Basic Witches


Book Description

A magical lifestyle guide for everything from powering up a stylish crystal to banishing terrible Tinder dates Want to feel terrifyingly beautiful? Wear the right color of eye shadow to project otherworldly glamour. Need to exorcise a toxic friendship? Repeat the proper incantation and make it disappear. Want to increase your energy? Whip up a tasty herbal “potion” to rev up your stamina. DIY projects, rituals, and spells—along with fun historical sidebars—summon the best trends of the modern witchy lifestyle and the time-trusted traditions of the hell-raising women of the past. With humor, heart, and a hip sensibility, Jaya Saxena and Jess Zimmerman dispense witchy wisdom for the curious, the cynical, and anyone who could use a magical boost. Selected Table of Contents: CHAPTER 1 - Self-Initiation: An Induction into Basic Witchery What We Mean by “Witchcraft” Our Favorite Pop Culture Witches CHAPTER 2 - Glamours: The Power to Change How You Look How to Clothe Yourself in Literal Darkness The Dark Magic of Unfeminine Haircuts A Spell for Self-Care CHAPTER 3 - Healing: The Power to Care for Yourself A Spell to Make Peace with Your Body Magical Exercise A Ritual for a Relaxing Netflix Binge CHAPTER 4 - Summoning: The Power to Care for Others (and Have Them Care for You) The Transformative Power of Vulnerability A Collaborative Ritual to Deepen Friendship CHAPTER 5 - Enchantment: The Power to Make Choices about Love and Sex Conjuring Your Perfect Mate The Magic Circle of Consent A Spell for Talking about Sex CHAPTER 6 - Banishment: The Power to Avoid What Brings You Down Expelling Social Toxicity The Different Types of Personal Demons A Spell to Counter Impostor Syndrome CHAPTER 7 - Divination: The Power to Decide Your Destiny A Spell to Name Your Heart’s Desire How to Read Tea Leaves




The Modern Witchcraft Guide to the Wheel of the Year


Book Description

From the Modern Witchcraft series comes a complete guide to all of the sacred days and holidays of the Wiccan calendar—with spells, rituals, and other tips to celebrate. In The Modern Witchcraft Guide to the Wheel of the Year, you’ll learn about the most celebrated days in the Wheel of the Year—Samhain, the end of the harvest season; Yule, the celebration of the New Year; Imbolc, the celebration of rebirth; Ostara, the arrival of Spring; Beltane, the celebration of Earth’s fertility; Litha, the song of the summer; Lughnasad, the halfway point between Summer and Autumn; and Mabon, the festival of home and harvest. For each of these special days, there will be information about the history and its meaning, and the ways you can fully celebrate. Each chapter describes the celestial events associated with the sabbat, astrological influences during that time, meditation rituals, and charms to perform. It also includes a practical craft, such as candle making, that you can create to celebrate each day. The Modern Witchcraft Guide to the Wheel of the Year is your complete guide to everything you need to know to celebrate the Wheel of the Year and the Wiccan sabbats, from Yule to Samhain, as part of your own spiritual practice.




Paganism: A Very Short Introduction


Book Description

'Paganism' is an evocative word that, even today, conjures up deep-seated emotions and prejudices. Until recently, it was primarily a derogatory term used by Christians to describe the non-Christian cultures confronted and vanquished by their Churches. For some it evokes images of sacrifice and barbaric behaviour, while for others it symbolises a peace-loving, nature-worshipping spiritual relationship with the earth. This Very Short Introduction explores the meaning of paganism - through a chronological overview of the attitudes towards its practices and beliefs - from the ancient world through to the present day. Owen Davies largely looks at paganism through the eyes of the Christian world, and how, over the centuries, notions and representations of its nature were shaped by religious conflict, power struggles, colonialism, and scholarship. Despite the expansion of Christianity and Islam, Pagan cultures continue to exist around the world, whilst in the West new formations of paganism constitute one of the fastest-growing religions. Focussing on paganism in Europe, but exploring the nature of paganism globally, Davies looks at how Europeans discovered new cultures through colonial expansion, missionary work, and anthropological study. Contemporary social paganism can be a liberating and social force, and the idea of a global Pagan theology is now on the religious map. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.




The Witch's Guide to Wellness


Book Description

Explore natural healing, tune into your body’s needs, and use magic to create a joyful, healthy lifestyle with this essential guide to wellness for your witchcraft practice. Magic meets healthy living in this guidebook to help you become a healthier version of yourself. From crystal healing to moon cycles to other natural remedies, you’ll learn everything you need to know to strengthen, treat, and support your body and spirit—all while using your witchcraft skills. In The Witch’s Guide to Wellness, you will bring your spiritual practice into the practical world with spells, potions, and powerful activities. You will be able to treat common ailments, understand your body’s cycle, and develop a positive relationship with your mind and body. You’ll find remedies like: -A hydration ritual to help you detoxify your body -A magical herb jar that will alleviate worry -A grounding ritual for spiritual balance -And much more! The Witch’s Guide to Wellness shows you just how easy it is to connect with yourself, listen in to what your body needs, and add a little magic to make sure you’re living your healthiest life.




The Ultimate Guide to the Witch's Wheel of the Year


Book Description

The Ultimate Guide to The Witch’s Wheel of the Year offers a complete guide to celebrating the eight Wiccan sabbats as part of your spiritual practice. Anjou Kiernan—named “One of the Magical Women You Should be Following on Instagram” by Refinery 29—guides you through the history of the holidays, their pagan roots, and how to merge these sacred cycles and celebrations with today's traditions and holidays. Lavishly illustrated and photographed, The Ultimate Guide to The Witch’s Wheel of the Year illustrates spells and practices that will help you incorporate the old magick of the seasons into your modern life. Accompanying each turn of the Wheel as it cycles through the holidays of Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lughnasadh, Mabon, and Samhain are: Feast recipes Fertility spells Protection amulets Home wards Divination rituals Prosperity charms And more From the bright blessings of the Yuletide solstice to the fertile flower magick of Beltane to the thinning of the veil on Samhain, each transition lends itself to a unique catalog of spells, altars, and practices that you can use all year long. The Ultimate Guide to… series offers comprehensive beginner’s guides to discovering a range of mind, body, spirit topics, including tarot, divination, crystal grids, numerology, aromatherapy, chakras, and more. Filled with beautiful illustrations and designed to give easy access to the information you’re looking for, each of these references provides simple-to-follow expert guidance as you learn and master your practice.




Transformative Witchcraft


Book Description

Beyond the Taboos, the Power of Magick Awaits The rites and rituals of Witchcraft are life-changing experiences, but they are also steeped in mystery. Transformative Witchcraft delves into some of the most persistent mysteries of the Craft and provides insightful guidance for raising and directing magickal energy in accordance with your desires. Jason Mankey distills his decades of experience as he shares practical wisdom for raising a cone of power and detailed insights into creating powerful rituals for dedications, initiations, and elevations. In his chapter on drawing down the moon, he provides a vivid exploration of invocation and the subtle nuances in preparation and execution that can take the ritual to its most magisterial heights. This book also discusses one of the most mysterious of all the magickal rituals—the Great Rite. Whether you're interested in the Great Rite in token or in truth, there is much to be gleaned from the experiences related here on a topic that is frequently treated as taboo in much of the magickal literature. Direct experience with the divine and the potent energies of magick are defining experiences in a life of Witchcraft. Filled with compelling personal stories, a fascinating brief history of modern Wicca and Witchcraft, striking original rituals, and a wealth of tips and techniques, this book provides the beginning or intermediate Witch with the practical and theoretical keys they need to unlock the mysteries of the Craft. Praise: "A remarkable and refreshing exploration that is a must-read for anyone exploring contemporary Wicca and Witchcraft. Through a combination of in-depth historical research and charming personal narrative, Jason Mankey provides candid insight into important rituals and practices that are often glossed over or minimally explained in other texts."—Laura Tempest Zakroff, author of Sigil Witchery and Weave the Liminal "Transformative Witchcraft by Jason Mankey finds the perfect balance between the core teachings of magical tradition and the fresh cutting-edge magic of the modern witch. This well researched book digs deep exploring the foundations of witchcraft in a conversational and honest tone that makes the witchcraft mysteries accessible and current."—Mickie Mueller, author of The Witch's Mirror and Llewellyn's Little Book of Halloween




Seasons of the Witch


Book Description

With decorating projects, menu suggestions, and group activities for each festival, this book is a Wiccan guide to eight celebrations in tune with the natural rhythm of the year and its changing seasons. Illustrations.




Year of the Witch


Book Description

“In her much-needed and brilliant Year of the Witch, Temperance Alden guides readers to observe their own land, celestial cycles, seasonal cycles, and even their own biological cycles to inform their magickal year.”-- Mat Auryn, author of Psychic Witch: A Metaphysical Guide to Meditation, Magick, and Manifestation When we think of the wheel of the year, the Wiccan wheel with its celebrations of the Yule, Beltane, Mabon, and Samhain come to mind. But what about a wheel of the year for the rest of us pagans and witches? As a witch living in sunny South Florida, longtime hereditary witch Temperance Alden has often felt at odds gearing up to celebrate Yule, for example, when it is 76 degrees and sunny outside. Year of the Witch will help readers create their own intuitive practices in harmony with the climate, culture, and local spirits where they live. It’s of interest to witches coming off the Wiccan path and looking for a more personal approach to celebrating the rhythms of nature. Year of the Witch covers all aspects of this new, seasonal practice: The origins of the neo-pagan wheel of the year and why it is still so relevant today Culture, historical facts, and traditions associated with the major ceremonies Basic principles of land-based magick How to intuitively connect to the nature below your feet and the local gods Being a custodian to the land and its impact on our spiritual practice




The Witch's Yearbook


Book Description

Celebrate the Wheel of the Year—from Samhain to Mabon—with remedies, charms, crystals, and DIY crafts that connect you with sabbat traditions and customs. This book will guide you through a year of magic. Based on the cycles of nature and guided by the seasons, it will give you the tools and know-how to unveil the magic that surrounds us. By celebrating the eight sabbats of the Wheel of the Year, you will work with nature to activate your hidden power and trigger miraculous happenings. Witchcraft can attract love, give your career a boost, protect your home and help with healing. It will enrich your life. Packed with information and inspiration, this book boosts well-being, self-worth and happiness by tapping into the healing power of nature, the cycle of the seasons, the pull of the moon, the wisdom of ancient trees and forgotten paths, and the spiritual rewards of creativity. It includes: Seasonal spells, remedies, rituals and affirmations that use the power of plants, herbs and stones to offer guidance and healing. Features including crystal gazing, dowsing, reading the Tarot, the magic of stone circles and folklore traditions, to increase knowledge and inspire curiosity. Creative projects with a witchy purpose that can be used in rituals and spells. Whether you are a solitary hedge witch, part of a coven, a practicing witch or an aspiring one, this book will furnish you with the vital knowledge to enrich your journey and to sprinkle magic and enchantment over every day.




A Year of Ritual


Book Description

Deepen your spiritual path through ritual It''s easy to lose ourselves in the everyday business of life. One way to bring our bodies, minds, and spirits into alignment is through ritual celebrations. A vital part of Wicca and Paganism, ritual strengthens our connection to nature and helps us enter the realm of the Divine. For Witches and Pagans of all levels, A Year of Ritual provides ready-made rituals for a full year of Sabbats and Esbats. Groups or solitary participants can use these easy-to-follow rituals straight from the book. Ideas, words, and directions for each ritual are included along with background information, preparation requirements, and themes. This unique sourcebook also explains basic formats and components for creating your own rituals.