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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.,…
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Book Review-A Shamanic Herbal: Plant Teachers and Animal Medicines by Matthew Wood
Photo Credits: Stock photo of A Shamanic Herbal, courtesy of publisher A Shamanic Herbal: Plant Teachers and Animal Medicines by Matthew Wood is a 408 page paperback book published by Healing Arts Press, a division of Inner Traditions Publishing. A Shamanic Herbal lays the groundwork for the herbal and animal medicines within from the get-go, starting with theory, philosophy, cosmological views, and the like, before moving on to the Plant and Animal medicines. The Plant and Animal medicine sections themselves are extensive, detailed and well written, drawing on the author’s expertise in herbalism and shamanism. Various plants are attributed to a number of different animals, and shamanic wisdom from multiple shamanic traditions around the…
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Book Review-Bog Witch: A Semi-Mystical Immersion Into Wild Wetland Habitats, Their Myths, Magic, and Meaning by Mab Jones
Photo Credits: Stock Photo of Bog Witch: A Semi-Mystical Immersion Into Wild Wetlands, Their Myths, Magic and Meaning, courtesy of publisher Bog Witch: A Semi-Mystical Immersion Into Wild Wetland Habitats, Their Myths, Magic, and Meaning by Mab Jones is an 82 page book published by Moon Books, of which I received an E-Book copy. Bog Witch begins with the author’s personal experiences growing up in modern western culture, and its well-known approach to nature as a resource, and in the case of many wetland areas, an eyesore and something to be removed or beautified. Jones then goes into their personal exploration of wetland areas where they live, and then immerses you into the wisdom,…
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Book Review: Radical Self-Care
Title: Radical Self-Care: Rituals for Inner Resilience Author: Rebecca Moore Publisher: Leaping Hare Press Date: July 9, 2024 Pages: 144 In “Radical Self-Care,” Rebecca Moore offers forty of her go-to rituals for self-care to counter stress and negativity, avoid burnout, and build a reserve of inner resilience. She shares her own story of burnouts, and offers tips and cautions. Each of the eight chapters addresses a topic. Moore introduces the theme that is followed by five rituals to bring about the desired outcome. Each technique, practice, and exercise has a quote, a short narrative, and clear step-by-step instructions. Simple line drawings and tranquil photographs contribute to an overall feeling…
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Weyland’s Whey Mabon 2024 Column
Mabon Sometimes considered a minor sabbat (as opposed to major ones Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh and Samhain), celebrations can vary widely between Wiccan Trads. Inspirations have been drawn from the American Thanksgiving and the German Oktoberfest, among others. Mabon can be observed in various ways, but the focus is usually on themes of balance, or the second harvest angle. I’m big on lists, so I’ll tout a gratitude inventory. Scribble down whatever you’re thankful for. Your health, your family, your home. Tack that list up on the wall where you can eyeball it every day. And feel free to add to it often! Sources: Learn Religions, the busy pagan, and Wikipedia.…
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Book Review-Enchanted Tales: Magical Fairy Tales from Around the World, written by Laura Sampson, illustrated by Quang and Lien
Photo Credits: Stock Photo of Enchanted Tales, courtesy of publisher Enchanted Tales: Magical Fairy Tales from Around the World written by Laura Sampson, and illustrated by Quang and Lien, is a 95 page book, published by Running Press Kids Publishing, of which I received an e-book copy. This is a beautifully illustrated kids’ book, filled with fairy tales, folklore and myths from various regions of the world. If you’ve been looking for a diverse book of kids’ fairy tales, either for them to read themselves, or be read to, this book is worth consideration, especially. for those looking to keep our lore, collectively, as humans, alive and well in the next generations.…
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Book Review – Your Book of Shadows
Title: “Your Book of Shadows: Make your own magical habit tracker” Author: Gerridwen Greenleaf Publisher: CICO Books Date: April 9, 2024 Pages: 144 The table of contents in “Your Book of Shadows” gives readers a structure for organizing their personal Book of Shadows rather than buying one written by someone else. Author Gerridwen Greenleaf begins with a history of the Book of Shadows that includes a gratitude ritual for the witches who have come before. In the second chapter she guides readers through choosing the right book as well as how to inscribe, adorn and protect this magical tool. Chapter 3 offers directions to make a consecration charm and a…
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Book Review-The Witch’s Workshop: A Guide to Crafting Your Own Magical Tools by Melissa Jayne Madara
Photo Credits: Stock Photo of The Witch’s Workshop, courtesy of Publisher The Witch’s Workshop: A Guide to Crafting Your Own Magical Tools by Melissa Jayne Madara is a 231 page book published by Watkins Publishing, a division of Watkins Media Group, of which I received an e-book copy. This book, to start off with, is beautiful, with full color pages, photos and vintage style plant illustrations gracing the pages. As far as the material within the book goes, the recipes are tried and true, having used the same or similar recipes myself in the past. Madara gives recipes for incense, oils, powders, candles, dyes, inks, how to craft ritual paper, ritual chalk, and making…
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Book Review- Shamanic Teachings of the Condor: Encounters with the Mystical Traditions of the Andes by Martha Winona Travers, Ph.D.
Photo Credits: Stock Photo from Publisher, Shamanic Teachings of the Condor Shamanic Teachings of the Condor: Encounters with the Mystical Traditions of the Andes by Martha Winona Travers, Ph.D., is a 170 page book, published by Bear & Co., an imprint of Inner Traditions Publishing. Shamanic Teachings of the Condor is not an outsider attempt at assimilating an indigenous people’s beautiful, and ancient, beliefs, but rather, an open-hearted account of decades’ experiences with what the Andean kichwa people refer to as an iachak, or medicine person/shaman. The wise one who taught, and developed a positive relationship with Travers, was Taita Alberto. Throughout the pages, you can feel, and I will make use of that word a lot in…
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Book Review: “Wiccan Self-care Spells”
Title: “Wiccan Self-care Spells: Restorative rituals to ease stress, heal mind and body, and conjure contentment” Author: Gerridwen Greenleaf Publisher: CICO Books Date: October 8, 2024 Pages: 144 Gerridwen Greenleaf loves that the simple wisdom she brought from her family farm is helping people in high-tech centers create sanctuaries both within themselves and their homes. In “Wiccan Self-care Spells” are chapters addressing such topics as reducing stress, creating a harmonious home, and rituals for relaxing and letting go. Pages are filled with spells, practices, and recipes for healing teas, potions, and cures that have been handed down by foremothers who turned to what was in their kitchen cabinets when times…
