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larissalee's review
4.0
This is a good introductory book on using magic for (or in support of) activism. There's a large dose of history, as well as basic magical instructions that I think anyone could follow. The author gets a little preachy on vegetarianism (his preference) and the use of magic circles (he's not a fan), but otherwise the writing is approachable and instructive. I'd recommend this as a good starting point, as the spells and rituals range from largely defensive/protective to active offense in the face of oppression or attacks.
amberunmasked's review
5.0
ARC Courtesy of NetGalley
The book is set up in clear logical order by chapters with so much inclusion and instructions, that I questioned whether or not I needed to continue to write my own handbook. After reading, I can say, my book (should it ever come out) would complement Hughes’ work well. He offers so much that I only tapped into. Needless to say, if you’re interesting in learning as a novice or want some ideas as an experienced witch, this book has a ton to offer. His spells and rituals are designed for most of the social justice causes you can think of today: environmentalism, sexual abuse, reproductive rights, hexing the NRA, and protecting immigrants. Each of them is presented after chapters and chapters of historical context.
Another highlight is that Hughes presents the diversity of African-American to Haitian to Celtic to Buddhist to Christian perspectives. This is obviously intensely researched, and I’ll add, properly cited. Magic for the Resistance takes off with a timeline through some of witchcraft’s more (in)famous public hexes and spells. Readers will get a much better understanding and appreciation for why women showed up to protests in the past two years clad in black robes with pointed veiled hats carrying and carrying signs silently. They are a new offspring of the hippie subculture. Their tactics are clever and amusing.
Accessibility:
Hughes is a considerate author and magician. He gives a lot of sound advice for frugal alternatives. He also provides suggestions for people with disabilities who may not be able to do things like stand and walk in a circle or go to a protest or walk through the woods. His sensitivity on financial considerations, ableism, and racial issues makes this book revolutionary. He goes even two steps further. At his suggestions for taking something from nature to use (such as a rock or feather) or if you leave wards (such as spell jars or melted candles) out in public/nature, you should spend the time and energy to pick up some litter while you’re there. His second suggestion comes at the end of every ritual: giving donations to a worthy cause befitting the intention of the spell.
If you are in the market for a superbly-written book with history, instructions, and sample rituals to fight the patriarchy, protect others and the environment, and win justice for the highest good, Magic Resistance by Michael M. Hughes is the perfect book.
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A longer review with more quotes is at my site and will be available July 24, 2018 because Patreon backers get access first: http://www.amberunmasked.com/review-magicresistance/
The book is set up in clear logical order by chapters with so much inclusion and instructions, that I questioned whether or not I needed to continue to write my own handbook. After reading, I can say, my book (should it ever come out) would complement Hughes’ work well. He offers so much that I only tapped into. Needless to say, if you’re interesting in learning as a novice or want some ideas as an experienced witch, this book has a ton to offer. His spells and rituals are designed for most of the social justice causes you can think of today: environmentalism, sexual abuse, reproductive rights, hexing the NRA, and protecting immigrants. Each of them is presented after chapters and chapters of historical context.
Another highlight is that Hughes presents the diversity of African-American to Haitian to Celtic to Buddhist to Christian perspectives. This is obviously intensely researched, and I’ll add, properly cited. Magic for the Resistance takes off with a timeline through some of witchcraft’s more (in)famous public hexes and spells. Readers will get a much better understanding and appreciation for why women showed up to protests in the past two years clad in black robes with pointed veiled hats carrying and carrying signs silently. They are a new offspring of the hippie subculture. Their tactics are clever and amusing.
Accessibility:
“Be conscientious of your guests with special needs, and plan accordingly.”
Hughes is a considerate author and magician. He gives a lot of sound advice for frugal alternatives. He also provides suggestions for people with disabilities who may not be able to do things like stand and walk in a circle or go to a protest or walk through the woods. His sensitivity on financial considerations, ableism, and racial issues makes this book revolutionary. He goes even two steps further. At his suggestions for taking something from nature to use (such as a rock or feather) or if you leave wards (such as spell jars or melted candles) out in public/nature, you should spend the time and energy to pick up some litter while you’re there. His second suggestion comes at the end of every ritual: giving donations to a worthy cause befitting the intention of the spell.
If you are in the market for a superbly-written book with history, instructions, and sample rituals to fight the patriarchy, protect others and the environment, and win justice for the highest good, Magic Resistance by Michael M. Hughes is the perfect book.
-----
A longer review with more quotes is at my site and will be available July 24, 2018 because Patreon backers get access first: http://www.amberunmasked.com/review-magicresistance/
bookshelfmystic's review against another edition
4.0
This book is part history, part spellbook with lots of useful spells for social justice and political work. I enjoyed the chapters on how magic, witchcraft, folk magic, etc. has been used throughout history to fight back against oppression. I also appreciated the author's references to Hoodoo and Conjure, as those are traditions I'm not as familiar with and they added a lot to the books' focus. The spells are not set in any one tradition, but instead are based on the author's personal magic system, which he acknowledges is just a conglomeration of many different practices that work for him. I appreciated the variety in the deities and frameworks between the spells. Of interest is the fact that many of the spells use biblical language, especially the hexes - I thought the Bible verses were powerful inclusions that "speak the language" of the hex targets, but you might not want to include them if you're trying to distance yourself from Christianity.
One other thing I appreciated is that Hughes never asserts any particular theology, and in fact is quick to reassure the reader that one does not have to believe in spirits or deities or magic at all to do these spells. It can be enough to claim personal power through these actions (and then, he also emphasizes, to act directly in the world as well to effect the change you seek).
One other thing I appreciated is that Hughes never asserts any particular theology, and in fact is quick to reassure the reader that one does not have to believe in spirits or deities or magic at all to do these spells. It can be enough to claim personal power through these actions (and then, he also emphasizes, to act directly in the world as well to effect the change you seek).
andreag23's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent book if you want to combine activism (of all kinds) with a bit of magic and don't know where to start. The author gives a lot of practical advice for both topics. In the beginning, he also dives into the history of magical activism, in the chapter "Witches and Occultists versus Kings and Nazis" and then talks about his experiences with binding Trump, a long-term spell work which grew into a larger community.
Another topic is Offensive and Defensive Magic and also "Magic Beyond the Altar". And how about covens and communities? There is a chapter about this, too and also some rituals especially designed for groups. A topic which often gets forgotten when talking about activism, is self-care and resilience and Michael M. Hughes writes about how important these are for activists.
In the last two chapters, preparations for rituals are described and spells for several matters, for instance "Black Lives Matter: Spell for Justice for a Victim of a Police Action", "Healing the Earth", "Hands Off, Laws Off: Hekate Invocation for Reproductive Rights", "Dance of Pan - LGBTQ* Protection", "Calling Bullshit" and more. The author points out that these spells can be adapted for several magical traditions and also for groups (like I mentioned, some examples for groups spells and rituals are included). There are some further reading suggestions and magical correspondences included.
This book has definitely been an inspiration for me, for magical activism, to go along with mundane action.
Another topic is Offensive and Defensive Magic and also "Magic Beyond the Altar". And how about covens and communities? There is a chapter about this, too and also some rituals especially designed for groups. A topic which often gets forgotten when talking about activism, is self-care and resilience and Michael M. Hughes writes about how important these are for activists.
In the last two chapters, preparations for rituals are described and spells for several matters, for instance "Black Lives Matter: Spell for Justice for a Victim of a Police Action", "Healing the Earth", "Hands Off, Laws Off: Hekate Invocation for Reproductive Rights", "Dance of Pan - LGBTQ* Protection", "Calling Bullshit" and more. The author points out that these spells can be adapted for several magical traditions and also for groups (like I mentioned, some examples for groups spells and rituals are included). There are some further reading suggestions and magical correspondences included.
This book has definitely been an inspiration for me, for magical activism, to go along with mundane action.
kleinekita's review against another edition
5.0
Really good. Has me feeling inspired and ready to get working.
cryptidbf's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
1.0
I was really hoping to enjoy this book, but I only ended up hoping it would already be over. There were many things that rubbed me the wrong way in this book. If respecting cultures isn’t apart of your activism or magical practice then you’re not an activist.
The author uses “smudging” instead of cleansing which is cultural appropriation of a Native American practice. He also openly admitted to practicing Hoodoo within the book and even recommended different beings to work with. He doesn’t once talk about how if you don’t belong to the culture that you shouldn’t participate. He also tells of a story of a monkey sculpture he received in which he referred to it as “Voodoo Monkey”, I shouldn’t have to explain why this is incredibly insensitive.
Further along within the book he refers to himself as a “kabbalistic magician”, kabbala referring to Jewish Mysticism. If the author isn’t Jewish then I’m sure we can see the problem here. Another thing that bothered me was how he referred to demons as “lowlife dregs”
Overall it’s a book that is not worth reading or wasting your time on. Some information is helpful but if you’ve been a practitioner for awhile then you already know it.
The author uses “smudging” instead of cleansing which is cultural appropriation of a Native American practice. He also openly admitted to practicing Hoodoo within the book and even recommended different beings to work with. He doesn’t once talk about how if you don’t belong to the culture that you shouldn’t participate. He also tells of a story of a monkey sculpture he received in which he referred to it as “Voodoo Monkey”, I shouldn’t have to explain why this is incredibly insensitive.
Further along within the book he refers to himself as a “kabbalistic magician”, kabbala referring to Jewish Mysticism. If the author isn’t Jewish then I’m sure we can see the problem here. Another thing that bothered me was how he referred to demons as “lowlife dregs”
Overall it’s a book that is not worth reading or wasting your time on. Some information is helpful but if you’ve been a practitioner for awhile then you already know it.
silvernfire's review against another edition
4.0
If I say straight off that there are spells in this book for hexing the NRA, invoking divine protection for immigrants, protecting polling places, and for justice after an African American has been killed extrajudicially by the police, this may be all some of you need to know to decide if you want to read this book.
For others reading this review, I can tell you that Hughes explains things clearly, and I thought the book was just plain interesting to read, even if you don't plan to do a single spell. He discusses the ethics of working magic against others and the importance of precise language when phrasing a spell. He doesn't stick to one tradition exclusively, and he encourages the reader to alter spells to make them more meaningful to them. The spells do have ingredients, but none of them looked all that expensive, and Hughes often suggests possible substitutions. There are chapters on the history of using magic to resist oppression, on taking care of yourself, on the development of the Bind Trump spell, finding fellow magical activists, and how to do magic. Should you be interested in adding magic to your resistance activities, this would be a good source to consult.
For others reading this review, I can tell you that Hughes explains things clearly, and I thought the book was just plain interesting to read, even if you don't plan to do a single spell. He discusses the ethics of working magic against others and the importance of precise language when phrasing a spell. He doesn't stick to one tradition exclusively, and he encourages the reader to alter spells to make them more meaningful to them. The spells do have ingredients, but none of them looked all that expensive, and Hughes often suggests possible substitutions. There are chapters on the history of using magic to resist oppression, on taking care of yourself, on the development of the Bind Trump spell, finding fellow magical activists, and how to do magic. Should you be interested in adding magic to your resistance activities, this would be a good source to consult.