Good review thank you! I sweat pretty hard every day for my hard earned money. I was thinking of getting this book too.
I feel the same way, I cant wait till I can do magic without having to be in a book. So I depend on a book to be on point and I see the disconnect.
PS The front of the book looked really good and the title too! I would have bought it too. I can understand why you were frustrated reading it because she said
I know when I first came to witchcraft, I could not believe how so many traditions were the same. For example prayer is a prime example, only I think that when Christians pray, they pray as if they are crying out and pleading for help. I feel our pagan prayers are more empowering. I feel as though they are very much the same. Like they were stolen, Catholics they basically have all the elements in ritual. And the fact that they look down on the pagans. As if we are the outcast from society. That upsets me too! You have so much heart for what you believe inn. Which I really respect that nature cause I feel the same exact way! How they stole so much from us and turn around like we are the black sheep or something. Like you said the āoppressed groupā it really makes me mad when my own family doesnāt see through the dogma! At least you have the eyes to see through the dogma. More reason to be proud of who you are and your beliefs !
Yeah, Iād recommend saving your money and not necessarily getting this book, unfortunately I really wish I could advocate supporting Temperanceās ventures in sharing her thoughts with the world, but I just donāt feel like it would be ethical for me to do for the multitude of reasons I and others mentioned in their reviews You could see if maybe you could check it out from your local library, either in print form or e-book form, that way you can still read it and you donāt have to spend your hard-earned money on it!
The reason I got it was because I was hoping it would give me lots of information on how to come up with my own wheel of the year, but I can sum up that portion of the book for you in one sentence: Think about the holidays and events (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.) and natural events (such as when trees start to bud or strawberries start coming into season), and write them down and celebrate those dates.
If you do end up getting and reading it, Iād love to hear your thoughts on it too Iām hoping that if I hear someone say one positive thing about it, Iāll come around to it because I really wanted to like the book haha
Book Title and Author: Green Witchcraft By Paige VanderBeck
Status?: Finished/Still Reading (both)
My overall rating of the book: 10/10
How does this book relate to my magickal practice?: I chose this book to help accompany the lesson with Spells8 with Green Witchcraft. To gain more insight and knowledge into that facet of my craft.
My personal thoughts/opinions: I enjoyed this book, it is like a personal handbook as in the Candle Magic by Mystic Dylan book I did for my last book review. Though you finish it, it stays close to reference later, due to all the great information it holds.
An interesting quote from the book: āMagic is the art of creating change in ourselves and in our lives through acts of intention and a spiritual connection with all things natural and supernaturalā(Vanderbeck, pg.7)
A huge thanks to @Jewitch, @Rowan, @Liisa, @IrisW for sharing their heartfelt feelings about Year of the Witch! Yikes- it looked like such a promising book at first, Iām surprised that it didnāt live up to its reputation. Thank you for all breaking down the book so well so that future readers know exactly what they are getting into- your reviews are all very helpful!
Congrats on finishing Rsonable Doubt, @Susurrus! As someone who spent a lot of time on the Cape, it sounds like the book is a fun read reminiscing about the local area It does look a bit dark, though- thanks for sharing your thoughts on it!
Sorry to hear The Ultimate Book of Spells was a bit confusing @Amethyst- but Iām glad you were able to find some good content hiding inside! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it- it sounds like itās value depends on what the reader is looking for.
Looks like you found a great book on crystals, @Missa! Congrats on the good find- it sounds very organized and helpful. A wonderful crystal reference book with a bonus section about crystal remedies- sounds like its worth a read!
Iām glad Green Witchcraft was a more enjoyable read for you, @Rowan! It sounds like it gave you a lot of helpful advice and worked well as an accompaniment to your Green Witch studies. Congrats to you!
How does this book relate to my magickal practice?: This book is a fantasy novel that does not directly relate to witchcraft or casting. It does, however, touch on spirituality, religion, philosophy, astrology, and psychology. It is a wonderfully explorative book with strong feminist and LGBT+ characters.
My personal thoughts/opinions: Oh boy oh boy did I love this one. I ordered a physical copy in the mail and was surprised to find it was actually a tiny book- finally, a book I could actually finish!
The story is beautifully written- it reads like poetry, with complex and mysterious characters slowly being revealed piece by piece until the overall mystery fit into place. There are twists at the end that caught me pleasantly by surprise and some very creative writing.
One character in the story actually uses horoscopes and fortune tellers to manipulate an underground network of spies . Itās a deep, insightful, and emotional story that I will probably read again in a few years!
All in all, would I recommend this book?: Yes! Itās not a go-to book for learning magick spells, but I highly recommend it to anyone who loves spiritual/philosophical books and/or a good fantasy story with magic elements.
It is a little bit dark because of the crime & then as you find out more through the court proceedings itās a little surprising. It was a good read though. I have another book about Falmouth, MA & the history there. Iām not in it & neither is anyone in my family, but my father knew the people that are involved in that book. So that one is kind of intriguing to me also.
I have finished the Reiki for Beginners and it had a ton of history on the practice as well as what each symbol name is and what they are used for. It had both Reiki level 1 and 2. I am now ready to get my attunements for both which my husband will do as soon as I tell him I am ready.
Congrats on finishing Reiki for Beginners, @Magdelina! Wow, it sounds like it covered a lot of material, and it looks like you were able to move forward in your reiki practice! Thatās very exciting- I hope you continue to enjoy your reiki studies, Magdelina!
My curiosity to learn more about Isis led me to a cute book, Angels, Spirit Guides and Goddesses by Susan Gregg is mini encyclopedia of 100 different spiritual guides. It provides a brief summary, how to connect with the divine and more. Also, the graphics are adorable. For a beginner practitioner, it can be a great source of information and easy guide to understand.
Book- Everday Magic Author- Semra Haksever Status- Finished Overall rating- 10/10 Personal Thoughts and Opinions- I loved this book! Its a beginnerās book more than it can be classed as an advanced book and I didnāt learn lots of new information, however, that does not take away from how well researched, layed out and illustrated this book is there is information on moon phases, toolkits, altar building, sigils, magical correspondences, crystals, dispelling spell remnants and Psi balls along with several spells and potions The information remains completely neutral in its language and information so it can be used by witches of all beliefs and religious practices I have to include a picture of one of the new things I learned because the artwork is lovely ( the book is illustrated by Nes Vuckovic)
Each spell and potion has a moon phase associated and there is an index of magical correspondences at the back to help look for replacement herbs and crystals for ease of use
How does this book relate to my magical practices?- I have already written half of the spells and potions onto parchment to be put into my BOS this one is my favourite
Would I recommend this book to others- Yes definetly, especially for beginners. Not that a more advanced witch couldnāt gain something from it through the spells and potions section of the book
Really like it when you mentioned this part right here. Itās really helpful when you have this kind of information to guide you when doing spells. Really must take a read on this book @Liisa Thank you so much for sharing
@Liisa It sounds that the spells in the book are down-to-earth and easy to follow! I always appreciate that in a book. I havenāt read it but the step-by-step images also look very helpful for beginners. Thanks for your review!
@fabian Looks like a good book for reference. Have you finished it??
That looks like a gorgeous book, @Fabian! The artwork on the cover is stunning I added you in to this sessionās reading list- Iād love to hear more about what you think of this one! Happy reading!
Iām so glad you enjoyed Everday Magic, @Liisa! It sounds like a wonderful starting point for a witch early in their practice, and a great reference book for witches at all levels of study Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on it!
I have. It has a quick reference into angels and archangels and gods and goddesses from different cultures. It does not contain all of them, but the most known are in the book. Some deities include from Egyptian, Hellenistic, Hoodoo, Judaism, Christianity mythologies, and more. It was very interesting. It is so curious how similar the beliefs are and how they originated. For a beginner, I think is a great guide to start with.
Book - Evoking Hecate Author -Anousen Leonte Status - Finished Overall rating - 10/10
Personal Thoughts and Opinions I really enjoyed reading this book. For me, Hecate has been a goddess that I was quickly drawn too, even before I knew much about her. I felt drawn to learning as much as I could. This book has helped me in that sense, I feel I know a bit more about her and it also helped in igniting the spark a bit more to continue learning.
How does this book relate to my magical practices? It helps me in my pursuit of connecting with Hecate, to enhance my craft and enlighten my path.
Interesting quote from the book: pg 33 āYou may have questions as to whether she exists objectively as a separate consciousness or subjectively as a force within ourselves, but I personally like to keep my mind open on this matter. The real question is what results do you get when you evoke? If you have a sensation of her presence, receive visions and communications from her, and if you notice your requests granted by her, does it really matter whether she is real as a separate, objective consciousness or whether or not she is some deeply embedded atavism of your own psyche? Magick is a journey, not a destination, and after a while I think we all realize that conclusions are never as certain as they first seem. There is something wonderful about uncertainty, actually, and though the unknown may be a source of fear to some, I find it very beautiful. And whatever Hecate is, she is beautiful. To see the world as a manifestation of her is to see it in such a way that the light and darkness both find balance, for she is both wrathful and gentle, tender and terrifying. Learning about her has given me a new way to look upon the world and myself, and I think that, psychologically speaking, the best place to be is one where we balance both the light and darkness within ourselves so that they work together for a common good. Hecate, ultimately, is the Goddess that represents this harmony.ā
Leonte, Anousen. Evoking Hecate: The Goddess of Magick (p. 33). Kindle Edition.
Would I recommend this book to others - Yes, definitely.
It sounds like an amazing book covering deities from a vast range of cultures and beliefs So glad you enjoyed it, @Fabian! Thanks for sharing your thoughts
Iām so glad you had such a great experience with Evoking Hecate, @Rowan- it sounds like a book that resonated beautifully with your practice Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on it!
I really wish I could advocate supporting Temperanceās ventures in sharing her thoughts with the world, but I just donāt feel like it would be ethical for me to do for the multitude of reasons I and others mentioned in their reviews 
haha
It does look a bit dark, though- thanks for sharing your thoughts on it! 
. Itās a deep, insightful, and emotional story that I will probably read again in a few years!
I bought it around a month ago now and hadnāt got around to reading it till now, Iām glad I bought I though 
I added you in to this sessionās reading list- Iād love to hear more about what you think of this one! 
It sounds like a wonderful starting point for a witch early in their practice, and a great reference book for witches at all levels of study 
So glad you enjoyed it, 