Today I'm reviewing 10 Minute Magic Spells - Simple Spells & Self-Care Practices to Harness Your Inner Power by Skye Alexander.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson

Author Links - Link
Amazon Book Link
Amazon Author Link
Good Reads Book Link
Good Reads Author Link
My Good Reads Profile
My Facebook Page

Release Date: May 9, 2019
ISBN: 9781592338818


Generally I like to start out with a disclaimer. I am an contemporary witch.  I look for the connection between magic and science without the need to search for a creator. I receive no compensation for these reviews and all my links are standard Amazon links and not affiliate links. I am a practicing photo reader and have spent the last 16 years honing my craft.  I offer personal readings by request and have a strong online history that boasts nearly 400,000 views.

Starting with a review of the physical book, I will say this is a well bound book. I received a hard copy to review without a dust jacket.  The images are more like clip art in the book vs. illustrations and have a lean towards the color gold.  I like the simplicity and the directness of the images and appreciate the color scheme.  It includes a short but directed index as well as a list of resources at the end which in my opinion are key to any decent reference book.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson Image Src - 10 Minute Magic Spells

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson Image Src - 10 Minute Magic Spells

This book is broken up into sections on not only the tools of the trade but also on specific spells for love, luck and happiness as well as health and well-being.  One of my favorite topics being health and well-being.  The first few chapters, on the surface appear to be quite elementary but I can say that once getting into them, I found them to be be quite deliberate and full of amazing information.  It is rare today to find a book that will try to not only share a spell or two but also provide a look inside the mind of the mystic and show just how magic is created.  Then the cursed references to "dark magic" begin.  Ah well, it can't be all the things, now can it?

I really enjoyed the sections on Mind Over Matter and found the tables provided within quite useful. Even the part on magical ethics was written well and provided a very basic understanding of the ole what goes around comes around take on life.   Part one of the book continues with information on casting circles, working with deities and the like.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson Image Src - 10 Minute Magic Spells

Section two gets into the main part of the book, the magic spells! From using Tarot cards for love to or a talisman for success, this book offers the reader a nice list of spells to choose from.  Personally I like to add my own bit to making magic, but there is nothing wrong with using the words of another witch to get the job done. One way or another, your intention is what finishes that spell work.

Overall a really great book for a beginner and I feel the seasoned witch may like to have this on hand to pass down when the time comes. 

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson Image Src - 10 Minute Magic Spells

Today I'm reviewing Crystals - A Guide to Using the Crystal Compass for Energy, Healing, and Reclaiming Your Power by Aisha Amarfio.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson Photo Source - Cover

Author Links - Link
Amazon Book Link
Amazon Author Link
Good Reads Book Link
Good Reads Author Link
My Good Reads Profile
My Facebook Page

Release date - February 19 2019

Generally I like to start out with a disclaimer. I am an contemporary witch.  I look for the connection between magic and science without the need to search for a creator. I receive no compensation for these reviews and all my links are standard Amazon links and not affiliate links. I am a practicing photo reader and have spent the last 16 years honing my craft.  I offer personal readings by request and have a strong online history that boasts nearly 400,000 views.

As I sit here this morning with my coffee, overly sweetened with vanilla, I hear the bugs singing as the sun slowly rises over the dunes of my new home. The wheel turns and moves us on around the sun. I think about where I am now and where I may be going in the future. 

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson

My paths lay before me, waiting for me to choose my direction.  Scrolling through the social media feeds, I see so many just trying to stay alive. Thoughts and prayers, energies sent around the globe holding together this tumultuous place in which we attempt to thrive. What are we doing with our energies? What have we become?

Have you noticed that when you hear something over and over your brain begins to block it out?  The frog in boiling water tale quickly comes to mind. We're sitting here with our feet to the proverbial flames and still we stand closer. We forget that we need to refill these energy reservoirs before heading out to our next "thoughts and prayers" event.

Historically the witch required something that belonged to the target in order to cast a solid spell. Hair and nail clippings and sometimes even personal possessions were collected and used as anchors for magical spell work.  Today magic seems to be sent across the electronic divide with a simple "High Five" emoji and the word "sending".   Apparently "sending" is the new "abracadabra" or "so mote it be".  The world of e-Magic has begun.






Now I'm the first to balk at someone who says you must have a red candle for this magic or a blue for that. I do not for a second believe the energies created from the candle are dependent on the color. Hell, currently you can barely find a candle that is colored completely to the center so is part of my magic blue and part white?  No, of course not.  My intend is there no matter the color of my candle. The color is merely a reminder of my intent. It helps me keep my focus on my "blue" magic vs. "green".

Sometimes we forget that while it is easy to send our eMagic out into the world, it is still grounded in our being. It is still part of us and requires us to take physical measures cut the cord from that connection. So be mindful of that magic you're sending out. If you are a person who is non-magical, I urge you to begin a relationship with a magical person who can connect you to the spirit world outside that of the Yard Sale Witch who is selling you magic for a buck fifty.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson

Your witch is your adviser. They are your confidant. While sending energies on a status message can be beneficial it can hardly replace the one on one interactions available from working with a magical professional.  I'm also calling on you witches out there, your words are power. Your spells are important. Own them. Don't allow them to be stuffed in the discount bin at the yard sale. You provide a service to the community around you. Don't allow your power to be stuffed into a tiny box.

You can practice e-Magic as long as you remember you are THE MAGIC.


Growing,
Sosanna

So I sit here today looking at the world from an entirely difference perspective. My mind thinks about all the plans I had in place at this point and realizes that things don't always go as planned. I think about what is around me here.  Here in this physical place.  Here in on this land.  Where my feet touch the dirt. I found this house while driving here on a house hunting trip some 11 years ago. Spotted a sign next to a road and literally only walk around the outside of the fence before deciding to buy it.  That was before the dogs or the deities.

The house ended up being part of a town that through research I found out was founded by my ancestors. The riverbanks there at Seven Springs held in my family for some time.  I learned that just 1/2 mile down the road, a cousin who was raised with me like a brother lost his life.  The house sits at a cross roads. We bought the house though the lot was small via email and phone from California without ever stepping inside. From the first day we were visited by spirits.  Though the years the house has changed. We have changed. Our focus, our drive and even our own personae has changed. Changed for the better.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson

I had thought I would be saying farewell to these walls and this land. You see, everything isn't sunshine and roses here. We have a rough political system. We could use more opportunity. I see roads with dead ends that have pretty awful memories for me. Reminders of a less than perfect childhood filled with anger and mostly pain. I was looking forward to moving away from those daily reminders of things I would prefer to forget. It turns out that sometimes you have no choice but to face demons head on.

You have to stand up and claim your post. Your land. You have to walk in and say, this is my space. No one else has power here. This is my energy and my life. You have the power to allow others in or out. You are control. You are the magic and you are the power.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson

I always joked to others that one day, a long time from now, kids would talk about that old crazy witch down by the river.  They would tell stories of sneaking through my yard or seeing me out in the illuminated in the light of the full moon burying something, probably a jar! I'll be a river witch, sitting on the banks collecting mosses and frogs.   Even thinking of myself as a river witch makes me a little uncomfortable. Though a Pisces through and through, water in my face is not something I fancy. I believe my fellow witches out there can attest to how a dunkin witch is a witch having a very bad day.  (reference)

So what is all this about? What is this crazy old river witch talking about?  Only time will tell, deary. Only time will tell.


Till next time.... 

We have heard the old saying, "A Witch that cannot hex cannot heal."  I am a firm believer in that. Healing to me is a form of proactive protection.  We need to be able to set up wards and mirror negative energies back out to those attacking us.  This week I'm going to reference The Big Book of Practical Spells - Everyday Magic that Works by Judika Illes. I highly recommend picking up her book and supporting all of our witchy authors!

Judika has a section of this book dedicated to protection spells. From creating a magical garden of protection with dill, clover, gardenia, juniper and rose to bodyguard dream pillows you can find a good spell in this book to cover just about any situation.

The Scandinavian House Protection Amulet is one of my favorites.  Judika instructs the reader to form a cross with birch twigs, bind them with red thread and add crystals or roots to intensify the protection aspects.  Something simple and easy. - page 157

There are times however when you need to pull a bit deeper into your mojo to get those shields up.  If you have an attack from another witch or when that protection need to be from those in your own family. Along with mirroring spells and protection salts I often will use acorn magic to help keep those who should be close at a distance.  I'll share with you this week my basic protection from family spell.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson

Supplies
4 tea lights for the 4 directions
1 main pillar/taper candle (white) I keep this in the center of the 4 tea lights)
1 taper candle (red)
1 small jar or vessel that can be buried in the yard
Acorns with the top intact (you'll need one for each person who is attacking you)
Marker
1 raw chicken egg
1 bundle of sage
1 incense stick (Myrrh, Angelica, Cedar, Dragon's Blood, Clove, Juniper, Lotus, Sandlewood)

Instructions
Use the sage to cleans the area you plan to work in.
Light the four candles from top, clockwise and recognize the directions/elements and welcome them.
If you call the quarters or request the presence of deities this is a good time to get that mojo working.
Light the center candle and focus your mind on that flame.  Welcome the magic into your body.

Take the marker and put the initials on the acorn of the person from whom you need protection. Repeat for each person on separate acorns.

Light the incense stick from the center candle and use the flame to light the red taper. Focus your energy on bringing the power of the elements, the magic of the directions and the strength of the deity/magic you called in the opening circle into this red candle.  This candle is now charged.  It is your power source.

Carefully hold the candle in one hand and then drop a single drop of red wax over the initials on each of the acorns. See yourself silencing the harm that is coming from each acorn.  Watch the wax encase the negativity being sent to you.  Focus your mind on stopping the hatred coming from its source.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson

As each wax dot dries drop the acorn into the vessel you have chosen to rid yourself of this energy.

Take the egg and place it inside the vessel with the acorns and close it tight.

Close your circle as you normally would. - For me I simply reverse the process, extinguishing each candle in a counter clockwise manner and thank the elements for their presence.

The sealed jar should be taken outside and buried in a safe place and left alone.  If you can't bury the jar immediately, place it in the freezer until you can.


And that's it.  That's the best way to take care of yourself from family who is trying to harm you. I use acorns as they represent family ties and connections. The wax acts as a binding element to stop the harm from coming in and sealing it in the ground buries that connection.

Again I always believe that the best spells come from within so be willing to look up ingredients and find the right candle colors or herbs that will fit your specific situation the best.

Hope this is helpful to someone out there.  I had the feeling someone is getting some harm from their family.  Hang in there.  Protect yourself.