and do what you feel is right; what the murky, muddy depths of the Cauldron of Life that is a wetland, inspires you to do. I can’t appropriately put into words how much I’ve appreciated this lovely, poetic approach to Witchcraft that is a needed break from the ritual and exercise filled books we often see. It’s not that I don’t appreciate those more instructional books, but sometimes, a little inspiration can take you way farther. For this reason, I give Bog Witch: A Semi-Mystical Immersion Into Wild Wetland Habitats, Their Myths, Magic and Meaning a 5 on a scale of 1-5. Any Pagan looking for a more self-guided approach to our spirituality, based on inspiration, myth, and intuition will enjoy this, especially Witches; even non-magical Pagans will find nuggets of wisdom an enchantment within its pages. If you couldn’t tell, I loved reading this book!
Mab Jones is a writer, poet, and radio presented based in Wales. She was the first resident poet at the National Botanical Garden of Wales, as well as Resident Writer of Cardiff Wetlands. Mab follows and eclectic and personal spiritual path, she enjoys costume jewelry, comedy, crafts, and cooking.
About the Author:
Hello there! I’m the Modern Merlin, and I’ve been a Polytheist and Animist Pagan, Witch, Sorcerer, Wizard, Druid, Mystic, Ceremonial Magician, Occultist, Shaman, Seer and Soothsayer for 15 years, worshipping and casting magick with deities and spirits from many cultures, including Ancient Greece, Rome, Norse & Germanic, Celtic, Egyptian, Sumerian, as well as many Faeries, Nymphs, Dryads, Ancestors and other nature and land spirits and spirits of place. I practice Necromancy and Deathwalking, as well as Traditional Witchcraft, Druidry, Hellenism and Ceremonial Magick. I study and practice Astrology as well as Tarot and other forms of divination such as Runes, Palmistry and Ogham. I give readings and spiritual services on my Facebook Page, The Modern Merlin, as well other free informational posts for everyone to see!
