đź“– Spells8 Book Club XXXI (Sep 1 - 29)

Activities
1

Welcome to all of the witchy book-lovers here in the forum!

:books: :woman_mage: :heart:

Thank you again to everyone who joined in for last month’s reading session! For those who haven’t yet shared their thoughts about their book (or anyone who enjoys reading book reviews!) you still have time to do so in :memo: Spells8 Book Club XXX - Readers’ Reviews!

As of today, the 31st book club reading session has now begun !

spells8 book club

On Your Mark, Get Set, READ! :books:

  1. Begin by announcing your book
    The first post below is an editable wiki post- add your book title and name to the list! (instructions below)

  2. Know that you have [[ 4 weeks ]] in this reading session
    While it is great if you can finish your book during this time, it is okay if you break it into chapters or sections- do as much as you can and know that doing your best is always good enough!

  3. As you’re reading, feel free to share your thoughts!
    You are very welcome to share any thoughts or tidbits while you read in the comments below or in a new post in the forums. Just save the best parts for the final discussion at the end of the reading period!

  4. Join the final discussion
    After four weeks, a discussion post will open encouraging all readers to share a review of their book and any personal thoughts they have about it. A mini-review is perfectly fine, and there will be a suggested format for anyone who would like to write a longer review.

moon and books
moon and books960Ă—1280 406 KB

From Pixabay

A note about sharing books:

While everyone is free to choose their own book, you may consider reading along with someone else ! It is fun to share thoughts and insights about different books and even more exciting to do in-depth about a book with fellow readers :handshake:

If the book you plan to read is already on the list below, add your name to the list of others reading that book! For books with multiple readers, a separate discussion just for you will open for you to swap thoughts and share insights.

Please keep in mind that everyone will reconvene for the final discussion, regardless of which book you read :books:

If you are reading a book along with someone else, please make a note in the comments so I can create a special discussion thread for you!

Not sure what to read?

You can find book recommendations in:

And also:

Reading on a budget?

Free online books can be found in:

relaxing reading
relaxing reading1920Ă—1751 431 KB

From Pixabay

If you have any questions about Book Club, please feel free to check the Book Club FAQ and/or ask in the comments.

Blessed be and happy reading!

:sparkles: :open_book: :sparkles:

12 Likes
2

~~ ~~ ~~ This post is a WIKI POST- it is editable by everyone! ~~ ~~ ~~

Please announce your books here :blush:

Example:

  • Book Title by Author
    (@) your username

Out of respect to others, please only add/edit your own entry

  • Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne
    @TheTravelWitch_Bry

  • The Goddess in Shadow by Allycia Rye
    @Amethyst

  • The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco
    @EvaCVM

  • American Gods by Neil Gaiman
    @tracyS

  • Witchcraft Unchained by Craig Spencer
    @MeganB

  • Ancestral Whispers: A Guide to Building Ancestral Veneration Practices by Ben Stimpson
    @Jewitch

  • To Ride a Silver Broomstick by Silver RavenWolf
    @Jaxblueflash

  • ** **Tarot for Yourself **
    It workbook for personal transformation!!
    By Mary K Greer
    Second Edition
    @Jeannie1

  • Magickal Protection By Damon Brand
    @Solasta_Amore

9 Likes
3

For anyone who has trouble with adding their entry to the wiki post above, here is a step-by-step guide on how to do so:

→ How to Edit a Wiki Post (with pictures!)

If you’ve read the instructions but are still having a tough time- no stress at all! For anyone who prefers, I am happy to add you in. Just write your book title and author in a normal post and I will take care of it :blush:

Blessed be! :heart:

10 Likes
4

Thanks for fixing my entry! I could not get the bullet point to show :slight_smile:

7 Likes
5

No problem :sparkles: :crescent_moon: :+1:

6 Likes
6

I decided to work with a workbook this month and let you know how it goes!
This book is very interactive! The neat thing is it can be for other people you read for!

image
image3024Ă—4032 2.74 MB

image
image3024Ă—4032 2.77 MB

image
image3024Ă—4032 3.6 MB

I am happy with this workbook it gives me opportunities to inhance my skills and abilities! I think everyone in the pagan community should have this book :open_book:
Jeannie
Jeannie

6 Likes
7

@Jeannie1 What book is it. Looks fabulous :sparkling_heart:

5 Likes
8

Tracy,

image
image3024Ă—4032 2.37 MB

Jeannie :books:

5 Likes
9

@Jeannie1 Thankyou.

5 Likes
10

No problem :wink:

5 Likes
11

That looks awesome, Jeannie! I hope you enjoy your work with Tarot for Your Self- have fun! :smiling_face_with_three_hearts: :flower_playing_cards:

4 Likes
12

Hello everyone! :hugs: :smiling_face: I was literally waiting for this month’s book club to open, still i’m 15 days late, here! :sweat_smile: :laughing: Haha, i don’t know how i missed it! However i have found this now & I am going to join every month, i realized i would actually looove to read an ebook within the Spells8 book club session too! :innocent: :silver_heart: :pink_heart: If only i could finish one in… like 15 days more …? :joy: :yum: But at least i will get to read with my lovely coven, yayy! :infinite_roots: :people_hugging: :open_book:
The Ebook that I will read is Magickal Protection by Damon Brand.

Screenshot_20230916-121920_Google Play Books
Screenshot_20230916-121920_Google Play Books486Ă—635 108 KB

I’m very much in need of any and all sorts of magickal protection currently! :worried: Also, this is one book i got a long tym back so it’s the best time for this book, i feel. :heart: :face_holding_back_tears: I’m soo excited to read this one, actually I did read like 2 pages back then, but i guess i will start again now! :grin: :innocent: :pentagram: And @Jeannie1 that workbook is seriously awesome. :heart_eyes: Maybe I have seen this book on kindle or play books, i think. :thinking: :heart: I also feel that i will be getting it soon! :blush: :dizzy: Thank you & Blessed Be, all. :sparkling_heart:

5 Likes
13

Ohhhh look at that cover! :heart_eyes: :ocean: It’s caught my interest immediately- I can’t wait to hear what you think of it, Solasta!

And no worries about the deadline- it is totally fine to continue a book across reading sessions. Always better to enjoy reading rather than feel stressed about it! I hope you enjoy your book! :open_book: :blush: :heart:

4 Likes
14

@TheTravelWitch_Bry

Thank the gods, I’m still reading American Gods, but now Amazon are running the TV series Wheel of time, and it’s based on a book series :person_facepalming:, noooo. I’ve bought that now, must learn some discipline. :rofl:

4 Likes
15

Ohhhh I think we may have watched a few episodes of the first season of Wheel of Time on Amazon! Lots of fun magick, but I had a hard time following some of the plot haha. I imagine the book moves slower than the TV adaptation (they almost always do) so I figure it might be easier for me to read it first and then follow up with the show!

Did you buy the series or the books? Either way, can’t wait to hear what you think of them! (and if you see/read both, let me know how they compare!) :heart: :blush:

4 Likes
16

The books, I prefer books, but only the first few. Ive got too many books :joy::rofl::heartpulse:

4 Likes
17

No such thing as too many books, my friend :handshake: :wink: :heart: :books:

There is such a thing as too little space to store your books, or not enough money with which to buy the books- but I prefer to blame the space and the money rather than the books. They can do no wrong in my eyes :joy:

(Happy reading! :heart: :open_book: )

4 Likes
18

So true. :joy:

I think included with the space, is the weight. My bookshelf has about 200 books and is well over 200kg/440lb as a result. It’s… quite the thing.

As we’re going to be moving soon, I’m looking to donate some of my older fiction books and then just not buy them any more. It’s a little saddening because books in general work better for me – they’re one of the ways I can practice mindfulness as the whole physical feel of the paper, turning the page, and so on, really helps to ground me in the moment.

But I’m realising that they make us moving a bit more difficult. And with this changing world, we’re not sure how often and where we’ll move in the future.

4 Likes
19

Book Title and Author: Ancestral Whispers: A Guide to Building Ancestral Veneration Practices by Ben Stimpson

Status?: Finished

My overall rating of the book: 9/10 (I took one point off because I would have preferred there to be example workings/evocations/etc., but I do understand and completely respect the author’s goals and publishing restraints in the writing of this book.)

How does this book relate to my magickal practice?: Lately, I’ve been wanting to connect with and honor my ancestors. I haven’t known where to start because I’m still trying to figure out the details of my path, and the description of the book sounded like it would be helpful in getting me to think about my worldview and help me come up with my own process of ancestor work.

My personal thoughts/opinions: I loved this book! It has so much great information and is written in a way that is informative without pushing one particular viewpoint or tradition. While the author does make it clear that they have studied several traditions, they are able to present aspects of many cultures that relate to the topics covered in the book in a neutral but respectful way, not implying that any one tradition or viewpoint is better than another.

One important thing that I think is important to point out about Ancestral Whispers is that if you are looking for a book that will provide any sort of “here’s-a-ritual-for-inviting-your-ancestors-to-join-in-your-magickal-working”-type of structure, this book is not it. There are no specific rituals, prayers, evocations, etc. provided, so if you are reading this book expecting direction in that regard, you may be disappointed. Because of this, I am having a hard time deciding if I would recommend this book to someone who is new to ancestor work. On the one hand, because it doesn’t provide any one specific viewpoint, it will get the reader thinking about different aspects of ancestor work to consider in developing a personal practice, so it is great in that it will not cause the reader to limit other input because they are so influenced by the first ritual for something they read. On the other hand, I feel that many people who are new to ancestor work would benefit from some form of an example ritual or working.

Despite not having any sample rituals, there are ample journal prompts that get you thinking about your worldview and how you can take those beliefs and apply them to your ancestor work. These questions were the kind that could prompt me to fill an entire notebook just to answer one question.

For the sake of brevity, I will quote a paragraph from the conclusion of the book that perfectly sums up the book and what I am trying to say about it:

In part one, I asked you to consider what you believe and how you see the ancestors. In part two, I asked you how your beliefs and worldview will affect how you communicate and collaborate with the ancestors through ritual. This book was not designed to be definitive; there are so many other pieces I feel have been left out, but it was designed to challenge. I hope that as you read this conclusion you come away with as many questions as you started with, but now with ideas on how to seek out the answers. (page 229)

An interesting quote from the book: “While many are interested in ancestral work to discover themselves, the relationships you build with your biological or affinity ancestors will impact your relationships to the living.” (page 230)

All in all, would I recommend this book?: Yes

4 Likes
20

That is one impressive (and hefty!) collection of books! :books: :star_struck:

There is something really grounded about holding the book and turning the pages. Sometimes I like to sit with the book in my hands and think about everything that exists between the two covers- it’s like holding an entire world in your hands :open_hands: :earth_americas:

I suppose the same could be done with an e-reader too (and I do sometimes like to use the e-reader, it’s great for travel!) but I completely agree that it’s a different feeling and a different experience to holding a physical book. I suppose each has their pluses and minuses! :grinning:

I always love a book that offers guidance without pushing! It sounds like Stimpson maintained a really lovely balance between providing information while still leaving the door open for the reader to use the material as they best see fit. It’s always impressive (and difficult at times!) to present various cultural traditions in an unbiased, respectful, and informative way.

I’m sorry there weren’t any specific rituals and practices to use, although the workbook is nice for those hoping to explore their beliefs. Overall, it sounds like a great foundation-builder, but that might require some additional materials for those who want step-by-step guidance into ancestor work.

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, @Jewitch! Wishing you all the best with your ancestor work going forward :raised_hands: :heart:

3 Likes