Cover Image: Spellcraft

Spellcraft

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Quick and easy spell book with beautiful page designs. I love the journal aspect of it. As a beginner, I recognized a few of the spells but I can't say how original they were. It's a short book with spells then questions and pages for answers. I saved quite a few spells!

Was this review helpful?

To be honest, I know absolutely nothing about Witchcraft but it has interested and intrigued me for quite some time so I was excited to get my hands on a copy of this book.

Spellcraft is a beautiful book, I loved the design and imagery, I also liked the journaling questions, I thought that was a great concept. As I said I’m a complete novice (well less than a novice actually) so some of the spells were beyond me but I plan to learn more and come back to this book. I will be making a witches ladder immediately though.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Rock Point for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

An interesting concept and a very useful book for beginners.
I loved how it is organised, the idea of mixing diary with exercises and the spells.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Was this review helpful?

I have to admit I expected more of instruction from this one. It's more of a workbook with many pages lined for the reader to write their own ideas on from a prompt. I felt there was more of psychology in it than of magic.

It starts out with ideas for non-traditional ways of celebrating traditional seasonal rituals. There were some good instructions for making a poppet in Imbolc, though it lacked mentioning that if you're going to burn it, considering what goes inside for reaction to fire is important.

It gives a complete ritual for Ostara but doesn't explain the reasons behind the various elements involved, the choice of candle colours, etc. Some of the instructions require a certain amount of crafting skill, like sewing the poppet, baking bread and fashioning a pentagram from twigs for Beltane. The instructions for making incense cones looked fairly straightforward. I cringed a little when it said May Day was about activism, considering it's fairly common knowledge that it's a fertility ritual.

The seasons are followed by rituals for stimulating creativity, then a section called Courage & Hope. Several rituals are given through the book and I think the exercise pages could be useful for an individual or group with some basic knowledge already behind them.

There seems to be a lot of emphasis on dealing with anxiety and bringing peace into one's life. I get the impression that the author is young, though it is presented as from Quarto Publishing Group rather than giving an author name. It appears to be targeted to Millenials.

The advice in the money magic segment was pretty sound. Sometimes wealth doesn't come in the form of money itself, but in manifesting desires. The section on letting things go might be useful for many people. The part on welcoming benevolent spirits into your home made me smile. Sweet smells lighten the mood and attract positivity.

The instructions for making a black mirror lacked the traditional wormwood in the paint, but made for an interesting variation. Making it half white is an interesting idea. Overall some of the folk magic spells like witch bottles were sufficient for beginners to learn, while missing some of the elements involving bodily fluids and such that might not sit well with young people.

It doesn't actually teach you how to create your own spells, though the prompts do stimulate working with ideas that could be useful and would certainly give personal insights.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book! This is a great book for anyone learning to love themselves and to work on the spells or basic understanding. This isn’t like a regular book it’s more of a book that has things to use to learn from, it has journal entries to help you understand what you are feeling and why. This also gives tips, details among other support and ask questions for deeper understanding on your emotions and feelings. This also has step by step instructions on different spells and gives advice and warnings I really think this journal is great! I will definitely purchase for a few friends lol

Was this review helpful?

A very practical and life affirming look at manifesting. This book not only gives simple and practical ways to change things but also explains why it may work or may not. The concept of balance is something rarely discussed in spell books but its a feature in this one. It made a a lot of sense the way the authors move around the wheel with spells that fit the season. This book also discusses writing your effects and other info that cause things to manifest or not. All in all an excellent addition and a great way to move positively forward without running over others or the universe.

Was this review helpful?

This is such an interesting and unique concept!!
I have never seen anything like this before. It combines all things magick with the idea or journalling.
Fantastic!!

The first part of the book looks at the magick wheel - and the various sabots. While the later half looks more at spell work. Breaking it down even further to look at specific themes within each chapter. (On another note, who would have thought that so many spells involved eggs??!!??) I really like the way this book is broken up, as it makes it really easy to dip in and out of. The journalling aspect after each spell allows you to reflect more deeply into your practise which is great!

The artwork that breaks up the chapters is beautiful. I particularly love the background imagery on these pages.

The only downside was that It ended so abruptly, but this could be down to the proof copy i received.

I really encourage you to get this book if you're interested in spell casting and learning more about magick and witchcraft. I have read a lot of books on this topic, but never seen anything like this. Incredibly original!

Was this review helpful?

Spellcraft was an interesting look into witchcraft.

I found the first section the most interesting when it covered the different holidays and why they are celebrated. The second section covered some beginner spells. Some I found interesting, others I found a little too complicated, and a few I feel I already do not knowing they are considered spells. So, it was a very interesting read all the way through. There were also prompts after every spell and holiday to help you think through what you had just read or done. Some of them were quite thought provoking. I feel the questions were extremely strong and not just a basic what did you learn?

While I am not a witch, I find their history fascinating. This book was the most insightful book I have read yet.

I received an advanced reader copy from Quarto Publishing Group- Rock Point through NetGalley. All opinions are 100% my own.

Was this review helpful?