Book Review: The Little Book of the Occult by Astrid Carvel

Title: The Little Book of the Occult

Author: Astrid Carvel
Genre: Occult - Magic - Witchcraft
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: March 7, 2023
ISBN: 9781524882174
Read: January 13-16, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Come along on a journey of self-discovery and begin to make sense of the unpredictability of our existence with this fun and insightful introduction to the occult. 

An exploration of rich history and a discovery of lasting benefits, The Little Book of the Occult is a quick dive into the world of occult magick, perfect for both beginners and those who are more familiar with the practice. From sigils to tarot cards and rituals, occult practices are an insightful way to achieve your dreams, discover more about yourself, and feel empowered.

Review: The Little Book of the Occult is simply what the publisher's description states: "a quick dive into the world of occult magick." With only 128 pages, one cannot expect to have all the mysteries of the occult revealed. However, one can expect to have at least some of the mystery taken away, but Astrid Carvel seems to leave more questions unanswered than answered as if trusting the reader to continue researching the subject on their own. (Personally, I have no problem with research. I love nothing better than a deep dive into a subject that interests me. But it's not something everyone enjoys, I know.)

Most of the topics in this book are covered in the span of one or two pages. Again, this is not a book that's meant to be an exhaustive resource. It's meant to be more a means to pique the curiosity. Could Carvel perhaps spend a little more time on certain topics? Yes, absolutely. Does Carvel include every topic related to the occult? No, definitely not. Does Carvel at least cover the basics? Meh, I leave that up to the reader to decide.

Overall, The Little Book of the Occult is a very basic, Cliff Notes-version of an introduction to occult magick and history. If you're interested in the topic, chances are you'll continue on with your own research. If you're not that interested but are at least a little curious, then it will probably satisfy that curiosity. If you're looking for an exhaustive, authoritative treatise on the subject, this is definitely not the book for you.

Book Review: Mountain Magic by Rebecca Beyer

Title: Mountain Magic

Author: Rebecca Beyer
Genre: Folklore - Mythology - Magic - Witchcraft
Publisher: Wellfleet Press - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: February 21, 2023
ISBN: 9781577153351
Read: January 12-13, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Discover the wisdom and magic of Appalachia through Mountain Magic, an illustrated guide to the occult power of the hills and hollows. 

The people of Appalachia and the American backwoods have a long and deep magical tradition, one rooted in the power of place, land, and nature. With a creativity and ingenuity born of necessity, Appalachian witches built and sustained a wealth of magical knowledge drawn from European, Native American, and African American folk magic. Guided by expert witch and forager Rebecca Beyer, you can explore the wisdom of this powerful place: 

Learn medical and magical uses for common plants and herbs 

• Meet the traditional magical practitioners of Appalachia, from Blood Stoppers to Water Witches 
• Delve into a wealth of charms and curses, from witchballs to love workings 
• Follow the lore of the stars and seasons to grow and thrive 

Some of the magic and culture you will encounter in this enchanted guide include: 

• Magical lore surrounding the weather, seasons, and the movements of the moon and stars 
• Recipes for a tonic salad to move the blood in springtime and a cleansing spicebush tea 
• Profiles of the medicinal and magical properties of some essential mountain plants, including ginseng, blackberry, poke, sassafras, and mullein 
• Charms to protect from evil, including witch bottles, a holly twig charm, and the SATOR ROTAS square 

With this beautifully illustrated guide, you can bring the wisdom and magic of the backwoods to meet the challenges of modern life, building a magical practice that’s fueled by ancestral traditions and the nourishing power of the natural world.

Review: Rebecca Beyer lifts the veil of mystery surrounding Appalachian folk magic and provides a glimpse into this unique world of Yarb People, Water Witches, Burn Whisperers, Granny Women, and Conjure Folk. A blend of European magic, West African folklore, and Native American herbal knowledge, Appalachian folk magic is both a fascinating and powerful by-product of the landscape and the people who populated the Smoky Mountains, and it's still practiced today.

Mountain Magic is insightful and interesting in that much of the information has been passed down through generations, influenced by different eras and cultures, but remains largely unchanged in its core beliefs. Beyer's writing is easy to read and offers good explanations for concepts or items that may not be as familiar to readers outside of Appalachia. The illustrations compliment the information provided without distracting from the writing. Overall, this guidebook is a great introduction to a unique culture and the folklore and magic that has helped to shape it.

Book Review: The Untamed Witch by Lidia Pradas

 

Title: The Untamed Witch

Author: Lidia Pradas
Genre: Witchcraft - Spirituality - Magic
Publisher: Fair Winds Press - Copyright 2022
Publication Date: October 4, 2022
Read: December 30, 2022 - January 2, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Personalized magick is the most powerful magick. The Untamed Witch empowers you to use your own instincts, intuition, and personal environment in your witchcraft. 

Witchcraft is not one defined, arbitrary path. Rather, it is a diversity of practices that you can curate and align with based on your lifestyle and unique gifts. Moreover, those practices are not meant to be done the same way by every witch. Someone else’s love spell is how they conjure love. Why use lavender in a ritual if it isn’t native to your surroundings or you simply don’t like it? 

This guide gives you the insight and tools to undomesticate your craft from formulaic—to inspired—practice. 

The Untamed Witch also outlines: 

• Tools and practices to access the subconscious 
• How to work with the life, death, rebirth cycle 
• How to use elemental and land witchcraft 
• Ancestry work and communicating with spirit guides and entities 

With this book at your side, learn to use your instincts to rewild your magick.

Review: I loved this book! Finally, someone has written a book that isn't filled with formalized rituals, complicated spells, and endless lists of exotic supplies. I cannot express just how happy it made me to read The Untamed Witch by Lidia Pradas because in my own practice as a solitary Witch I prefer to keep things simple and uncomplicated, using what I have on hand or can easily source in my area versus relying on complex, multi-step rituals that leave me exhausted from the setting up of everything before the rite even begins. If you like uncomplicated witchcraft, this is the book for you!

The Untamed Witch is aimed at the solitary practitioner but could easily be modified for use in groups. Pradas states that the main premise of the book is to "access your power without intermediaries," and the chapters are divided and presented in such as way as to encourage the reader to explore not only their self but their local environment. Why use an herb that grows in a desert environment when you live in humid coastal area? "Rewilding" your magick--as Pradas calls it--is all about working with what you have available in your area in order to maximize your magick.

Filled with history, lore, charts, tips, and so much more, The Untamed Witch dares the reader to harken back to the days when the wise women and men utilized their talents and their local environment to craft their magick. The world needs more magick, but it doesn't need more complexity. Lidia Pradas has given us both, and this is one book I know I'll be referring to again and again.

Book Review: Candle Magic by Minerva Radcliffe

Title: Candle Magic

Author: Minerva Radcliffe
Genre: Wicca - Witchcraft - Magic
Publisher: Wellfleet Press - Copyright 2022
Publication Date: December 13, 2022
Read: December 20, 2022
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Harness the power of light with this collection of rituals and spells for seasoned witches, curious mystics, and new practitioners alike.

Light is everywhere, but like fire, the natural power that a candle holds within its flame can be life altering. Whether you are already familiar with other spiritual magics, or are tapping into the Universe with Candle Magic as your first practice, invite the power of light to bring joy, passion, comfort, and energy to your daily life. 

With this invaluable handbook, learn how candles of all shapes, sizes, and colors conduct the magic and energies of light. Experiment with the different results as you add candles to your altar, with beautiful illustrations to guide you toward the enchanting flame. If you’re seeking to add a spark to your magical practice, do so now by setting intentions and manifesting your desires with candle magic.

Review: Minerva Radcliffe takes a core element of Wicca/Witchcraft that has been studied in a plethora of books over the years and makes it seem fresh and new. The writing is clear and concise so anyone from novice to seasoned practitioner can understand the essence of candle magic. 

In addition to color, Radcliffe covers number magic, crystals and herbs as they relate to candle magic, and how each can enhance your practice. The spells and rituals included in the book are simple and can be easily adapted to a individual's style or a specific tradition. 

Overall, Candle Magic by Minerva Radcliffe is a welcomed addition to the vast trove of magical books and will surely find a home on many practitioners' shelves.

Book Review: Astrology Magick by Lindsay Squire

Title: Astrology Magick

Author: Lindsay Squire
Genre: Astrology - Divination
Publisher: Leaping Hare Press - Copyright 2022
Publication Date: November 8, 2022
Read: December 7, 2022
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Astrology is a powerful tool for tuning into and better understanding yourself and others around you. Aligning your actions with the patterns and signs of the stars can bring you comfort and control in the 21st century, and empower you to really reflect on your present and future actions, and live your happiest life. 

Whether you're new to witchcraft OR astrology, discover how to use simple witchcraft and astrology to boost your wellbeing, find self-love and acceptance, and harness the power of the stars and universe in your life as well as your craft. 

Beautifully illustrated by Viki Lester, of @forensicsandflowers, this visually enchanting book will help you reconnect with the astrological bodies, rebalance your energies, and find spiritual meaning in the universe. 

Learn about: 

• How to incorporate astrology into your witchcraft practice 
• The different types of astrology (predictive, natal, karmic, and synastic) 
• The 12 zodiac signs, 9 planets, and 12 astrological houses 
• Your sun, moon, and rising sign 
• How to calculate and read your birth chart 
• What retrograde means and how to survive (and thrive!) when mercury is in retrograde 
• Astrology and its relationship to the moon 
• How to use astrology as part of your magickal and self-care practice

Review: Lindsay Squire makes astrology accessible to all in Astrology Magick. Whether you're new to the practice or an experienced follower of the stars, this book takes the complex subject of astrology and breaks it down into easily digestible chunks. Handy diagrams and a conversational writing style add to the book's overall quality. The illustrations by Viki Lester are beautiful and enhance Squire's information. 

Each chapter covers a different aspect of astrology--everything from creating a birth chart to how the placement of planets on the chart affect an individual's personality, outlook on life, relationships, and more. Also included are suggestions for tarot readings based on the different zodiac signs. Astrology Magick, regardless of whether or not you practice Wicca/Witchcraft, is by far one of the best resources I've found on the subject, and certainly one of the most approachable.

Book Review: Seal, Sigil & Call by J.R. Mascaro

Title: Seal, Sigil & Call

Author: J.R. Mascaro
Genre: Magic - Occultism
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications - Copyright 2022
Publication Date: December 8, 2022
Read: December 5-8, 2022
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Practice Your Own Ritual Magic and Achieve a Higher State of Being 

Drawing from Eastern and Western traditions to form its unique path, Seal, Sigil & Call introduces you to a new school of ceremonial magic. This beginner-friendly book uses Tantric, Qabalistic, and tradition-free spiritual exercises to teach you concepts of energy and centered awareness. Once you've built a solid foundation, J. R. Mascaro shares the practices of paneidolism, his innovative system of ritual magic. This system shows you how to contact and work with various eidolons―spirit entities that aid your personal development. Seal, Sigil & Call helps you lift the veil of material awareness by providing powerful ontological tools that are not restricted by any single spiritual tradition. With Mascaro's guidance, you'll find greater peace through inner exploration and manifest your highest experience of being.

Review: The best way to describe J.R. Mascaro's Seal, Sigil & Call can be summed up as "ceremonial magic without the ceremony." Mascaro draws from a number of different sources including ceremonial magic, the Qabal, Buddhism, Wicca, and others to create a wholly original magical path that can be used either alone or incorporated into an already established system. 

Central to Mascaro's practice are the eidolons, which he describes as either spirit beings or archetypal aspects of the human subconscious. He leaves it up to the individual to ascertain how they choose to perceive the eidolons. He does "gift" eighteen eidolons to the reader--basically, these are beings/aspects that are open to being contacted by others seeking to work with eidolons--that comprise what Mascaro calls the Inner Host of the Ark. Eidolons are categorized in three ways: Otherworld Spirits, Primals, and Celestials. Each category comes with its own challenges and benefits. Once the magician has connected with and become accustomed to working with the Inner Host, more eidolons await to be discovered.

Mascaro does an admirable job of organizing his research and procedures for contacting eidolons. Some of his phrasing can be a repetitive and writing tends toward the overly flowery at times but overall, the information is unique and presented in an easy to follow manner. While Mascaro states he has not (as yet) encountered a malevolent eidolon, anyone seeking to make contact with possible spiritual beings should exercise the proper protection methods and use caution. Fortunately, he provides different methods for achieving this and although his passion for working with eidolons is evident, he does seem to acknowledge that doing so isn't for everyone. 

Overall, Seal, Sigil & Call is an uncommon approach to an aspect of magic that is often part of a large path or tradition. It goes beyond a basic "how to" book and offers a new perspective on familiar topics. Anyone who is interested in ceremonial magic would find this book useful and a welcomed addition to their library.