Member Reviews

This book is fascinating and some thing I haven’t read before when it comes to spiritual or metaphysical books. I love how the author takes fairytales in traditional stories that we have heard all of our lives and puts them within the lens of individual real lives and spirituality. I think this book is very well written for the for the subject, It’s not a confusing or two drawn out but just the right amount of stories and explanation.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this book and appreciated what it did, however at times I did feel like more of the writing was quotes or references from other people than original text or thoughts which did make it a little hard to read in places. That being said I did love the subject matter and overall really enjoyed it.

Was this review helpful?

This was a really enjoyable read! It was a nice perspective to connect deeper with each spririt and appreciated the journaling opportunities to dive deeper into that

Was this review helpful?

A very pretty book with very pretty stories. All things magic included!! I enjoyed it but didn’t quite love it

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this book for its breakdown of mythology. I am not a fan of journaling but being able to go through these and think through these myths as I read them helped my craft.

Was this review helpful?

I've always been interested in mythology, so it was enjoyable to read this book; it's also been sometime that I've felt quite lost in my practice of witchcraft, and this book inspired me to look for the answers I seek in the myths, which is a very interesting perspective I was yet to consider.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley for gifting me a free digital ARC (e-book) of Mythology for a Magical Life by Ember Grant. I love books about mythology and magic, and I was so excited to dive into this book. There are so many versions of the old myths and I always enjoy hearing the various interpretations and versions of the tales. There is so much history in the myths; not only do we get to learn about what was important to the ancient cultures, we also get to learn about their values by reading the stories that influenced their lives. I think it is so cool to see how similar the ancient cultures are to us now-- human nature hasn’t changed much over the centuries, and it is very interesting to see how these myths can contribute to our magical practices. I loved the cover art and I appreciate the organization of the chapters. Overall this is a really great book that all ages can enjoy and learn from!

Was this review helpful?

If you thought this was a book for Wiccans and Druids, you’d be right, but it’s much more than that. Anyone who seeks to use positive affirmation, visualization, and intention to manifest change, would also find guidance here as would anyone who uses mythology and folktale imagery in ceremony. The fact that this book does all this, and more is a pleasant surprise. Each chapter uses a story from mythology and folklore as the focus of a year-long journey of self-reflection. Stories speak to us on a soul level as does magic, Grant writes. A commentary of the themes addressed in these stories comes next, along with various activities (spells, rituals, affirmations, journal prompts, meditations, and visualizations). Grant shows great reverence for these stories contextualizing her version and providing some history to those she selects. She also includes bibliographic references which allows the reader to study further. Grant shows that both mythology and folktales can provide both the inspiration and the wisdom so often needed in life today.

Was this review helpful?

I love mythology so I was really intrigued by this. It's a great way to get back to magic or bring it to a higher level.

I really loved the activities and journal prompts, they were my favourite parts. It's well researched and laid out in a nice way.

This would be a good book to return to throughout the year.

Was this review helpful?

Mythology is such a meaningful thing in my life that I knew very quickly that Ember Grant's book would hit home with me. It made so much sense to me that a way of connecting with your own interior, spiritual life would be by revisiting these myths and delving into them deeper. So while this made sense once I saw Grant lay it out, I needed that push from her. Especially the trickster and skin changer tales were very useful to me, since I do think I need to get back in touch with the wilderness a little bit more.

While this book may be focused at people more in tune with their magical practices, I still found a lot to gain in it. Ember Grant makes sure to reference the sources of the stories discussed, which I think is key to help readers expand their own reading beyond this book.

Posted on Goodreads.

Was this review helpful?

This book covers a topic rarely covered in the new age, metaphysical, magical world and that is how to get back to your magic. Using the structures and themes of a variety of myths that link back to the cycles of the seasons, Ember Grant gives readers activities, spells, meditations, and, my favorite, journal prompts to help you get back onto your path. This work can be used as needed or as a framework throughout the year leaving you the month to meditate and focus on the particular themes considered. There are appropriate warnings when it comes to entering altered states as well as when to avoid use of an ingredient with children. It is a very thoroughly researched work with the bibliography found at the end of chapters instead of at the end of the work.

Overall, I plan to purchase this for my own person collection. It is a nicely done, well researched work that fills a need for readers following a magical life.

Was this review helpful?

An interesting and thought provoking book about magic and myth. I liked how the author found connections and the exercises/rituals.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Was this review helpful?

I highly enjoyed this book about comparing myths with magic. It was well written and I especially liked the rituals that were included. I give this book a thumbs up and I recommend this book for those who are looking for something different to add to their magic. I voluntarily read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?

This is a sweet well thought out book of spiritual path & work teaching with stories & incorporating that into your magical practices. I love mythology & these stories were presented well & incorporated to help people reach deeper into themselves with old stories. I found this to be a thoroughly delightful presentation that would enhance many people's spiritual practices & an enjoyable read for most.

Was this review helpful?

A very nice book! And such a fantastic cover!

This book is written specifically for people who are looking for some inspiration for their Craft, who maybe feel a little stuck in their spiritual journey and practice. The author's solution? Coming back to myths and taking wisdom and meaning out of them and insert it into one's practice.

What I loved about this book is the selection of stories and the in depth research. There are myths I have not read before, and even Inanna's story, which I knew about, had some new details I found fascinating. I loved how the author gave sometimes more than one meaning for a specific situation, because a lot of them felt pretty complex. In the same line, I appreciate greatly how the author spoke from a very "real" place. At times it feels ideas about Goddesses or female characters or myths are a little sugarcoated but in this book the stories are as they've perpetuated, in their raw, sometimes violent, heartbreaking form. The aspects of myths are facts of real life, of real struggles and I appreciated finding this kind of deeper understanding in this book.

My only regret is that the chapter on laughter was the one with the smallest information provided , or at least this is how I perceived it among so many heavy themes.

I liked a lot the many prompts and ideas that were offered after each myth: rituals, spells, practices, creative projects and questions for journaling. I would probably only use the journaling ideas but it's great there are a lot of offerings for each reader to choose her or his favorite.

Was this review helpful?

Another great book from Llewellyn Publications! So easy to read and engaging. I love the mix of learning more about mythology/storytelling and how to incorporate that into our magical craft. Another added bonus is that cover. How gorgeous! A perfect book to add to a magical library.

Was this review helpful?

I’ve always loved mythology. With coming to the craft this has only deepened. This was easy to read and informative. The added extra bonuses at the end of the stories was a nice surprise. If you’re into mythology at all this would be an enjoyable read.

Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for the advanced e-reader copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Was this review helpful?

I have found a deeper love for mythology as a witch. This book was really good and i thoroughly enjoyed it!

Was this review helpful?

I got interested in this book due to: It's topic, it's cover, it's idea, and end up happily reassured that my instinct was more than correct.

The Mythology for a magical live is a great mix between a inter cultural myth collection with an scholar study an analysis of the images and meaning hidden in such stories with a how-to guide for magic practice, a dadding a little of motivational and inspiring and prints, activities and advices.

When reading this book I found myself pondering in my interest, experiences and believes, while reading about myths and the lost meanings they have, as well as some suggestions, either related to magical practice or common self care everyday activities, that seem attractive and easy to perform.

Another plus is the focus given to women's role in history and the real-in experience that seem to provide an "you'r not alone" atmosphere throughout the whole book.

It's only downfall in my opinion, was that some of the researched documents or sources seem to be superficial and seem to be "too light" to provide enough weight to the statements and proposals provided. Still much of what is mention is really useful both for the magical and non magical reader.

Was this review helpful?

A good book for those who like a variety of myths. Story connected to a certain aspect the author wants to show the reader (example: sacrifice, balance or courage).

Was this review helpful?