{"id":27653,"date":"2022-12-01T01:10:55","date_gmt":"2022-12-01T05:10:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/?p=27653"},"modified":"2022-11-29T20:45:20","modified_gmt":"2022-11-30T00:45:20","slug":"book-review-13-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2022\/12\/01\/book-review-13-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Book Review \u2013 Secrets of Santa Muerte: A Guide to the Prayers, Spells, Rituals, and Hexes by Cressida Stone"},"content":{"rendered":"

Book <\/span>R<\/span>eview<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

Secrets of Santa Muerte: <\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

A Guide to the Prayers, Spells, <\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Rituals, and Hexes<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

by Cressida Stone<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

Publisher: Weiser Books<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

256 pages<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

Release Date<\/span>: August 1, 2022<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The first thing that intrigued me about this book is the beautiful cover of Saint Death. Dressed in a purple veil adorned with white flowers the skeletal beauty gazes at you. You learn from the author that she experienced this very version of Mother Death in a dream which lead to her own workings with Santa Muerte.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Cressida Stone is a doctor of religious studies who has traveled the world studying spiritual traditions and religious practices. She has spent many years studying Santa Muerte curanderos (native healers) in Mexico. Her background is whyshe writes with such knowledge in this publication.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This book consists of nine chapters. The first five chapters focuses on Santa Muerte and how to practice with her. Chapter Six consists of prayers to Santa Muerte. Chapter Seven is composed of spells. Chapter Eight advises on how to break your relationship with Mother Death. Chapter Nine describes a ritual for Death\u2019s birthday\/deathday.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This book is set up to be a full guide on how to work with Saint Death. You will learn the history of the practice, how to set up your altar, and how to choose your Santa Muerte statue. You will also learn how to work with Santa Muerte color and candle correspondences.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Drawn in by the beautiful cover and fascinating title, I grabbed for this book and it did not fail to excite me. Although I have not decided if working with Santa Muerte is something I desire, I was amazed by the volume of information contained in this book. The history is fascinating to read as presented by Ms. Stone. In the history she discusses the impact of Spanish colonization on the ancient practice of worshipping death.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026life and death are a never-ending cycle and that each powers the other, with death being a precursor to life, fertility, and creation.\u201d<\/em> (pg.15). This quote taken from the book is an example of Ms. Stone\u2019s writing that had me thinking beyond her written words. Death is a topic many shy away from. As mortal beings, we know death exists. In nature based religions the cycle of birth, life and death is celebrated. Here in this book you will learn how to honor and revere Death. If practiced properly Ms. Stone suggests you will reap rewards from the Bone Mother.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Whether you are looking to start working with Santa Muerte or just interested in various practices, you will enjoy this well-written and thoroughly researched manuscript.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

About the Author<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Cressida Stone is a doctor of religious studies whose life mission has been to learn and record spiritual traditions from across the world. For over twenty-five years, she travelled extensively in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America, working closely with religious practitioners to find new ways of empowering herself and others through the medium of spirit. She has spent the last six years studying with Santa Muerte curanderos in Mexico. Find her @secretsofsantamuerte.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Internet Article: Dr. R. Andrew Chesnut Interviews Dr. Cressida Stone on her new Santa Muerte Grimoire: \u201cSecrets of Santa Muerte: A Guide to the Spells, Prayers, Rituals and Hexes.\u201d
\nhttps:\/\/skeletonsaint.com\/2022\/08\/12\/dr-r-andrew-chesnut-interviews-dr-cressida-stone-on-her-new-santa-muerte-grimoire-secrets-of-santa-muerte-a-guide-to-the-spells-prayers-rituals-and-hexes\/<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Secrets of Santa Muerte on Amazon<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

About the Author:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Tammy Andrews<\/strong> is a beginner in the area of all matters related to Wicca and witchcraft. She is interested in many areas of natural spiritual practice including the use of incense and oils, pendulum divination, oracle cards, and crystals. She is Reiki I certified with plans to obtain further Reiki levels. With her love of learning and reading, she is excited to join PaganPagesOrg as a book reviewer. Tammy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker employed in a community agency that provides counseling and case management services to clients who live with serious mental illnesses and addiction issues. The power of human survival and resilience never ceases to amaze her. She views social work as her passion and life calling. Tammy resides in CT with her husband, who is her greatest supporter, her cat and her dogs. She has enjoyed the opportunity to assist in the nurturing of her step-son to become a prospering young adult.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Tammy and her husband spend many Summer weekends at their cabin in VT where she loves the opportunity to renew her spirit in the peace and solitude of the trees. You can contact Tammy via email at tandrews192@comcast.net<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Book Review Secrets of Santa Muerte: A Guide to the Prayers, Spells, Rituals, and Hexes by Cressida Stone Publisher: Weiser Books 256 pages Release Date: August 1, 2022         The first thing that intrigued me about this book is the beautiful cover of Saint Death. Dressed in a purple veil adorned with white flowers the skeletal beauty gazes at you. You learn from the author that she experienced this very version of Mother Death in a dream which lead to her own workings with Santa Muerte. Cressida Stone is a doctor of religious studies who has traveled the world studying spiritual traditions and religious practices. She has spent many years studying Santa Muerte curanderos (native healers) in Mexico. Her background is whyshe writes with such knowledge in this publication. This book consists of nine chapters. The first five chapters focuses on Santa Muerte and how to practice with her. Chapter Six consists of prayers to Santa Muerte. Chapter Seven is composed of spells. Chapter Eight advises on how to break your relationship with Mother Death. Chapter Nine describes a ritual for Death\u2019s birthday\/deathday. This book is set up to be a full guide on how to work with Saint Death. You will learn the history of the practice, how to set up your altar, and how to choose your Santa Muerte statue. You will also learn how to work with Santa Muerte color and candle correspondences. Drawn in by the beautiful cover and fascinating title, I grabbed for this book and it did not fail to excite me. Although I have not decided if working with Santa Muerte is something I desire, I was amazed by the volume of information contained in this book. The history is fascinating to read as presented by Ms. Stone. In the history she discusses the impact of Spanish colonization on the ancient practice of worshipping death. \u201c\u2026life and death are a never-ending cycle and that each powers the other, with death being a precursor to life, fertility, and creation.\u201d (pg.15). This quote taken from the book is an example of Ms. Stone\u2019s writing that had me thinking beyond her written words. Death is a topic many shy away from. As mortal beings, we know death exists. In nature based religions the cycle of birth, life and death is celebrated. Here in this book you will learn how to honor and revere Death. If practiced properly Ms. Stone suggests you will reap rewards from the Bone Mother. Whether you are looking to start working with Santa Muerte or just interested in various practices, you will enjoy this well-written and thoroughly researched manuscript.   About the Author Cressida Stone is a doctor of religious studies whose life mission has been to learn and record spiritual traditions from across the world. For over twenty-five years, she travelled extensively in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America, working closely with religious practitioners to find new ways of empowering herself and others through the medium of spirit. She has spent the last six years studying with Santa Muerte curanderos in Mexico. Find her @secretsofsantamuerte. Internet Article: Dr. R. Andrew Chesnut Interviews Dr. Cressida Stone on her new Santa Muerte Grimoire: \u201cSecrets of Santa Muerte: A Guide to the Spells, Prayers, Rituals and Hexes.\u201d https:\/\/skeletonsaint.com\/2022\/08\/12\/dr-r-andrew-chesnut-interviews-dr-cressida-stone-on-her-new-santa-muerte-grimoire-secrets-of-santa-muerte-a-guide-to-the-spells-prayers-rituals-and-hexes\/     Secrets of Santa Muerte on Amazon     ** About the Author: Tammy Andrews is a beginner in the area of all matters related to Wicca and witchcraft. She is interested in many areas of natural spiritual practice including the use of incense and oils, pendulum divination, oracle cards, and crystals. She is Reiki I certified with plans to obtain further Reiki levels. With her love of learning and reading, she is excited to join PaganPagesOrg as a book reviewer. Tammy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker employed in a community agency that provides counseling and case management services to clients who live with serious mental illnesses and addiction issues. The power of human survival and resilience never ceases to amaze her. She views social work as her passion and life calling. Tammy resides in CT with her husband, who is her greatest supporter, her cat and her dogs. She has enjoyed the opportunity to assist in the nurturing of her step-son to become a prospering young adult. Tammy and her husband spend many Summer weekends at their cabin in VT where she loves the opportunity to renew her spirit in the peace and solitude of the trees. You can contact Tammy via email at tandrews192@comcast.net<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":252,"featured_media":27654,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10005],"tags":[10095,10015,14245,11770,10077,14246,10075,14244,12793],"class_list":["post-27653","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-reviews","tag-book","tag-book-review","tag-cressida-stone","tag-death","tag-magick","tag-mexican","tag-review","tag-saint-death","tag-santa-muerte"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27653","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\/252"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27653"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27653\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27657,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27653\/revisions\/27657"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27654"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27653"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27653"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27653"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}