Book Review-Magic for the Resistance: Rituals & Spells for Change, Revised and Expanded Edition by Michael M. Hughes

Book Review

Magic for the Resistance: Rituals & Spells for Change, Revised and Expanded Edition

By Michael M. Hughes

Publisher: Crossed Crow Books

290 Page Paperback

Release Date: September 23rd, 2025

Magic for the Resistance is a quintessential guide for witches, sorcerers, occultists and other magickal folks who want to fight the oppressive regime currently ruling the U.S. The first edition was released during the first Trump term, and I remember reading through it then, but not embodying many of the practices due to other distractions like a job that was draining every ounce of life out of me at the time. I digress. Here we are, and again, Trump is president, and this time, it’s even worse! Hughes offers up magical philosophy and theory that can be used to resist tyranny and fascism, but he also offers up rituals and spells that anyone can do, or even improvise into something of their own!

Another key point that Hughes emphasizes in Magic for the Resistance is the need for community-finding others of like mind, and those who will stick with you when the fight gets rough. There’s strength in numbers, and Hughes even includes ideas for group rituals and such to add to the Magical Resistance toolbox. Other important topics, like self-care, remaining resilient in body, mind and spirit, and even a short history of occultists and witches fighting against Kings, Nazis and Tyrants are also included in this wonderful book. Magic for the Resistance gets you geared up to go beyond posting memes, and starting casting magick to effect real change in our (toxic) political climate.

I have no critiques of Magic for the Resistance; I honestly think I appreciate it more now, than I did when I perused a first edition copy way back when. Whether that’s owed to maturity, or simply I’ve had enough, I’m glad I chose to review this book. I’ve personally used the techniques and a few spells and rituals from the book, and have noticed great effect in using them. If you’re looking to step up your magickal practices to include Resistance to tyranny, then this is the perfect book to get you started on that path! I recommend every magickal person give this book a read. 5/5 Pentagram Rating!

Michael M. Hughes is an author, speaker, magical thinker, and activist. He is the creator of the internationally viral “Spell to Bind Donald Trump and All Those Who Abet Him”, the largest magical working in history. He speaks on politics, magic, pop-culture, psychedelics, the paranormal, and tarot. Michael lives in Baltimore with his wife, two daughters, and a rabbit named Toby Turnipseed.

 

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Author Bio:

The Modern Merlin is a Polytheist, Pagan, Animist, Witch, Sorcerer, Paranormal Investigator, Amateur Folklorist, Chaos Magician and Occultist. He embarked on his spiritual and magickal journey over 15 years ago. As such, he has extensive knowledge of The Occult, Ceremonial Magick, Chaos Magick, Witchcraft, Sorcery, and both modern and ancient world religions and folklore. He is a practicing Sorcerer, blending ceremonial high magick, chaos magick and witchcraft, as well as plant medicine, poisonous plants and entheogens, shamanic techniques, and mysticism. He believes that magick can be as simple or as complex as one needs it to be, and rejects dogma, instead trusting his intuition, and encourages other magickal and spiritual folks to do the same! He venerates and casts magick with a wide array of spirits and deities, and works with both the Left and Right Hand Paths, having experience in both. He has also studied eastern philosophies such as Taoism, Zen Buddhism, and Hinduism. He is an Astrologer and Tarot reader and actively studies and practices many other forms of divination including Runes, Ogham, Palmistry, Lenormand and Scrying. An animal lover, he sees divinity in nature-the trees, plants, animals and sky.  Also an avid reader, you’re hard pressed to not find him nose deep in a book, most likely on an occult, mystical, religious or magickal subject. He is the Co-Editor of PaganPages.Org and the author of multiple columns for PaganPages.Org. He gives readings and other spiritual services through his Facebook Page, The Modern Merlin, as well other free informational posts for everyone to see! You can reach him on Facebook, or e-mail him at [email protected]