Category: Witchcraft & Astrology

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My Favorite Witches (90’s edition)

Happy October!

I have been watching and reading lots of witchy things this season, and it has me feeling so nostalgic! I loved the new Hocus Pocus (which was done so well! The Sanderson Sisters haven’t aged a day!!) and have been watching Sabrina and Practical Magic on repeat all month. So I thought it would be fun to to honor some of my favorite witches for spooky season!

The Owens Sisters

Two is a magickal number: 2 is the very essence of duality, and Gillian and Sally Owens are the perfect duo – where Gilly is rebellious, Sally is prudent. Where Gillian is spontaneous, Sally is predictable. They are polar opposites, but together they complete each other.

Sabrina The Teenage Witch

Sabrina is the type of which many of us strive to be — navigating through the world, taking care of the people we love, and always using our powers for good. Yes, sometimes her magic causes more hijinx than heroism, but she can usually fix her mistakes and learn from them, and her heart is always in the right place.

The Sanderson Sisters

27 years later and the beloved movie Hocus Pocus is still watched every Halloween season, and the new sequel only solidifies this classic in witch lore. The Sanderson Sisters represent the quintessential trine, and are the youth-stealing monsters of myth that everyone loves to hate.

The Craft Coven

Nancy is who I think of when I think of the ultimate dark witch. She dabbles in shadow Magic, loves a good hex, and even taps into astral maniulation. But if Nancy is a dark witch, then Sarah is her opposite: a light witch.

Sarah Bailey is a witch who understands that right choices are not always easy to make. She could easily could’ve followed her coven into reckless and harmful magic, but instead she fights against them, even when they try to use her mental health struggles against her.

The Wicked Witch of the West

I can’t make a list of witches and not include her! She isn’t a 90’s witch, but she is a classic!

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Lighting The Wick

This is a really interesting book that glimpses into the ancient art and modern magic of candles. Packed full of wisdom and spells, this book is essential for witches of all paths.

Candle spells are one of the simplest form of magic. Fire helps to align yourself with the elements, focus your intentions and release your energy into the world.

This book offers a wonderful introduction to candle magic, and teaches readers how to harness the power of the flame. It covers everything from the history of candles to spells of all kinds: spells for love, money, career, health, and luck are just some of the things you will learn from this guide.

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Authors Sandra Mariah Wright and Leanne Marrama are professional psychics based in Salem, MA. You can follow them at @thepsychictea and @leannemarrama on Instagram.

Thank you to Tarcher Perigree for sending me an Advance Reading Copy of this title. All opinions are my own. #atpinfluencers

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The OK Tarot

Tarot distracts your logical mind with a story. While your logical mind is distracted, your subconscious mind and intuition are engaged. Let your mind drift and allow the cards to speak to you.

If you chose:

Aᴄᴇ ᴏꜰ Sᴡᴏʀᴅs: 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑦， 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡， 𝑆𝑒𝑙𝑓－𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒
A hand bearing a sword. You are a leader, and are at the beginning of a victory. But beware of your own power: for a sword is double-edged, and can cut both ways.

Aᴄᴇ ᴏꜰ Pᴇɴᴛᴀᴄʟᴇs: 𝐺𝑜𝑎𝑙𝑠 𝑀𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑑， 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑦， 𝐺𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝐿𝑢𝑐𝑘
A hand is filled with a coin. You have or will soon gain prosperity, financially or in business. Beware of letting your good fortune make you greedy.

Qᴜᴇᴇɴ ᴏꜰ Cᴜᴘs: 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛， 𝐸𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑦， 𝐿𝑜𝑣𝑒
A crowned cup spilleth over. You have many talents and are admired by many. Let your cup overflow and use it to fill the cups of others.

This is my first time using the OK Tarot so I wanted to do an intuition test to break in the cards and give them a chance to speak to me. IMO all of these cards were probably cards I was meant to pull — tarot has a way of telling me what I need to hear, exactly when I need to hear it. I can also look at this spread as a personal past/present/future reading, or I can focus on the one card that called to me first. All methods are good methods of reading tarot: I like to use it as a tool for recentering, and I take the advice of the cards with the knowledge that the universe is on my side, in big and small ways.

Q: ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴄᴀʀᴅ ᴅɪᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ɢᴇᴛ?

If this is your first tarot reading, let me know what you think! And if you liked this reading lmk and if I should do more of them!

Thank you to @tarcherperigee for sending me the OK Tarot deck by @adamjk@oktarot#atpinfluencers

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The Complete Language of Herbs by S. Theresa Dietz

The Complete Language of Herbs: A Definitive & Illustrated History by S. Theresa Dietz is an essential compendium for any herbalist.

Plants and herbs have been used throughout history to heal the body—but understanding how to use the medicinal properties of plants in teas, tinctures, and food has become somewhat of a lost art. This book takes us back to our roots, helping us to decode and decipher the lost language of herbs.

The book is presented like a dictionary, organized alphabetically by the scientific name of each herb. Names and varieties are listed, along with symbolic meanings, possible powers, folklore, and facts, making this a unique and new approach to herbal understanding. Illustrations accompany each entry, making it easy for readers to identify and visualize specific herbs. Every common herb is covered, from Sage to Sasparilla.

“All herbs in this book mean something, and they just might have the power to actually manifest a magical effect if the enablement is, at the very least, a heartfelt wish.” Whether you use herbs for cooking, medicine, aromatherapy, or floral arrangements, we should all be using herbs as magical proxies to enhance our power and better our lives.

A huge thank you to Lydia at Quarto Publishing for sending me another amazing Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) of this title. All opinions are my own.

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The Magick of Birthdays by Hannah Hawthorn

This book does a great job of introducing readers to the different meanings of the houses and signs, and showing us how we can use that knowledge to better our lives.

There are 12 signs of the zodiac, and every persons birth chart is a circle divided into 12 sections (houses). Each house is ruled by a different sign, and these differences are what make your personality unique. For example, I am a Cancer Sun, Taurus Moon, Sagittarius Rising.

The three most important signs in your chart are your Sun, Moon, and Rising. Your rising sign rules your first house, and it describes the way you present yourself to the world. Your sun sign, the zodiac sign you typically look for when reading your horoscope, describes your inner ego, and your moon sign rules your feelings. From these components, an astrologer can develop a thumbnail sketch of your personality, and by knowing this hopefully you can improve your life.

I was expecting this to be more like The Secret Language of Birthdays, but found it to be more of an astrology spellbook, which actually turned out to be much more interesting than I anticipated. There is so much information packed into this handy workbook, and I can see myself returning to it for reference for a long time.

You can follow author Hannah Hawthorn, creator of @simplywitched, on Instagram and TikTok for daily magickal content!

Thank you to Tarcher Perigree for sending me an Advance Reading Copy of this title. All opinions are my own.

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Cosmic Botany by Tanya Lichtenstein

Cosmic Botany by Tanya Lichtenstein is a wonderful guide that pairs plants and crystals together to maximize their spiritual potential and bring inner peace to your home.

“A house is not a home without plants … or crystals.”

The therapeutic effects of plants and gardening have been widely documented – benefits include boosting our mood, sharpening our focus, and lowering our stress levels. Cultivating indoor plants can boost positive vibes and increase the flow of energy into space. They purify air, amplify the sense of well-being and rid you of stress, in the same way that healing crystals do.

Combining crystals with plants should be an obvious pairing, but I literally needed this book to tell me to do it. I love plants and crystals and have a wealth of both in my home so it was super easy to find some good combos. I was able to pair Amazonite with my String-of-Pearls, Pyrite with my Pothos, and Quartz with my Monstera, just for starters! There are some obscure crystals I will have to hunt down for some specific pairings I want to try (looking at you, Your Order Has Been Shipped)! The pairings are given the cutest names, hinting at the spiritual benefits reaped from each crystal+plant combo.

Homebody: Echeveria succulents + rainbow fluorite

For example, my Amazonite String-of-Pearls combo is dubbed ‘Worry Detox’: the carefree waterfall of pearls cleanses and aligns with the detoxifying nature of amazonite to help you wash your worries away. This

Pothos and Pyrite create ‘Abundance Hero’: the humble and dependable pothos meets with the charged bounty of pyrite’s energy to create an energetic and abundant vibrational center.

There are so many great pairings I want to try, and I am so happy for this introduction to Cosmic Botany! Thank you to Tarcher Perigree for sending me an Advance Reading Copy of this title. All opinions are my own.

Cosmic Botany by Tanya Lichtenstein

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The Modern Art of Brujeria by Lou Florez

This was a really interesting book that glimpses into Mexican cultural lore and traditional folk magic. Packed full of recipes and prayers, this book is essential for witches of all paths.

Meaning “witchcraft” in Spanish, brujería describes or disparages occult religious practices in some Latin American and Afro-Caribbean cultures with indigenous roots.

I chose this book to learn more about Brujeria magic because it is informed by Catholic beliefs, Aztec traditions, and Mexican healing arts. The main focus of the spellwork in this book are baths, candles, cleansings, and agua floridas. It offers a cultural understanding of spellcraft and other traditions of the Global South.

And while it does teach readers about spiritual cleansing through cleaning, candle casting and honoring the saints, it is more than just a reference or lesson book. Dedicated to Mexican-Americans, this book is for those who feel they are both and neither, who are caught in-between. It explores ancestors and descendants, and seeks to reclaim the magical and religious traditions of Mexico. Filled with cultural advice, this book hopes to bring confidence back to the generation of Mexican-Americans who have been assimilated and colonized, and lets readers know that they are not alone.

If you feel a pull back to the magic of your ancestors, this book is written for you.

Thank you so much to Ulysses Press for reaching out to send me an Advance Reading Copy of this title. All opinions are my own.

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Dirtbag Astrology by Alberto Toribio

I always have a great time reading about astrology. I like learning about the associations with each sign, and how it can theoretically guide our personalities impact our day-to-day lives.

Astrology is the study of the influence of the planets and stars on our lives. You probably know your sun sign if you like to read your daily horoscope, but full natal charts can be much more in-depth.

This book is a good beginner’s guide to astrology. It covers mainly sun signs and moon signs, offering a very basic understanding of the foundations of astrology, with simple modern humor. Experts and beginners alike can learn something from this fun little book!

Though this is not a comprehensive guide to every sign, house, and planetary placement, it does introduce us to eclipses and Mercury Retrograde, and discusses tips and tricks for approaching each celestial event.

Thank you to Union Square & Co. for sending me an Advance Reading Copy of this title. All opinions are my own.

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The Physick Garden by Alice Smith

The Physick Garden by Alice Smith is the ultimate guide for anyone interested in herbal remedies and healing.

“The backstories of the humblest of herbs can often provide cause to pause…”

Alice Smith, The Physick Garden

Since the dawn of time, people have used plants as remedies, seeking to brew and bottle both the positive and deadly effects of Mother Nature. But, “it is only in recent decades that modern research has confirmed the efficacy of many of these herbal treatments”. These herbal treatments have become enshrined in folklore, in old wives’ tales, and in the curious names—The Physick Garden tells their stories.

From the brain to the bowels, The Physick Garden introduces readers to 80 plants with curious medicinal pasts that found their way into modern medicine cabinets. Striking illustrations and lively tales bring these plants to life on the page. Gardeners, witches, and healers will love this reference book.

Unlike other herbal compendiums, this volume focuses on the history of the plants, rather than their practical usage. WARNING: Always consult your doctor before taking herbal medicines.

Thank you to Quarto Publishing for sending me a free Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) of this title. All opinions are my own.

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Fortunate: Tarot Poetry by Kim Rashidi

I began my journey with Fortunate by using the book blindly for a few days. Each morning I would open to a random page, and read it as if pulling a tarot card for my days fortune. I found the daily readings to be inspiring, motivating, and a fun–it was like starting the day with a fortune cookie!

I like that this book of poetry pairs so well with any tarot deck–you could even use them in place of pulling cards! Flipping through the pages of this book mimics the act of shuffling a deck of cards, making the experience of reading this book just as magical as if you were pulling for a spread.

It was readings like this that kept me coming back for more —

venture off and take the route

that seems fitting

and if this sounds too hard, remember

that value requires committing.

from Knight of Wands

Each poem speaks to the reader, imparting wisdoms and truths that are meant to motivate, inspire, and to help see your life through a different lens. Tarot cards are meant to bring understanding and insight to your life, and this collection of poems does just that, delving deeper into the age-old messages of the cards and broadening our interpretation of those messages. In this way, the cards are modernized, kept relevant, and creates a conversation between traditional and modern analysis’ of the cards.

acknowledge your brilliance

on the smallest of scales,

be patient with you and

let new dreams set sail.

from Seven of Pentacles

Finding routine in any daily practice (such as meditation, journaling, or even tarot) can help you get in the habit of accessing your intuition, which in turn can guide your decision-making and align your actions.

This is an amazing supplement to any Tarot reader’s collection, and it is a great tool for helping readers to become better understand the meaning of the symbols in tarot. If we can better understand the messages in the cards, we can gain insight into our own lives. Some of the interpretations do not line up with the traditional RWS Tarot meanings, but that’s the great thing about readings–they can be interpreted many different ways and it is always interesting to think about the meanings in a new way.

Tarot cards have been used throughout the ages for gaming and fortune-telling, but their symbolism suggests a deeper purpose–to gain insight into the human mind, and enhance our own personal development. Some people read fortunes to gain insight into the future, but I believe tarot provides much more insight into the reader themselves. The cards provide us with excellent advice at any juncture and, if taken to heart, can help us to understand ourselves better and plan how to live better in the future.

“Tarot cards … can serve as an advisor and help in widening the users’ vision. Tarot cards are deemed as a map of life, or a signpost, to tell you how to lead a good and correct life.”   

–Royal Thai Tarot, Sungkom Horharin

Thank you to Andrews McMeel Universal for sending me a free Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) of this title. All opinions are my own.

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Earth Magick by Lindsay Squire

I love books about the occult and witchcraft, so I was excited to add Earth Magick to my collection of magical books. The cover is stunning and I love the art style-–it just makes me want to read it and display it. And it is as beautiful inside as it is out: the book is filled with gorgeous illustrations, diagrams, and charts that inspire and inform your practice. 

This book covers ritual basics, the elements, the seasons, healing crystals, divination techniques, shadow work, energy balancing and more. Each section is packed full of easy to understand text and is paired with beautiful visualizations, breaking down the information and making it all super easy to understand and put into practice. 

Continue reading “Earth Magick by Lindsay Squire”
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How Witchcraft and Comics Inspired The Chilling Tales of Sabrina

I loved Sabrina The Teenage Witch and watched it for years! But I also love the new interpretation of the show, even though it is so completely different from the light-hearted original I once loved. The old show was very much a sitcom while the modern version is more of a drama, which is great for the spooky October vibes. But what I appreciate most about this remake is the attention to detail in regard to witchcraft. This show not only makes the occult approachable but does it in an educational-yet-fun way. There are a ton of important topics Sabrina touches on—including gender issues, religion, and identity—but here I am going to talk about witchcraft.

Image result for sabrina comics vs graphic novelsChilling Adventures of Sabrina - WikipediaThere are actually two separate Sabrina comics that have inspired two very different shows: the 90’s sitcom Sabrina the Teenage Witch was based on the Archie comics from the 1960’s, while the newer Netflix show is based on the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina graphic novels, which were first published in 2014 under the Archie Horror imprint. Continue reading “How Witchcraft and Comics Inspired The Chilling Tales of Sabrina”

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