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moth_dance's review
5.0
An absolute revelation. The magical blend of personal stories, community research, and cultural ethnography in this book is matched by Lorraine's blazing prose, dazzling lyricism, and rich tales of the past, present, and future.
This will now be my most recommended book for witches- from deep practitioners to curious enthusiasts alike.
This will now be my most recommended book for witches- from deep practitioners to curious enthusiasts alike.
sydthewitch's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
3.25
Overall, a great book for newer witches of color and for white witches at any phase. It's primarily a memoir woven with the stories of other brujxs with lots of ideas on how to begin and where to take inspiration.
The reason I didn't rate it higher is two-fold. 1) I wish there were more practical/applicable contents for tangible practice. 2) There are some comments that, while not the soul of the book, could be harmful without fuller context. These include inaccurate generalizations about "Eastern" practices Jewish mysticism, and shamanism; recommendations for a small number of brands sources/brands that are appropriative or otherwise harmful; and some language and attributions that are prevalent in "witchy" or spiritual circles but is nonetheless rooted in white-washing and supremacy culture.
Even so, I would still recommend this book to anyone interested in Afro-Carribean magic and folk practices and anyone struggling to find their way into an authentic practice of spirituality.
The reason I didn't rate it higher is two-fold. 1) I wish there were more practical/applicable contents for tangible practice. 2) There are some comments that, while not the soul of the book, could be harmful without fuller context. These include inaccurate generalizations about "Eastern" practices Jewish mysticism, and shamanism; recommendations for a small number of brands sources/brands that are appropriative or otherwise harmful; and some language and attributions that are prevalent in "witchy" or spiritual circles but is nonetheless rooted in white-washing and supremacy culture.
Even so, I would still recommend this book to anyone interested in Afro-Carribean magic and folk practices and anyone struggling to find their way into an authentic practice of spirituality.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Pandemic/Epidemic, Alcohol, Child death, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Cultural appropriation, Addiction, Colonisation, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
arirose's review
3.75
I'm trying to read books to explore the world of Brujeria and I'd say this is the better of the three I've read so far. I really love that, in each chapter, we get to read the stories of various brujxs and their experiences. It really helped give some humanity to the practice, which (I am ashamed to say) I struggled to see for a long while.
A few stories didn't seem to connect with the chapter titles & lessons in the end, but that could come from a place of ignorance. I still have much to learn. I especially found the chapter on "Abuelita Medicine" inspiring, maybe because I've always been told I have an "old soul" lol.
A few stories didn't seem to connect with the chapter titles & lessons in the end, but that could come from a place of ignorance. I still have much to learn. I especially found the chapter on "Abuelita Medicine" inspiring, maybe because I've always been told I have an "old soul" lol.
tainolibrary's review
2.0
White-washed and quite a bit of misinformation. Best to learn directly from the BIPOC brujas the author interviewed. This only gets 2 stars because I know 2 of the women who were mentioned in the book.
hecman111's review
3.0
Stories of personal journey always interest me because they provide a lens of the world I might not otherwise know. This particular spiritual journey is made all the better by research and adjacency. I still hesitate because it is a (presented as) white face speaking of a deeply personal Black and brown experience, but I do appreciate the author’s self-awareness and reminders of what privilege brings to the story. I’m the end, I wish her well.
citymouse's review against another edition
This book was quite literally not for me. Where I expected the book to be about the history of brujas, it was actually a memoir paired with recommendations on connecting with your spiritual side, so it's not for me to rate or review.
thelittleasianthatcould's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.5