Musing Mystical

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Author Archives: Alanna Kali

About Alanna Kali

Alanna Kali is an astrologer, numerologist, and pioneer spirit that loves to explore life through the lens of depth psychology. She has a passion for studying the humanities and social trends. Her academic work is centered upon reuniting body, mind, and spirit through eco-psychology. She loves reading, spending time in nature, and travel.

Dark Shadow, Golden Shadow, by Shannon Knight

Dark Shadow, Golden Shadow: Magickal Tools and Tarot to Confront Your Fears and Free Your Potential, by Shannon Knight
Weiser Books, 1578638925, 208 pages, December 2025

Dark Shadow, Golden Shadow: Magickal Tools and Tarot to Confront Your Fears and Free Your Potential by Shannon Knight is a wonderful introductory text for those looking to discover more about their inner world. This book blends depth psychology with tarot to lead readers in shadow work. The framework Knight shares guides readers through the process of engaging with their hidden, repressed, or disowned self-aspects in order to integrate them and unlock greater potential.

Knight, a trained therapist and tarot practitioner, grounds her work in both psychological theory and symbolic intuition. She explains shadow (“the parts of ourselves that we suppress, deny, or repress”1) as well as the golden shadow (suppressed strengths that can be reclaimed), and uses tarot archetypes as a mirror into the psyche. Each chapter mixes concept with practice, structured around clear explanation, tarot archetypes, exercises, and journal prompts designed to deepen self-knowledge and self-acceptance.

“By inviting our shadows to the forefront for a moment, we can decrease the unconscious power they may have over us. This process isn’t about silencing or banishing these parts of ourselves, but about understanding their origins and the roles they play in our lives and how they impact our relationships, actions, and thought processes.”2

Unlike many traditional shadow work books, this one utilizes tarot as a dialogue tool with the subconscious, helping readers frame internal themes through archetypes and symbolism rather than just theoretical text. For those magically minded, this is a very appealing approach, offering a chance to deepen your connection with the wisdom of the tarot in this process.

Knight begins the book by preparing readers for their shadow work journey. Once readers have techniques to utilize and a safe space to proceed, the next chapter delves into the roots of the shadow, explaining what the shadow is, how it is formed, and the relationship to mental health. Then Knight moves into the magical tools that can be useful for shadow work, including sigils, tarot, and ritual.

“By utilizing tarot for shadow work, we can uncover the hidden parts of us that lie within these archetypes and learn how to integrate, or assimilate, these shadows so we better understand ourselves and others.”3

The chapter “Identifying the Shadow through Tarot” is very useful for understanding both the dark and golden shadow meanings of the cards. For each Major Arcana card, Knight explains the dual shadow qualities and offers four reflection questions to further engage with the energy of the card. Then there’s also an explanation of the shadow of each suit. However, there’s no information on the Minor Arcana cards or how to really integrate them into tarot shadow work beyond working with the energy of the suit. This was one area of the book I felt was a bit lacking, as it doesn’t tap into the energy of the majority of the deck.

After this, Knight covers ancestral shadows, which teaches how to overcome generational shadow patterns. She only offers a small glimpse into this topic though– it could certainly be a whole book on its own–but it’s enough information to get the introspective wheels turning, adding dimension to this practice. The final chapters focus on integration of the shadow and exercises to engage the shadow work process.

Throughout the book, there is space to pause, reflect, and write down your thoughts. The inclusion of these “journal” pages makes this book a supportive companion for your shadow work journey, allowing you to record insights, emotions, and revelations directly alongside your reading. Sometimes, there’s even a rating scale where readers can gauge their feelings, offering even more introspective prompting. Additionally, there’s space to journal about tarot readings Knight shares right in the book too, making it a good place to record what comes through.

Knight then deepens this immersive, hands-on experience for readers by offering a six-week process of reflection, offering thoughtfully crafted prompts that guide you into meaningful self-exploration. Readers can pull cards for the prompts or simply journal their feelings. Each week focuses on a specific topic, ranging from vulnerability and shame to connection and support, and Knight designed it as five prompts a week, so there’s some room for reflection and integration. I love this because sometimes when I decide to do something every day but then accidentally miss a day, it becomes hard to get back on track. This design provides structure with flexibility.

One thing I enjoyed in reading this book is how Knight often references different psychological models. For instance, she likens the shadow to the “exiles” in the Internal Family Systems model and also explains concepts using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She also draws from psychoanalysis too, teaching about the ego, id, persona, and other elements of these models. Despite a focus on magical tools, Knight does pack in a lot of psychological insight too, which I feel has the beneficial effect of transforming shadow work from mysterious and esoteric exploration into a tangible, practical psychological practice.

Another aspect of this book is how Knight introduces readers to the golden shadow. Shadow work can feel really daunting and dreary, but the reminder that within this landscape lives our golden shadow too is a motivator to do this inner work. I felt relief in knowing that I might find some positive attributes long buried within, pushed aside for too long, to radiantly recover and welcome back in my life. In this way, Knight shows that shadow work is not simply about healing what hurts, but about remembering the fullness of who we are. In embracing both shadow and gold, we step into a deeper wholeness where our truest selves can emerge.

Overall, Dark Shadow, Golden Shadow is a grounded, engaging guide that encourages honest reflection and creative exploration for those interested in self-discovery, spiritual psychology, or tarot as a tool for inner work. Shadow work is often misunderstood as a journey only into our darkness, yet Knight teaches it is equally a path toward reclaiming the hidden brilliance within us. Her hands-on approach to journeying into the shadow realm invites readers to move beyond theory and into lived transformation. While I do think it could be more focused on tarot specifically, the exercises and psychological insight are useful in discovering hidden parts of the psyche and integrating them for greater awareness.

Couture Tarot, by Megan Skinner

Couture Tarot, by Megan Skinner
REDFeather, 0764369857, 192 pages, 78 cards, October 2025

In Couture Tarot by Megan Skinner, high-fashion collage art stands in for the traditional deck imagery, bringing a fresh, stylish vibe to the timeless wisdom of tarot. Fashion and tarot are both mirrors in many ways. Tarot reflects the psyche; fashion reflects identity, desire, rebellion, belonging. Neither tells you who you are, rather they show you possibilities. They invite projection, interpretation, and play with visual symbolism that cues our unconscious in certain ways, making them a potent tool for revelation.

Within this deck, Skinner has reimagined the classic 78-card tarot through the lens of couture fashion and collage art. Each card draws from meticulously cut and arranged images sourced from iconic fashion magazines like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Elle, giving the deck a look that’s at once glamorous, contemporary, and delightfully eclectic. The visual experience feels like stepping into a runway show that is unique, lush, and deeply expressive of archetypal themes in a modern visual language.

The first thing I appreciated about this deck was the very sturdy box it comes in. The box lid opens from the front, held closed by a magnet, making for easy access. The cards and guidebook are neatly secured and there’s a brown ribbon to diligently pull the cards out. The interior of the box’s lid has a quote from Yves Saint Laurent that perfectly captures the energy of the deck.

As for the cards themselves, they’re quite eclectic. I definitely think readers who are used to the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) imagery will be in for a shock because there’s little resemblance whatsoever. There’s not even an image for the different suits depicted in the cards. Rather, for each one, there’s a brilliant collage bursting with energy and the name at the bottom. Skinner explains this in the guidebook, writing, “Yet, each image carries the essence of the suit and card through color and a visual story.”4

The collage art turns a tarot deck into a living conversation between symbols. By layering images, it breaks the expectation that meaning should be neat or singular. Instead, insight arrives the way intuition does: sideways, through association, memory, and mood. Additionally, the collage element holds tension. These juxtapositions mirror the way tarot itself works, holding contradiction and multiplicity. The cards feel less like illustrations of fixed meanings and more like portals, asking the reader to participate in interpretation rather than consume it.

There’s A LOT of room for subjective interpretation. For those familiar with the traditional tarot meanings, this deck becomes a fun way to engage with the archetypal energies in a new way, letting your eyes roam over the busy card imagery to see what your intuition picks out and relates to your understanding of the card.

However, for those new to tarot or not entirely familiar with each card’s essence, you might struggle a bit if you are someone who likes to use the card’s imagery as a visual prompt to cue the oracle’s message. Though, if you’re willing to go off script and let the cards lead, not worrying about “getting it right” in the by-the-book sense, there’s lots of exploration that can be done with this deck.

I think working with this deck is an exercise in intuition over instruction. You can teach someone how to piece together an outfit, but it takes a certain something to make it fashionable. This deck calls forth that certain something within that makes for an insightful tarot reading too that goes beyond just relying on the rote meanings.

A tarot card doesn’t mean the same thing in every reading, just as a garment doesn’t mean the same thing on every body or in every context. Meaning emerges through feeling, timing, and relationship. You sense when a look is right, the same way you sense when a card is speaking clearly. This is the ever-changing beauty of Couture Tarot.

This said, Skinner provides illuminating guidance in the accompanying book, which is nearly 200 pages long, so fear not if you are someone who enjoys looking up the meanings. This deck is still very approachable and engaging in this sense too. For each card, Skinner shares keywords, the planetary rule, and an explanation of her artistic choice. For instance, she writes of the Ten of Wands:

“Yet, the Ten of Wands indicates that you are carrying the past forward, feeling like you need to keep working toward some outlived goal. In a word: Baggage! Hence the designer suitcase stacked upon each other.”5

Skinner’s insights into her interpretation of each card goes a long way in anchoring the traditional meanings of the tarot. She visually describes the intention of many of the symbols, taking some of the guesswork out for those who, like me, enjoy knowing what I’m looking at. In this way, the deck skillfully balances symbolism with artistic innovation. Readers have the ability to intuitively engage with the imagery that resonates with their own psyche–the heart and soul of good artwork–while also having a solid foundation of general understanding of the artist’s intention.

Personally, I would use this deck when I want some creative energy in my life. Beyond doing oracle readings, I think this deck has a certain zest for awakening the inner genius. Working with it gets me out of my head and submerged in the feelings that arrive when I’m fully present, open, and gently alive. It’s the same transformative experience I have walking through an art museum, allowing the beautiful imagery to overwhelm my senses.

The collage art restores mystery to the tarot. As someone who gets quite bored seeing the same archetypal images repeated, this deck is a breath of fresh air. I love how little pieces of various fashion publications come together to create something entirely new. The format of discerningly collecting these little bits of visual imagery and then piercing them together reminds me that there’s always the ability to see things from a different perspective, shifting around the arrangement until the alignment feels right, which is the essence of getting a meaningful tarot reading.

Overall, Couture Tarot is a stylish, thoughtful tarot deck that is perfect for those who enjoy bold, lively imagery in their readings, especially if you appreciate fashion and aesthetic symbolism as tools for inner exploration. It’s a tool for reconnecting with creativity too. Whether used for daily draws, deep spreads, or contemplative journaling, it offers a rich, modern bridge between tarot tradition and creative expression.

Apothecary for the Afflicted, by Dr. Melissa Kim Corter and Stephanie Wicker-Campbell

Apothecary for the Afflicted: Shadow Work for Invisible Wounds, by Dr. Melissa Kim Corter with illustrations by Stephanie Wicker-Campbell
Muse Oracle Press, 1763586952, 200 pages, November 2025

Shadow work is a core yet often misunderstood part of the spiritual journey. It asks us to turn toward the parts of ourselves we’ve been taught to hide: the fears, desires, wounds, and contradictions that live beneath our curated identities. Rather than something to be conquered or purified away, the shadow is a repository of truth. When approached with curiosity and compassion, it becomes a source of power, creativity, and self-knowledge. To engage in shadow work is to move beyond spiritual bypassing and into an honest relationship with the full spectrum of who you are.

Apothecary for the Afflicted: Shadow Work for Invisible Wounds by Dr. Melissia Kim Corter with illustrations by Stephanie Wicker-Campbell is an engaging read to explore the shadow within. Rooted in Jungian psychology, Dr. Corter has created a guide for readers to learn about shadow work and then confront and heal their own psychological wounds that are unconscious, repressed, or difficult to articulate. She blends depth psychology, archetypal energies of fairy tales, and thoughtful writing prompts to lead readers through eight motifs while delving into the underworld of psyche.

The chapters are structured in a way that moves readers through learning about the type of situations that often lead to an aspect of oneself being shadowed, reading a fairy tale that highlights the aspect of shadow, and presenting reflective questions at the end. Dr. Corter lays out the underpinning psychology in a way that makes it accessible to readers, acknowledging things like coping strategies, trauma responses, Jungian terms like “projection,” while also considering a broader viewpoint of shamanism, anthropology, and somatic techniques as well.

“We cannot transmute what we are not willing to witness. Nightmares, resistance, and the body all point to the buried consciousness, darkness as a form of invisible light. We are suppressing by intentionally stifling unmet needs and unfelt feelings. The shadow contains these suppressed aspects until they are dealt with.”6

Shadow work is tough. Not only can it be mentally, emotionally, psychically, and spiritually draining, it also isn’t always easy to find an access point into our own internal darkness; we’re keeping it neatly tucked away and buried for a reason! However, Dr. Corter’s approach brings readers right to the threshold and then holds their hands as they take a brave step into the liminal space of their psyche. She’s done a wonderful job of synthesizing information about the shadow to give readers the background needed to understand the shadow work process, while also crafting a creative way for readers to engage with the material presented.

One thing I really enjoy about the book is how Dr. Corter blends her professional background in both depth psychology and as Certified Medicolegal Death Investigator. The names of the chapters (“Dismemebred”, “Poisoned”, “Decomposed”) reminded me of the reality of the physical aspects of death we often tend to look away from, just like it’s common to turn away from the darkness of the shadow. Thinking about how Dr. Corter has the courage to go into violent, tragic scenes somehow gave me the courage to face my own darkness, gruesome as that might be!

I also love the layout and illustrations done by Wicker-Campbell. The material can definitely get a bit heavy, bringing up past memories or fears held deep within, but the little skulls, candles, cobwebs and spiders throughout remind me that I’m wading into a realm of death in order to become more fully alive. The illustrations help ground abstract psychological work are an invitation to slow down, digest, and sit with complex emotional material. Additionally, the fairy tales being white text on a darker page helps me to switch my mindset when reading, making me more receptive to the story.

At the beginning of the book, Dr. Corter suggests creating a darkness journal to record your unfiltered, uncensored thoughts and feelings. While I journal a lot, specifically having a space for this writing feels like the invitation I needed to give more attention to what’s really going on within my psyche. And for those who aren’t ready to start their own darkness journal, there is plenty of space for journaling within the book itself in the section of writing prompts.

I was really moved by the “Numb: She Who Is Frozen”, which I happened to read in the midst of a blizzard (an apt reflection in nature). Sure, I would admit I’m not the most emotional person, but I often blame that on my Aquarian nature. But reading this chapter awoke a deeper part of me that realized it has been stuck in time, encased in ice, and unwilling to connect with others for fear of rejection. Dr. Corter’s identification of how this pattern often shows up, “these individuals are incredibly strong outwardly, yet the continued failed needs never being met and expressions never being honored wears them down, and they collapse within themselves”7 helped me to recognize these shadow traits.

The fairy tale for this section is Sleepy Beauty, and I resonated with Dr. Corter’s explanation for how this story is a reflection of the deeper wounding that occurs when we go numb, or put certain puts of ourselves to sleep for too long. After years of feeling silence was protecting me, I realized it was mostly a defense from acknowledging a deeper hurt. Dr. Corter’s words were a potent reminder of the need to speak out and honestly address where I’ve been hiding my true needs and feelings:

“Silence can be a form of numbness, a paralysis of the voice, the expression, and our authentic nature. The shadow of the things we could not, cannot, or refuse to express. Whether through force or choice, the restriction of the authentic voice is liberated as we reclaim what was silent or silenced.”8

This is definitely a book one can come back to time and again, as the form our shadow takes changes and there’s unexpected initiations that life presents sometimes that require having a tool kit to wade into the murkier parts of our inner world. I’m looking forward to exploring each chapter’s fairy tale more in-depth too, noticing ways they act as a mirror for the psyche to work with the shadow in a symbolic way and my reactions to the characters that disturb, enchant, or feel uncomfortably familiar, hinting at the part of myself seeking recognition.

Overall, Apothecary for the Afflicted for those looking for an entry point into shadow work. Dr. Corter’s background in Jungian psychology is a very grounding approach to a sensitive subject. Her approach invites creative, experiential engagement with the shadow rather than an analytical or clinical self-help methodology.  This grounded guide encourages deep, symbolic exploration of unconscious wounds and transformative self-reflection, serving as a meaningful companion for those ready to engage with inner darkness and reclaim hidden parts of the psyche.

I highly recommend this book to those drawn to Jungian psychology and symbolic interpretation of fairy tales, those pursuing deep psychological and emotional introspection, and those who are looking to excavate their psyche to discover more of their authentic nature. This book is sure to begin to uncover readers’ hidden beliefs, unmet needs, and buried strengths, in which reclaiming lost or fragmented parts of the self becomes not only possible, but transformative.

The Rosicrucian Counterculture, by Ronnie Pontiac

The Rosicrucian Counterculture: The Origins and Influence of the Invisible Society, by Ronnie Pontiac
Inner Tradition, 979-8888500354, 240 pages, December 2025

It’s tough to overstate the influence Rosicrucianism had on Western occultism, yet it’s hard to pinpoint the origins of the spiritual movement . Emerging in the early 17th-century, Rosicrucianism offered an integrative vision that fused Hermetic philosophy, alchemical symbolism, Christian mysticism, and natural science into a single spiritual worldview, reframing magic as a process of inner transformation rather than external power. At a time when alchemy was at its heights, the first Rosicrucian manuscripts emphasized spiritual alchemy, a transmutation of the soul rather than the production of gold.

Through its emphasis on moral refinement, symbolic initiation, and the myth of an invisible brotherhood working for humanity’s spiritual renewal, Rosicrucianism provided a conceptual template that later informed Freemasonry, the Golden Dawn, Theosophy, and modern psychological approaches to magic. Even where its historical structures remain elusive, its philosophical imprint endures, shaping Western occultism’s enduring focus on self-initiation, ethical responsibility, and the Great Work as an inward, regenerative path.

But just what was happening at the time when the first Rosicrucianism texts emerged? And who is responsible for writing them? Was there ever truly such an order? Ronnie Pontiac takes on these mystical mysteries in The Rosicrucian Counterculture: The Origins and Influence of the Invisible Society, sharing historical context in which these original Rosicucian manuscripts were published and tracing the influence of Rosicrucianism from the 17th century to modern era.

Approaching this topic as a storyteller, Pontiac delves right into the drama of the Early Modern Period. He looks at the esoteric culture around Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II and his court, including Tycho Brahe and Johannese Kepler. Visitors, such as John Dee and Rabbi Loew, added to the discourse too, amid many other contributing figures to a significant period in history.

Next, Pontiac moves into the reign of Frederick V of Palatinate and Queen Elizabeth (Elizabeth Stuart of King James I of England), including the efforts to make Frederick the first Protestant Holy Roman Emperor, triggering the Thirty Years’ War. Though their story is one of Protestant resilience, it also highlights how mystical and reformist ideas intertwined with European politics. From their wedding, featuring alchemical symbols and celebrated Shakespeare plays to their incredible gardens and intellectual court, Pontiac goes into great detail surrounding the atmosphere of this time.

Other notable chapters include one about Robert Fludd, who wrote Tractatus apologeticus integritatem Societatis de Rosea Cruce (Treatist to defend the integrity of the Society of the Rosy Cross), and the aftermath of Frederick and Elizabeth’s rule, leading to the rise of their son Prince Rupert of Rhine.

There’s a lot of historical background here. Despite taking AP European history in high school, I will admit I was OFTEN having to look up family charts, paintings of the people, and maps. Until I read this book I hadn’t even known Bohemia existed (kind of embarrassing but it’s the truth), nor did I realize the level of the contention between the Protestant and Catholics during this time. As an American, it was quite eye-opening to explore the past of Europe in this depth. Another thing I learned? That Prince Rupert of the Rhine, son of King Frederick and Queen Elizabeth, had such a significant role in the slave trade as the founder, principal investor, and the first governor of the Royal African Company.

Though Pontiac doesn’t position himself as an academic historian, he nevertheless provides an impressively dense and illuminating historical framework that significantly deepened my understanding of the cultural, political, and religious conditions out of which Rosicrucianism emerged. For anyone interested in Western occultism, this context is genuinely valuable. Understanding how the esoteric movement developed alongside dynastic power struggles, religious persecution, and early scientific inquiry makes Rosicrucianism feel less like an abstract mystery and more like a living response to its moment in history.

That said, there were moments when the sheer weight of historical detail caused me to lose the plot. Sometimes the narrative veered so deeply into political history that I momentarily forgot I was reading a book about Rosicrucianism at all. Additionally, the structure can also feel somewhat nonlinear, with jumps across time periods and re-emergence of previously mentioned people (whom I definitely didn’t remember amidst the details), which occasionally made it difficult to maintain a clear perspective. While this factual density will likely delight readers with a strong appetite for early modern European history, it can challenge those approaching the text primarily from an occult or esoteric perspective, requiring patience to continually reorient and reconnect the historical material back to Rosicrucianism itself.

This said, I’m very glad to have learned about the origins of Rosicrucianism in this depth, even if there’s no definitive answer amid much speculation. The chapter “Three Little Books”, which focuses on Fama Fraternitatis, Confessio Fraternitatis, and The Chymical Wedding, gives a great overview of the zeitgeist of when these books were published. It’s one thing to look back on them from the perspective of hoping to receive the mystical insights of Rosicrucianism, it’s a whole other to contextualize their origins within the time period they emerged.

What struck me the most is how the true identity of the writer(s) of these books has remained secret for hundreds of years. There’s still debate about if the secret society even really existed. If anything, I now see that “Rosicrucianism became a popular hustle”9 with people claiming to be part of the mystical society to enhance their reputation, swindle others, or lend prestige to other evolving esoteric movements.

All in all, Pontiac is doing important work by bringing rigor, clarity, and historical grounding to occult subjects that are too easily romanticized or obscured by mystique. His willingness to explore uncertainty strengthens the study of Western occultism, reminding readers that esoteric traditions do not emerge in a vacuum. This book is part of a three-book series, including American Metaphysical Religion and The Magic of the Orphic Hymns, co-authored with Tamra Lucid, all of which reflect a consistent commitment to illuminating the philosophical, cultural, and historical roots of esoteric thought. Rather than offering tidy revelations, Pontiac invites readers into a more mature engagement with occult history, valuing context, discernment, and intellectual honesty as much as mystery itself. The Rosicrucian Counterculture is a wonderful resource for those seeking to better understand the historical underpinnings of this long-lasting esoteric movement.

Financial Sorcery, by Jason Miller

Financial Sorcery: Magical Strategies to Create Real and Lasting Wealth, by Jason Miller
Weiser Books, 1578639034, 256 pages, December 2025

Jason Miller’s Financial Sorcery: Magical Strategies to Create Real and Lasting Wealth (2012) completely shifted how I approached money when I read it in 2019. Among all the chatter about prosperity magic and abundance, this book got straight to the heart of things, combining practical, mundane financial advice with magical expertise. I saw results quickly. I credit the information in this original book as the starting point of my financial journey of paying off debts, building a buffer of savings, gaining new clients, and increasing hourly rate.

When I heard there is a revised and updated version coming out, Financial Sorcery: Magical Strategies to Create Real and Lasting Wealth (2025), I could not wait to delve in! For those new to Miller, his magical experience spans 35 years. Within this time he’s written six books, including well-known Protection and Reversal Magick. He currently teaches courses and classes online, such as Strategic Sorcery, Level Up, and The Sorcery of Hekate. I highly recommend checking out his website and joining his email list, as he sometimes does community magical ventures free of charge that I’ve always benefited (practically and experientially) from participating in.

One thing to note about Financial Sorcery is that Miller doesn’t teach magic as a way to escape the reality of our material world. A good portion of this book is pragmatic advice. This said, Miller also discusses the metaphysics of money too, making for an interesting opportunity to reflect on what money is and the way you relate to it. Readers get a well-rounded education in sensible strategies for navigating the market and magical underpinnings that help to support their financial foundation.

Chapter topics vary from mundane to magical with ease. To begin, Miller grounds this reading experience by encouraging readers to acknowledge perspective. Topics like rich vs. wealth and what financial magic can and cannot do are explored. Miller highlights why sometimes things don’t work, especially when relying on the lottery or emergency magic. In the next chapter, he explores the spirit of money, noting what money does and does not like. Then it’s onto a discussion of the four stages of financial circumstances most people find themselves in. These first chapters definitely set the stage for understanding your own financial situation and attitudes and behaviours you have in regard to money.

From here, the more magical aspects are covered. Miller shares core skills (meditation, breath, maintaining an altar) and dedicates a whole chapter on working with spirits, planetary powers, and deities. I personally loved that he focuses a whole chapter on Jupiter, as I’m in the midst of my Jupiter return and intentionally working more in-depth. This chapter features over a dozen sigils for a variety of purposes that are big and bold, making it easy to copy them onto a piece of paper or other material for ritual use.

Whole chapters are dedicated to getting rid of debt, managing money, finding a job, getting a promotion, entrepreneurial magic, emergency magic, and passive income. Many of these chapters include step-by-step guidance for fostering the results you wish to see, and not all of the steps are magical. From writing a simple thank-you card after a job interview to knowing when it’s time to fold an entrepreneurial venture, Miller provides grounded, meaningful advice.

There’s three appendices at the back of the book: “Meta Glyphs”, featuring glyphs for binding, distributing, manifesting, and a seal of power for a glyph table, “A Rite of Juno Moneta”, and “Helios for Solar Success”.

Miller has a way of keeping readers engaged in the content. He speaks candidly with the reader, often sharing his own experience, and never undermines the reader’s intellect. Rather than over-explaining or spoon-feeding conclusions, Miller trusts readers to connect the dots, absorb the guidance, and engage actively with the text; he writes with the assumption readers are capable. This respect for the audience creates a more rewarding experience that feels like a conversation between equals, never condescending and never reductive. While reading, Miller makes me feel like I’m in the driver’s seat, even as he pours all his wisdom into my mind via the text.

As mentioned before, this book is an updated edition of Miller’s previously published work. How does this compare to the first printing? Pretty much every chapter has new additional commentary at the end of the chapter. Honestly, it’s not too much more information–Miller sticks to tried and true financial acumen for the most part–but it does take into account modern financial trends, such as cryptocurrency, and adds more examples for greater clarity and depth.

Early on in the book, Miller writes “I am not saying it’s how things should work. I’m saying it’s how things do work.”10 For those seeking for a praxis that is soundly situated within the reality of the material world, Financial Sorcery is a fantastic resource.

Moving through the book is part financial therapy (an honest, grounding process of taking stock of your current beliefs and circumstances) and part magical enhancement, where intention, symbolism, and ritual are used to expand what feels possible. It asks you to tend both the practical roots and the energetic currents at the same time, so change happens not just in spreadsheets or plans, but in the way you feel when you claim abundance. The result is a recalibration where money becomes less fraught, more conscious, and quietly enchanted.

To me, the book remains as relevant and motivating as it was when I read it nearly seven years ago. The additional commentary is a real bonus and makes it well worth re-reading and including in my book collection. And for first time readers, this is the kind of book you read knowing it’s going to change you in the best way, rearranging how you think about money, power, and possibility while you’re busy enjoying the ride. Pick it up when you’re ready for things to shift, because once you do, life has a funny way of responding. That’s magic for you, right?

The Ukrainian Tarot, by Tania Andrushko

The Ukrainian Tarot: Flower of the Magic Fern, by Tania Andrushko
REDFeather, 0764370170, 192 pages, 78 cards, September 2025

The Ukrainian Tarot: Flower of the Magic Fern by Tania Andrushko is a 78-card tarot deck and companion guidebook rooted in Ukrainian legend, myth, and cultural heritage. Created with the intention of inspiring peace and love for humanity, Andrusko has imbued this deck with the soul of Ukraine. The title highlights the Magic Fern is a metaphor for illumination emerging from darkness, a theme which is carried through the imagery and wisdom of the deck.

“This magical flower is said to bloom only once a year, on the shortest night of the year, bringing good fortune to whoever finds it. As the legend goes, this flower can be found only in the darkest of forests in Ukraine, and only if your heart and intentions are pure.”11

This deck follows the traditional tarot structure (22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana) but its imagery, themes, and storytelling are firmly grounded in Ukrainian culture, history, folk lore, ritual, mythological figures, and symbolic motifs. At the beginning of the guidebook, Andrushko shares her story about what inspired her to create this deck. While it is specifically focused on Ukraine, her intention is expansive: helping others remember who they are and the valuable role they have in the wider collective.

Andrushko then introduces readers to Svarog’s Circle, a circular calendar based on Slavic mythology. With solstices and equinoxes marking key points in the year, this cosmological system is much like the Wheel of the Year in modern Pagan traditions, yet it has a deeply rooted mythology and history that is incorporated into the deck. Andrushko explains how she has reflected the directions of Svarog’s Circle within the traditional elemental suits and provides a table of the themes for each numbered or Court Card in the Minor Arcana. There’s also guidance on how to do readings and three spread options shown.

After reading the introduction information in the guidebook, I felt I had an overall sense of the deck’s structure and energy, so I was ready to dive into doing a reading! I decided to keep my first one simple and do a one-card pull in regard to the energy I should focus on for the day: Hierophant. While the traditional version of this card features The Pope or a High Priest, Andrushko’s version is a homely crone, a Ukrainian healer. Instantly, I felt a deep connection to the woman on the card; her magically infused cottage in the background of the card feels warm and inviting, while her eyes shine with acceptance and wisdom. The guidebook reads:

“The Hierophant is one who reveals the sacred mysteries. She is a healer and a shaman. Drawing from the ancient skills of her ancestors, she can come to know the past, present, and future. She can interpret dreams about life and death, warn against evil people, and ward off misfortune. These are powerful women who know God’s will and know how to speak in God’s way.”12

First of all, I just LOVE how Andrushko hasn’t followed the typical script when it comes to portraying the tarot cards. Second, I appreciate how she blends in Ukraine culture to the tarot archetype while still making the overall message applicable to all readers.

It’s interesting how Andrushko doesn’t stick to the traditional cards, changing cards to better showcase the wonder and beauty of Ukraine. For instance, Wheel of Fortune is Fortune’s Wheel, The Devil becomes a Witch, and Judgement is Call. The traditional meanings of the cards take on a new dimension with Andrushko providing an infusion of spiritual and cultural insights from Ukrainian values too. It’s always refreshing to work with the tarot from a new perspective!

For each guidebook entry, there’s an image of the card, key words for the feeling of the card, a question to ask yourself, an action to take, and the essence of the card. At the bottom, there’s even a space for notes! How cool is that? You can write in this guidebook! Plus, it’s nice and big (5.63 x 7.63 inches), so there’s plenty of space for your own thoughts.

While Hierophant happened to be more spiritual, there are a variety of aspects of Ukrainian culture that come through in the guidebook descriptions. For instance, King of Fire tells the story of Ivan Mazepa, a hetman whose passion for science, art, and education lead to many cultural initiatives. There’s also insight on sacred embroidered clothes for 2 of Air, decorative Easter eggs (Pysanka) for 9 of Water, and the significance of horses in Ukrainian folklore for 8 of Fire. From textiles to holy days, the deck shares the full spectrum of what makes Ukraine special.

As for the artwork, there’s a peaceful and tranquil quality to the essence of this deck. There’s no specific symbol that represents the suits, rather each card has its own image. The effect of this is that readings become visual stories, allowing the readers to absorb the imagery, let it flow through them, and then see how all the artwork comes together to provide meaningful insight.

Furthermore, instead of drawing from the familiar tarot archetypes, the imagery reimagines the cards through the lenses of Ukrainian mythology, cosmology, customs, history, and more. Many of the cards do have people on them, whether this be a deity or symbolic figure, as well as featuring animals or trees, or simply items important to the culture. This image makes readings feel like a journey deeper into the heart of Ukraine’s spirituality rather than abstract divination.

Admittedly, I decided to work with The Ukranian Tarot purely out of curiosity. I have no Ukrainian ancestral connections, nor do I know anyone from this region. Nevertheless, this deck has immersed me in the tapestry of the rich soul of Ukraine, teaching me all about the cosmology, history, folklore, and more. I find the readings from this deck to be very illuminating; there’s a combination of spiritual protection as well as practical realism that comes through. It’s very interesting to get tidbits of cultural knowledge alongside a divinatory reading.

Andrushko has created something truly incredible. Whether you have Ukrainian heritage that you wish to strengthen through working with this deck, or you’re simply culturally curious, this deck has a lot to offer. The reframing of the traditional tarot energies make for powerful readings, as well as spiritually infused energy of Christianity, Svarog’s Circle, and Slavic deities. I recommend it for those looking to expand their tarot readings, bringing in new spiritual insights for guidance, reflection, and growth.

Lieselle’s Eternal Tarot, by Lieselle Elliot and Sean Frosali

Lieselle’s’ Eternal Tarot: Trust Your Voice and Then Learn to Trust the Journey, by Lieselle Elliot and Sean Frosali
REDFeather, 076436975X, 224 pages, 78 cards, September 2025

With countless tarot decks now in circulation, each offering new themes, artwork, and layers of symbolism, it can be easy to forget the quiet power of returning to the basics. There is something enduring about a deck that honors tarot’s foundational structure, where meanings are clear, imagery is intentional, and the essence of each card is distilled rather than overcomplicated. In this simplicity, readings often become sharper and more resonant, allowing intuition to speak without distraction. Lieselle’s Eternal Tarot: Trust Your Voice and Then Learn to Trust the Journey is just this type of deck, reminding readers that when the core of tarot is respected, its wisdom remains timeless and deeply effective.

Created by Lieselle Elliot, a tarot reader with over 20 years of experience reading for clients, this deck taps into the heart of tarot’s eternal nature. Likewise, Sean Frosali’s illustrations capture the essence of each card’s rich symbolism and history. Together, their intention for this classic deck is “empowering you and nurturing your intuitive abilities.”13

The first thing I enjoyed about this deck is the hardy box with a lid that gently folds back to reveal the cards inside. This is one of the best exterior deck designs I’ve ever seen. The cards are slim but sturdy, making it easy to shuffle. And the gilded edges certainly add a nice touch to the overall aesthetic.

The inspiration from the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) deck in the Major Arcana is present, but each card is definitely imbued with the creators’ unique perspective on the cards. For instance, The Fool features a faceless jack-in-the-box floating in water, featuring a leashed dog and flowers as the design of the box. Above the sun illuminates the scene. Meanwhile, The Star shows a woman looking down into her cupped hands, which are submerged in water and holding a star. Above her seven other stars shine and there’s a vessel on each side at the top. With the imagery alone, readers familiar with the RWS would definitely be able to figure out the card. Though, each card is also labeled at the bottom and numbered at the time.

The Minor Arcana is designed in Pips style, only showing the suit symbols and no scenic artwork, with the name of the card at the bottom. To some degree, this design means the reader must know the interpretations of each card when doing a reading or be prepared to look it up in the guidebook, as there are no visual clues. However, there is a mantra at the top of each Minor Arcana card that does give some insight into the overall meaning of the card.

Reading in a Pip-style system definitely requires a different kind of engagement with the cards, and I appreciated the opportunity to try it out since it’s not my usual deck style. Without visual narratives to guide interpretation, I noticed I had to rely more on number, suit, elemental energy, and inner knowing to shape the message.

This absence of imagery strips the reading down to its basics, asking the reader to meet the cards halfway and participate actively in meaning-making rather than passively receiving it. While this approach can feel challenging at first, in the end, I felt it resulted in clearer, more precise readings, as the symbolism is distilled to its core and my own inner voice becomes an essential part of the divinatory process.

And this said, the guidebook is also a wonderful reference. It begins with a message from the creators, a brief history of tarot, and overview of numerology, sharing the numerology meaning and tarot application for numbers 1-14. There’s also a few pages on the elements of the four suits, covering the associated qualities and symbolism in tarot for each one. Initially, I was surprised there was no guidance about spreads, but later on I did find a few suggested ones at the very end of the guidebook. So take note, if you’re someone who likes to use the spread suggested by the author, that it’s in the back.

The guidebook information differs for the Major and Minor Arcana. For the Major Arcana, Elliot provides information on the card’s imagery, noting the key symbolism, and then shares the card’s meaning with a list of interpretations for its significance. There’s also an overview at the end as well as a reversed meaning provided. For the Minor Arcana, there’s the same style of providing the meaning with a list of interpretations, the numerological significance, and the overall meaning for both upright and reversed.

I really like how the guidebook is styled for the most part.  Elliot makes use of bold text to emphasize key interpretations and then further explains them. All of the explanations are pretty by-the-book common interpretations, but it’s formatted in a way that makes it easy to absorb the meaning of the card. It’s for this reason, I think the guidebook is PERFECT for tarot beginners. It lays out the message of each card with precision, making the esoteric very accessible.

The only downside of the guidebook’s format is each card entry begins on the page right where the other one left off. This makes it a bit tricky to look up the card as you kind of need to flip through to see where it’s at. I definitely prefer when an entry for a card begins on a new page, so this took some getting used to when reading.

Overall, Lieselle’s Eternal Tarot is a powerful tool for connecting with the foundations of tarot. The charcoal imagery lays the symbolism bare, allowing one’s attention to focus on the essentials. There’s no extra fluff in both the artistry and the guidebook definitions, making this a wonderful resource for those who are seeking sleek and refined readings.

I recommend working with this deck when seeking clarity. Just like the King of Swords, this deck “signifies authority, intellectual power, and the ability to lead with truth and integrity.”14 Those who enjoy the traditional RWS but are looking for a modern twist will most appreciate this deck.

Self-Love Astrology Journal, by Agustina Malter Terrada

Self-Love Astrology Journal, by Agustina Malter Terrada
Red Wheel, 1590035828, 112 pages, December 2025

Astrology is often spoken of as a map that charts possibility, purpose, timing, and transformation. But at its heart, astrology is an invitation to come home to yourself and look at your inner landscape with compassion rather than criticism. Astrology teaches how to understand your patterns not as flaws, but as sacred design; it leads you to remember that who you are is not an accident, but a constellation of wisdom, experience, and potential. Self-Love Astrology Journal by Agustina Malter Terrada is a tool for this cosmic journey.

This interactive, guided journal is designed to help readers explore their natal chart and learn to manifest with the energy of the zodiac. Divided into three chapters, each section provides creative activities and exercises, ranging from journal prompts to rituals to attune readers to astrological energies.

The first part of the journal, “Discovering the Seed”, is an overview of astrology basics. While there’s some space for journaling, such as drawing your own natal chart and figuring out your elemental composition), it’s mostly a great source of reference. Malter Terrada shares information about the evaluation of astrology, the elements, the planets, the lunar cycle, and the twelve houses, signs, and moons. There’s even a page featuring Taylor Swift’s birth chart with insight into her planetary placements. This section would be very useful for beginners, as it presents easy to integrate summaries of foundational astrology.

The next section, “Walking the Path”, is the heart of the journal. The journal prompts Malter Terrada shares in the second chapter, moving through the whole zodiac to manifest something from start to finish, is an illuminating process. Consciously working with the energy of the zodiac in this way strengthens both the goal one’s working towards by giving it a natural alignment as well as one’s own astrological knowledge.

This section moves from Aries, Phase 1 through Pisces, Phase 12, guiding readers through the energy of the zodiac. For each sign, there’s an introduction page with an affirmation, dates of the season, element, and a few key words, along with an illustration of the symbol. This is followed by a profile of the sign that features the ruling planet, complementary opposite, aligned traits and off axis traits. There’s also a glyph of the ruling planet, sketch of the constellation, and a muse. These pages are very helpful for familiarizing oneself with the sign.

As for the content of each zodiac section in the journal, they differ depending on the energy of the sign, but there’s PLENTY of journaling space. Malter Terrada has a knack for inspiring prompts and meaningful reflection. And the layout of the journal seems to beckon the reader to start writing!

And the coolest part is how there’s such a wonderful flow to the journal. Malter Terrada essentially invites the writer to take one concept/goal/intention and work with it through all the energies. So during the Taurus phase, deemed “materializing”15, energy is being invoked to turn the idea into substance, which includes journaling about how to “feed” your purpose and then root it in for growth. Later in the zodiac, Aquarius, deemed “disseminating”16 is the energy that then brings forth what is finally created outward for others to connect with through networking.

While it might seem logical to start with this journal during Aries season and then move through the year, I have been easily applying it to some current goals I have. I’ve noticed that moving through the journal, some of my goals seem to progress to the next stage quickly, while others sometimes take a bit more time. The nice thing about the journal is that even if you go through it once, you can always refer back to the prompts to keep the cyclical energy of the zodiac moving for manifestation. Plus, the rituals for each zodiac sign are very neat and can definitely be done repeatedly through time.

The final section, “Living in the Oasis”, is focused on integration and reflection. Malter Terrada invites writers to journal about the tools they called upon during the process, reflect on the twelve phases and summarize each, and then bring the energy to conclusion.

As for the aesthetic of the journal, the pages feel dynamic and inspiring. The full-color pages of the zodiac signs really catch your attention, while the journaling pages feel warm and celestial. There’s amazing organization and structure to each page, providing a sense of clarity and spaciousness. Assorted fonts keep the pages interesting with each font thematically fitting for the content of the page. The additional illustrations and decorative elements, such as small gold stars and ink sketch illustrations, add the charm of celestial beauty. It’s a good blend of mystic feeling with modern design.

One thing to note is there isn’t too much open blank space for in-depth journaling. While there’s a good amount of room to answer prompts and do exercises, there’s a lot of text sharing astrology knowledge or guiding the reader through the process of working with each zodiac signs’ energy. Nevertheless, the formatting of the journal makes for effective recording of one’s thoughts. Sometimes there’s a box to draw a picture, other times there’s bullet-pointed (in the form of cute stars) lines for making a list. There’s a range of creativity for journaling, yet it’s very structured without a ton of space for free writing, which those who prefer a guided writing process will enjoy.

I really appreciate how Malter Terrada has brought astrology to life with this journal, which structures the energies of the zodiac into a format people can engage and interact with. Sometimes astrology can feel a bit impersonal and technical, but the approach of this journal provides a deeply human touch. Encouraging introspection and energetic connection, this journal is a compass towards a higher purpose through the ever-flowing astrological wheel. It’s perfect for inviting astrological awareness into one’s daily life or moving through a transitional life phase where some cosmic direction is beneficial.

For those newer to astrology, this journal is an inviting first step in learning one’s chart and the energy of each zodiac sign. Meanwhile, those with some astrological knowledge will appreciate how the journal adds dimension to one’s astrological perceptions by encouraging the exploration of one’s chart and current intention/mission/goal through the lens of phases each astrological sign represents.

Overall, Self-Love Astrology Journal is a great tool for connecting with the energy of the zodiac, especially for the purpose of manifestation. For those who enjoy hands-on praxis, this journal is a wonderful way to explore astrological energy intentionally and record reflections, feelings, thoughts, and experiences. Malter Terrada has created a well-designed, meaningful process for readers to work through, giving writers a creative outlet for emotional processing, intention-setting, and spiritual connection. I definitely will be tracking my intentions and goals through the astrological phases for more alignment from now on!

Magical Ever After, by Erica Rose

Magical Ever After: Manifesting Your Fairy-Tale Romance with Angels, Mermaids & Faeries, by Erica Rose
Muse Oracle Press, 1763586944, 200 pages, November 2025

It’s a love story, baby just say yes! Except.. Sometimes it’s a real struggle, right? For those who have wished for a bit of help from a fairy god mother, Erica Rose is here to teach you how to connect with not only fairies, but angels and mermaids too. Her new book Magical Ever After: Manifesting Your Fairy-Tale Romance with Angels, Mermaids & Faeries invites you to be the author of your own love story with a bit of magically-inspired assistance from these guides in matters of the heart.

“Manifesting love is not about using magic to force someone to fall in love with you. It’s about you, yourself, adjusting the energy you are projecting in order to match the energy of whoever out there would be your perfect partner. It’s about getting into alignment with the type of love you deserve and desire.”17

As soon as I held this beautifully bound, pink hardcover book in my hands, I could feel the soft and gentle allure of romance and magic within the pages. Beginning with “Once Upon a Time” and ending with “Your Happily Ever After”, Rose has written a potent guide for healing your own wounds, forgiving the past, and really cultivating self-love. She teaches how falling in love with yourself first creates a magnetism that brings in the love you desire. And along the way, there’s mystical helpers to aid in this process of transformative inner work.

Magically Ever After begins with an introduction to the spirits readers will be working with: angels, including Guardian angels and Archangels too, and the elementals, mermaids and fairies. Calling on these spirits gives the interpersonal and manifestation work that will be done a very mystical feeling, inviting readers to move beyond their real life concerns and frustrations to tap into a more spiritually-attuned frame of mind when calling love into their life. Rose shares meditations for readers to connect with each of these guides, opening the doorway for readers to strengthen their connection to them before setting off on this journey of love.

First, Rose teaches how to become more aware of one’s love mindset. From the media we consume to blocks around the possibility of ever finding a loving relationship, she shares ways for readers to reflect on their romantic views and shift them into a more positive mindset. Though dating can be draining, her tips bring an uplifting, hopeful perspective that encourages readers to learn from their experiences, readjust, and remain open to all possibilities.

The next topic Rose delves into is self-love. By working with the mermaids, fairies, and angels, readers have the opportunity to spruce up their self-image, tend to their inner needs with care, and honor the path they alone walk. Rose consistently reminds readers their story is unique, and there’s no reason to get caught up in an artificial sense of timing or comparison to others.

The inner empowerment developed in the self-love section gives readers the courage they need for the next part of the process. Rose’s next topic is releasing the past. To me, this felt a bit like the shadow work section, where readers are guided to look into past lives and generational influences, along with healing their own heartbreak to cleanse the slate for their romantic lives. Too often we want to move forward with a new path, but the past has not been fully honored, healed, and released. Rose provides plenty of divine tools for readers to let go of what’s been to make room for what they truly desire.

The final section is all about living a life of love. After getting in the right mindset, cultivating self-love, and releasing the past, the focus turns tapping into the love all around and manifesting dream romance. Rose shares different visualization techniques to bring this reality to life.

“Continually find ways to romanticize your life. Pretend you’re the main character in a fantasy romance novel and be swept up in the idea that you already have the love of your life. If you can constantly convince yourself, your energy will radiate with love and the Universe will match that frequency.”18

One thing I like about this book is that all throughout Rose is sharing her own story of finding true love. Knowing that she went through this process herself provides a feeling of comradery. She’s sharing all of this wisdom from personal insight and actually doing the work; she GETS it. This makes the whole book incredibly authentic. Even the most rationally-minded readers will be able to benefit from Rose’s guidance on how to find love, regardless of if they’re comfortable working with the spiritual entities, because the content is sound advice overall.

While the content might seem whimsical, Rose actually presents a very healthy and grounded approach to manifesting romance. She doesn’t ignore the inner work, offering superficial tips for finding “the one”, rather she teaches readers how to go deep into their own past in order to create a foundation of self-love in their life. From this place of healing and self-acceptance, readers then send their energy outward to find a partner who is in alignment with this state of self-love. This beautiful, Venusian journey is one anyone can undertake. While Rose offers introductions to helping spiritual guides, sharing meditations and exercises to strengthen the connection, readers still have agency over which entities they feel called to work with; there’s lots of room for freedom and personal choice in how Rose presents the material.

It’s not presented as “manifest love fast” but rather “heal your heart and align deeply for long term happiness”. Rose encourages questioning social truisms (not being married by 25 doesn’t make you a spinster!), deeply exploring one’s feelings (you WILL need to do some honest soul searching!), and finding the positive within the journey (yes, that terrible date taught  you something about what you actually are looking for!). And all throughout, Rose sprinkles in a happy dose of magic, affirmations, and rituals to keep readers inspired and optimistic about their romantic journey.

Here are some of my favorite meditations, rituals, and practices shared by Rose to help readers uncover blocks in their love life, heal, and align their mindset to attract everlasting love:

ㅤ♡ Candle Spell for Passionate Love
ㅤ ♡Archangel Jophiel Morning Beauty Routine
ㅤ♡ Mermaid Mirror Work
ㅤ♡ Fairy Tea Ceremony for Self-Love
ㅤ♡ Rewriting Your Identity Ritual
ㅤ♡ Generational Healing with Archangel Raphael
ㅤ♡ Love Intention Bath with the Mermaids
ㅤ♡Social Amplification Reflection Questions


Overall, Magical Ever After is an empowering guide to manifesting the love one desires and deserves. For those open to spiritual assistance from the angelic, fairy, and mermaid realms, this book is a wonderful resource. Rose has done an outstanding job balancing practical romantic advice with initiation to let the mystic energy of the Universe guide the path to true love.

I’m a big believer in manifestation work succeeding the most through partnership with divine entities, so I have full confidence that the bridge created between realms through the process in this book leads to readers finding their dream relationships. I recommend Magical Ever After for those who need some uplifting inspiration in their love life; there’s always love and happiness available in life, if one is willing to open up to the possibilities.

Word Witchery, by Katie Ness

Word Witchery: Walking the Path of the Poetry Priestess, by Katie Ness
Moon Books, 1803417064, 304 pages, November 2025

Does writing or reading make you feel inspired? Have you ever felt an immense relief, joy, or catharsis from penning your feelings? Or perhaps you’ve artfully woven together your sentences to create a soulful tale that took on a life of its own? Well then, you might just be a word witch! Part spiritual history, part poetic grimoire, Word Witchery: Walking the Path of the Poetry Priestess by Katie Ness explores the ancient power of the spoken and written word as a form of magic, inviting modern readers to reclaim the tradition of “word witchery” as a mystical art.

“Poetry and the written word as a vessel of devotion is a universal act of worship around the world that helps us not only make sense of the signature of all things and commune with the elements within it, but to make the intangible tangible and to recognise how sacred it all is.”1

Divided into three parts, this book is a great mixture of theoretical and historical material and hands-on suggestions for magical workings. “Part 1” begins with an introduction to Ness’s path as a word witch. She then delves into the power of the spoken word, highlighting the importance of storytelling and word craft through time. Ness shares her insights on what it means to be a poet and word witch who weaves magic through text., words as spells, and poetry as alchemy. There’s even an invitation to connect with Minevera through ritual.

In this first part, she also takes readers on an excavation of magical poetry, showing how the use of language to “invoke or manifest an outcome in a magical way”19 has been done for thousands of years. The longest section, “The Lost Voices of the Feminine Divine”, highlights lesser known women with a talent for word craft: Bullutsa-rabi from first millennium BCE in Babylon, Anyte of Tegea from 3rd century Arcadia, Gangasati from 13th century western India, Zhou Xuanjing from 12th century China, Gwerful Mechain from 15th century Wales, and many, many more. There’s a fluidity to “Part 1”, as it roams through time and space, as Ness guides readers through different cultures who have used this form of magic.

“The writing of poems is an alchemical process. Concrete words can frame more ephemeral thoughts and emotions.”20

“Part 2” is dedicated to readers creating their own word witchery practice. Ness covers a wide range of poetry-inspired topics readers might be called to write about: devotionals to deities, to celebrate sabbats, connecting with the phases of the moon, spellwork (love, healing, protection, abundance), shadow work, dream work, and even magical crafting (talismans, stitching, and more!). For all the chapters, Ness provides directions to follow, including ingredients and tools needed, which I felt gives readers more freedom to then just focus their creative energy on creating their poetry rather than having to come up with the entire spell or ritual from scratch.

My favorite type of poetry Ness suggests in “Part 2” was tarot poetry. I’ve been on a huge tarot kick recently, so this was a very neat way to further integrate the tarot wisdom I’ve been absorbing. I decided to do the “Five Card Tarot Poetry” exercise Ness shares where you do a reading and then write one sentence for each card, creating a short poem. I decided to do this, pulling five cards to divine what the rest of 2025 holds for me.

Card 1 – Judgement
Card 2 – Ten of Pentacles
Card 3 – King of Pentacles
Card 4 – Queen of Swords
Card 5 – Knight of Pentacles

I release the burden of self-blame,
rising anew in a fiery blaze.
My family bonds are deeply rooted,
I am building my legacy.
Fortified by my strength and resources,
I am recognized for my abundance.
What stands between me and fulfillment is easily sliced away,
while boundaries safeguard my peace.
A time for methodical new beginnings,
I move ahead strategically.

Okay, so it turned out more like an empowering poetic affirmation, but the process of creating this poem was quite fun and tapped me deeper into my creativity, affirming my reading in a new way. And this just goes to show that you don’t necessarily need to be an incredible word smith to embrace the process of using language, word, and speech for magical purposes. Whether it’s manifestation or divination, honoring a sacred deity or tuning into the Wheel of the Year, it’s much more about the process than the final product. Ness teaches readers how to discover their unique expression.

“Poetry and spell casting exist in the liminal realms, they are gatekeepers to portals within our subconscious mind, space, time and the aether; heightened ways to harness and manifest our seeds of potential.”21

In the final section, “Part 3”, Ness brings the book full circle by closing with a ritual honoring Brigid. She also shares writing prompts for further exploration.

One thing I really appreciate about this book is how Ness reinforces that word-based magic was once a living spiritual practice, and that it’s still possible for us to tap into this for ourselves. The history she shares, particularly the forgotten ancestry of women who wielded language as their wand, made this path of word crafting feel grounded for me. Ness shows the power of language is not just mystical lore, but a real, ancient tradition that can be reclaimed within our own spiritual practice. There’s a long lineage of female voices in magical traditions, and accepting Ness’s invitation to reconnect with this path is aiding me in finding my own voice as a source of power.

Overall, Word Witchery is an inspiring read for anyone who senses that writing, poetry, or spoken word is a magical practice in itself. Ness offers a bridge between ancient traditions and contemporary spirituality, reclaiming the role of the word witch and poetry priestess through thoughtful research and practical ritual readers can do. If you’re someone who loves diving into the power of language, healing through creative expression, or working with feminine spiritual energy, this book is perfect for learning how to weave your own worlds with words.