Deborah Blake’s Modern Witchcraft is a guidebook to witchcraft as a female-empowering religion, including detailed instructions on how to practice self-care in today’s society through goddess worship and magic. In a time when most formal religions are on the wane, Wicca is said to be the fastest growing religion in North America. What is it that draws people to Witchcraft, and how does a … Witchcraft, and how does a spiritual path with its roots in ancient beliefs and traditions transform itself into a practice that resonates so deeply with today’s modern woman?
There are a number of explanations for the phenomenon, such as Witchcraft’s connection to the natural world, or acceptance of members regardless of lifestyle choices. For women, however, the greatest appeal may be the worship of a goddess (or goddesses). No stern patriarchal God here. Instead, Wicca and most other forms of modern Witchcraft embrace deity in both the feminine and the masculine. Suddenly, women can look at the divine and see themselves reflected back. In addition, many women are frustrated, frightened, triggered, and down-right furious with the current social and political environment, but feel powerless to create positive change. Witchcraft can give them a sense of personal empowerment.
There are many different Witchcraft paths and a multitude of approaches to its practice. This book will guide the reader on the journey to connecting with the feminine divine both without and within, and open the door to this magical religion that will enlighten, uplift, and energize their lives.
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Good introduction to the Witchy way of life – easy to read, appropriately high-level with pointers to more in-depth sources, good writing style. I enjoyed it!
Modern Witchcraft earns 5+/5 Goddess Blessings…Engaging, Informative, Entertaining!
“Belief is not restrained by culture or DNA.”
One’s spirituality can often provide an opportunity for a unique personal journey: a search for knowledge, community, connection, and a sense of inner peace. This search has brought me to explore the practical and spiritual elements of witchcraft through Deborah Blake’s book on Modern Witchcraft—Goddess Empowerment for the Kick-Ass Woman. My personal journey began with a fascinating introduction Why Witchcraft? And Why Now?, then a closer understanding of (1) Which Witch is Which? The book continues with (2) The Feminine Divine, a more specific and practical exploration into the goddess who may speak to your needs and how to call them into your life. The next chapters explore connections, the author’s experience and insights, and more specific and practical participation: Tuning into Nature; (3) Following the Flow; (4) Walking Your Talk; (5) Solitary Witch, Group Witch, or Family Witch; (6) Survive and Thrive in the Midst of Changing Times; and (7) Meditations, Affirmations, and Spells. This “Modern Witchcraft” book is not a one and done book; it is a companion. It is best as a guide needing to be read, explored, read, applied, and read again. It is fascinating and Deborah Blake’s writing style is entertaining as well as educational and engaging. It offers the beginning of a spiritual path for the novice, like me, or a continued journey for the life-long practitioner. It is a book that offers more than knowledge for me, and I refer to it daily.
I am so thankful that I was able to review this title from NetGalley. As a practicing witch for almost 20 years, I’ve seen a lot of bad books come out pretending to educate others. This book is the real thing, it’s obvious from page one that Ms. Blake has a wealth of knowledge on the topic of Wicca, Witchcraft, and Paganism. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading along and love the fact that she doesn’t talk down to the reader, rather she educates. It’s obvious that she has been practicing for years and loves her Craft.
There’s a huge amount of knowledge packed into this book, everything from Calling the Quarters, to casting a circle, to items that can be used during casting a spell. I particularly liked how she involved goddesses from different backgrounds, not just the usual Greek, Roman, Egyptian pantheons.
This book is well researched, expertly written, and has a vast amount of information to impart. This book can be read by both the novice and someone who’s been practicing for decades.
I can’t wait to be able to get a physical copy to add to my collection. I believe it will be well read and used often in my practice.
**I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.
This book was an excellent book for anyone interested in Goddess worship and empowerment. Blake does a wonderful job at teaching beginners how to embrace, interact, and connect with the Goddesses. This book discusses how to meet and greet the Goddesses, tune into nature, how to apply Goddess worship to daily life, types of witches (i.e. solitary, group, family), adapting to the current political and cultural climate, using meditations, affirmations and spells, and some appendices of useful supplies and books for further education.
While I have been studying witchcraft for a few years now I still consider myself a beginner because I am a solitary and I am not great at making time for my craft. I am constantly learning new things that change my perspectives and my path as well. This book was easy to read and apply to daily life, which I have found isn’t always the case for witchcraft books. I also love how Blake frequently reminds you to do what works for you and your situation. It is so easy to get caught up in all the stuff you don’t have and feel like you can’t do a ritual because of it, especially if you have allergies or restrictions for certain items, like I do. I cannot have candles or incense because my husband has a fragrance allergy so I have to find new ways to work around them (i.e. fake tea candles). So being reminded that all you really need to commune with the Gods is your mind, heart, and intent was very impactful for me.
Overall, this was a wonderful book for beginners or just for anyone looking for more information on connecting with the Goddesses. I will be buying a copy of this when it comes out.
*ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.*