For the curious and the practitioner alike, this book will have something to offer. It covers a vast amount of knowledge and explains the different subjects well. Go ahead, you want to read it, you know you do.

This is a really good book for beginners. I liked all of the information about the uses and properties of everything.
Personally, I'd prefer a physical copy over audio but I enjoyed it

This audiobook was everything to me!
I am not a modern witch, but I do like to believe that I convey some current cottage-core practices throughout the home that are akin to witches and the little potions they conjure. My little rituals are just for self-preservation and surviving off the harvests of my land and gardens, but still I like to feel that I'd make those women proud.

Great book. The way it was narrated was so good and loved listening. She has covered a lot of things what are the utilities needed for witch craft what are the meaning and when to use what and absolute book for beginners. I wish to learn more about witchcraft and am into it more now.

The way the people around the world think of witch craft in a wrong way is hurtful. It is the way to connect with nature and universe and understand the true essence of life.

Frankie manages to tackle every medium they approach with grace and understanding of the form. While Spells for Change is not the best book on Witchcraft, or the first I'd recommend to a beginner, it is a great example of a well done debut novel.

I read this choice in audio form, though I do have a physical copy as well - I do believe that physical is the way to go for the majority of the uses here. If you just want to support Frankie and pick up tidbits of information along the way, audio is fine, but there are lists of of spell components with explanations of their uses, correspondences, and physical properties that defeat the point of reference nature when lost in a sea of minutes spoken aloud. Do I think Frankie was the best person to narrate this? No. Does that really make much of a difference for me personally? Not really.

I think for a beginner understanding of spells, this is okay. I'd like to see a more fine tooth approach to explaining how to build your own spell with examples to each component instead of examples of their own personal spells, but for what it is this did a great job. The notes of appropriation, not using specific tools/ingredients, etc where also highly noted.

Overall, a book worth getting if you're new or just want to see another younger generation approach to the craft, though Frankie has grown as a person and a practitioner since writing this.

***I received a copy of this book in audio form from netgalley in exchange for a review. Though, I did buy a copy of the physical book via pre-sale as well, as I am a mutual with chaoticwitchaunt online. All opinions are my own. ***

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* This was a pretty good read, i don't personally do any spells or anything but enjoy reading different books and learning this so this was a fun read even though i don't plan on using anything in it!

This was interesting and certainly give you something to think about. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

I’ll start this review by saying that I’m definitely not the intended audience for this and I wasn’t familiar with Frankie Castanea at all before listening to the audiobook. I’m not sure what I expected this to be, I think I thought it was more theoretical and I was interested in expanding my knowledge base even though I have no interest in practicing witchcraft and am what I suppose one would call a skeptic. (I won’t go into that here since I don’t think that’s the point of this book.)

This is very much a guide to actually practicing witchcraft. From that point of view, it seems like this is a great book for beginners to learn more and gain very practical tips and tricks. Frankie covers a broad range of material and she is incredibly generous with sharing her own methods and spells, something which I imagine is a very personal thing.

It was interesting to me to learn that witches don’t think they can break the rules of science (no levitating, for example), and I appreciated the sections on being environmentally friendly and culturally respectful. I also enjoyed the audiobook and think Frankie did a good job narrating; her voice is warm and engaging and draws you in.

I’m giving this three stars based on what I personally got out of it, but I do think others with more witchy-leaning beliefs will have a different experience.

Thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

Ancient practices - Contemporary ways!

Just like everything around is evolving with time, so is witchcraft!
This book is a self-guide to the practices, dos and don'ts, myths and reality of witches. Contrary to what you hear or read in fictional books and movies, here is a book that reveals the power of manifestation. Now we have heard so many times that intent is what matters the most! To give you an example salt is just a flavouring agent, but when used with the proper purpose and energy it will accomplish much more.

Filled with details of the elements, ingredients and place values of various items the book is a collective edition - which I would like to call a Grimore.
Reading the book felt a little weird at the start honestly, but towards the end, I felt it a good to know knowledge. Definitely an out-of-the-box read!

I really enjoyed this audiobook .i am a newbie to this subject and i tought it was very well explained. The audio was also good and clear.

I adore the way this book goes back to the very basics of spellwork for beginning witches or anyone interested in bringing more intention to their days. While the audiobook was well done, this book isn't necessarily one that is suited for audio, because of the lists and recipes and reference details. I ended up purchasing two hard copies after listening to this NetGalley, one for myself and one for my best friend.

This was my first insight on Frankies work, after reading all these reviews I found her on Instagram. I loved her energy and knowledge put into this book. She speaks from the heart and is very down to earth. I have taken many notes. Thank you.

My review is based on the audiobook.
I liked that the information about stones included the composition of the stones. I also liked that the opening discusses the inclusion of many types of witches. I also appreciated that this book covered a wide range of topics.

There were a few clunky parts like reading "slash" for the slash marks instead of saying "or" or "and". There were a couple of other errors like saying that The Fool card is number one and that the major arcana goes from one to twenty-one.

I appreciated that the author wanted to make a book for beginners that is more comprehensive than the beginner books that were available when they started and I think the book achieved that goal. I would recommend this book to young people new to witchcraft. I think Frankie speaks well to the new generation of witchcraft and I hope to see them write something else in the future but with closer attention to editing.

I was intrigued by what Spells for Witchcraft may be like. This is my first book on "the craft", and I was drawn by the title and the synopsis. I'm not a beginning witch, just have always been fascinated by anything to do with witches and witchcraft.

The mention of Harry Potter, Sabrina, Hocus Pocus and Irish traditions won me over straight away, since Hocus Pocus is right up there with Practical Magic as my favourite "witchy" films. I really like Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and the mention of that show took me back to my teen years.

Spells for Change: A Guide for Modern Witches has sections on charms and herbs, different kinds of witches and lots of information about magic and the meaning of the term witchcraft.

I liked the definition of witchcraft as "more than crafting spells to create an outcome.and how it "challenges individuals to question what they believe and push their limits". "Witchcraft care of self, upkeep of mental health and appreciation if world around us."

The part about meditation and candles was really Interesting. The part about the social acceptance of witchcraft really made me aware that the craft was not always seen as a good thing.

One of my favourite quotes from the book is "Modern-day witches are the culmination of old and new. They go to the grocery store, have 9-5 jobs and are in our classrooms." This made me think of the opening scene of the movie The Witches, which I love: "Witches are everywhere, they're EVERYWHERE!".

Going back to Spells for Change, I think the best advice Frankie gives is to "understand the world around you before casting spells."

Further sections include the history of witchcraft, herbs to use or prayers and meditation before spellwork, or the fact you should "ask sea creatures and rivers for guidance."

We can learn a lot of life lessons from this book, including "Your thoughts and feelings about yourself influence who you have in your life". So, so true, that one.

I loved all the information about signs of the Zodiac and how each of the stones fit in with that.

There is a great attention to detail in the book for every topic covered.

As a makeup and beauty addict, I have heard a lot about Mica, but I didn't know that I'd learn from a book on witchcraft that the ingredient adds sparkle and shimmer to eyeshadows. I didn’t know that’s what it added to makeup.

I love roses, so was pleased to find.them mentioned as used in protective and self love spells.

Overall, I was much, much. more hooked on this book than I thought I'd be, and it fully deserves 5 stars.

After finishing this, I rushed to YouTube to follow Frankie. Thanks for writing this book, Frankie.

This wasn't the book to read as an audiobook. While the narration was good, quite a bit of this book is best use as a reference book. This is of course really hard to do with an audiobook, and hearing a list of meanings of different things just isn't very engaging. It is also hard to look back to that one particular ingredient in an audiobook.

The information itself was mostly very basic. I liked how it was inclusive and gave space for interpretation, rather than just saying: this is what you should do.

Another thing I really liked about this book was the focus on decolonizing witchcraft. It's a very important subject and these parts were probably my favourite of the book.

All in all, I think I would have probably enjoyed this book more if I had read it/ had a physical copy, but it also wasn't so engaging that I want to buy one.

Listened to the audiobook fairly quickly and actually one up purchasing two of the hard copies. One for myself and one for my daughter. We’re both new to the concept and wanting to learn more. Again, new, but I felt this was super easy to listen to for a beginner and looking to continue furthering our knowledge!

A captivating introduction into modern witchcraft and how to incorporate it into everyday life. The audiobook, read by the author, was definitely engaging to listen to and gave me a lot to think about, not only in terms of contemporary witchcraft, but also about mindfulness and how acting with purpose can be significant in bringing on change.

However, if possible, I would recommend reading the book in written form to more easily be able to look up all lists, references, and the glossary that is mentioned throughout the book.

Enjoyable Book

Frankie Castanea provides some history of the origin of Witchcraft stating that many trace the origins of witchcraft and their first discussions on it to the Salem witch trials of the seventeenth century; however, its roots are actually much older. Witchcraft is based in many ancient pagan traditions where shamans, priests/priestesses, Druids, and oracles were seen as holy. It can befound in the Celtic lands in closed Irish practice, handed down from generation to generation; among the Romani peoples; in different parts of Italy; and so much more. Some may define witchcraft in more traditional, ritualistic terms but others may find that witchcraft is as simple as giving intent and meaning to a daily activity, honoring a deity through action, or being aware of the energy of the universe and how it influences what we bring forth into our lives.

The author discusses the tools and foundations for making changes. She states that there are the basic of spellcrafting, before stepping into spell work as a new witch, it’s important
to understand the anatomy of a spell. Its foundation is
constructed of the following things:
1. Focus - What aspect of your life is this spell focusing on?
2. Intent/desired goal - What do you want to achieve with this spell?
3. Materials - What materials would best help you bring about the goal of this spell?
 
Depending on the magnitude of the intent you are approaching, different spells need different things. Some spells need only your intent, and many argue that you can practice witchcraft with no materials whatsoever.

She states that the most important foundation for your craft is you, the practitioner. Before casting any spell, you have to understand your own energy and the energy of the world around you. Every aspect of nature and self contains power, from the trees to the sea, from the hands to the feet. The elements of nature around us influence our own self, the cycles of the moon and tide, the destruction and creation of fire, and the stabilizing roots of every tree. We can learn different things from different parts of nature, and call on different aspects of it to help us do our workings, like calling upon the elements to assist in casting a circle or using the cycles ofthe moon to plan for specifc spells. Certain herbs can be used in spells to match intent and some practitioners even meditate with their herbs and crystals or pray over them to better connectwith them before spell work. Ask the moon for guidance when seeking help with change in the cycles of life, or the sun for help when you need assistance with seeing the light. Ask the rivers for help with going with the tide, and sea creatures for help with understanding ebb and flow. Even your own thoughts have the power to bring change (or stagnancy) into your life.

The author states that once you become familiar with your energy, you should turn to what you feel like you need and can bring in with spell work, that spells are tools, ways to focus our energy and project it into the void to achieve a particular goal. She states that she often herself the following questions when she is formulating a spell:
1. What is the goal of this spell?
2. Can I achieve this goal without the use of spell work?
3. Does this spell tamper with forces and things that make the spell so it will backfire easily? For example:– Free will– Weather– Celestial forces, such as spells to influence deities, demons,planets, or higher beings.
4. Does this spell bring me closer to my higher self and/or serve thehigher good? For example, are you doing the spell for petty reasonslike proving a point or serving your ego, or are you genuine in your intent and feel this will benefit you and/or others?
5. Is the price or cost of this spell one I am willing to pay?
6. Do I have the energy and training to complete this spell?
7. Is this spell one that I am willing to spend my energy and time on?

The author discusses others materials; such as crystals, for which she provides each's properties, uses, and zodiac association; herbs and other natural materials. Additionally, he discusses the work space, the days of the week best for certain spellcrafting, and the lunar cycles.

I feel this is a great book for a beginner, and it is full of valuable information.

As the writer first notes in the preface...this is the witchery book I wish I had had when I began practice. This wonderful book explains wands, crystals, herbs all the witchy craft anyone could need in today's modern world. LOVED this book!!!

AUDIOBOOK PREFERRED
This book is like getting a private lecture session from the author. She speaks fast so it may take about 20 minutes to adjust but I think reading it as an audiobook the first time is the best way to absorb the info. She is a passionate and knowledgeable teacher. My first impressions are made by the sources given and the foundational info presented in first chapters. The author does an excellent job with both. There is huge amount of folk medicine presented and it is interesting how things we call “cultural” have roots in protection charms like the veil.
The word witch can deter people who associate it negative connotation, I interchange the word with folk medicine/culture medicine. I especially appreciate the chapter on ethical sourcing and use of herbs and crystals. It includes an extensive list of species of herbs I never realized were in danger. She makes a compelling argument for using alternatives to culture-linked herbs.
I appreciate the opportunity to review this book by @netgalley.