Review: Magic Spells Oracle

Title: Magic Spells Oracle
Author: Judika Illes
Publisher: Weiser Books
Date: October 6, 2025 
Pages: 36 cards and a 128-page guidebook

“… [T]he world of magic is open and welcoming to everyone. Magic and magic spells are the birthright of us all. No previous experience is needed to access this primordial force – or to use these cards,” Judika Illes states when introducing her “Magic Spells Oracle.” The deck is a tool; each card is a key to guide readers on their personal journey to discover their own magic powers, navigate life’s situations, and create the life they desire.

Judika, perhaps best known as the author of “The Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spells,” does an excellent job of taking the mystery out of magic, explaining magical energy, spells, spelllcasting, and the natural powers that can be tapped into for healing and transformation.

The thirty-six cards are divided equally among the four elements: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. There are an additional two balancing cards meant to amplify or connect to other cards. Each has a name and three key words. The accompanying manual has an image of the card, a detailed description, and a magical tip, spell, or ritual corresponding to the subject matter. The information is meant to inspire mindfulness, develop intuition, prompt self-reflection, and encourage viewing situations from a different perspective. The information, insights, and directions can guide a magical practice or serve as wisdom and inspiration.

Instructions for cleansing, charging, dedicating, and working with the deck are given in the guidebook, along with methods for selecting cards, and a variety of layouts that can be used. Judika urges users to include personal interpretations when developing a relationship with the cards, and to create individual ways to incorporate the deck into magical and divinatory practices, allowing the oracle to provide answers and courses of actions to take for the best life now and in the future.

About the Author:
When Judika Illes was six, she fell in love with a deck of tarot cards her older sister brought home. Around that time, she also came to love the Rolling Stones’ version of Benny Spellman’s song “Fortune Teller.” She became a student of metaphysics and the magical arts ever since, becoming a professional tarot reader in her twenties. A solitary, eclectic witch, Judika is the author of numerous books, an aromatherapist, spiritual advisor, educator, and editor. She teaches in the US and internationally, live and virtually. Follow her on Instagram @judikailles.

About the Reviewer:

As an eclectic solitary practitioner, I travel the country in a converted school bus and share magick with those I meet. Find me at https://thewitchonwheels.com/ and on Facebook.