Book Review-An Introduction to Magic: A Guide to Crystals, Fairies, Palmistry, Tarot and the Zodiac by Nikki Van De Car

Photo Credits: Stock Photo of An Introduction to Magic, courtesy of publisher

An Introduction to Magic: A Guide to Crystals, Fairies, Palmistry, Tarot and the Zodiac by Nikki Van De Car is a 170 page book published by Running Press Publishing, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, of which I received an e-book copy. Beautifully illustrated, and packed with accurate, useful information for the beginner to magic, witchcraft and the like, this book covers the basics of what most Pagans and similar spiritual paths use and work with. The material is covered with easy to understand terms, and no jargon (especially the Astrological section). The crystal section covers the chakras, colors, etc., while the Fairies section covers fairies and similar spirits from around the world, and the Palmistry section takes such a mysterious and somewhat hard to learn subject, breaks it down into workable, easy to understand sections, and allows one to pick up the basics of palm reading. The Tarot section contains the suits and their cards, and basic meanings for all of them, as well as the Major Arcana. Overall, this is an excellent book for a beginner.

Personal Thoughts on An Introduction to Magic

As I continue to study and practice paganism, witchcraft and the occult, I come across books that are accessible now, but weren’t even a thought when I started out a decade and a half ago. In ways, it’s frustrating, having had to spend countless hours, money, and energy learning things from multiple sources, and putting it all together. In other ways, I’m happy to see accurate and useful, easy to understand material so readily available to those just beginning their path as witches or what have you. In this regard, Van De Car takes the cake; having reviewed other books she has written, it came as no surprise that this book was a home run as well. As far as design, Running Press is known to have beautiful design and illustration work in their books, and this book is no different. Simple, mystical and practical are three words I would use to describe the material and design of An Introduction to Magic. 

I don’t have any critiques, nor do I want to give too much away, so I leave it to the reader to pick up this wonderful book and give it a read and see for themselves what I’m talking about. Because of this, I give An Introduction to Magic a 5 on a scale of 1-5. Useful for beginners, and even advanced folks, the information is contained in one place, accurate, useful, and the design is stunning.

Nikki van de Car is a blogger, crafter and mother, writing books and blogs on knitting, everyday magic, and has written books on both subjects. She lives with her family in Hawaii.

 

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, incorporating all of them into a cohesive practice, with some shamanic touches. 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!