A review by bookshelfmystic
Magic for the Resistance: Rituals and Spells for Change by Michael M. Hughes

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).