{"id":26928,"date":"2022-08-01T01:10:23","date_gmt":"2022-08-01T05:10:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/?p=26928"},"modified":"2022-07-29T16:19:02","modified_gmt":"2022-07-29T20:19:02","slug":"book-review-becoming-the-witch-by-danae-moon-thorp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2022\/08\/01\/book-review-becoming-the-witch-by-danae-moon-thorp\/","title":{"rendered":"Book Review – Becoming the Witch: The Art of Magick by Danae Moon Thorp"},"content":{"rendered":"

Book Review<\/b><\/span><\/span>
\nBecoming the Witch:<\/b><\/span><\/span>
\nThe Art of Magick<\/b><\/span><\/span>
\nby Danae Moon Thorp<\/b><\/span><\/span>
\nPublished by Llewellyn
\n<\/b><\/span><\/span>408 Pages<\/b><\/span><\/span>
\nPublished: September 2021<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n\u201c<\/span><\/span>Becoming the Witch<\/span><\/span> leads you from the origins of Witchcraft to the secrets of sacred thinking and beyond. In a distinct, almost lyrical tone, Danae Moon Thorp teaches you what every beginner must know when starting on the Witch’s path, including the elements, spells, tools, deities, rituals, and more…\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Becoming the Witch: The Art of Magick<\/em> by Danae Moon Thorp is separated into nineteen (19) chapters replete with dozens of spells, an Appendix of Correspondences and a bibliography containing enough reading recommendations to keep a new witch quite busy.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe word witch comes from the old English names wicca, a male practitioner of magick, and wicce, the name for a female witch. Both originate from the Old English word, wiccian. There are many other names used to describe a person who has magickal power and the knowledge to heal. The Greeks referred to the witch as pharmakis aligning her with medicine. In Italy she was referred to as strega, her religion La Vecchia meaning \u201cthe ways.\u201d To the early Greeks the witch was the priestess to Hecate, goddess of the crossroads, so became associated with the wisdom of age and the power of the hag. In Latin she was called saga and malefica…\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Becoming the Witch: The Art of Magick<\/em> provides a step-by-step approach to the art of the Witch that incrementally builds on the knowledge base crafted from previous chapters. Each chapter contains multiple spells relevant to the chapter\u2019s theme and in this way the reader has the experience of practical application and testing out the waters while building new skill sets along the way.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Chapter One: The Story<\/strong> is a beautiful opening of the reader to the memory of nature, gods and goddesses and more through the lens of their Ancestors and the continued yearning as we move further and further away from the natural world to return to the simplicity of that connected way of being.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cImagine a time when the planets, the creatures, the plants, and the rivers were a part of you, living within you as your world, connected deeply to your soul. Imagine the awe in your heart of their power. Once there was a natural world, a place that was in constant change, embraced in the mystery of beginnings and endings, of birth and of death. Find the memory of this world within you and you will become the witch…\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

One of my favorite chapters is Chapter Seventeen: The Witch\u2019s Wheel.<\/strong> Ms. Thorpe covers all of the basics of introduction to the Sabbats, but what I appreciated the most, was the approach of a specific spell gifted aligning with each of the Sabbats. Again, these provide practical applications that allow the reader to engage with the energies of the Sabbats in a very organic way. Suggestions for altars, correspondences and how-to\u2019s grace each Sabbat giving a full spectrum of treasures to access as the celebration begins.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Of note is Chapter Nineteen: The Witch\u2019s Cabinet<\/strong>, which serves as a robust precursor to the aforementioned Appendix of Correspondences.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c(Ms. Thorn has)<\/span><\/span> included a simplified list of witch\u2019s tools and practical items needed to make charms and cast spells. You will always add your own unique items. Be imaginative and create a story with your witch\u2019s materials\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Would I Recommend:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Becoming the Witch: The Art of Magick<\/em> by Danae Moon is a journey back to the natural world, to the magick of knowing one\u2019s power and whether the reader chooses to identify as a witch or another title is of no matter because the reader will be changed regardless. This is a wonderful title to gift your budding witch or for yourself as a refresher of all those things that may have attracted you to coming \u201chome\u201d to the Craft those many years ago.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Danae Moon Thorp (Melbourne, Australia) is a Witch, psychic reader, and founder of SpellBox<\/em>, a popular metaphysical store. She is also the creator of the Spellbox Witch’s Calendar,<\/em> and she has been a guest on many Melbourne radio stations.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Becoming the Witch on Amazon<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

**<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

About the author:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Robin Fennelly\u00a0<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span>is an Elder within\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/u><\/span>\u00a0and serves as High Priestess of\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>C<\/a>oven of the Mystic Path<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/u><\/span>, the 12th Coven\u00a0within the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition. She teaches\u00a0and facilitates\u00a0classes for the Pagan Experience Study Group that\u00a0serves as foundation for membership within\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Coven of the Mystic Path<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/u><\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Her spiritual journey is strongly rooted in both Eastern philosophy and the Western Magickal systems from which she has formed a core foundation that is diverse in knowledge and rich in spiritual practice.\u00a0 A life-long learner, her practice has evolved from the classical and philosophical teachings of books, practical experience and enrichment of this knowledge\u00a0base by attending workshops of various spiritual traditions presented by master teachers.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Robin formally came to the Wiccan path in 1994. Following a practice as a solitary for 2 years, she dedicated to\u00a0Oak and Willow Coven of The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition in November of 1996. She received her\u00a01st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th (Elder) degrees within the Assembly Tradition and has served as High Priestess of two ASW covens since Samhain of 2001 and the Winter Solstice of 2015.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nAs a teacher of esoteric and magickal studies\u00a0she uses Energetic Anatomy, Tarot, Astrology, Hermetic Qabala, Eastern Philosophy, and Numerology as the foundations of her diverse selection of workshops and writings for more than 25\u00a0years. Exploration of varied energetic protocol has been the focus of her work for some time now and the information gained through direct experience informs all of her magickal and spiritual work.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Robin\u2019s writings have been featured online, and in print Internationally.\u00a0 She has authored several books incorporating her unique style of writing making use of poetry, prose and pathworking to enhance the concepts presented.\u00a0 She has taught extensively throughout the Pagan community, including Sacred Space Conference, Spring Magick, Between the Worlds Interfaith Conference and Free Spirit Gathering Festival. Her most recent projects include a channel on youtube: <\/span><\/span><\/span>A Journey to the Inner Chamber<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/u><\/span>. <\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span>She also shares audio pathworkings and ritual on her bandcamp site: <\/span><\/span><\/span>Teachings on the Path with Robin.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/u><\/span> <\/u><\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Robin is the owner of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Holistic Embrace\u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/span>providing services for mind, body and spirit such as Tarot readings, Astrology reports, Spiritual Guidance\u00a0and other related offerings.\u00a0 She lives in Eastern Pennsylvania and her life is blessed by a 40+- year marriage, five children and the opportunity to work in the field of public education.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Robin\u2019s Website<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span>:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.robinfennelly.com<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Coven of the Mystic Path, ASW<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span>:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>www.covenofthemysticpath.org<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Her books can be found on Amazon or purchased directly through her website:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

For more info<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span>:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>http:\/\/www.robinfennelly.com\/books.html<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

The Inner Chamber, Vol. 1 It\u2019s Written in the Stars-Astrology<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Inner Chamber, Vol. 2 Poetry of the Spheres-Qabalah<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Inner Chamber, Vol. 3 Awakening the Paths-Qabalah<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Light of SELF: Consciousness, Spiritual Practice and Learning to Breathe<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Magickal Verse: A Collection of Poetry and Prose<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A Year of Gaia: The Eternal Cord<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Elemental Year: Aligning the Elements of SELF<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Temple of the Sun and Moon: Luminous Devotions<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Sleeping with the Goddess: Nights of Devotion<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A Weekly Reflection: Musings for the Year<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Magickal Pen: A Collection of Esoteric Writings<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Enchanted Gate: Musings on the Magick of the Natural World<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Temple of the Sun: An Astrological Solar Year<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Writings in the Shadow: An Exploration of the Shadow Nature<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Book Review Becoming the Witch: The Art of Magick by Danae Moon Thorp Published by Llewellyn 408 Pages Published: September 2021   \u201cBecoming the Witch leads you from the origins of Witchcraft to the secrets of sacred thinking and beyond. In a distinct, almost lyrical tone, Danae Moon Thorp teaches you what every beginner must know when starting on the Witch’s path, including the elements, spells, tools, deities, rituals, and more…\u201d Becoming the Witch: The Art of Magick by Danae Moon Thorp is separated into nineteen (19) chapters replete with dozens of spells, an Appendix of Correspondences and a bibliography containing enough reading recommendations to keep a new witch quite busy. \u201cThe word witch comes from the old English names wicca, a male practitioner of magick, and wicce, the name for a female witch. Both originate from the Old English word, wiccian. There are many other names used to describe a person who has magickal power and the knowledge to heal. The Greeks referred to the witch as pharmakis aligning her with medicine. In Italy she was referred to as strega, her religion La Vecchia meaning \u201cthe ways.\u201d To the early Greeks the witch was the priestess to Hecate, goddess of the crossroads, so became associated with the wisdom of age and the power of the hag. In Latin she was called saga and malefica…\u201d Becoming the Witch: The Art of Magick provides a step-by-step approach to the art of the Witch that incrementally builds on the knowledge base crafted from previous chapters. Each chapter contains multiple spells relevant to the chapter\u2019s theme and in this way the reader has the experience of practical application and testing out the waters while building new skill sets along the way. Chapter One: The Story is a beautiful opening of the reader to the memory of nature, gods and goddesses and more through the lens of their Ancestors and the continued yearning as we move further and further away from the natural world to return to the simplicity of that connected way of being. \u201cImagine a time when the planets, the creatures, the plants, and the rivers were a part of you, living within you as your world, connected deeply to your soul. Imagine the awe in your heart of their power. Once there was a natural world, a place that was in constant change, embraced in the mystery of beginnings and endings, of birth and of death. Find the memory of this world within you and you will become the witch…\u201d One of my favorite chapters is Chapter Seventeen: The Witch\u2019s Wheel. Ms. Thorpe covers all of the basics of introduction to the Sabbats, but what I appreciated the most, was the approach of a specific spell gifted aligning with each of the Sabbats. Again, these provide practical applications that allow the reader to engage with the energies of the Sabbats in a very organic way. Suggestions for altars, correspondences and how-to\u2019s grace each Sabbat giving a full spectrum of treasures to access as the celebration begins. Of note is Chapter Nineteen: The Witch\u2019s Cabinet, which serves as a robust precursor to the aforementioned Appendix of Correspondences. \u201c(Ms. Thorn has) included a simplified list of witch\u2019s tools and practical items needed to make charms and cast spells. You will always add your own unique items. Be imaginative and create a story with your witch\u2019s materials\u2026\u201d Would I Recommend: Becoming the Witch: The Art of Magick by Danae Moon is a journey back to the natural world, to the magick of knowing one\u2019s power and whether the reader chooses to identify as a witch or another title is of no matter because the reader will be changed regardless. This is a wonderful title to gift your budding witch or for yourself as a refresher of all those things that may have attracted you to coming \u201chome\u201d to the Craft those many years ago. Danae Moon Thorp (Melbourne, Australia) is a Witch, psychic reader, and founder of SpellBox, a popular metaphysical store. She is also the creator of the Spellbox Witch’s Calendar, and she has been a guest on many Melbourne radio stations.   Becoming the Witch on Amazon   ** About the author: Robin Fennelly\u00a0is an Elder within\u00a0The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition\u00a0and serves as High Priestess of\u00a0Coven of the Mystic Path, the 12th Coven\u00a0within the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition. She teaches\u00a0and facilitates\u00a0classes for the Pagan Experience Study Group that\u00a0serves as foundation for membership within\u00a0Coven of the Mystic Path.\u00a0\u00a0 Her spiritual journey is strongly rooted in both Eastern philosophy and the Western Magickal systems from which she has formed a core foundation that is diverse in knowledge and rich in spiritual practice.\u00a0 A life-long learner, her practice has evolved from the classical and philosophical teachings of books, practical experience and enrichment of this knowledge\u00a0base by attending workshops of various spiritual traditions presented by master teachers. Robin formally came to the Wiccan path in 1994. Following a practice as a solitary for 2 years, she dedicated to\u00a0Oak and Willow Coven of The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition in November of 1996. She received her\u00a01st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th (Elder) degrees within the Assembly Tradition and has served as High Priestess of two ASW covens since Samhain of 2001 and the Winter Solstice of 2015. As a teacher of esoteric and magickal studies\u00a0she uses Energetic Anatomy, Tarot, Astrology, Hermetic Qabala, Eastern Philosophy, and Numerology as the foundations of her diverse selection of workshops and writings for more than 25\u00a0years. Exploration of varied energetic protocol has been the focus of her work for some time now and the information gained through direct experience informs all of her magickal and spiritual work. Robin\u2019s writings have been featured online, and in print Internationally.\u00a0 She has authored several books incorporating her unique style of writing making use of poetry, prose and pathworking to enhance the concepts presented.\u00a0 She has taught extensively throughout the Pagan community, including Sacred Space Conference, Spring Magick, Between the Worlds Interfaith Conference and Free Spirit Gathering Festival. Her most recent projects include a channel on youtube: A Journey to the Inner Chamber. She also shares audio pathworkings and ritual on her bandcamp site: Teachings on the Path with Robin. Robin is the owner of\u00a0Holistic Embrace\u00a0providing services for mind, body and spirit such as Tarot readings, Astrology reports, Spiritual Guidance\u00a0and other related offerings.\u00a0 She lives in Eastern Pennsylvania and her life is blessed by a 40+- year marriage, five children and the opportunity to work in the field of public education. Robin\u2019s Website:\u00a0www.robinfennelly.com Coven of the Mystic Path, ASW:\u00a0www.covenofthemysticpath.org Her books can be found on Amazon or purchased directly through her website: For more info:\u00a0http:\/\/www.robinfennelly.com\/books.html The Inner Chamber, Vol. 1 It\u2019s Written in the Stars-Astrology The Inner Chamber, Vol. 2 Poetry of the Spheres-Qabalah The Inner Chamber, Vol. 3 Awakening the Paths-Qabalah The Light of SELF: Consciousness, Spiritual Practice and Learning to Breathe Magickal Verse: A Collection of Poetry and Prose A Year of Gaia: The Eternal Cord The Elemental Year: Aligning the Elements of SELF Temple of the Sun and Moon: Luminous Devotions Sleeping with the Goddess: Nights of Devotion A Weekly Reflection: Musings for the Year The Magickal Pen: A Collection of Esoteric Writings The Enchanted Gate: Musings on the Magick of the Natural World The Temple of the Sun: An Astrological Solar Year Writings in the Shadow: An Exploration of the Shadow Nature<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":208,"featured_media":26929,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10005],"tags":[13992,10095,10015,13993,10065,10075,10060],"class_list":["post-26928","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-reviews","tag-becoming-the-witch","tag-book","tag-book-review","tag-danae-moon-thorp","tag-magic","tag-review","tag-witchcraft"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26928","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/208"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26928"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26928\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26931,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26928\/revisions\/26931"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26929"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26928"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26928"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26928"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}