This was a quick, easy read, my very first foray into Lenormand. I've been reading tarot for about a year and a half now, which I think plays a large This was a quick, easy read, my very first foray into Lenormand. I've been reading tarot for about a year and a half now, which I think plays a large role in the confidence I have to use this book's information to read Lenormand. For someone new to cartomancy, I think perhaps it might not be enough to instill confidence in reading. Still, all the bones are there: what the cards mean, how to read them, and how everything hangs together.
I'm looking forward to practicing soon with my first Grand Tableau, which I thought perhaps would take a long time to work up to--but no. This gets you doing it in one day....more
I've been a witch for a little over a year, and I've been working with herbs for almost that entire time, although I still feel like a beginner becausI've been a witch for a little over a year, and I've been working with herbs for almost that entire time, although I still feel like a beginner because there's so much to learn. My two bookshelf staples are Scott Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs and Paul Beyerl's Master Book of Herbalism. I've not seen any need to expand my selections before now, but this cover is so LOVELY and also I JUST LOVE HERBS. (I hope they remember this when my not-so-green thumb tries some gardening next year.)
I love that the first third of the book starts off with the basics, assuming you know nothing, and then moves into the history of herbalism. For someone who has mostly piecemealed her knowledge together, it filled in some gaps that I didn't know I wanted to know. There are recipes ranging from simple stuff I could whip together in a few minutes, to a method of creating a garden labyrinth that seemed awesome but way beyond my skill set! And I definitely love the information on how to build an herb garden.
The section on the herbs themselves takes up the second third of the book. The properties of a few herbs I compared correlate with my aforementioned standbys. If I were going to use this book as a reference, it would be for magickal properties, which seems quite thorough. The medicinal properties are not quite as thorough as Paul Beyerl's Master Book (which can sometimes seem overwhelming), although this book gives a good starting point.
The final third OVERFLOWS with spells and recipes and rituals -- a chapter for nearly anything you can think of, including self-love, and even seasonal recipes. Although I would have loved a section on selecting alternative herbs if you don't have ready access to the recommended ones, there is so much here to experiment and play with.
One small nitpick was the author's use, again and again, of the Threefold Law. I thought that idea had been debunked as part of a work of fiction ad nauseum, so it frustrates me when people assert that it's nonfiction. Perhaps if this had been The Modern WICCAN'S Guide to Magickal Herbs, it wouldn't have bugged me as much. Witches aren't all Wiccans, and most non-Wiccan witches I know don't hold to the threefold law.
If you're a beginner (or even intermediate) herbalist and wanted one thorough book, I would tell you to get this one. It definitely lives up to the beautiful cover and title -- it updates some old standbys with a modern focus and is chock full of magick.
Please note that I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review....more
I've been reading fairly widely regarding ascension paradigms lately, including later books partially based on this one, but there was so much to be lI've been reading fairly widely regarding ascension paradigms lately, including later books partially based on this one, but there was so much to be learned in the original. It's my first Dion Fortune book, and I really should have started with her earlier. I've been thoroughly confused about Kabbalah up to this point, and this has sorted out many things for me. I'm still confused about it -- I think it would take a teacher to help me really get some of the concepts -- but her clarity is phenomenal and has brought me quite far....more
This quick, engaging read is definitely worth checking out if you're interested in bringing fae magick to your practice. I love that it brings three lThis quick, engaging read is definitely worth checking out if you're interested in bringing fae magick to your practice. I love that it brings three levels of information: historical, anecdotal, and guided meditations so that you can experience the Fairy Queens for yourself.
As far as first looks go, I personally wouldn't use this to dive into Fairy for the first time. That's probably just me, but given how cautionary the author is about not offending them, I want to get to know the other realm before marching into a Fae court like I own the place. And while the cautions start to feel repetitious, what I know about the fair folk says that it's warranted. However, this is definitely recommended for those who want to go deeper into the fairy lands.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review...more
We received a free copy of this book as part of (paid) enrollment in the author's Sacred Seven course. Although I started the course by reading the boWe received a free copy of this book as part of (paid) enrollment in the author's Sacred Seven course. Although I started the course by reading the book alongside the other materials we received, I found it so repetitive that I abandoned that as I worked through.
It's hard for me to say whether you should get this book or not because while it's the same stuff contained in her course, I really feel that there's more care and depth within the course itself. That might be out of your price range (I want to say it's at least $200), but I do think that if you're willing to commit to the work, you get a lot of support and resources that makes the book itself feel somewhat hollow.
This probably sounds like a plug for the class, but that's honestly not my intention. With anything, you get out what you put in. I think you could, theoretically, do all the work and reap all the benefits just from reading this book. And there's a lot to recommend it -- it's not only about learning to cast spells. It's also about healing all those ugly wounds that brought you to seek something more. But that really just uncovers what this book is -- a workbook.
Most of the work happens not while you're sitting and reading it, but what you do to enact the changes and spells in your life. If you want casual reading, that's not going to be this. If you want something to help you set yourself on the right track and you want to DO THINGS, then this is a good Witchcraft 101 starter kit....more
I love, love, LOVE L.S. Johnson's work, and this collection of stories speaks to my soul. So melancholy and poignant, so deep and moving. The subjectsI love, love, LOVE L.S. Johnson's work, and this collection of stories speaks to my soul. So melancholy and poignant, so deep and moving. The subjects are so difficult and so real, so hard to read yet I can't tear myself from the pages. I didn't want a single one to end, but I couldn't stop myself from devouring them like I was starving and they were sustenance. She's not for the faint-hearted -- she's for someone who need something with depth and beauty....more