{"id":30846,"date":"2024-12-05T12:36:32","date_gmt":"2024-12-05T16:36:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/?p=30846"},"modified":"2024-12-05T12:36:32","modified_gmt":"2024-12-05T16:36:32","slug":"book-review-a-confluence-of-witches-a-modern-witches-anthology-compiled-edited-by-casey-zabala","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2024\/12\/05\/book-review-a-confluence-of-witches-a-modern-witches-anthology-compiled-edited-by-casey-zabala\/","title":{"rendered":"Book Review-A Confluence of Witches: A Modern Witches Anthology, compiled & edited by Casey Zabala"},"content":{"rendered":"

Book Review<\/strong><\/p>\n

A Confluence of Witches: A Modern Witches Anthology<\/strong><\/p>\n

Compiled & Edited by Casey Zabala<\/strong><\/p>\n

Publisher: Weiser Books<\/strong><\/p>\n

208 page paperback<\/strong><\/p>\n

Release Date: October 14th, 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A Confluence of Witches\u00a0<\/em>is a compilation of different articles compiled into a single volume, all dealing with Witchcraft, its roots, and its modern applications and practice. Many of these authors are known movers and shakers of the modern witchcraft world, making this a valuable addition to many a modern witch’s library. From pieces on lunar lore and how to work with the lunar phases, to money magic, to de-colonizing witchcraft, A Confluence of Witches\u00a0<\/em>will reignite a flame in any witch that feels as though they’ve lost touch with their practices (as is so easy to do in today’s modern, ultra-fast paced world).<\/p>\n

I picked this book up simply out of curiosity, and because I am a fan of Weiser’s publications. I didn’t really know what to expect, but I wasn’t disappointed; some of the material simply didn’t apply to my practices personally, but I know others would find value in it. Some of the material comes from a Wiccan point of view, something that I personally have a lot of disagreements with, but again, others may find value in it. I found the section on money magick in our current capitalist society thoughtful and have incorporated some of those ideas and perspectives into my own money magick practices. Most of this material, however, could potentially go over a new witch’s head, as this book seems geared towards witches with an established practice, or at least have some basic experience.<\/p>\n

I’m not going to say that this book was bad<\/em>; it was actually pretty good, I just don’t think that a brand-new witch would find this book as useful as a more seasoned or even novice witch with some experience would, especially if they feel their craft is stagnant, or are looking for a new perspective. Aside from this, I found the material within A Confluence of Witches\u00a0<\/em>to be inspiring, and it allowed a fresh perspective on things and certain practices I had strayed away from for various reasons. That said, the various contributors to this book come from various backgrounds, which adds to the value of it, instead of focusing solely on one tradition\/path, etc. Overall, this is a good book, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a fresh perspective on their craft, and the craft in general. I give it a 5\/5 star rating!<\/p>\n

Casey Zabala\u00a0<\/strong>is the founder of Modern Witches, a community and sacred container for those witch-curious, witch-identifying, and magically minded to connect and learn in an authentic setting. She earned a Master’s Degree in Philosophy, Cosmology and Consciousness from California Institute of Integral Studies in 2018. Her other works include\u00a0Wanderer’s Tarot, Wanderer’s Tarot Guidebook,\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0Wyrd Sisters Oracle<\/em>. She is currently the host of the\u00a0Modern Witches Podcast.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Author Bio:<\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Modern Merlin <\/strong>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 a personal blog<\/a> 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<\/a>, as well other free informational posts for everyone to see!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Book Review A Confluence of Witches: A Modern Witches Anthology Compiled & Edited by Casey Zabala Publisher: Weiser Books 208 page paperback Release Date: October 14th, 2024 A Confluence of Witches\u00a0is a compilation of different articles compiled into a single volume, all dealing with Witchcraft, its roots, and its modern applications and practice. Many of these authors are known movers and shakers of the modern witchcraft world, making this a valuable addition to many a modern witch’s library. From pieces on lunar lore and how to work with the lunar phases, to money magic, to de-colonizing witchcraft, A Confluence of Witches\u00a0will reignite a flame in any witch that feels as though they’ve lost touch with their practices (as is so easy to do in today’s modern, ultra-fast paced world). I picked this book up simply out of curiosity, and because I am a fan of Weiser’s publications. I didn’t really know what to expect, but I wasn’t disappointed; some of the material simply didn’t apply to my practices personally, but I know others would find value in it. Some of the material comes from a Wiccan point of view, something that I personally have a lot of disagreements with, but again, others may find value in it. I found the section on money magick in our current capitalist society thoughtful and have incorporated some of those ideas and perspectives into my own money magick practices. Most of this material, however, could potentially go over a new witch’s head, as this book seems geared towards witches with an established practice, or at least have some basic experience. I’m not going to say that this book was bad; it was actually pretty good, I just don’t think that a brand-new witch would find this book as useful as a more seasoned or even novice witch with some experience would, especially if they feel their craft is stagnant, or are looking for a new perspective. Aside from this, I found the material within A Confluence of Witches\u00a0to be inspiring, and it allowed a fresh perspective on things and certain practices I had strayed away from for various reasons. That said, the various contributors to this book come from various backgrounds, which adds to the value of it, instead of focusing solely on one tradition\/path, etc. Overall, this is a good book, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a fresh perspective on their craft, and the craft in general. I give it a 5\/5 star rating! Casey Zabala\u00a0is the founder of Modern Witches, a community and sacred container for those witch-curious, witch-identifying, and magically minded to connect and learn in an authentic setting. She earned a Master’s Degree in Philosophy, Cosmology and Consciousness from California Institute of Integral Studies in 2018. Her other works include\u00a0Wanderer’s Tarot, Wanderer’s Tarot Guidebook,\u00a0and\u00a0Wyrd Sisters Oracle. She is currently the host of the\u00a0Modern Witches Podcast.\u00a0   *** Author Bio: 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 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!  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":290,"featured_media":30847,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":1,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10005],"tags":[15145,10015,15146,13624,15007,10603,14215,15147,10060],"class_list":["post-30846","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-reviews","tag-a-confluence-of-witches-a-modern-witches-anthology","tag-book-review","tag-casey-zabala","tag-modern-witchcraft","tag-red-wheel-weiser","tag-weiser","tag-weiser-books","tag-weiser-books-publishing","tag-witchcraft"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30846","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\/290"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30846"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30846\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30852,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30846\/revisions\/30852"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30847"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30846"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30846"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30846"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}