Book Review | Enchantments: A Modern Witch's Guide to Self-Possession by Mya Spalter

Enchantments: A Modern Witch's Guide to Self-Possession by Mya Spalter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Netgalley provided me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Enchantments is a really refreshing take on witchcraft. Mya Spalter uses approachable, modern language and symbolism to explain things. It makes it so much easier to absorb the information and relate it to my own life, rather than trying to parse meaning from the many Neopagan/witchy books that rely on old-fashioned language and iconography in an attempt to sound more "spiritual" or "occulty," but just end up coming across as outdated and inaccessible. I also appreciate that she shies away from outdated ways of viewing the world (read: gender binaries, sexist & ableist forms, etc.), while still acknowledging that other books may still rely on those ways of thinking. Overall I found that Spalter's writing style made the book extremely readable and easy to absorb, and it made me much more interested in trying out some of the magickal techniques.

The approach to spellcraft is refreshing. She gives you ideas for how things might be done, how to choose substitute ingredients, etc., all in a very low key manner. She never says "you must do it this way or it won't work." I was also pleasantly surprised that this book taught me about new techniques for spells, like uncrossing work - this is basically one way of removing blockages from your path - as well as new ways of looking at/using techniques I'm already familiar with.

In one chapter, she explores how different items on your altar can have meaning, and how to find that meaning for yourself. I really appreciate that she keeps reminding you "Don't burn the house down!" when talking about burning candles and such.

I really liked her chapter on candle magick, and all the tricks you can use to get your magkical juju flowing when using candles, like using sigils and incense smoke, and different ways you can dress candles to fit your purposes (including with glitter! Be still my witchy heart). I actually ended up using some of these techniques to dress and burn a candle for a spell and it worked really well. Her suggestions for charging the candle by playing music that fits your intention also really jived with me.

I found the chapter on divination very interesting and it renewed my interest in trying out palmistry, and was a good reminder that tarot is a skill that needs practice because there are so many dang cards. But the chapter on astrology reminded me why I just don't believe in astrology and never will.

Overall, this is a must read for modern witches!

View all my reviews

Review: A Dream of Stone & Shadow by Marjorie M. Liu

I've read a bunch of books this year, and I'm finally getting around to writing reviews for the "witchy" ones I've been reading.

Here's my first review for the 2015 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge!  This book involves an evil witch who eats gargoyles.

FYI: Minor spoilers ahead.  Also, this book (and consequently and my review) are NSFW!


A Dream of Stone & Shadow by Marjorie M. Liu
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book started off with a very interesting premise, but it fails spectacularly in execution.

In the story, there are 3 separate lives intertwined:

- Charlie, a gargoyle, who with his 3 brothers is held captive by an evil gargoyle-eating witch.  (Apparently gargoyles in this universe have massively-good regenerative powers.)  Every time he "dies" he can travel about as a ghost until his body regenerates.

- Emma, a young girl held captive by a pair of twisted-as-fuck humans for the purposes of child pornography (thankfully, not described in much detail).  Charlie visits her regularly in ghost form to protect her as best he can.

- Aggie, a psychic woman working for a supernatural-esque detective agency (Dirk & Steel), who can interact with Charlie better than most because of her clairvoyance.

So Charlie and Aggie work together to free the young girl. That part was okay to read. The concepts about what gargoyles are, how Aggie uses her psychic powers to fight crime, etc. were also just creative enough to be interesting.

The witch was also pretty creepy.  I mean, through sheer magick she's holding four powerful gargoyles prisoner just so she can slice and dice them over and over, so she and her witch friends can eat them.  She turned Charlie's 3 brothers to stone because they wouldn't let her carve them up. Ew.

What was awful was the truly juvenile understanding of things like love and sex, and trust. First, these two fall in love at first sight, and it's implied that they're soulmates - even though he's in ghost form and won't show her his true form, they have an instant bond and she TOTALLY trusts and instantly loves him.  Riiight....  And then I nearly died of laughter when Charlie started having ghostly sex with Aggie in public, almost against her will (it didn't seem to be non-consensual, but he sure pressured her into it), first in her seat on a plane and then in the airport, and yet nobody suspecting because she could totally control her reactions. All of that right after they had first met and spent like 15 minutes in each others' presence. Riiiiiiight...

The writing style itself leaves something to be desired. It's also got a very unrefined, almost juvenile tone. Honestly, I'm not sure if the book is considered YA, but it might as well be the way it's written.

Read it for laughs, but certainly don't read it for its literary value!


This review and others can also be found on my Goodreads profile: View all my reviews

Review: Stolen Season by S.J. Tucker

A few weeks ago S.J. Tucker released her long-awaited album, Stolen Season. When she asked in her newsletter for bloggers to review her album, I of course jumped at the chance! I just adore her music so much - how could I resist?

I've been listening the heck out of this album ever since it arrived a couple of weeks ago, especially at work.  To sum up my feelings: j'adore!

Let's start with the artwork.  I mean, how gorgeous is this cover art? 

Source: sjtucker.com

The rest of the art in the insert is equally gorgeous, especially the Black Swan image, swoon.  (And in case you haven't seen it, the full version of the gorgeous drawing on the far right was used as the cover art for the unmastered release of the album.  According to Bandcamp, the artist, Chaz Kemp, also did the cover art for her Witchy Ways mix.)

Stolen Season is a bit of a departure from s00j's previous albums. It's got a bluesey, jazzy vibe that I am totally in love with. She uses a downright sultry voice for some songs, like "Believe in Lullabies."  One thing I noticed is the use of a bass guitar in several songs, including "Black Swan Blues," which I don't remember from her previous work (or if she used it, it's certainly not as prominent.) It sounds utterly gorgeous alongside her voice, though.

I like when artists take a risk and try something different, because we get to see them grow as artists as they find out more of what they're capable of and what drive their creativity.  It doesn't always work, but when it does?  Oh yes.  And s00j's risk with Stolen Season really pays off.

I think my favorite song from this album is "Girl Into Devil (I Belong to Me)."  The words and the song's progression speak so much about pulling yourself through hell and finding your own power, something I can really relate to.

The title track, "Stolen Season," is another song that really gets me right in the feels. It speaks so much of sad but inevitable endings. (Reminds me a little of "Neptune," in fact). The cello in that song (performed by Betsy Tinney) in particular is oh so gorgeous. And as a Jimi Hendrix fan I have to appreciate how she ends with, "There must be some kinda way outta here..." in a sad, breathy tone.

Though s00j may have incorporated a new sound into the ablum, Stolen Season still has that essential s00j-ness of brilliant storytelling, musical artistry, and a giving us a glimpse of her true heart that I love so much.

Take a listen to the album below and hear for yourself how beautiful this album is.  And then go buy yourself a copy so s00j can keep making such wonderful music, and because you (yes, YOU) deserve to have such beautiful music in your life!




Disclaimer: I received a copy of Stolen Season in exchange for a fair review.  All art and music from the album as shared are (c) S.J. Tucker.  All opinions are my own.

2015 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge

Here's a fun blogging idea for neopagans - the 2015 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge!

I think I can read about 4 or 5 witchy books this year, so I'm going to sign up and shoot for for the Initiate level.  This will be great motivation for helping me achieve my goal to read 30 books this year.  I'm hoping I also feel inspired to write reviews on my blog of the books I read!  And of course, any reviews I write will also go up on my Goodreads profile.

Here's the information about the challenge from the challenge host, Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf:

Challenge Levels:

Initiate: Read 1 – 5 Witchy Books
Maiden: Read 6 – 10 Witchy Books
Mother: Read 11 – 15 Witchy Books
Crone: Read 16 – 20 Witchy Books

Challenge Rules:

• This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2015 – Dec 31, 2015. I will be posting a place to link up a sign-up post (below), reviews and a wrap-up post. (Note: You do not have to review the books to participate, but only those who link up reviews will be entered for the prize)
• Grab the reading challenge button (code & button below) and post this reading challenge on your blog to track your progress. Please include a link back to this sign-up post so others can join the reading challenge too. You do not have to be a book blogger to participate- you could track your progress and post reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, etc.
• Any full length book that includes a witch as a main character or includes major witchcraft elements counts. They may be fiction or non-fiction. However, they should not be reference books which are not read cover to cover-I will leave this to your discretion.
• Books can be any format (bound, eBook, audio).
• Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
• You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
• When you sign up in the linky put the direct link to your post about joining the 2015 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge, not just a link to your blog.
• You can move up levels, but no moving down.
• Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2015, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.
• Have some Witchy Good Fun !!!

Prize:
Witchy book of choice up to $10 from The Book Depository!

Participants who have officially signed up by linking up a sign-up post declaring their level will be given one entry for every review they link up. The more reviews you write and link up, the more entries in the contest! Link up your reviews on that month’s Review Link Up Post. Winner will be chosen on Jan 11th 2015 to give everyone a chance to link up their end of year reviews. All Review Link Up Posts can be accessed from my menu bar under my header!

Ready to participate with me?  
Sign up on the 2015 Witches & Witchcraft Sign-up Post, and then link up your January 2015 book reviews here.

Review: The Ancient Ones by Kellianna

I wanted to try something new with my blog by starting a new feature - album reviews! So earlier this year I contacted Kellianna and offered to review her new album The Ancient Ones, which was released in April 2012.  She graciously sent me a copy of the album, and I listened to it right away and had a few thoughts about it, but then - the review never got written.  Real life got in the way (I know, excuses, excuses), particularly all of the craziness with moving.

I think I've also been feeling extremely intimidated by the idea of writing my first album review, particularly a review for one of my favorite artists. Understandable, right? But I felt it important to honor my commitment, even if I am terribly late in doing so.

Source: kellianna.com

One thing I was mulling over as I've listened to this album is the similarities and differences between her previous albums. As neopagans, we generally tend to believe in the power of personal evolution. I am also a believer that artists should evolve – and their work should evolve with them – otherwise the creative process stagnates. I’ve noticed that Kellianna’s music has tended to change over time, though not drastically.

This album shows she is not afraid to experiment with different styles, however, and I really respect that. “Daughters of the Earth” is the most divergent from her usual style. It is very mellow, and sounds much more like a laid-back jam band than folksy neo-Celtic/pagan singer-songwriter. It is very reminiscent of The Grateful Dead, actually. Then there are a couple of songs that are very cheery. “The Mists of Avalon” reminds me of the religious kids’ songs I learned as a child, and so is a bit too sing-songy for my liking. “Bless Our Planet” is also almost a bit too merry for me, but the beautiful harmonies and guitar work truly redeemed it. And it was lovely to see her take on the traditional "Witch's Reel" towards the end of the album.

One of the songs that struck me the deepest was the title track, “The Ancient Ones.” This song is echoey, as if the ancestors are calling to you from the Underworld, or perhaps from the depths of the past. This song calls you to be still and listen, rather than sing along (as is usually my wont). I found that to be very powerful.

It is always a delight to hear Kellianna singing in her lower vocal ranges as she does in this song and others, such as “To the Summerlands” and “Artemis.” I think her most beautiful, rich tones are in those ranges of her voice.

After listening to this album a few times, I realized that I had already learned the words to a few of the songs and was singing along. To me, that is a good sign that I am enjoying the music, and not just listening but allowing the music to really flow through me as music truly should.


Disclaimer: I received a review copy of "The Ancient Ones" in exchange for a fair, honest review of the album. I received no monetary compensation.