The Modern Merlin
The Modern Merlin has 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. He is a Priest of Hecate, Diana, Hades, Lilith and Persephone. 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 and Ceremonial Magick, 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 he 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!
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Book Review-2025 Witch’s Diary: Northern Hemisphere by Flavia Kate Peters and Barbara Meiklejohn-Free
Photo Credits: Stock Photo of 2025 Witch’s Diary: Northern Hemisphere 2025 Witch’s Diary: Northern Hemisphere is a beautifully illustrated and designed planner for those looking to walk in harmony with nature, the Craft and honor the Old Ones of the Craft. Published by Rockpool publishing, the 2025 Witch’s Diary features lunar correspondences, color correspondences, tree magicks, and so much more. Broken down into weekly sections, some days have historical facts about the Craft, founders of Wicca and major figures in Witchcraft’s history. Solemn facts, such as Witch burnings and executions are also noted throughout. Seasonal holidays, the Sabbats and little spells, rituals and the like grace the pages of the 2025 Witch’s Diary. This is…
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Deck Review-The Jolanda Witch Tarot: The Healing Art of Magic by Rosie Björkman & Hans Arnold
Cover Photo Credits: Stock photo of The Jolanda Witch Tarot from publisher The Jolanda Witch Tarot: The Healing Art of Magic by Rosie Björkman & Hans Arnold is a traditional 78 card Tarot Deck, in a sturdy box with a magnetic enclosure, and a 400 page guidebook published by Findhorn Press, an imprint of Inner Traditions Publishing. This kit was originally printed in Sweden in 1997, and has now come to the US via Inner Traditions and Findhorn Press. This Tarot Kit is the real deal, packed with beautiful illustrations, meaningful symbols and artwork for each card, in-depth explanations for each card, including correspondences with Gods and Goddesses, Zodiac Signs and Planets, as…
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Book Review-Crafting Magic: A Junior Witch’s Grimoire by Nikki van de Car
Photo Credits: Stock Photo from Publisher of Crafting Magic: A Junior Witch’s Grimoire Crafting Magic: A Junior Witch’s Grimoire by Nikki van de Car is a beautifully illustrated, 119 page book published by Hachette Book Group, an imprint of Running Press Publishing, of which I received an e-book copy. Crafting Magic serves as a grimoire, or book of shadows, for children and teens looking to practice easy, basic witchcraft. Sample spell and ritual records are given, as well as blank formats within the book following each section/chapter, to write down what spell or ritual was done, timing, and the like. Each chapter or section covers different types of spells and rituals, crafts and ideas…
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Book Review-The Young Witch’s Guide to Living Magically: Potions, Lotions, Rituals and Spells for Kids by Nikki van de Car
Photo Credits: Stock Photo of The Young Witch’s Guide to Living Magically from Publisher The Young Witch’s Guide to Living Magically: Potions, Lotions, Rituals and Spells for Kids by Nikki van de Car is an easy read at 99 pages, with colorful illustrations and chocked full of recipes, spells and other magical activities that are easy enough for kids, teens and beginning witches to use, published by Hachette Book Group, a division of Running Press Publishing, of which I received an e-book copy. Van de Car covers various types of magick, for the self, for the home, for the family and for friends. The author takes a needed, light-hearted approach to the Craft,…
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Book Review-The Art of Flower Therapy: A Comprehensive Guide to Using the Energy of Flowers to Heal, Thrive and Live a Vibrant Life by Dina Saalisi
Photo Credits: Stock Photo of Cover of The Art of Flower Therapy from publisher’s website The Art of Flower Therapy: A Comprehensive Guide to Using The Energy of Flowers to Heal, Thrive, and Live a Vibrant Life by Dina Saalisi is a 142 page book published by Red Feather Mind Body Spirit Publishing, an imprint of Schiffer Publishing, of which I received an e-book copy. The Art of Flower Therapy covers the basics of using the Bach Flower remedies to heal emotional ailments that can then improve physical conditions, via the Mind/Body/Spirit connection. Saalisi starts off by covering succinctly the history and uses of the Bach Flower remedies, as well as dosages, combinations, and…
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Book Review-From Elder To Ancestor: Nature Kinship for All Seasons of Life by S. Kelley Harrell
Article Photo Credits: Stock Photo of Cover of From Elder to Ancestor, via Publisher From Elder to Ancestor: Nature Kinship for All Seasons of Life by S. Kelley Harrell is a 184 page paperback book published by Destiny Books, an imprint of Inner Traditions Publishing. From Elder to Ancestor is a book of animism in that it takes the belief that many Pagans, Witches and others walking a nature spirituality path hold, and expands it past nature spirits, spirits of place, etc., and moves it forward into tending community and leaving a legacy for future generations. Harrell leaves exercises, journal prompts and even suggestions for rituals. From Elder to Ancestor can be seen as a blueprint…
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The Modern Merlin’s Corner: Trance States using Entheogens and Sacred Plant Medicine
Article Cover Photo Credits: Pinterest search for “psychedelic witchy art” My reason for writing on this subject is because my column entry last month mentioned using trance state to connect with local spirits of place, the Land, etc., and so, I decided after checking with the publisher, that I would share my knowledge in this area, and give you my tried and true method of using Entheogenic plants to reach a trance and visionary state and maintain it. This is my preferred method of contacting the Otherside, doing journeying, and the like, but which entheogenic plant I use varies by day, purpose, how I’m feeling, etc. I will not give…
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Book Review-Keywords for Astrology: The Essential Guide by Hajo Banzhaf & Anna Haebler
Keywords for Astrology: The Essential Guide by Hajo Banzhaf & Anna Haebler is a 280 page paperback, published by Weiser Books. Keywords for Astrology lives up to its title, as this is an essential guide for the beginning as well as more seasoned Astrologer. The books covers everything one needs to read and interpret a birth chart, from the planets, angles (ascending, descending, IC and MC), houses, signs, and aspects, even giving phrase building ideas to help express the energy of that placement/aspect, etc. Shadow and light sides of placements and aspects are each given their due, giving a complete view of the birth chart being interpreted, as well as ways to develop…
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Book Review-The Easy Way to Learn Astrology: How to Read Your Birth Chart by Alison Chester-Lamber, MA
The Easy Way to Learn Astrology: How to Read Your Birth Chart by Alison Chester-Lamber, MA, published by Findhorn Press, an imprint of Inner Traditions Publishing, is a book spanning 175 pages total, of which I received a paperback copy. Chester-Lambert attempts to instruct those who are new to Astrology to read birth charts using what she has dubbed “Psychological Astrology”, an interesting approach for sure. Chester-Lambert discusses the basics of Western Astrology, including the elements, polarities, modalities, as well as giving each sign its’ own multiple-page section to discuss characteristics of each sign. Chester-Lambert then covers the houses of the Zodiac wheel, their elements, and areas of life they…
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Book Review-People of the Outside: Witchcraft, Cannibalism, and the Elder Folk
People of the Outside: Witchcraft, Cannibalism, and the Elder Folk by Lee Morgan, published by Moon Books, is a 206 page book, of which I received an e-book copy. People of the Outside deals with subjects that seem, and in modern sensibilities, are, morbid, and disarming. Throughout the book, Morgan weaves different threads of taboo’s that have existed throughout Sapien society, backing up their theories with scientific evidence using DNA, and historical accounts. Morbid subjects like cannibalism, the profane kiss, and persecutions of countless groups of people deemed by Morgan to be “People of the Outside”, such as cathars, accused witches, and other groups, tying them to the modern notion and pop-culture view…
