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A review by ardb
The Witch's Book of Self-Care: Magical Ways to Pamper, Soothe, and Care for Your Body and Spirit by Arin Murphy-Hiscock
3.0
If you’re a DIY Witch, this book is for you. While there is some mention of closed practices like the use of “sage smudge,” and calling a standing bowl/bell a “Tibetan singing bowl,” it is extremely beginner friendly; not overly religious in content, and is easy to read. However, this book contains about 100 varying DIY’s. She states in the first chapter, “This book proposes a variety of magical techniques to use in your practice of self-care. Most of them are easy and accessible, and others ask for minor purchases of herbs or stones,” however, her first DIY’s are buying a new journal and making a vision board (you can choose not to do a DIY, or modify it, but she doesn’t provide information on substitutions).
To her credit, she does acknowledge the financial struggle that can come with trying to practice self-care. Her writing is very sympathetic and does a fair job of defining why she suggests what she suggests. For example, she informs the reader that soy and beeswax candles burn cleaner than the cheapest option, and that stones and crystals are reusable.
I would have appreciated the inclusion of online resources to find ethically sourced crystals (somebody hmu please!), herbs, and essential oils. A criticism I have is that it's all very “love and light.” It’s my personal view that a big part of self-care is acknowledging what you need to work on to better yourself, and moving forward and healing from there. You’ll probably hear a lot of witches talk about “shadow work,” and while I agree with the consensus that it’s not usually best for beginners, I stand by my opinion that introspective analysis is an important part of self-care for anyone.
Overall, I would have appreciated hearing more of her voice. She really does have a way of writing that is conversational and explanatory but not condescending. I would recommend this to beginner witches (or the witchcraft curious). As always, I recommend shopping local. This book does retail for $16.99 USD, so if that’s on the higher end for you and/or don’t think you’ll be making body scrubs and bath bombs, I recommend buying second-hand.
To her credit, she does acknowledge the financial struggle that can come with trying to practice self-care. Her writing is very sympathetic and does a fair job of defining why she suggests what she suggests. For example, she informs the reader that soy and beeswax candles burn cleaner than the cheapest option, and that stones and crystals are reusable.
I would have appreciated the inclusion of online resources to find ethically sourced crystals (somebody hmu please!), herbs, and essential oils. A criticism I have is that it's all very “love and light.” It’s my personal view that a big part of self-care is acknowledging what you need to work on to better yourself, and moving forward and healing from there. You’ll probably hear a lot of witches talk about “shadow work,” and while I agree with the consensus that it’s not usually best for beginners, I stand by my opinion that introspective analysis is an important part of self-care for anyone.
Overall, I would have appreciated hearing more of her voice. She really does have a way of writing that is conversational and explanatory but not condescending. I would recommend this to beginner witches (or the witchcraft curious). As always, I recommend shopping local. This book does retail for $16.99 USD, so if that’s on the higher end for you and/or don’t think you’ll be making body scrubs and bath bombs, I recommend buying second-hand.