As I pen this there is a scant 20 days until the world gets Magic In Your Cup. Reading time has been at a premium as I rally the energy within the deepest dark of winter – truly it may not be as cold as February, but until the Winter Solstice, we get less and less of the sun that fuels many a person’s fire, your Crone included. The last of Autumn’s outdoor chores are as done as done can be. Plus with the Land’s gift of a banger pumpkin harvest, I’m roasting pumpkins everyday. This is all to say that reading has been slow, if not steady.
Recently Finished:
Of Blood and Bones: Working With Shadow Magick and the Dark Moon by Kate Freuler: As I expressed last month, finding another in the Craft who picks up snake skin, wasp nests, acorns, and bones to do magic, this was a natural keep to remain on my regularly referenced witchy bookshelf. The entire volume speaks to my soul. I appreciate Freuler’s very careful relaying of this type of magic and the offering to those who are not inclined to work with bones and blood still can do this dark moon-focused magic. Just reading it may expose more shadow magic that you realized you needed to do or even some that perhaps you’ll want to avoid. I was particularly fond of Part IV: Looking death and rebirth in the face. Even if you’re not a Scorpio sun, this section will speak to many intermediate and veteran Witches.
Sacred Tears: A Witch’s Guide to Grief by Courtney Weber – The opening pages of this book made me realize I need to take this one slow. And Weber says that. Her stories of loss will likely bring up a lot for any reader. Like Christopher Penzack says in the foreword, the author’s writing is raw and honest. I deeply appreciated how Weber handled some of what many may consider the more challenging of grief: ambiguous loss. This is grief borne from things like being estranged from your family of origin, the losses that come with familial addiction, and how eventually you will find the gifts in that grief, too. Yes, I typed that correctly – the GIFTS of grief. Not the cliche silver lining, which Weber counsels readers away from, but how you transform through all the non-linear stages potentially experienced after any crisis that produces bereavement. The book is heavy with so many practical and spiritual methods of coping with the feelings that come with loss and tragedy in our lives that Weber’s work also feels like a manual a Witch might refer back to time and again.
Breathe, Write, Breathe. 18 Energizing Practices to Spark your Writing and Free your Voice by Lilsa Tener – If you’re not shy about using QR codes, this book packs even more of a writing exercise punch. There is no use crying writer’s block if this book is on your shelf. There’s even a section on breath and dreaming that deeply spoke to this Witch. Again, this is not a book I’d recommend to read in a straight go, but one you ‘exercise’ with regularly. Will appeal to every writing Witch and woo-adjacent creative.
Relishing Longer:
Modern Magic: Stories, Rituals, and Spells For Contemporary Witches by Michelle Tea. I’m about halfway in this one and glad to see that Tea isn’t on the bandwagon of dislike of the moniker ‘kitchen witchery.’ And I’ll happily dive into this new ‘mystical snacktivism’ she’s on about. More to report in the next entry. This book is described as the sibling to Tea’s Modern Tarot with a focus on creating stronger magic incorporating queer, feminist, anti-racist, and intersectional values. Tea’s known for her literary accomplishments, so I’m looking forward to this. Okay, who am I joking, I look forward to opening every book. But this does check a lot of boxes for me.
Up Next:
An Apostate’s Guide to Witchcraft: Finding Freedom Through Magic by Moss Matthey
I participated in a talk recently by Mr. Matthey which lit up my Germanic ancestor line standing behind me. His knowledge about all their magic created an excited hum in the studio as I listened to him. His history of both Welsh and German traditions is aligned in the paths my ancestral culture walked. His history also includes some Xtian religious trauma. That, too, mirrors parts of my own life, so his perspective may prove to be invaluable. The foreword by Mhara Starling provides validation in my understanding of the Moss’s knowledge and demeanor as “considerate, sensitive, and nurturing.” This makes me even more excited to dive in just as the nights get longer and longer.
The Way of Fire and Ice: The Living Tradition of Norse Paganism by Ryan Smith
The Heathen gods are part of my ancestry. Finding a book on the modern interpretations that isn’t based in racism is hard to come by; but the author of this tome is one of the founders of Heathen United Against Racism. So I’m excited to carve out time to read this one. Have you read it? What are your thoughts?
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 about books! Comment below. If you have a book you think I should read, let me know that, too!
