Thank you NetGalley for the eARC. I have read other books from this publisher and this was also a good one . It was very true to form and the writing style also felt like a conversation with the author as opposed to words on the page.

I first heard about this via social media, and of course what I mean by that is I have been following Mhara’s TikTok and YouTube for a long long while. I could clearly hear her voice as I read it and loved every moment of it.

I LOVED this book! I liked how lore and exercises were combined. I have Welsh heritage and am obviously drawn to the Celtic/Druid/Welsh path. I could gush all day about this book. If you like Kristoffer Hughes you will definitely enjoy this one. I’m obsessed!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

I was interested in the topic and appreciated the shared focus between practical magic and historical lore. I did however liked far less the anecdotes and personal experiences the author also shared throughout this, although I understand that this is merely my personal preference for a more abstract focus. I am Welsh myself and felt some of the instances cited to be romanticised but perhaps this is just a differing in epxeriences as the author seems to dwell from a Wales I don't recognise as my own, although I wish I did.

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I enjoyed reading the lore and trying out some of the exercises that were included in the book. One of the best parts was learning about the Welsh Fairies. I have always been into the Fair Folk. It talks about where the origins of Welsh and Celtic witchcraft came from but gives up away to use those teaching in the modern world. That is always a plus for me. I have been practicing magick since I was young.

This book is a fantastic read and a great start for anyone wanting to know more about Welsh Witchcraft. The book was everything I expected it to be.

In reviewing this book, it’s important to be clear about what it is and isn’t. Rather than a comprehensive survey of witchcraft practices or history in Wales, this is more of a devotional written by a Welsh witch, Mhara Starling, who aims to share her deep passion and reverence for her native land and some of its traditions from a personal perspective. She is unapologetic about her point of view as someone who weaves Welsh mythology, folklore, and the abundance of the land itself into a personal practice that is traditional in the sense of its source material but not specifically ancestral. Starling has been creating her own practices since she was a teenager and shares some of them here along with cultural context and advice for other modern practitioners—whether Welsh, living in Wales, or simply interested in incorporating some of Welsh tradition into an eclectic practice.

Starling defines her practice very clearly both in terms of what it includes and what it does not. Part of her aim is to differentiate her own practice from other practices more commonly associated with Wales and the British Isles more generally. I appreciated the clear distinction between witchcraft and religion, which are often confused! Starling is not a religious practitioner and thus not affiliated with Wicca or with Druidry. She is also clear that from her point of view these are open practices, though practitioners who are able to use the Welsh language and/or practice on Welsh land are likely to find the most congruence.

One of Starling’s key arguments is that authenticity does not mean a practice has to be particularly old or handed down ancestrally. The exercises in the book include very accessible rituals aimed at beginners that can form the base of your practice, such as setting up an altar, finding a wand, starting to work with a cauldron, and exploring your own identity as a witch. Readers who have experienced oppression and othering may feel especially embraced by this book, as Starling talks about her experience as a trans woman and also about the broader importance of witchcraft and folk magic for those who are oppressed and marginalized.

One of Starling’s aims is to distinguish Welsh history and culture from other Celtic cultures, as well as from the more commonly known history of English witch hunts. Even as someone who has Welsh and Breton ancestry, I actually didn’t realize that these two cultures are more related than the Gaelic (Scottish and Irish) ones, though they all fall under the Celtic umbrella. It was also illuminating to learn both that some of the most magical features of the Welsh landscape (standing stones, for example) are actually pre-Celtic.

Given the way Starling’s practices are personally derived from the Welsh context, one of the strengths of this book is how she talks about witchcraft practices as an entry point to understanding the Welsh worldview and vice versa. Even simply considering the words “witch” and “witchcraft” and their lack of an exact Welsh equivalent shows how magic is threaded through Welsh society rather than treated as something distinct and encompassing of all magical elements. Rather than a single word like the English “witch,” different Welsh terms describe diviners, conjurers, those who create charms, keepers of wisdom, prophets, and even the fairytale image of the old hag.

Another example of Welsh specificity comes up around the question of morality. Looking at the historical treatment of practitioners alongside the mythology and folklore of Wales, Starling shows how a Welsh worldview has a very different moral take on witchcraft from an English one. Whereas the English persecuted witches as universally evil and threatening to Christianity, this stance didn’t make much sense in a country where magical practitioners provided vital services and were not only important members of the community but usually Christian themselves. Starling links the acceptance of hexing and cursing for righteous reasons with the Welsh cultural identity—it’s unsurprising that a people who see themselves as the oppressed underdog with limited tools for resistance would be unlikely to give up one of those tools! While unjustified use of such magic might be restricted or punished, simply being a witch was not a logical crime in this context.

In reading this book you’ll also learn about the local landscape and how the magic of Welsh stories weaves with the physical world. Starling makes a point that Welsh magic is strongly rooted in nature, not “supernatural.” Even the Welsh version of an “underworld” is more of an otherworld that is tightly linked to our own and accessible to humans according to the Welsh mythos. Starling explores the mythology of the Mabinogi (the stories that include familiar figures like Cerridwen, Rhiannon, and even King Arthur) but also regional folklore, stories that may be seen as “less important” but carry a real sense of place and culture, the “heart of the people.” This isn’t a comprehensive take, as Starling chooses the figures and stories that are most personally meaningful to her and recommends the reader consult another source to learn more, but it’s a nice taste in context.

Working from these sources, Starling explains the morality of fairies and why one might be both cautious of and endeared to them in the context of place, alongside stories of sacred Welsh places including lakes, wells, mountains. You’ll also learn about other sorts of magical creatures, magical uses of native plants, local seasons, the significance of various local celebrations, and even the story behind the dragon on the Welsh flag. Rituals, specific language you can use in charms, and other practical bits are sprinkled throughout.

Beyond these specifics I especially love the way Starling associates Welsh craft with wonder, joy, liminality, a thirst for knowledge, and personal empowerment. These are the elements that drew me to witchcraft, even though I don’t personally identify as a witch. I’d imagine most folks interested in magic and witchcraft could benefit from a read simply to expand their horizons a little to a culture that may be unfamiliar. The way this book is structured, while there are certainly elements specific to the land it’s also easy to incorporate some of what you learn into a local, grounded practice in your own time and place.

Starling identifies witchcraft as “simply finding a means to an end; bringing about the change that you wish to see in the world.” She identifies as a Welsh witch practicing her own version of witchcraft based on the mythology and folktales of Wales. The book is part memoir and part grimoire. It includes Starling’s personal history and gives exercises, rites, charms, spells and visualizations. While Starling’s view of Welsh mythology is less than academic, she provides an overview of a wide range of Celtic pagan practices including the seasons of the year, herbs, and the magic of trees. This book may be of interest to Druid, pagan, and Wiccan practitioners. Those interested in Celtic Studies should look to a less personal discourse.

I think this can be a great start/beginning for those interested in Welsh witchcraft or get in it more. Text is like having a conversation with the author. Good jumping off point with some different things introduced.

Fantastic reference on Welsh witchcraft. It's everything I hoped it would be and more! The pronunciation guide was incredibly helpful and frankly just learning so old-world witchery by a Welsh witch, speaks to that line of Welsh ancestry that I have. Chef's kiss.

Ok so I totally thought this book was a novel. Once I got into and realized it wasn’t that, it was a DNF for me. I can’t fairly rate this one because I am not into actual witchcraft at all, therefore I have no idea if it is a good guide book or not.

I am a sucker for non fiction books about witches and witchcraft and found myself enthralled in the things I was learning in this book. Would recommend!

If you're a fan of Witchtok or even Mythology Tik Tok, chances are you've come across talented creator Mhara Starling.  A practicing Witch in Wales, Starling shares her personal practice and traditions with the charming new book Welsh Witchcraft.  If you're looking for a land of spectral hunting hounds, mystical otherworlds that are pretty easy to stumble into by accident, or fascinated by some good old fashioned cauldron work, you're going to be delighted with this book.

Mhara Starling brings readers through Wales, while sharing the histories and personal techniques from her own practice. If you've never had a chance to hear Mhara present or speak, I highly recommend doing so and snagging this book right away. Whether you're fascinated by Wales and Welsh customs, or you're just looking to expand your craft, Welsh Witchcraft is an absolutely credit to the unique world of the Welsh Witch and their history.

3.5*

*Thanks to Netgalley for giving me the ARC*

Reading this book was interesting. I got to see the Welsh side of Wiccans and how they do certain things. I liked the exercises that the book had. I enjoyed the legends and stories that were told as well. The book was good overall and I liked the pace that it had although I didn't really liked when the author keeps saying "I'm a Welsh!" but regardless, this book was a fun read.

Welsh Witchcraft by Amhara Starling is a wonderful book about learning the roots welsh magic. I like how it goes over the history of witchcraft in wales and modern techniques. It explains some mythology and what it means being Celtic and helps the reader have good context. This book is good for anyone who is interested in expanding their understanding of this magical place and it’s practices.

Adding this to my bookcase, I can’t wait to see the final edition. There was so much to learn, and the author was knowledgeable and even with the unedited version I could see the amazing book it will become in full print.
From her building a relationship with you to sharing her knowledge as a true teacher of this practice would. She hold authentic to herself and to the root of Welsh Witchcraft. It’s very prevalent within the pages on this book.

This is a very informative book on Welsh witchcraft. I would love to get a physical copy to add to my witchy bookshelf.

This book was ... good.
I didn't find it particularly great or bad - which is to say it didn't really had a huge impact on me.

It was well researched and well paced (apart from the introduction. I thought that part could have been shorter). I particularly liked the glossary and the exercise parts. The authenticity of it was the best feature in my opinion.

Also, I didn't know the author was a YouTuber - will definitely check their videos out!

what a great book! as a witch it is nice to find researched book about the welsh mythology and practices, its well written and in a language which is aim at all. it doesnt throw you in at the deep end like some books can.

would gladly recommended this book to anyone who wanted to start the welsh path and those who are interested in welsh magick

🌙This amazing book is divided into 11 chapters that focus on explaining the history of magic and witchcraft in Wales, legends, fairy tales, the archetype of the Welsh Witch, and more.

🌟The author has done a wonderful job! We can see that @mhara_starling has made a thorough research and explains with such a clarity, therefore, the reader can easily form a general picture of this magical world from Wales.

💫Thanks to NetGalley (@netgalley) and Llewellyn Publications (@llewellynbooks) for giving me the opportunity to read an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.