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tiarala's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed this a lot more than I expected tbh. I liked the author’s perspective on craft, the history was interesting, and ultimately has some great perspective on how to approach activism, witchy or not.
lattelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
First and foremost, I want to thank Sarah Lyons for being so open and honest about how witchcraft is more a placebo effect than anything else. That, I think, is what turned me off to witchcraft before I was interested in it. But I do believe, as Lyons suggests, that there is an inherent energy to everything that we do, and that our outcome is informed by that energy. I think that witchcraft is largely about intention and then actually action, which Lyons makes very clear. Remember that scene in Orange in the New Black where that guy goes back to that one character's store being like, "Yo, your spell didn't work, what the hell? I burnt my resume over a candle and everything and I still didn't get a job!" And she retorts, "Okay, but did you actually GIVE your resume to the employer?" Boom. Intent AND action.
The same goes for activism. It is necessary to be intentful, to know exactly what end goal you want. But you also have to work for it.
Lyon also gives a brief history of magic and why even today it's taboo--though how it's becoming more and more mainstream as well. Given today's political and economical climate, it makes sense that more and more women want to grasp onto something historically taboo, to take matters into our hands in the few ways that we're actually able to (hello institutional sexism!)
Overall, I found this a fascinating read that I think is a great resource if you're interested in magic as well as activism.
Review cross-listed here!
The same goes for activism. It is necessary to be intentful, to know exactly what end goal you want. But you also have to work for it.
Lyon also gives a brief history of magic and why even today it's taboo--though how it's becoming more and more mainstream as well. Given today's political and economical climate, it makes sense that more and more women want to grasp onto something historically taboo, to take matters into our hands in the few ways that we're actually able to (hello institutional sexism!)
Overall, I found this a fascinating read that I think is a great resource if you're interested in magic as well as activism.
Review cross-listed here!
farahchaudry's review against another edition
2.0
Connecting witchcraft to activism and social justice is nothing new, so I was interested to come across this very focused 'guide' during a time of real political and social injustice. Sadly this came across to me as trite and occasionally condescending - partially due to the writing style and partly due to the audiobook narrator. I would recommend this book more to folks who are newer both to esoteric forms of spirituality and activism in general. And maybe skip the audio version!
pipo's review against another edition
4.0
Es una perspectiva de la brujería que me pareció interesante porque los libros sobre brujería últimamente son bastante individualistas, siguiendo una perspectiva capitalista. Este libro explora la brujería respetando su historia y la importancia que tiene en ella la tierra.
itsbecca's review against another edition
I think I would like this better as a physical book to annotate on the spells, etc
suzannalundale's review against another edition
5.0
Yes, sister! I heard Sarah on the Witch Wave podcast & bought her book before the episode ended. This is a call to arms, an empowerment, a reminder of the revolutionary witches & non-witches in whose steps the world needs us to follow. There are practical exercises & ideas for any level of witchy expertise, as well as some history & theory. Forget the meek inheriting the earth. Let the witches inherit her and restore her to health. So mote it be.
larissalee's review against another edition
3.0
The premise of this book is set from the start, that activism is a form of magical action. If magic is about directing power (energy) toward a goal, so is politics. There aren't necessarily as different as you might think. That said, this book is clearly for direct and physical activism, rather than magical works. If you're looking for a way to merge action with magic, then you'll find it.
There are interesting thoughts like localizing your craft, but nothing is really approached with depth. This book isn't about witchcraft so much as it's about finding a spiritual tie-in between activism and witchcraft. The pieces I enjoyed are all available with more depth in other books, and the rest is just a really big protester pep talk with witchy sprinkles. So if you're looking for spells and rituals for workings toward magical resistance, this isn't the book for you.
There are interesting thoughts like localizing your craft, but nothing is really approached with depth. This book isn't about witchcraft so much as it's about finding a spiritual tie-in between activism and witchcraft. The pieces I enjoyed are all available with more depth in other books, and the rest is just a really big protester pep talk with witchy sprinkles. So if you're looking for spells and rituals for workings toward magical resistance, this isn't the book for you.