This section of my blog is dedicated to spreading the love of reading and books and the people who make them happen. I would not be the Witch I am today without books. I owe an obscene amount of gratitude to all the makers of books out there. This is my way of giving back. I hope that something I pick up and review will guide you to acquire the next tome on your To Be Read stack. 

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March was insanely busy for work (huzzah for editing jobs!) and April’s Mercury Retrograde – on the heels of another eclipse – felt like I was re-reading the same page every day. Although, I wasn’t. I am moving through a couple of different texts and audiobooks right now. But I didn’t have any of them finished until now. Hopefully, my goal to post one of these once a month will groove forward with no problems from this point on in my ‘What the Witch Is Reading’ posts. 

This brings me to the point of posting today – even if you read slowly, you’re still reading. Even if you’re listening to a book – you’re still reading. You’re allowing yourself to be lost in a story, to explore a world – even just in your mind – you are still doing it. Through books – no matter their format – we gain access to a vast repository of knowledge, ideas, and perspectives that expand our understanding – of the world, ourselves, and each other. More importantly, it exposes us to diverse cultures, experiences, and viewpoints. Reading nurtures empathy because we begin to understand others better. Although so many of us use it as a leisure activity – reading is a fundamental skill for success in all areas of life. 

Embrace reading in all its forms and enrich your life in countless ways.

Perhaps you’d like to take a chance on one of these books. 

Recently Finished:

Longing For Darkness: Tara and the Black Madonna by China Galland

As I mentioned in February’s post, the Black Madonna appeared to me in a dream a few years back. She still visits me often in that space. Other than some statutory and art frequented within many of my ancestral homes and some of my travels, I did not know much about this particular symbol of the Divine Mother. What I did learn is why perhaps the dream appeared to me – my Polish ancestors coming in to connect me with this energy. Since Galland was there during the rise of Solidarity, it gave me a peek into a historic thing that happened that I only saw as a young adult from way over in the United States.

As Galland points out in the story, Solidarity completely ignored the usual revolutionary process with its choice of nonviolence. Within her journey, the author also accounts for how a woman seeking the Divine Mother has even more battles to overcome. I was surprised by some of the blockers to women, especially those seeking to be leaders in Zen Buddhism. Galland’s deep spiritual search has the reader feeling the ache she has to find Tara. Anyone seeking the path to any feminine deity will find inspiration in Galland’s vulnerability within the prose. Additionally, she gives the reader an amazing peek into many different cultures and their journeys to the goddess. Thanks to this book, which I adored and will likely re-read at some point, I’m considering a pilgrimage to ancestral lands that held the spirit of the goddess close. 

Reading Now:

Wild Soul Runes: Reawakening the Ancestral Feminine by Lara Veleda Vesta

This book was a gift from a friend who knows my frustration with accessing spiritual literature about the tools I use in my Craft, particularly Runes, that are not colored by racism and bigotry. I don’t know why the Nazis love my lineage’s heathenry, but they do. I always laugh when I see that because do they even know Odin? Talk about Patron of Drag Queens. I’ve worked through about more than half of the book and there is a more witchy and inclusive viewpoint, even going so far as to note respectful practice on colonized land. She’s provided poetry, exercises, and multiple translations regarding the background of the Runes and the language around them. More to come after I finish.

Up Next:

Dream Witchery: Folk Magic, Recipes & Spells from South America for Witches & Brujas by Elhoim Leafar 

As a dreamworker myself I’m very excited to dive into this book. Truth be told I’m already working a bit through it and I’m fascinated by Leafar’s childhood in South America surrounded by magical practitioners. Already some beliefs and rituals are super interesting and make me feel like I’m on a solo expedition to uncover hidden magic. Can’t wait to dive in deeper. 

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As you can see, I read a little of everything. I’m always curious about what others are reading. What book are you working through right now? Let’s talk books!