I picked up this book hoping to find some guidance on how to connect with Slavic deities and work with them. However, I was disappointed to discover that the book is mostly about Christianized folk magic and superstitions that have little to do with the original Slavic paganism. The author seems to have a lot of personal bias and opinions that are not backed up by historical or academic sources. The book is more like a collection of anecdotes and rituals that may or may not work for you. I was looking for something more authentic and respectful of the Slavic culture and spirituality, but this book did not deliver.

Excellent !!. Simple techniques that are explained and given. I liked this book because the author tells why the things are done and not just do this or that. I am not Slavic but recognise methods and concepts from my own heritage that tell me the author has real information here that anyone can use successfully. A truly wonderful book that will give you ways to improve your life and have hope.

From this book I was expecting more, much more and, instead, I found a boring and very generic reading. We can say that the book is divided in two parts, the second one is about spells, rituals and such, but the first part is a general introduction to the Slavic Witchcraft. And this was the part that I founded highly disappointing. As far as introductions go, this one does its job, in a sense, but it's too much general, too much just that, an introduction, and nothing else. I was hoping to know more about the Slavic part, and you won't find a lot in here. Also, Slavic means way more than Ukrainian and Russian, but we don't see it there, either. This was the main reason I was so disappointed in that, but, on the minor side, I have to add that I didn't enjoy the writing, too plain and... Superficial. I was hoping for an interesting reading but I get only boredom out of it.

A simple, straight-forward, easy to understand book about Slavic Witchcraft. The author delivers information quickly and easily, making concepts easy to relate to. Especially interesting is the way that Slavic culture merged it's pre-Christian culture and magical practices with Christian culture to create it's own hybridized magical practice. Really enjoyed the history and information shared here.

Interesting! I have a strong interest in the history of witchcraft throughout the world, and I have to say that this book is one of the more interesting ones I’ve read. I was more into the history side of it than for the actual spells, but I also found the spells fascinating and unique from others I’ve come across in other books on witchcraft. For me, the biggest highlight was the chapter on cemeteries and death rituals. I’m also a death historian, so this was something that was particularly up my alley. Absolutely fascinating. Natasha Helvin writes with clarity in a way that’s easy to understand, and I definitely feel like I have a stronger understanding of the history of Slavic witchcraft. I’d recommend this book to anyone with similar interests, and I’d say it’s a must read for fellow death historians!

DNF @ 16% due to no problem with the book. I did try - for three and a half months I kept this in my Currently Reading shelf.

I received an eARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

The bits that I did read? I did enjoy, but found them so apart from my reality, my religion, that I found it hard to continue. I felt like I was peering into something that was not meant for me. I am not of Slavic descent, I don't follow Slavic paganism, the world of the book was foreign (quite literally!) to me.

I do recommend the book, though, but mostly for people who are of Slavic descent. I'm giving it four stars, because I found it interesting and informative.

I requested this book as I have Slavic heritage in my genealogy. I was not disappointed. The books covers Slavic paganism, folklore, witchcraft, divination, and magic. I love how Helvin easily blends folklore & witchery, magic & culture, religion & spellcraft in a very easy to understand introductory way.

A really interesting look at Slavic folklore and the pagan traditions that surround it. I would have preferred a little more focus on that and the author’s experiences, however this is fairly comprehensive and full of fascinating insight. It was interesting to contrast it with other traditions, and the line where Slavic paganism and Christianity blur was so.

Slavic Witchcraft is a fascinating book which provides a comprehensive introduction to Slavic paganism, witchcraft, magic, folklore, and divination. Helvin provides us with a brief overview of her life growing up in the Soviet state, details of some of the cultural beliefs and practices, and the concept of “dual faith”, where there is a blurring of lines between the old paganism of Russia and Christianity. This I found really interesting, and I would have liked a bit more on both the cultural and religious background here and of Helvin’s own experiences whilst growing up. She has a deep love and respect for her upbringing, her elders and ancestors, and the magical practices shared within the family, and this shines through the text.

The latter part of the book is separated into chapters for spells and charms — love, money, protection, house and home, health, dreams, divination, and cemetery traditions. Helvin also covers superstitions and burial practices of both Orthodox traditions and more regional, family groups. She does not shy away from more difficult subject matter and does discuss darker aspects of sorcery and magic, including graveyard spells, crossroad curses, and more. I found this book to be refreshingly balanced in that the more baneful magics are covered as well as the benignant ones, showing maturity and depth.

Slavic Witchcraft reminds me of elements of Corinne Boyer’s Under the Witching Tree and Judika Illes’ Element Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spells, in that it blends folklore with witchery, culture and magic, spellcraft and religion in a cohesive way. I learned a lot about Slavic practices and, at the same time, recognised a lot of my own beliefs and practices within these pages. I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.

I received an e-ARC from the publisher, Inner Traditions, through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Description
A practical guide to the ancient magical tradition of Russian sorcery and Eastern Slavic magical rites

Offers step-by-step instructions for more than 300 spells, incantations, charms, amulets, and practical rituals for love, career success, protection, healing, divination, communicating with spirits and ancestors, and other challenges and situations. Reveals specific places of magical power in the natural world as well as the profound power of graveyards and churches for casting spells. Passed down through generations, the Slavic practice of magic, witchcraft, and sorcery is still alive and well in Russia, the Ukraine, and Belarus, as well as the Balkans and the Baltic states. There are still witches who whisper upon tied knots to curse or heal, sorceresses who shapeshift into animals or household objects, magicians who cast spells for love or good fortune, and common folk who seek their aid for daily problems big and small.

MY REVIEW:
Slavic Witchcraft is a book for those who are curious about the unknown. It teaches us about the Russian sorcery and Eastern Slavic history of folklore and magic. It is not just a spell book, but a history book. It provides a view of tradition and culture of the Slavic people. This book guides us through ancient pagan practices while offering us a guide book all wrapped up in one great book.

There are also spells included for love, money and protection. Overall, this book is for you if you have an interest in either Slavic cultures or witchcraft.

This book was provided to me for free in exchange for my honest opinion.

I highly recommend this book!!

For me, this was a very soothing and a bit scary kind of reading. I am not Slavic, nor is my country, but giving the fact that we are so close to the Slavic world, it just made us share a bit of the traditions and beliefs. And the witchcraft for me is something not out of the ordinary. It is part of a culture. And this book is always going to be a part of one's tradition and culture.

My main interest in the book was less about practicality, and more to do with learning about the cultural and pagan history of the region. It did not disappoint. I loved seeing how the practicalities were so intertwined with the culture. I think this was a great piece of social history, and as such has quite a broad appeal. It was a fascinating read.

First book I've ever encountered about Slavic Witchcraft. The book has lots of cultural info it that I found interesting. I know the Slavs and Slovenians were neighbors in Eastern Europe, but really never encountered either groups cultures. The Slovenians and Slovaks I've known really haven't retained much of their cultural heritage, as far as I could tell, So when I asked them about aspects of this book they were clueless. I do have an active interest in witchcraft no matter where it is practiced, as a pagan. I think it's an insightful book for anyone who wants to learn about Slavic people, witchcraft among them, their culture, and how religion is entwined with the craft. Good read.

“Slavic Witchcraft” by Natasha Helvin, is a book rich with magical culture. I was deeply moved by how the author reaches out to the reader, with her life story, her yearning for magic. The book goes on to explain how Christianity and Paganism intertwine throughout history. The author gives the reader an overview of how and why magic works. It gives inspiration to those just beginning their journey in witchcraft.
The book includes love spells, money spells, protection spells, home spells, dream spells, and cemetery spells. The author uses candles, crystals, and herbs in most of her spells, which are explained in detail how to perform. The knowledge that is passed to the reader from “Slavic Witchcraft” is quite the magical experience. Blessings
#SlavicWitchcraft #Netgalley

It's really interesting to see spells and folklore from a culture that I don't have much experience of. I liked the simple, step-by-step guides to each of the spells - there are some very specific ones in there! A lot of witchcraft books can be quite warm and fuzzy about what you should and shouldn't use spells for, but this is very forthright and offers some suggestions that could be considered black magic, or certainly spells at the expense of others, which is fascinating to read, but may offend some.

The parts of the book that discussed Slavic pagan beliefs were my favourites, particularly the section on Afterlife beliefs, as this was all new to me. It's discussed in a simple and straightforward style, and while I feel that it probably makes generalisations, it's a good starting point to learn more about the subject.

The tidbits about the history and folklore of Slavic society over time was pretty interesting, and I would've liked more of that. Same with the pieces of Helvin's experience learning this stuff from her relatives. Mostly I just wanted MORE here - it felt like the tip of an iceberg.

"We believe that rules are not arbitrary, but made by you in accordance with your own beliefs. We believe in free will. And we believe in magic and the power that it holds! We adhere to the wisdom of our own voices, because we know the greatest gift in the universe is free will—ultimate and omnipotent—bound only by love and ameliorated by the practice of magic."

Fascinating and comprehensive, but not for the faint of heart.

Helvin explores the roots of Slavic paganism and witchcraft and the phenomenon of "dual faiths," and does not shy away from the darker and less attractive aspects of sorcery.

The spells covered ran an interesting variety and offered multiple ways to accomplish goals - which was a good idea since some of the required ingredients might be impractical in an urban first world environment.

All in all a fascinating read, even - or perhaps partially because of - the focus on cemetery magic.

Slavic Witchcraft is a unique interesting book. I was very curious about this book. The book is well written and researched.

I requested this book out of an interest in Slavic folklore, and from that point of view it was a fascinating read. I learnt many things I had not come across before, including the various aspects of burial practices. The spells themselves were also interesting for the light they cast on ways of thinking and folk practices from the region. I may never attempt any of them myself, but I am certainly glad I gave this book a read and expanded my knowledge. Recommended for those interested in spell craft and those who wish to know more about Slavic traditional beliefs and practices.