I haven’t finished the book yet but I have found both good and bad things I’d like to share:
In my opinion, the best parts of the book have to do with the author’s personal experiences as a Witch influencer (having a large social media presence) and her views of the Craft in the 21st century.
The Good:
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She shares some great insights about the concepts of "plastic witchcraft" and the “witchy aesthetic” that you wouldn’t find in many beginner books. For example, she explains that these terms are sometimes used in a condescending way that belittle others’ spiritual practices. Also, enjoying the aesthetic and having lots of possessions doesn’t make you any less of a Witch.
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Another thing I found interesting was that most of her followers/students ask her about the use of Cannabis in Witchcraft. With broad legalization underway in the US, I expect this topic to be more openly discussed. I wish she would go more into detail about it as it’s certainly an interesting subject.
The Not-So-Good:
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After having read The Supermarket Sabbats by Michael Furie, this book feels a bit underwhelming when it comes to the Wheel of the Year. By the name, I expected “Year of the Witch” to go a bit more into detail, or to bring some new ideas for celebrating the sabbats. In this aspect, it feels like just another beginner witches’ book.
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The book has a section called “Climate Cycles” that ends with this paragraph:
I think it’s irresponsible to throw that in there without any context or further explanation. Milankovitch cycles are just one factor when it comes to the Earth’s temperature. These arguments have been defused years ago and I really don’t know what led the author to include that in the book. For those interested, here’s a data-based graph on what causes climate change, with Milankovitch cycles factored in.
I look forward to seeing what everyone else reading this book thinks about it!