Showing posts with label spellbook. Show all posts

Hex Your Ex - A Reivew


Today I'm reviewing Hex Your Ex: And 100+ Other Spells to Right Wrongs and Banish Bad Luck for Good.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - Book Cover



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Generally I like to start out with a disclaimer. I am an atheist witch.  I look for the connection between magic and science without the need for a deity. 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 13 years honing my craft.  I offer personal readings by request and have a strong online history that boasts nearly 400,000 views.


As usual I'll start with a review of the physical book.  First, I love the fact that this book is hard cover. Many of these types come out as a soft cover and I find that just makes it more difficult for travel. This is a small book so it is really easy to toss into a purse or backpack.  The cover of the book is a bit of a tease.  While you can find spells for hexing inside the book is also filled with numerous other spells.  This book also contains my favorite part of any decent reference book, a solid index. I think authors too often neglect to add this at a detriment to their audience.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - Hex Your Ex
 
The language of the book is very casual.  You won't find any ancient Hecatean chants or Orphic Hymns here. The first chapter goes into the "rules" if you will on using magic and witchcraft.  The author tells us about white magic, black magic and gray magic and guides the reader on focusing that intent.  The text has been "updated" if you will, to change "Coven" with "Magical Squad".  While witty and entertaining, I'm not sure that the traditional practitioner will see this as anything useful.  We have to remember though that these new changes in syntax or presentation are simply the way that magical rites and rituals are being adopted and expanded by those who are newly entering the craft.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - Hex Your Ex



I will call out specifically however, how much I really enjoyed the list on page 19 that is written as follows:

  • SHOW RESPECT - Treat the spirit helps as honored teachers and allies, not servants.
  • ASK FOR ASSISTANCE - guides, guardians and deities recognize your free will and might not intervene unless you invite them to.
  • DON'T TRY TO MICROMANAGE - If you seek aid from spirit beings, turn of the reigns and allow them to carry out your request as they see fit.

I think many old witches need to learn these lessons as well.

Chapter two takes us in to spells for every occasion. It breaks down the types of spells and defines them.  I think this is a great chapter for new and old witches alike.  There is some great info here that our people could really learn from.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - Hex Your Ex


I won't go through each and every chapter, but I can say my initial scoff at this book has to be taken back. The author would do better by selecting a different title, though tongue in cheek it comes off initially as a book not to be taken seriously. To me the title says, I'm making fun of magic, but the content is really quite helpful and in my opinion key to anyone who wants to learn the ins and outs of magic and witchcraft.

Overall, I think this is a great book (I can't believe I'm writing this) to have on your witchy or magical bookshelf.

PS - Don't hex your ex.  :)

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - Hex Your Ex
Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - Hex Your Ex

The Practical Witch's Spell book for Love, Happiness and Success

Today I'm reviewing The Practical Witch's Spell book for Love, Happiness and Success by Cerridwen Greenleaf.

Cover

Author Links - Middle Earth Magic
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Generally I like to start out with a disclaimer. I am an atheist witch.  I look for the connection between magic and science without the need for a deity. 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 13 years honing my craft.  I offer personal readings by request and have a strong online history that boasts nearly 400,000 views.


As normal I'm going to start out with a review of the physical book.  I'm one of those people who enjoy picking up a book and flipping through the pages. E-books such as books in PDF or Kindle books just don't give me the same enjoyment as I get from holding a printed/bound book in my hands.  This book is solid. It is a hard cover with vibrant printing on the outside that entices the reader to open the cover.  The interior features a lot of illustrative art and is whimsical in nature. It also boasts of two full index pages, front and back allowing the reader to keep this book in hand for reference.

The author also added an appendix in this book which is critical for reference, in my opinion. This includes several tables on correspondences, full moon names and even a section on the Pythangorean system of numbering.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - The Practical Witch's Spell Book
Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - The Practical Witch's Spell Book


Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - The Practical Witch's Spell Book


This book is chock full of information that I believe every witch will benefit from. If you are an experienced witch and would like a fresh look at some of our old favorites or if you're a new comer to the craft, this book is for you.  It is written very simply in plain English for the novice to understand.

I loved the way the author presented the magical tips in Chapter 6 - House Magic for a Happy Home. There are several spells here for house cleansing as well as house warming. Often I sent rosemary and lavender as house warming gifts to friends and family. I am happy to see these simple spells and chants used in this book. There's even a spell to remove a haunting!  By far my favorite is the Bucks of Joy Floor Wash which includes the following spell:

Only joy is welcome here, no fear and doubt.
Spirits ill and energy dark, I cast you out!
sadness, anger, illness and doubt, I cast you out!
Welcome contentment and glee; this home is now happy and free.
Blessing to all who enter here.
Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - The Practical Witch's Spell Book

Another sections I enjoyed was Chapter 9 - Pagan Parties and Sacred Sabbats. Those of you who follow me regularly will not be surprised by that choice.

Autumn is my favorite time of year and by far one of my favorite chapters in this book is called Lammas Day Feast, Harvesting Your Happiness. The author gives us a look at what Lammas is from a symbolic point of view and then adds some practical witchy tips including this wonderful chant.

O, ancient Lugh of the fields and farms,
We invite you here with open arms.
In this place between worlds, in flowering fields of hay,
You have brought the blessings we receive this Lammas Day.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - The Practical Witch's Spell Book




The author takes us on a journey from a five minute blade blessing to celebrating pagan sabbats. There are rituals and spells as well as a great index with correspondences and tables to make your magical life easier.  I think over all this is a great book for your magical library.


So now for the giveaway!   This giveaway will run for a week.  You are welcome to tweet each day to get extra points for the giveaway.  I'll make the drawing at the end of the week and contact the winner via email.  The winner will have 24 hours to reply to my email. If they do not reply with in the specified time, I will chose another winner.

If you cannot enter in the Rafflecopter link below you can also enter on my Facebook Page.

1 copy of The Practical Witch's Spell Book
1 Practical Magic Mini Book with Crystals
1 Set of blank note cards
1 Set of blank note books

Here are some pics of the items you could win!

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - The Practical Witch's Spell Book
Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - The Practical Witch's Spell Book


Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - The Practical Witch's Spell Book
Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - The Practical Witch's Spell Book

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - The Practical Witch's Spell Book
Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Photo Source - The Practical Witch's Spell Book

Please note, due to rising postal fees, I cannot ship internationally. This is open to continental USA only.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Free shipping to lower 48 only, US Only, Void where prohibited. Facebook, Rafflecopter, Twitter and Blogger are in no way affiliated with this offer.

Please note this are advanced copies of these books in some cases provided by the media publishing company for reviews.