Musing Mystical

✨ A Gathering Place for Magical Readers and Writers ✨

The Sacred Biodiversity Oracle, by Angela Manno

The Sacred Biodiversity Oracle: A 36-Card Deck and Guidebook, by Angela Manno
Bear & Company, 159143503X, 160 pages, 36 cards, January 2026

Our planet is experiencing an unprecedented loss of biodiversity, with countless species disappearing at a rate that threatens the delicate balance of ecosystems worldwide. In The Sacred Biodiversity Oracle by Angela Manno, sacred art and contemplative practice converge to draw attention to the animals and habitats most at risk. Through reflection, education, and direct links to conservation efforts, this deck gently transforms awareness into meaningful action.

“The current biodiversity crisis is nothing less than a holocaust of Nature. According to the Center for Biological Diversity, more than 8,000 species are going extinct every year–that’s twenty-two species per day, about one species every hour–one thousand times the natural rate.”1

Manno’s artistic rendering of 36 full-color cards serve to honor threatened and endangered species with the aim of using her artwork to produce an emotional response that inspires readers to evaluate and hopefully transform their relationship to “the planet and all its life forms from one of exploitation to one of mutual enhancement and respectful coexistence.”2 The cards are huge ( 5.25 inches by 7.5 inches),  which allows for them to be prominently displayed.

Within the guidebook, Manno details how she came to create this deck after studying the traditional Byzantine iconography style, in which divinity comes through contemplation of the image. She chose to use this style to frame each species in this deck as a sacred being worthy of reverence, not merely statistical information, in order to illuminate their value and special spirit. A key practice in this guidebook is visio divina (sacred seeing), which allows for the spiritual nature of reality to emerge from contemplation of the image. Manno writes:

“Anyone who fervently opens themselves up to the power of these images–both in Nature and in art–can rest in and be nourished by their wisdom and beauty.”3

The artwork is gorgeous. Manno has painted each threatened or endangered species in a style inspired by sacred iconography, evoking reverence and stillness through tones are relatively simple yet illuminating. The clean backgrounds showcase the brilliant detailing of each species, clearly rendering and centering each one in a way that invites focus. Manno has given each species a quiet presence on the card that transforms them from overlooked or imperiled beings into holy ones worthy of contemplation, protection, and awe.

The exercises in the guidebook further assist readers with this process. For each card, Manno shares information about the species depicted (traits, habitat, role in the larger ecosystem, current plight), offers the opportunity to connect with the animal through visio divina, encourages stream of consciousness writing, and then shares a way for readers to take action on behalf of the species. There’s even a QR code in each entry, as well as on the card itself, in order to be immediately linked to a website of an organization working on conservation for the species.

The species are divided into six types: mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians, invertebrates, and plants. I appreciated how Manno spans the natural world when it comes to representing the threatened or endangered species. This highlights how each species, big and small, from the Gray Wolf to the Firefly, has a vital and important role to play within both the local and larger ecosystem.

As previously mentioned, there is no applicable spiritual guidance shared in the guidebook, which I think is important to note given the word “oracle” in the title. The Sacred Biodiversity Oracle is designed not for divination, but for contemplation, connection, and ecological awareness. The cards intend to foster insight, empathy, and ecological responsibility within the readers and are best used as a more educational and spiritual tool than predictive oracle. This made me reflect on how often we turn to other beings as spiritual allies, hoping their wisdom comes through to answer our questions in oracle decks, but it’s rare we are given the chance to assist them. This deck is unique in that regard, as the card pulls are not to provide insights related to your own personal journey, but rather an opportunity to use your agency to assist these species in need.

Almost all entries are exactly the same, with the main focus being performing the visio divina with the card and journaling to the question “Allow yourself to be enveloped by empathy for this living being. How does its plight impact your life?”4 Therefore, I think it’s important to brace yourself when working with this deck. It’s a delicate balance choosing to open to the animal’s sacred energy only to then be presented with wisdom that makes you feel a bit helpless. While the immediate vetted nonprofit groups accessible through the QR codes is very useful, it’s important to also take time to engage in self-care when doing this meaningful environmental work.

While many of us wish we could give limitlessly to help these species, there’s only so much time, energy, and financial resources we have available, making it a bit sad to think of all the animals that need assistance. This blue feeling for me only was amplified by the description of just how terribly the species are doing in the natural world. It was hard to cherish the beauty of the cards only to be hit with the stark reality of the situation, as described in the guidebook. Nevertheless, honoring these species and doing our part is the only way forward, even when the process brings up eco-grief.

I would most recommend this deck to those interested in a meditative or devotional practice, especially one focused on planetary healing and connection with nature. Individually, the cards are great for focusing on a species in need of care and attention, which one can then direct their healing and loving energies towards. Within a group, the cards are a wonderful focus for shared contemplation and discussion about threatened or endangered species and the key roles they play in ecology. There’s plenty of creative ways to work with the deck that certainly can inspire, raise awareness, and make a meaningful change on behalf of these species’ well-being.

All in all, The Sacred Biodiversity Oracle is a thoughtful and contemplative deck that stands out for its ecological purpose and artistic depth. Manno’s background in icon painting infused with ecological philosophy gives the deck a ritualistic and reverent quality, making it more like a devotional tool than a standard oracle deck.

For those called to foster empathy for the natural world, this deck invites sacred contemplation and serves as a bridge between spiritual practice and environmental awareness. The deck beautifully emphasizes the interconnectedness between species and ecosystems, reminding us that no life exists in isolation. Through action-oriented reflection, including QR codes that connect directly to real-world conservation efforts, it transforms insight into tangible support for the planet.

Eco-Spirituality in the 21st Century, by Dana O’Driscoll and Nate Summers

Eco-Spirituality in the 21st Century: ReVisioning Nature, Community, and Connection for a Better Tomorrow, by Dana O’Driscoll and Nate Summers
REDFeather, 0764370162, 208 pages, October 2025

Ecological spirituality is not simply a revival of ancient, indigenous traditions—it is an essential response to a world at a turning point. As climate instability, ecological degradation, mass extinction, and disconnection from the natural world deepen, humanity is being called to remember that we are not separate from the Earth but woven into its living community. Rather than viewing Nature as something to control or consume–”natural resources” to be harvested for human purposes, eco-spiritual paths invite reverence, reciprocity, and stewardship. They encourage us to open our senses, hearts, and minds to reestablish our relationships with the rhythms of the seasons and the wisdom of the land and its diverse inhabitants. This perspective is not rooted in nostalgia; it is profoundly future-oriented, establishing the sensual, social, and spiritual foundation needed to cultivate resilience, regeneration, and collective care.

Dana O’Driscoll and Nate Summers explore this timely shift in Eco-Spirituality in the 21st Century, presenting a vision of spirituality that blends ancestral awareness with modern ecological responsibility and calls readers toward a more conscious, participatory relationship with the planet–especially with one’s local ecology. In recognizing the spiritual sovereignty and sacredness of rivers, forests, soil, sky, and all living beings therein, we begin to understand that healing the Earth and healing ourselves are inseparable.

 “[T]o fight anthropocentrism and all of its resulting problems and work to move us toward a biocentric, animistic philosophy that interweaves connections to nature (ovate practices), the world of spirit (druid practices), and the human community (bardic practices).”5

Remembering our place within the web of life may be one of the most important steps toward creating a balanced and compassionate future.

The authors use three perspectives–Ovate, Bardic, and Druidic–to explore the seven core principles of the new vision of eco-spirituality they present. Each chapter focuses on and unpacks one of the 7 R’s–Reconnection, Respect, Rewilding, Regeneration, Resilience, Reenchantment, and ReVisioning–interweaving the three perspectives to help readers establish new ways of relating to the natural world.

Going beyond mere discussion of each R theme, each chapter presents nature-inspired artwork and a trio of stories (the bardic perspective in action!) that provide a vision of how each theme manifests in past, present, and future. Accompanying each story, the authors offer plenty of example practices, journalling prompts, and other tools to help the reader cultivate deeper relationships to the natural world, other living beings, and the spiritual reality that grounds these relations.

While bardic practices help us to form human connections and grow communities based on shared values, the ovate perspective focuses on the renewal of our direct sense-experience and relationships to the panoply of living beings–plant, animal, insect, water, and mineral–in our local environment. The emphasis O’Driscoll and Summers place on engagement with one’s local ecology cannot be overstated, and is even one of the book’s greatest strengths. Far too often, books on similar topics tend to focus on large-scale (even global) social change aimed at destroying “the patriarchy” and (simply) replacing such structures with a new system of values. 

The authors certainly support the decomposition of perspectives and values which have led to the vast imbalances in our relationships to Nature, other living beings, and the animistic spirits abiding therein. However, they also emphasize that action must start locally. It is only through real (Re)connection (chapter 1!) with the patterns of life in one’s immediate environment that we can move toward collective change.

Rather than engage exclusively in “green” political action, which often manifests as just a different form of human-centered control/manipulation that created these imbalances, Summers and O’Driscoll urge us to cultivate our awareness of and relationships with our immediate natural and social environment. Not only does this increase personal connectedness with Nature, neighbors, and kin, it also decreases our dependence on goods and services extracted and imported from their own locality (and the necessity of money to purchase such things).

In the final chapters, “Reenchantment” and “ReVisioning”, the authors state that this book is in fact an explicit work of magic meant to help birth their vision of a more connected, caring world. Although every chapter incorporates the druidic perspective, including examples and guides for cultivating ritual practices which deepen our relationships with the spiritual beings of the natural world, the latter chapters share a vision of a world that is overflowing with Spirit.

This Reenchanted reality is one where mutual respect and cooperation between the human, natural, and spirit worlds can bring about lasting, global change, despite being carried out at the personal and local scales. Within the druidic perspective, O’Driscoll and Summers rely on the familiar notion of microcosm/macrocosm–as above, so below, as within, so without–to characterize our place and role in the world. I found their response to our perceived sense of powerlessness in the world to be especially insightful:

“Modern Western culture teaches us we are insignificant, we cannot make a difference, and we cannot levy broader change… The principle of the microcosm/macrocosm suggests that you can make a major difference even by focusing your efforts in small ways.”6

One of my favorite aspects of Eco-Spirituality in the 21st Century is the perfect container the authors create for developing practices, rituals, and relationships with one’s local ecology. They are very careful to present practices/rituals as general guidelines, rather than as prescriptive rites that must be performed in a certain way. In fact, the reader is often advised to refrain from overly-formal or strict practices. Instead, the importance is to focus on one’s intention while adapting the practice to the needs of the particular environment and beings involved. This is precisely why the book begins with ovate-inspired Reconnection: attentive listening/witnessing to the needs of the land/spirits, asking their permission to perform rituals or harvest, and unceasing gratitude for their presence and support. These attitudes and behaviors are the living heart of the process that will ultimately culminate in our new-old ways of perceiving, relating, and co-creating a more balanced and harmonized life for humanity and all of Nature.

Overall, nearly any reader will find something of value in this magical tome, whether you’re taking the first steps to reevaluate your relationship with the natural world, or you’re a practicing druid or permaculture expert. O’Driscoll and Summers weave a beautiful story that both informs and inspires us toward a renewed vision of the World, starting with nothing more than dirtying our hands and feet in the living soil of Mother Earth.

BonaDea’s Book of Everyday Enchantments, by Patricia deSandro

BonaDea’s Book of Everyday Enchantments, by Patricia deSandro
Crossed Crow Books, 1964537487, 100 pages, November 2025

It’s easy to forget that magic is not confined to ritual circles or rare celestial alignments. Rather, it lives in the very fabric of our ordinary moments. Each breath, each exchange, each shift of energy carries an invitation to participate more consciously in the world around us. When we slow down enough to acknowledge the life humming in plants, in objects, and in the unseen currents of spirit, we begin to remember that enchantment is not something we wait for – it is something we co-create.

BonaDea’s Book of Everyday Enchantments by Patricia deSandro offers readers a gentle yet potent framework for weaving practical magic into the rhythm of daily life. Instead of focusing on elaborate spellwork or arcane magic, deSandro emphasizes accessible techniques such as using made up chants, gestures, familiar objects, and meaningful alliances, to intentionally shift energy, manifest opportunities, and protect what matters most. Her approach makes the art of enchantment into a living, relational practice that can grow organically from everyday moments.

The book is divided into four parts. “Part I: Will You Be My Friend?” focuses on enchanting everyday objects and creating relationships with “non-human living beings”7 (animals, plants, Elemental spirits).From establishing plant allies to getting to know your local woods, deSandro shares plenty of advice and personal stories about the value these relationships bring to one’s life. Her anecdotes make this section more than an animist approach, allowing readers to really see how these relationships should be conducted. She writes:

“We introduce ourselves to each other. We each decide if we want to be allies. We each come to the table with an offer of friendship based on how we define it. Sometimes, negotiations are required. Promises are made and trust is established. It becomes a contract we wouldn’t want to break.”8

“Part II: Making Magic” is the longest section, and it’s where deSandro shares different techniques for creating your own enchantments. She teaches how to use one’s words wisely, see patterns, connect the dots for manifestation, maintain protection, and do healing energy work, among other things. All the spells are ones she’s developed over the years, and many times she has a story to illuminate how the spell has worked for her.

The final two parts, “Part III: Endings and Beginnings” and “Part IV: The Temple of the Sacred Flame” are much shorter. The former focuses on the coming and going of those we love (when people pass and when babies are born) as well as establishing connection with those on the other side. Meanwhile, in the final section, deSandro guides readers through creating their own “Inner Temple, a sacred place inside you for your soul.”9

With its short length (around 100 pages), small size, and conversational style, the book is well-suited for those who want inspiration without intimidation. Quickly glancing at it, one might perceive the enchantments shared by deSandro to be beginner level magic, yet that impression overlooks the depth contained within the simplicity. The concepts shared are at the core all magic, skillfully weaving together intention with belief in a way that feels relevant and personalized in order to effect meaningful change. Plus, the way deSandro has personal experience that highlights the magic she shares is a wonderful testimony to its potency.

Honestly, this is a book I will probably return to again and again when more formulaic magic leaves me feeling jaded or frustrated, as the content reminds me of the power of being in the present moment, attuned to energies around me and the needs within, and how to create this bridge to change the circumstance.

I plan on keeping my copy on my night table or desk for a refreshing approach to magic, as deSandro’s approach reminds me that we live in an ensouled world, and there’s plenty of relationships that can be forged with living entities. Too often, plants are reduced to a table of correspondences, and I forget these vital sprouts have a will and energy pattern of their own I can interact with. DeSandro awakens this deep magic that unifies the world by highlighting the livelihood of all beings.

Likewise, this approach is a great confidence booster for when you need to remember your own magical agency. DeSandro imparts to readers that you can trust your instincts, make up things as you go, and honor natural relationships without to trying control things. Rather, the key to this magic is acknowledgement and attunement. A feature of this book that makes it great for readers is the lined pages that deSandro includes throughout for readers to jot down their own reflections in regard to a question she proposes. This makes the book a fun tool for introspection, in addition to being a handy guidebook for everyday enchantment.

All in all, BonaDea’s Book of Everyday Enchantments is a friendly and grounded approach to tapping into magic that does not require elaborate tools or lengthy rituals. When approached with sincerity and awareness, even the simplest gestures become enchantments and the vibrancy of magic surrounding us begins to glimmer. DeSandro’s friendly approach is great for those who appreciate lived wisdom and are looking for a relationship with magic that feels personal, intuitive, and inviting. All of her tales were inspiring, guiding readers towards embracing the enchantment for themselves!

The Magic of Birds, by Mabh Savage

The Magic of Birds, by Mabh Savage
Moon Books, 1803410604, 120 pages, January 2026

Four decades of working with the symbolism and correspondences of the natural world through traditional astrology will do something to you — you start paying attention to things most people walk right past. Birds are one of them. Omens, augury, messages from the gods — these ideas run through nearly every spiritual tradition I’ve encountered. So when I came across The Magic of Birds by Mabh Savage, published by Moon Books, it felt overdue.

Savage is a pagan author and musician with a particular interest in the magic of animals and plants, and a lifelong fascination for Irish legends, Paganism, and spirituality. She’s previously written A Modern Celt and Pagan Portals: Celtic Witchcraft, so she comes to this material with both scholarly grounding and lived practice. My initial thought? This felt like it would be a quick, pleasant read. It turned out to be considerably more than that.

Savage’s writing style is warm, conversational, and personal in a way that doesn’t feel performed. She has a way of weaving together academic folklore references with moments from her own life that makes even the most obscure mythology feel immediate. You can tell she’s not just compiling information from books — she’s actually out there watching blackbirds at twilight and getting scolded by wrens in her garden. The book is organized thematically by type of bird: songbirds, carrion eaters, birds of prey, water birds, and then a chapter on famous mythological birds, followed by a practical chapter on seasonal and everyday magic. Each section builds naturally, and the structure makes it easy to either read straight through or use as a reference when a particular bird crosses your path.

What sets this book apart is the range of cultural traditions she draws from. Celtic and Irish mythology are clearly her home territory, and the depth there is impressive — the sections on Rhiannon’s mystical birds, the Mabinogi, and the Irish goddess Badb as the battle crow are rich with detail. But she doesn’t stop there. Norse mythology, Greek tales, First Nations traditions from North America, Australian Aboriginal dreamtime stories, and even Zulu folklore all make appearances.

What I appreciated was her explicit caution about Indigenous practices, which she places right in the Eagles section when discussing First Nations traditions: “Please don’t reproduce these unless you have genuine associations with a tribe or permission from those peoples”8. That showed real integrity, something you don’t always see in books that touch on cross-cultural spiritual material.

The personal anecdotes are what really elevate this book above a standard reference. Savage tells a story about a raven at an animal rescue centre that tricked her into stepping close, then deftly tipped her cup of duck food onto the floor and hopped down to enjoy her prize. “She knew, within seconds, that tipping the cup would give her the greatest prize. Remarkable animals”10. These moments bring the correspondences to life in a way that a simple list never could.

Similarly, her account of watching redwings arrive on a winter Solstice morning — “Beautiful redwings, probably just arrived from Scandinavia, resting after a long, cold night in the chilled winter air”11 — captures that feeling of witnessing something genuinely magical in the ordinary world.

For each bird, Savage provides correspondences and associations, folklore snippets, and practical magical applications. The corvid sections are perhaps the strongest — the magpies, ravens, jackdaws, and crows each get thorough treatment. Her retelling of the Lenape tale of the Rainbow Crow, who sacrificed his beautiful plumage to bring fire to the freezing animals, is genuinely moving. And her exploration of jackdaws as communicators who “use their eyes to communicate, and study the eyes of other animals in order to ascertain their intent”12 gave me a whole new appreciation for those noisy little birds.

The four seasonal rituals in the final chapter were an unexpected bonus. They’re well-written and adaptable — Savage explicitly encourages readers to change the birds to ones more familiar to them and to adapt the rituals to their own needs. The guided visualization for working with birds is thoughtfully designed, and she takes care to note that not everyone can visualize — something most magical authors never bother to mention. Her debunking of meditation myths, particularly that your mind must be blank, was refreshing. As someone who uses meditation in my own astrological practice, I found the woodland pathworking exercise genuinely useful and plan to incorporate elements of it into my own work.

Savage’s original poetry is scattered throughout the text, and while not all of it resonated equally with me, the pieces about blackbirds and curlews were evocative. The illustrations by Kay Savage add a lovely visual dimension to the book as well. If I had one minor observation, it’s that some birds get considerably more attention than others — the blackbird and wren sections are wonderfully deep, while some later entries feel more like sketches. But Savage is upfront about this being an introduction only, and she consistently points toward further reading, so that feels like an honest trade-off rather than a shortcoming.

Overall, The Magic of Birds is warm, thorough, and honest about what it is — an introduction, not an encyclopedia. There’s enough folklore depth to satisfy experienced practitioners, and enough plain language to not lose beginners. I’d recommend it to anyone on a pagan or nature-based spiritual path, any witch interested in expanding their practice with animal correspondences, or honestly, anyone who has ever felt that strange pull when a blackbird sings at dusk or a crow watches you from a rooftop.

This book has made me pay closer attention to the birds in my own neighborhood here in Southern California — different species than Savage’s birds, perhaps, but carrying their own magic nonetheless. As she writes in her preface, birds have been “chirping, squawking, tweeting, and flapping their way around my brain until there had to be an outlet”13. After reading this book, they’ve started doing the same in mine.

Coven, by Fiona Horne

Coven: Where Witches Gather, by Fiona Horne
Rockpool Publishing, 1923208462, 272 pages, March 2026

For many witches, the path begins in solitude – a quiet unfolding of intuition, ritual, and personal power. Yet there is a different kind of magic that awakens when practice becomes shared. Being part of a coven offers more than companionship; it creates a living current of collective energy where wisdom is exchanged, strengths are amplified, and individual blind spots are gently illuminated. Within a trusted circle, ritual deepens, accountability strengthens intention, and transformation becomes both witnessed and supported. Coven: Where Witches Gather by Fiona Horne explores how magic can be enhanced through group relationship, becoming shared sacred work, and offers guidance for creating or finding your own magical community.

Author Fiona Horne is an Australian witch, author, musician and teacher who emerged publicly in the 1990s as one of the first modern practitioners to openly identify as a witch in mainstream media. Raised with an early interest in mysticism and the occult, she later helped popularize contemporary witchcraft through bestselling books that reframed it as a nature-honoring, self-empowered spiritual path rather than something secretive or sensationalized. Over the decades, her work has focused on making witchcraft accessible, community-oriented, and aligned with modern life, encouraging practitioners to claim their identity openly and practice with confidence. This book is a revised and updated version of her previous publication The Coven: Making Magick Together (2003).

I was immediately impressed with the smooth texture of this book and gilded green edges. Though light in weight, there is a feeling of spiritual significance that comes through the book’s design. There’s a sensory elegance to it; the surface feels deliberately textured with care, as if it was made to be handled slowly. Instantly, I recognized this as a potent grimoire.

Peeking inside, I noticed the enchanting design continues within too. The interior pages all have an intricate border design, adding a feeling of elegance. The text is well structured and neatly organized with plenty of headings, bullet points, and different size and style of fonts. There’s also a nice ribbon for bookmarking your place. All throughout illuminating black and white images that contribute to the magical resonance, infusing the text with visual prompts too.

As for the content, Horne begins with a chapter introducing witchcraft, including what witches believe and laws of witchcraft (many from traditional Wicca), followed by a chapter on witchcraft in the past, present, and future. The information in these sections sufficiently grounds readers in the wider context of witchcraft, a base from which they can then go and explore covencraft.

“A coven is a sacred space – but it’s also a shared space, and that means it comes with all the beauty and complexity of human interaction.”14

There’s so many elements to a coven, and Horne covers the different aspects and layers of this joint interaction in the following chapters. From the get-go she distinguishes the type of coven this book is aimed for is different from traditional Gardnerian and Alexandrian witchcraft ones. Some of the differences in modern covens that Horne values are things such as shared leadership, inclusivity, environmental focuses, and rapid adaptation and flexibility. Meanwhile, she also shares different types of covens, ranging from eclectic ones with members who have a mixture of magical backgrounds to “working” covens that are more focused on learning and discussion, and noting how some covens meet in-person while others are virtual. The main emphasis is on the variety of ways a coven can exist, giving readers plenty of room to feel into what would be best suited for them.

As for actually forming or finding a coven, Horne provides plenty of advice for where one might connect with other like-minded souls, even providing an attraction spell. She also shares how to know if someone is a good fit for a coven. Once the group is established, Horne guides readers through the process of establishing responsibilities, picking deities, naming the coven and choosing a magical name for one’s self, and deciding where to gather. She also covers topics such as choosing which tools to use within the coven as well as wardrobe when gathering, noting the financial element of these decisions too. All of these small decisions laid out clearly provide a good roadmap for beginning a coven’s journey.

Horne has a whole chapter dedicated to how to run a coven meeting, including preparation, casting a circle, element invocation, inviting the deities,raising energy, and closing the circle. This chapter is a great resource for those familiarizing themselves with group magic. Subsequent chapters then cover topics such as sabbats, spellwork, group meditation, magickal gathering (open to those outside the coven too), sacred play, sex within the craft, and healthy living.

One chapter that I think is very valuable is “The Art of Coven Keeping” because I’ve seen SO many covens fall apart from disagreements, gossip, jealousies, misunderstandings, and simple lack of energy or interest in maintaining them. There’s usually a potent energy at the formation of a coven, but sustaining this energy takes work. In addition to this information in this chapter, Horne also has created an oracle deck, Coven Oracle, to provide insight into group dynamics that I think is a great tool for any group work.

I really resonated with her approach to covens, making it feel much more accessible than the traditional, “hidden” covens that require much more rigid adherence to a belief system and thorough initiation. In fact, Horne’s approach to the coven dispelled many long-standing beliefs I had about covens. For the first time, I believed it was possible I could create my own or find an aligned magical community. Not only does Horne provide an overview of how to do this, but she leaves so much room for personalization, especially considering every coven will have unique energies. I enjoy how she honors the art of covencrafting, rather than trying to make it fit in specific and outdated boxes.

At the same time, Horne takes a very practical approach to covens. The chapter dedicated to legally incorporating a coven as a spiritual organization was all novel for me. I had never really thought about this approach, but it makes sense in that the organization becomes tax exempt and is eligible for grants. I appreciate how Horne offers this, in addition to all her magical advice, because it grounds the potential of each coven in our structured reality.

“Because beneath the hashtags and highlight reels there is still a living, breathing mystery – a sacred, subversive truth that belongs to witches; a truth about power, connection, and the unseen forces that shape our world. This book isn’t just a how-to. It’s a lived testament to community, courage, and the magick we create when we gather in trust and intention.”15

Overall, Coven stands out as a thoughtful and practical resource for witches drawn to group magical working. Horne offers meaningful insight into not only how to form a coven, but how to nurture, protect, and sustain its energetic integrity over time. By weaving foundational witchcraft principles with guidance on leadership, harmony, and shared intention, she creates a framework that feels both accessible and purposeful. For those seeking to move beyond solitary practice and into the alchemy of collective magic, this book serves as a steady and encouraging guide. There’s so much to explore within a group witchcraft practice, and Horne has truly provided the community with a valuable tool for navigating this special type of magic.

The Left-Hand Path of Tarot, by Cherry Parra

The Left-Hand Path of Tarot: Breaking Taboos, Confronting Shadows, and Achieving Self-Love, by Cherry Parra
Weiser Books, 157863878X, 248 pages, February 2025

The Left-Hand Path of Tarot: Breaking Taboos, Confronting Shadows, and Achieving Self-Love by Cherry Parra teaches that tarot is not meant to simply soothe the ego or wrap us in spiritual platitudes. She asserts that at its deepest level, tarot is a mirror that reflects what we might prefer not to see. When approached with honesty, the cards cut through wishful thinking and invite us into radical self-responsibility. They illuminate patterns we perpetuate, desires we hide, grief we avoid, and truths we sense but hesitate to claim.

This kind of practice asks for courage and the willingness to sit with discomfort rather than reaching for quick reassurance. Parra invites readers to work with the tarot in this way, demonstrating how tarot can be a tool for maturation, shadow integration, and self-catalyst. Having the agency to choose differently or act with clarity comes from the willingness to wade in the chaos, ask the tough questions, and pivot when necessary.

“First and foremost we deal in truth, and it is often uncomfortable and usually brutal. If we want the truth, we must ask true questions. Tarot is not a hiding place. There should be no room for shame, self-deception, or hide-and-seek dynamics.”16

Divided into three parts, Parra leads readers through viewing the tarot from the lens of the Left-Hand Path, interpreting the cards to offer a wider perspective (sometimes even challenging or subverting card meanings), and then how to put into practice the Left-Hand Path of tarot.

“Part 1: Welcome to the Left-Hand Path” provides an introduction to the overall topic of using tarot for confronting uncomfortable truths and reclaiming marginalized aspects of the self. Parra shows how tarot is a guide to outsiders, those who are outcast, marginalized, and nonconforming. When challenging social norms as a healer, visionary, artistic, or activist–all vital roles amid chaotic times–tarot can be used dually as a weapon and as a tool for self-alchemy. The chapters on shadow work and manifestation give insight into how readers can learn to embrace the “not positive” aspects of the cards for growth, revelation, and ultimately more personal agency.

“Part 2: Left-Hand Path Interpretations” is where Parra delves into the meaning of the cards. For each Major Arcana card, she shares about two pages of insight. While the general traditional meaning shines through, Parra definitely infuses the cards with meaning reflecting the philosophy of a Left-Hand Path journey. This is to say, she strips a lot of the BS away and gives a straight-forward message that acknowledges what’s really going on beneath the surface. What I appreciate about her approach is that there’s no doom and gloom, rather, it’s very grounded and “tell it like it is” for optimum clarity.

As for the Minor Arcana, Parra deconstructs the traditional idea of each suit corresponding to only one element. She writes, how “every Minor Arcana card, regardless of which suit it belongs to, carries wisdom from more than one element of nature.”17 This was the first time I’d ever come across this notion in my tarot studies, and the idea felt supremely liberating, a deviation with plenty of potential to explore on my own. In this chapter, Parra provides interpretations for each suit and then uses tables to provide short meanings (upright and reversed) for the Minor Arcana cards. 

In the final section, “Part 3: Walking the Left-Hand Path with Tarot”, Parra takes the information shared thus far and casts it out into the wider world. She likens the Left-Hand Path to the “Path of Doubt”18, which “deals with uncertainty, contradictions, mysteries, and even riddles.”19. Here, Parra reminds readers to embrace their own flavor of reading, embracing their “out-of-the-box”20 interpretations when they arise. Infusing anarchy, challenging the trickster, and lingering in the unknown are all aspects of the Left-Hand Path that tarot can help cultivate. She offers ideas for shuffling, dialoging with the cards, and personalizing your decks.

Plus, Parra includes so many spreads! Spreads for money and business, self love, body image, mommy/daddy issues, psychic battles, transmutation and more. It’s like Parra has attuned to the multi-faceted shadow aspects and taboo topics that could use a reading for more insight and crafted meaningful spreads to mine the information with ease. Furthermore, she covers tarot rituals, such as opening/closing the reading and protection, offering readers a well-rounded approach to doing these readings.

All throughout, I really enjoyed how Parra shares her tarot wisdom. It’s very evident she’s gained a ton of experience as a reader, both for herself and others, and does a great job synthesizing what she’s learned into practical advice. From offering tips to both beginners and pros to framing the mindset of querents to better understand their position to how to handle readings honestly when cards reveal things aren’t peachy keen, Parra provides a lot of value for those interested in reading for others. The epilogue, “The Ethics of Tarot”21, also is great food-for-thought.

I also just gained a lot of perspective from Parra’s Left-Hand Path interpretations of the cards. In addition to enjoying her liberation of the Minor Arcana from the elemental suits previously discussed, her depictions of the Major Arcana were a breath of fresh air. It was SO nice to read novel interpretations of the cards, especially from Parra’s first-hand perspective. From linking the Hierophant with personal discipline to saying sometimes the Hermit can point towards needing a good old bed-rot, her lens was modern, relatable, and still deeply meaningful.

“Very few people actually discuss and practice the art of leaning into catastrophe, of riding the lows with as much attention and enthusiasm as they surf the highs, and of finding the potential within imbalance.”22

Overall, The Left-Hand Path of Tarot offers an approach to tarot that emphasizes the nitty gritty truth. Emphasizing the shattering of social taboos and upholding personal empowerment, readers will appreciate the originality of Parra’s interpretation of the cards. Within this framework, tarot becomes a method for choice, conformation, and cultivating personal agency (and responsibility!). Accessible for tarot readers of all levels, this book is best for those ready to question their spiritual conditioning, subvert traditional tarot meanings, and discover methods to bring more active questioning into their practice.

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.”19

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.”23

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.

Sacred Mysticism of Egypt, by Fotoula Foteini Adrimi

Sacred Mysticism of Egypt: The Ancient Path of Heka Initiation, by Fotoula Foteini Adrimi
O-Books,  978-1803417127, 296 pages, August 2025

“What happens when we consciously enter the vortex of etheric energy placed deliberately by the ancients? We might find that we are never the same. This book takes us on a journey through time and space, through dimensions and different realities, through self-acceptance and self-love, to lead us back into our infinite spirit, where the source of magic exists.”24

The quote above summarizes the intention of Sacred Mysticism of Egypt: The Ancient Path of Heka Initiation by Fotoula Foteini Adrimi. This book stirs within the reader a longing for return to what is inherently known in all of our being–that we are more than our corporeal form defined by self-imposed limitations and continually seeking its true nature as a being of light and citizen of the cosmos. This book calls the reader back to that true nature and provides the tools and understanding that stimulate a deeper memory that we have done this work before. 

“Eons ago, a great civilization existed on Earth, in which human beings were aware of their spiritual nature. This civilization exists as soul memory and initiates deep longing towards harmonious spiritual living in a supportive community. The foundations of this extraordinary civilization were built on the spirituality of the Living Light, which provided the fundamentals for the Golden Times of ancient Egypt, described with the term Zep Tepi, “The Initial Time”25

This book is organized into twenty-one chapters and contained within three sections.  A page of references and an always helpful glossary conclude the book. The introduction provides insight into the way in which the book is organized and the “why” behind this choice:

“The ancient Egyptians loved the number three..the most famous of these trinities is Osiris as the Father, Isis as the Mother and Horus as the Child….. Ausir (Osiris) is the first king, The heart is the foundation of the Living Light teachings….In the first part of the book I talk about Creation and Un-Creation , the journey of incarnation into a physical self and ascension into the infinite spirit… In the second part, we meet the Teacher of the Living Light, the ancient Egyptian Goddess Isis or Iset… Finally, Horan (Horus) is the spiritual warrior, who meets and overcomes the forces of chaos that keep him stuck. In Part 3, we encounter Horan as the falcon who has mastered its flight in the physical and spiritual realms.”26

“Part 1: The Golden Times Foundation Teachings” takes the reader on a journey of the Egyptian cosmology and consciousness of their spiritual workings. The palpability of energy and self-awareness flows through the writing, each chapter embedded with the author’s channeled information, the Egyptian subtle parts/bodies of self and opportunities to explore through personal engagement the teachings. We learn that an important part of Egyptian spirituality was in cultivating the Sahu (body of spiritual light, we all are in our true form), embodying that Living Light and thus, becoming one with all of the cosmos and living in harmony. This section, in particular, lays a suitable foundation for the teachings moving forward through the text and does a nice job of coalescing the intention that Ancient Egypt was seeded by the wisdom of Atlantean adepts and the further connection back to the mysteries of the star system of Sirius. 

“Part 2: Initiation as a Channel of Heka” offers three chapters discussing three specific initiations: “Chapter 12: The Seven Gates of Awareness”, “Chapter 13: The Light of Atum”, and “Chapter 14: The Wisdom of Thoth”. In this section, the reader is introduced to the Egyptian concept of magic–HEKA.

“”the Living Light” energy that I and my guides refer to was known as HEKA, translated as “The Divine Invisible Power that rules all”. Another translation is “The mystical Divine power that creates the manifested world.””27

The chapters contained within this section provide the reader with examples of how the principles of awakening the Sahu (Living Light) are activated through initiatory practices. The rituals are gifted from the author and enable the reader to use them as a means of self-initiation on their path. The author’s own experiences are shared, laying the seeds for curiosity and deeper exploration for the reader. 

“Part 3: Mystical Esoteric Practices of Ancient Egyptian Spirituality” completes the journey of awakening the Living Light. The ethics of the work are called forth in the teachings of Ma’at (both as Goddess and principle of ORDER) and the importance of the time within the Duat (the Egyptian underworld) needed to emerge as the Living Light are some of the highlights.

“We embark on a journey of spiritual resurrection and rebirth. We follow Iset inside the Great Pyramid and meet our Divine spirit. We Astro-travel to the world of the dead and walk a journey of self-renewal. This spiritual work parallels what happens when we die, enter the spirit realms, and reincarnate. Like Ausir (Osiris), we reincarnate as Horan (Horus), the one who becomes aware of being the spirit in the body.”28

This section is filled with deep wisdom as well as rituals and spiritual practices that enhance and have built one upon the other in the reading of Sacred Mysticism of Egypt.

Would I Recommend?

If you are drawn to the mythos and practices of Ancient Egypt and are curious about the spiritual practices of this unparalleled civilization, Sacred Mysticism of Egypt: The Ancient Path of Heka Initiation is definitely a read you will not be disappointed in.  Adrimi has taken very complex practices and ideologies and managed to write in a form that is both coherent and usable, creating imagery and energy flowing from page to page that is nothing less than divinely inspired. 

About the Author: Fotoula Foteini Adrimi 

Fotoula Foteini Adrimi, BA(Hons), MSc, is the director of the ISIS School of Holistic Health, an international school of healing arts, spiritual development, and inner transformation through vibrational energy work, enlightened teachings, shamanism, and meditation. She is part of the global network of Shamanic Teachers under Sandra Ingerman. Fotoula lives and works in Glasgow, Scotland, has taught in Germany and the Netherlands, and has led spiritual pilgrimages to Egypt. Her first book, The Golden Book of Wisdom: Ancient Spirituality and Shamanism for Modern Times, is an Amazon UK bestseller. You can learn more on her website.

Divine Feminine Gnosis, by Lee Irwin

Divine Feminine Gnosis: The Lesser and Greater Mysteries of Sophia, by Lee Irwin
Inner Traditions, 979-8888502532, 304 pages, December 2025

Within Lee Irwin’s Divine Feminine Gnosis: The Lesser and Greater Mysteries of Sophia is a challenge many books discussing esoteric topics face: the author must diligently walk the fine line between coherently communicating their ideas, experiences, and sentiments within the limits of language, with one hand, and gesturing toward the veiled dance of the deeper Mystery with the other. And the attempt to thread this needle in order to present the reader with a tapestry of divine feminine–i.e. Sophianic–wisdom is an even greater challenge due to the diversity of expression that such wisdom can take, as Irwin himself acknowledges.

The book is divided into two main sections: the Lesser and Greater Mysteries, which correspond to Praxis (practice, lived-experience, development of feminine values) and Sophiana (the hidden esoteric realities that ground and unify the expressions of feminine gnosis in one’s lived experience). While the latter half is certainly more abstract and metaphysical, it covers familiar Gnostic territory: Divine Union, the World Soul, Aeons, Rebirth, and how they connect to the lived-expressions of Sophia through the Body, Soul, and Mind as discussed in the first half.

At the outset, Irwin himself suggests that attempting to read the book in a typically “masculine” way: e.g. looking for precise, logical argumentation meant to arrive at a determinate conclusion, is not fitting for the content of the feminine gnosis. Throughout the text, Irwin takes great care to distinguish how the potentially limitless expression of Sophia–the divine source of this embodied, intuitive, and creative feminine type of knowing–differs from the masculine patterns that have dominated the religious and social institutions of our inherited past.

In a sense, because Sophianic knowing explicitly does not seek a final, closed formulation of beliefs, theory, or way of being-in-the-world, it seems difficult to provide any concrete examples of how divine feminine wisdom manifests in the world. Instead, Irwin relies upon the masculine/feminine contrast–using the distinction of what feminine gnosis is not like–along with repeated cycles of key descriptors to illuminate the topic.

Although Irwin’s presentation of the Lesser Mysteries is meant to reveal how feminine gnosis shows up in the world of our experience, this is especially where illustrating particular instances of feminine wisdom and/or practices that may open one to the grace of Sophia would be helpful for the reader. In lieu of this, Irwin presents iterations of generalized descriptions and “guiding principles” that often lack means toward practical application.

For example, Irwin writes, “The grounded praxis is simply to be loving and compassionate, to express care and concern that is heart-centered, in the most direct and genuine sense,”29 and “In post-traditional spirituality, what matters most is direct personal insights and how those insights contribute to a better, more mature world.”30 As a reader, I was left wondering: How do I become simply loving and compassionate? What is insight? How do we recognize and/or cultivate this capacity?

Irwin gestures at some practices which may help foster insight, such as meditation, soul-based education, creative projects, and dreamwork–indeed, Irwin’s only concrete example of a praxis is a simple, three-step process for dream analysis. Although the accumulation and refining of insight is one of the most frequent ways Irwin describes the ingress of Sophianic wisdom to lived-experience, this term does not even warrant a mention in the Index. Nor is insight differentiated from intuition, another key capacity for receiving Sophia’s gifts.

In the end, feminine gnosis comes down to some special way of knowing. Such knowledge is not based in abstract, rationalistic doctrines or privileged states of consciousness bequeathed by an (often patriarchal) authority or tradition. It is a “secret knowledge” (a common Gnostic trope) in the sense that it cannot be codified into language, emerging uniquely for each individual, and aimed toward the formulation and realization of certain qualities within both the individual, society, and Cosmos. E.g. inclusive equality of all beings and ways of life (people, animals, plants, minerals, angels, the deceased, etc.), mediated by mature loving relationships and guiding principles that foster universal well-being and the creative actualization of possibility awaiting exploration beyond the horizon of previous experience.

Despite the reservations I felt about Irwin’s style/structure, Divine Feminine Gnosis began to resonate on a deeper level over time, marinating with more exposure to the potentially inexhaustible ways Sophia weaves within the Mystery of Being. I urge readers who may be highly-analytic (myself included) to consider Irwin’s early guidance in how to read his book in the Preface and Opening (xi – 12). Personally, I found that pulling back and softening my focus on the text (even taking a break!) made reading flow far better, and without the feeling I was missing/losing content. 

I also found some of Irwin’s characterizations of “masculine” religions, wisdom traditions, etc. to be more abrasive, dichotomizing, and dismissive than necessary (not the most inclusive, holistic, respectful attitude, in my opinion). However, this emphasized that the revitalization of feminine Wisdom in our world cannot happen without disrupting the excesses of masculine patterns of thinking-being that grip us at individual and collective scales. For readers who may be more comfortable in these more masculine patterns (scientific, rationalistic, etc.), I found Irwin’s perspective resonated with contemporary cognitive science: e.g. McGilchrist’s argument that our brain’s left hemisphere (analytic, control-oriented) is playing the role of “master” rather than playing the emissary of the (holistic, relational) right hemisphere.

Irwin’s work was inspiring as it was illuminating, inviting a courageous openness to adopt a new perspective. Without this openness, I may not have persisted to the end of the book–and would’ve missed one of the most deeply resonant expressions:

“The incarnate world is the center of creation, not some lower level, but the very heart and soul of becoming as embodied life seeks to maximize our deepest potentials. We need physical life to actually reach maturity; we need the challenges and limitations as a means within which we can form and develop new structures and patterns of becoming.”31

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.”32

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”33 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.”34

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.