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wintercrows's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing beginner friendly witch book, love how grounded and realistic it is. The writing is engaging and the activities add to the teachings, currently my top witchy book.
ameltra's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful guide to creating a magical practice that will enrich your life. This book is ideal for beginners and intermediate witches looking to advance their craft, and is chock full of exercises, examples, and journal prompts. If I had to recommend one book for the beginner witch, this would be it; it is so much more than "Witchcraft 101". While the author does seem to have some Wiccan leanings, she is very open minded, practical, and non-judgmental. I'll certainly be returning to it for years to come.
oisin175's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
2.0
Not bad, but not for me. Kind of chaos magic flavored but with a new age feel. It felt like there was a lot of filler language or a lot of discussion that wasn't actually illuminating. The message is fine but it could have been better.
doriangraim's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.5
andreag23's review against another edition
5.0
In my eyes, this book is worth while reading for beginner witches as well as more experienced folks. There are lots of ideas and suggestions about how to be magically active in various fields.
Astrea Taylor starts by explaining what intuition is and what it is not (for instance, it isn‘t instinct or conscience). The author then encourages the reader to find a time and space to really do what they want, get in touch (again) with their own untamed wildness and freedom and I loved reading about that.
In new age circles, the ego is often something to be overcome. However, I like Astrea Taylor‘s take on the ego, because she compares it to a guardian who for instance creates healthy boundaries and lets people speak up for themselves. In other words: We cannot live without a healthy, empowered ego.
I liked the chapters about working with deities and spirits very much. There is a nice chapter about making the mundane life a bit more magical. The author also write extensively about different kinds of energy and of spells, about working (or rather not working) with the energies of other people. She warns about possible difficulties with and ethical issues of baneful magic.
In the later parts of the book, Astrea Taylor also writes about advanced magic and energy work.
There are some short essays by guest authors and several practical exercises and rituals. The author also gives examples of her own experiences with witchcraft over the years which adds a personal note to the book. She also writes about how one‘s craft may change over the years and about witchcraft communities, for instance ideas for group rituals and covens or finding an online community.
My only point of critique would be that some parts of the books, for instance about advanced practices like shadow work and travelling to the Upperworld and the Underworld (which is basically very similar to classical shamanic journeying) are not thoroughly presented. But on the other hand, as I have mentioned, there are several exercises throughout the book and lists with further reading, so if you is interesting in a particular topic you can see for other books about it (or in some cases, find a teacher or another expert).
I can very much recommend this book and will definitely re-read parts of it from time to time.
Astrea Taylor starts by explaining what intuition is and what it is not (for instance, it isn‘t instinct or conscience). The author then encourages the reader to find a time and space to really do what they want, get in touch (again) with their own untamed wildness and freedom and I loved reading about that.
In new age circles, the ego is often something to be overcome. However, I like Astrea Taylor‘s take on the ego, because she compares it to a guardian who for instance creates healthy boundaries and lets people speak up for themselves. In other words: We cannot live without a healthy, empowered ego.
I liked the chapters about working with deities and spirits very much. There is a nice chapter about making the mundane life a bit more magical. The author also write extensively about different kinds of energy and of spells, about working (or rather not working) with the energies of other people. She warns about possible difficulties with and ethical issues of baneful magic.
In the later parts of the book, Astrea Taylor also writes about advanced magic and energy work.
There are some short essays by guest authors and several practical exercises and rituals. The author also gives examples of her own experiences with witchcraft over the years which adds a personal note to the book. She also writes about how one‘s craft may change over the years and about witchcraft communities, for instance ideas for group rituals and covens or finding an online community.
My only point of critique would be that some parts of the books, for instance about advanced practices like shadow work and travelling to the Upperworld and the Underworld (which is basically very similar to classical shamanic journeying) are not thoroughly presented. But on the other hand, as I have mentioned, there are several exercises throughout the book and lists with further reading, so if you is interesting in a particular topic you can see for other books about it (or in some cases, find a teacher or another expert).
I can very much recommend this book and will definitely re-read parts of it from time to time.
atanzosh's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this read. I began it and paused for a time because it's not a quick intro beginner. Once I was ready for it I did move through it much quicker but it has such a wealth of information, without judgement and with many options and great resources for whatever aspects pull you. I look forward to her next book!
hissingpotatoes's review against another edition
2.0
I think the author had good intentions, but this is such a surface-level 101 book that it falls into misleading or negligent coverage.
adrizeuza's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
harrow_nova's review against another edition
2.0
While I liked some of the ideas in this book, overall I couldn't connect to the authors voice. I was also very uncomfortable with their suggestion that mentally ill people have lost a part of their soul, especially as an autistic person, as the idea that we don't have souls is something that has been said about us by both medical professionals and family members. I don't think the author meant to be condescending or insulting when they made this claim, but I do think it was very irresponsible, and hurtful to people with chronic mental illness and/or disabilities.