Book Review-Lazy Witchcraft for Crazy, Sh*tty Days: Easy Spells and Rituals for When You’re Stressed Out, Wiped Out, Or Just Have No More Spoons To Give by Andrea Samayoa

Book Review

Lazy Witchcraft for Crazy, Sh*tty Days: Easy Spells and Rituals for When You’re Stressed Out, Wiped Out, Or Just Have No More Spoons To Give

By Andrea Samayoa

Publisher: Fair Winds Press, an imprint of Quarto Publishing Group

160 Page Full-Color Paperback

Release Date: October 15th, 2024

Lazy Witchcraft for Crazy, Sh*tty Days truly is a book that lives up to its’ title; if you feel drained, with little to no energy for a complex ritual, but still could use the magickal boost, this book is for you. Beautifully illustrated in full-color, high-quality paper, this book inspires tranquility, calm and hope through its’ choice of colors (which match each sections’ intent/topic) and illustrations. The needed materials and supplies for the spells themselves are easily obtained, and many at a low price (grocery stores and pharmacies carry many of the supplies, as do dollar stores).

As for content, the spells and rituals themselves don’t require much effort, but some do require a lengthy list of materials, albeit the author does give substitutions for them. Personally, some of the substitutions didn’t fit what I’ve learned and experienced about those respective items; for instance, on pg. 122, when the different corresponding items are listed for the intent of “energy and focus”, fluorite is listed as an acceptable substitute for citrine. I have never heard of those two crystals doing similar or the same things, nor have I heard of tiger’s eye and lapis lazuli having similar qualities, which another substitution option given on the same page. That’s not to say that I think this ruins the book per se, but it definitely makes me scratch my head. So for beginners without a lot of crystal knowledge, this could be confusing and cause for unexpected results (good or bad).

Aside from this criticism, which could simply be based off of personal practice & interpretation differences, I found this book to be a treasure for those days when I have no energy, or am having a really sh*tty day. As magickal folks, we all need a few books of that ilk in our arsenal; life gets rough sometimes. Overall, I really like this book, with a few exceptions that again, could be based on personal associations being different within the author’s and mine respective practices. I would recommend this book to those with some basic knowledge in witchcraft, including herbs, crystals and solar and lunar magic; it may be overwhelming for those brand-new to the Craft. I give it a 4/5 Pentagram rating.

Andrea Samayoa has been a practicing witch for 7 years. She started Moon Street Kits, an Etsy shop and accompanying TikTok channel in 2020 with the goal of making the craft accessible, easy and to dispel the myths and stereotypes surrounding witchcraft. Her page has become a haven for generational, traditional and new witches alike, who love her “no bullshit” attitude and way of going about things. She lives in Tampa, Florida.

 

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Author Bio:

The Modern Merlin has been a Polytheist and Animist Pagan, Witch, Sorcerer, Poison Witch, Wizard, Druid, Mystic, Ceremonial Magician, Occultist, Shaman, Seer and Soothsayer for over 15 years, venerating and casting magick with deities and spirits from many cultures, including those from Ancient Greece, Rome, Norse & Germanic, Celtic, Slavic, Egyptian, Sumerian, as well as many Faeries, Nymphs, Dryads, Ancestors and other nature and land spirits and spirits of place, even Saints, Angels and Demons! He is a Priest of Hecate, Diana, Hades, Lilith and Persephone, among others. He has experience in the Left and Right Hand Paths, working with both hands as needed. He currently practices Necromancy and Deathwalking, as well as Traditional Witchcraft, Druidry, Hellenism, Ceremonial Magick and Occultism, incorporating all of them into a cohesive practice, with some shamanic touches. He studies and practices Astrology as well as Tarot and other forms of divination such as Runes, Palmistry and Ogham. He has also been investigating the paranormal for over 10 years and has a keen interest in researching various mythologies, cosmologies and folklore from around the world. He is the Co-Editor of PaganPages.Org and the author of multiple columns, including The Modern Merlin’s Corner, Entheogens for the New Gen, Stellium, and Scary, Strange and Mythical Encounters. He also has a personal blog where he shares Astrological, Pagan, and other magickal wisdom for free! He gives readings and other spiritual services on his Facebook Page, The Modern Merlin, as well other free informational posts for everyone to see!