I finished this and enjoyed it, but there were several parts that were a little too āangry feministā for me. I actually have a degree in womenās studies, so it was refreshing to see a movement of women reclaiming their power through witchcraft and using their power to empower others with a social justice standpoint.
I was intrigued by the idea that a womb could serve as a cauldron and Lesterās idea that womenās reproductive nature is where she draws her powers from. I didnāt agree with all of it, but really appreciated the perspective.
It was definitely a a read that for me thinking a lot, but not really where I am on my journey right now.
I havenāt read the book myself, but your thoughts echo what Iāve heard about this one (and I could have sworn someone else read this for Book Club a long time ago, but I canāt find the review- maybe Iām just having deja vu! ).
But even despite the book taking a rather ferocious stance at times, it sounds like you found some interesting ideas! Iām glad it was a read that got you thinking- Iām sure that clever mind of yours will find some inspiration and creativity ideas from what you absorbed!
Thanks so much for sharing your review @AileyGrey!
Book Title and Author:Celtic Magic by: DJ Conway (Llewellyn Publications)*
Status?: Finished
My overall rating of the book: 8 /10
How does this book relate to my magical practice?: I am learning Celtic Spirituality, culture, and paganism. So many of the Celtic practices resonate with me so much connection itās such an amazing feeling.
My personal thoughts/opinions: I really enjoyed learning about the Celtic path & the different exercises & reflections in the book. Different stories about the deities & associations of different colors & candles & rituals & toolsā¦
The only issue that I had is in the reference tables & associations for the Gods/Goddesses put opposing Gods/Goddesses in the same associations or known qualities.
An interesting quote from the book:
āPagan-thinking people do not tend to be followers of the accepted social norm. They are innovators, thinkers, pursuers of wisdom and spiritual growth. They know that improving you, the person, and your immediate life is as important as perfecting the spiritual you, or the soul.ā
Yes, but keep in mind to further read & learn about Celtic Deities & their proper associations & correspondences.
The ābibliographyā for the author uses sources from 1956 (ish) to 1986 (ish). A lot more has been researched, learned, and written about since those times.
Confession: I struggled to get into this. I was planning to get some reading done on the boat, but the book never made it into my suitcase
The topic of comparing and exploring various religions and spiritualities is really interesting to me, but reading it just felt dry and I just didnāt click with the writerās tone. This one will stay on the shelf for a while- perhaps the right time to read it is further down the road!
Iāll have to pick out something more exciting for next session!
Book Title and Author:The Magical Writing Grimore: Use the Word as Your Wand for Magic, Manifestation, and Ritual by Lisa Marie Basile
Status: Finished
My overall rating of the book: 10/10!
How does this book relate to my magickal practice?: I am a word witch, and this helped me with ideas of how to manifest my words into magic.
My personal thoughts/opinions: This is a great book, full of writing prompts, self-healing, and shadow work. Really a great book for those witches who are working through things and who like to journal. I couldnāt recommend it enough!
An interesting quote from the book: āThe Magical Writing Grimore is a love letter to the magic thread that connects out voice to the beautiful beyond. Throughout this book, what you read should be seen as a guide, not omnipotent text. It is important that you know that this experience is yours to modify, to make your own, and to translate into your own style and voice. I encourage you to do these exercises in whatever language you like, or in tandem with your own cultural or spiritual traditions.ā
And:
āWhat is most important to me during spellcasating is that I feel focused, that I have energy to harness, and that I am directing it clearly. The right words help me achieve this state. I like to enchant my spells by beautifying my language: I often write spells as poetry and in doing so, I infuse my own creative energy into my spell work. Because creativity is magic itself- the magic of creating something out of nothing.ā
Wild Magic: Celtic Folk Traditions for the Solitary Practitioner by: Danu Forest @Siofra_Strega
I am still currently reading this one, but I have loved it so far & actually got halfway through & started over. Even starting over, I still come across things that somehow didnāt register the first time that I read through it
I will be continuing this book into the next Book Club thoughā¦
Book Title and Author:Green Witchcraft II: Balancing Light & Shadow by Ann Moura (Aoumiel)
Status? : Finished
My overall rating of the book : 8/10
How does this book relate to my magickal practice?: I am heavy into practicing green witchcraft but I also work with two Death deities or āDarkā deities. Understanding how to use Dark Magick will help me balance my practice.
My personal thoughts/opinions: The book focuses mainly on Dark Magick from a green magick standpoint. I would have liked more information on balancing Light and Dark but overall it is a great book. There are many rituals on connecting with the Dark Goddess and how to use Dark Magick for good. As with her first book, Ann stresses that magick is neutral and the userās intention makes it good/bad. We all have a shadow side and understanding it allows us to become whole.
An interesting quote from the book: " " (Iāll add this when I get home and have the book handy)
All in all, would I recommend this book?: If you are into green magick and wish to learn more about the dark/shadow side, then yes.
Book Title and Author:Encountering the Dark Goddess: A Journey into the Shadow Realm by Frances Billinghurst
Status?: Still Reading
My overall rating of the book: 9/10
How does this book relate to my magickal practice?: Working with Hel, one of the aspects of the Dark Goddess, I wanted to learn more about her.
My personal thoughts/opinions: Iām only about a quarter of the way into it but so far Iām enjoying it. The first part of the book gives information about the Dark Goddess and the importance of journeying to the Underworld to meet her when she appears in your life. She appears at times when a transformation is needed. As I am in the middle of my own shadow work and transformation, this book is turning into more than just learning about the Dark Goddess for me.
An interesting quote from the book: āIt is only when we realize that to fight against this change and that hanging on is futile and is actually only adding to our pain and anguish that our only option is to completely surrender to the process, whatever that may be, and accept what were are undergoing. This does not necessarily mean the journey we find ourselves undertaking will be any less painful, but there does tend to be even a minute degree of clarity in the process, offering us the opportunity to breathe when we learn to ride the waves instead of attempting to battle against them.ā This is in reference to when the Dark Goddess appears at times that transformation is needed for our soulās evolution.
All in all, would I recommend this book?: Still deciding
@MeganB Go for it! The reviews are really positive- I think I just might not be in the right headspace for the book right now haha. I hope whenever you get around to reading it that you enjoy it!
And Storygraph looks really neat- a while back I tried Goodreads that has a similar goal-setting function, but I ended up forgetting about and not using it
@Amethyst Hooray- it sounds like you found another great one! Youāve really got a good eye for picking out books, Amethyst, Iām so happy youāve discovered all these treasures! I absolutely love the focus this book has on writing- it feels like a perfect thing to pick up when you need a boost of creativity and encouragement Thanks so much for sharing your review!
@Siofra_Strega Congrats again on finishing Celtic Magic, and I hope that you continue to enjoy Wild Magic- it must be a really great read to want to dive back in and absorb the material again! Happy reading
@Amaris_Bane That is really interesting how the book combines green magic with the shadowy side of the practice- it really sounds like a great read for you and your practice, Amaris!
Iām so glad you were able to find more information about Hel- this sounds like itās been a very interesting read! I imagine there will be more wisdom about the Underworld and how to work with shadow magick the deeper you go in the book. I hope you continue to enjoy it!
Thanks so much for your reviews, Amaris!
@Rowan Itās exciting to be in the homerun of a book (and bittersweet if itās a really good one!) I hope you enjoy it right up to the last page- happy reading, Rowan!
Youāre welcome! You might like to flip through it one day if you need ideas for the Weekly Witchy Challenge. One of the projects in the book was writing your own Epitaphs, like Hecate. It was very interesting.
Ohhhhhh it is always great to have extra creativity-boosting resources on hand!
And Epitaphs are the texts written on tombstones, yes? Are they also used for deities in rituals or as an offering? It sounds really interesting- Iād love to know more!
Sorry, I think I either wrote it wrong, or spell check got to me. Names, like Hecate Brimo, Hecate Soitiera, things like that.
For instance, in this body, I am Kasie the brave, the coward, the student, the teacher, the witch, the silly ā¦ it goes on and on until you want to stop. It was a really interesting ritual.
Ohhhh spell check always switching things up on us No worries at all- that really does sound like an interesting ritual!
I really like the idea of using opposing traits/opposite things (like āstudentā and then āteacherā)- it makes it seem like these things are two sides of the same coin, coming together in a wonderful multifaced entity
Thanks so much, @Amethyst- itās a great idea from what seems like a really interesting book!
).
Iām glad it was a read that got you thinking- Iām sure that clever mind of yours will find some inspiration and creativity ideas from what you absorbed!
I absolutely love the focus this book has on writing- it feels like a perfect thing to pick up when you need a boost of creativity and encouragement 
