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New Moon Magic: 13 Anti-Capitalist Tools for Resistance and Re-Enchantment
Harness the power of lunar magic with 13 essential practices for the modern witch--one for each New Moon of the year
For readers of Psychic Witch and The Spell Book for New Witches
In New Moon Magic , Missing Witches authors Risa Dickens and Amy Torok offer Witchy practices to change your life and reshape the world, without falling prey to the commercialization that belies the true heart--and power--of magic.
Witchcraft is how we do what we believe, and how we make those beliefs manifest. New Moon Magic is an offering to all witches, honoring the Craft’s roots in centuries of empowerment, survival, and resistance--despite capitalism’s attempts to co-opt and dilute its practice.
Here, Dickens and Torok reclaim tools of witchcraft as the ways and means of enchantment, imbued with magic that resists commodification and capitalism. The authors introduce 13 New Moon practices, each paired with a Witch who embodies the
Through historical research, interviews, and the authors’ own raw personal stories, New Moon Magic offers wisdom and guidance from real Witches past and present. It shows you how to take up tools and practices, discover (or rediscover) your own magic, and nurture a Witchcraft that creates instead of consumes.
Fresh, fierce, and unapologetically feminist, this is both guidebook and rallying cry--an intersectional and inclusive magical praxis that resists, disrupts, and opens the door to nourishment, abundance, and transformation.
For readers of Psychic Witch and The Spell Book for New Witches
In New Moon Magic , Missing Witches authors Risa Dickens and Amy Torok offer Witchy practices to change your life and reshape the world, without falling prey to the commercialization that belies the true heart--and power--of magic.
Witchcraft is how we do what we believe, and how we make those beliefs manifest. New Moon Magic is an offering to all witches, honoring the Craft’s roots in centuries of empowerment, survival, and resistance--despite capitalism’s attempts to co-opt and dilute its practice.
Here, Dickens and Torok reclaim tools of witchcraft as the ways and means of enchantment, imbued with magic that resists commodification and capitalism. The authors introduce 13 New Moon practices, each paired with a Witch who embodies the
Through historical research, interviews, and the authors’ own raw personal stories, New Moon Magic offers wisdom and guidance from real Witches past and present. It shows you how to take up tools and practices, discover (or rediscover) your own magic, and nurture a Witchcraft that creates instead of consumes.
Fresh, fierce, and unapologetically feminist, this is both guidebook and rallying cry--an intersectional and inclusive magical praxis that resists, disrupts, and opens the door to nourishment, abundance, and transformation.
376 pages, Paperback
Published September 12, 2023
44 people are currently reading
2541 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
March 13, 2023
Full of great information and beautiful quotes, but I do wish it was laid out differently.
Perhaps some headers for the incantations and spells offered, so they are easy to find and reference later after reading?
Great to read front to back, but doesn't make a sensical reference book. Which is really what I need from my books, so that they continue to be useful moving forward.
I love the concept and the ideas presented here though, and I will be recommending it to other witches.
Perhaps some headers for the incantations and spells offered, so they are easy to find and reference later after reading?
Great to read front to back, but doesn't make a sensical reference book. Which is really what I need from my books, so that they continue to be useful moving forward.
I love the concept and the ideas presented here though, and I will be recommending it to other witches.
May 6, 2023
This is a lovely read, and something to have in hard copy. Gently interweaved with quotes and story-telling, it's a wonderful foray into a magical world.
4 stars
4 stars
March 25, 2023
For me the dark moon represents endless possibilities and new beginnings. I automatically and immediately think of black moonstone and labradorite, of Vetiver and Oakmoss. In this book, encouraging us to weave together the living embodiment of our ideas for collective reenchantment — there is hope and wisdom.
“The tools you’ll find in this book might not be able to change lead into gold or water into wine, but they can transform the mundane into the sacred. They can transform us, our lives, and—with the rippling effect that we know magic has—our culture as a whole. As above, so below. As within, so without.”
Anti-capitalist and quick to convey that we don’t need to buy a damn thing to be magical, to own our inherent and phenomenal personal power. I like it! And simultaneously yes, I own many metaphysical tools, and work with tarot decks, crystals, oils — but, do I need them? Do I need these to manifest my best life and go boldly? To be a women who runs with the wolves? No.
Each chapter has some storytelling woven with historical figures (from Beethoven to Tesla), quotes and more ancestral stories — obviously well thought out and researched, including rituals and incantations. As a leader of women’s circles, I particularly resonated with the new moon in Scorpio chapter.
“The tools you’ll find in this book might not be able to change lead into gold or water into wine, but they can transform the mundane into the sacred. They can transform us, our lives, and—with the rippling effect that we know magic has—our culture as a whole. As above, so below. As within, so without.”
Anti-capitalist and quick to convey that we don’t need to buy a damn thing to be magical, to own our inherent and phenomenal personal power. I like it! And simultaneously yes, I own many metaphysical tools, and work with tarot decks, crystals, oils — but, do I need them? Do I need these to manifest my best life and go boldly? To be a women who runs with the wolves? No.
Each chapter has some storytelling woven with historical figures (from Beethoven to Tesla), quotes and more ancestral stories — obviously well thought out and researched, including rituals and incantations. As a leader of women’s circles, I particularly resonated with the new moon in Scorpio chapter.
February 1, 2024
This was surprisingly good. I'm an atheist and I was reading it for novel research purposes but it's the kind of book about magic that works on a psychological and narrative level whether you believe in it or not. Each chapter is comprised of a theme (needles, potions, movement, art), one or two witches (or otherwise powerful women) with some relationship to that theme, a ritual, and an incantation. The emphasis is not just on individual transformation but ritual so that you can participate in collective transformation. The authors are non-judgmental and open to a multitude of ways in which you can practice, alone or in a coven.
Read
January 29, 2025This book was full of inspiring stories and wonderful rituals for the new moon. These are simple rituals involving minimal tools that focus on personal spiritual growth. I thought it was unique and very good.
April 16, 2023
Informative and well written but not what I was expecting and although i tried it just didn’t keep my interest
April 17, 2023
This is a really interesting book for a really specific type of magic and rituals. I've never seen a book about this before and I think the information was good. I also liked the inclusion of the personal stories of different people. Every New Moon in the year is attached to a specific sign and topic in the book. There are 13 chapters, 12 for every month and the thirteenth moon; discussing things like divination, technology, art, etc. I found it really insightful. It is a bit dense with a lot of text, but if you are interested in this topic I 100% recommend checking it out
March 12, 2023
New Moon Magic is a phenomenal book of magic and scholarship designed to help readers create meaningful change. The forward, written by Dr. Christena Cleveland, likens the book to the “magic of Gestalt psychology” which teaches that the “whole is greater than the sum of its parts”. Cleveland, “enrobed in a Black and female body”, grew up feeling pressure to break down her sacred intersectionality into its simplistic parts, and she upholds this book and its magic as an antidote to harmful reductionism. Dickens and Torok, creators of the podcast Missing Witches, show readers how to liberate themselves from tyranny by fully embracing their identities and forging connections to each other and the bountiful world.
The book is divided into thirteen sections that correspond with the astrological new moons and the meanings of the earth, air, water, and fire signs. The introduction defines the word “witch” not as a person but as a discursive space, “a meeting point of politics, spirituality, and art.” The writers chart “a path beyond the violence of capitalism, patriarchy, and white supremacy” by hearkening to the voices and stories of marginalized people. Each month’s new moon offers readers the dark space to explore a new way of living as they contemplate what “our worldviews and world will look like when we reintegrate marginalized, obscured, violated, missing wisdom.”
I absolutely loved this book. Although it is full of thought-provoking ideas, it is easy to read and can be digested over time as each new moon rises. The book covers the magic of the body, the garden, song, dance, storytelling, geometry, and divination, pairing simple rituals and incantations with historical information and complex philosophies. In the section on the 13th moon, the writers issue a call to action, urging readers to understand that personal strength is political strength and that our greatest calling as humans is “to build a shared house of wisdom in community with all creatures of the earth.” Heartfelt, informative, and inspirational, this book reaches into a shared past to envision a brighter future, showing readers that true magic lies not in tools or aesthetics but inside ourselves. This beautiful book is full of ancient wisdom, personal stories, and innovative tips that will help readers to enchant their lives and, in doing so, change the world.
Thank you to Netgalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair review.
The book is divided into thirteen sections that correspond with the astrological new moons and the meanings of the earth, air, water, and fire signs. The introduction defines the word “witch” not as a person but as a discursive space, “a meeting point of politics, spirituality, and art.” The writers chart “a path beyond the violence of capitalism, patriarchy, and white supremacy” by hearkening to the voices and stories of marginalized people. Each month’s new moon offers readers the dark space to explore a new way of living as they contemplate what “our worldviews and world will look like when we reintegrate marginalized, obscured, violated, missing wisdom.”
I absolutely loved this book. Although it is full of thought-provoking ideas, it is easy to read and can be digested over time as each new moon rises. The book covers the magic of the body, the garden, song, dance, storytelling, geometry, and divination, pairing simple rituals and incantations with historical information and complex philosophies. In the section on the 13th moon, the writers issue a call to action, urging readers to understand that personal strength is political strength and that our greatest calling as humans is “to build a shared house of wisdom in community with all creatures of the earth.” Heartfelt, informative, and inspirational, this book reaches into a shared past to envision a brighter future, showing readers that true magic lies not in tools or aesthetics but inside ourselves. This beautiful book is full of ancient wisdom, personal stories, and innovative tips that will help readers to enchant their lives and, in doing so, change the world.
Thank you to Netgalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair review.
September 9, 2023
New Moon Magic is a phenomenal book of magic and scholarship designed to help readers create meaningful change. The forward, written by Dr. Christena Cleveland, likens the book to the “magic of Gestalt psychology” which teaches that the “whole is greater than the sum of its parts”. Cleveland, “enrobed in a Black and female body”, grew up feeling pressure to break down her sacred intersectionality into its simplistic parts, and she upholds this book and its magic as an antidote to harmful reductionism. Dickens and Torok, creators of the podcast Missing Witches, show readers how to liberate themselves from tyranny by fully embracing their identities and forging connections to each other and the bountiful world.
The book is divided into thirteen sections that correspond with the astrological new moons and the meanings of the earth, air, water, and fire signs. The introduction defines the word “witch” not as a person but as a discursive space, “a meeting point of politics, spirituality, and art.” The writers chart “a path beyond the violence of capitalism, patriarchy, and white supremacy” by hearkening to the voices and stories of marginalized people. Each month’s new moon offers readers the dark space to explore a new way of living as they contemplate what “our worldviews and world will look like when we reintegrate marginalized, obscured, violated, missing wisdom.”
I absolutely loved this book. Although it is full of thought-provoking ideas, it is easy to read and can be digested over time as each new moon rises. The book covers the magic of the body, the garden, song, dance, storytelling, geometry, and divination, pairing simple rituals and incantations with historical information and complex philosophies. In the section on the 13th moon, the writers issue a call to action, urging readers to understand that personal strength is political strength and that our greatest calling as humans is “to build a shared house of wisdom in community with all creatures of the earth.” Heartfelt, informative, and inspirational, this book reaches into a shared past to envision a brighter future, showing readers that true magic lies not in tools or aesthetics but inside ourselves. This beautiful book is full of ancient wisdom, personal stories, and innovative tips that will help readers to enchant their lives and, in doing so, change the world.
Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair review.
The book is divided into thirteen sections that correspond with the astrological new moons and the meanings of the earth, air, water, and fire signs. The introduction defines the word “witch” not as a person but as a discursive space, “a meeting point of politics, spirituality, and art.” The writers chart “a path beyond the violence of capitalism, patriarchy, and white supremacy” by hearkening to the voices and stories of marginalized people. Each month’s new moon offers readers the dark space to explore a new way of living as they contemplate what “our worldviews and world will look like when we reintegrate marginalized, obscured, violated, missing wisdom.”
I absolutely loved this book. Although it is full of thought-provoking ideas, it is easy to read and can be digested over time as each new moon rises. The book covers the magic of the body, the garden, song, dance, storytelling, geometry, and divination, pairing simple rituals and incantations with historical information and complex philosophies. In the section on the 13th moon, the writers issue a call to action, urging readers to understand that personal strength is political strength and that our greatest calling as humans is “to build a shared house of wisdom in community with all creatures of the earth.” Heartfelt, informative, and inspirational, this book reaches into a shared past to envision a brighter future, showing readers that true magic lies not in tools or aesthetics but inside ourselves. This beautiful book is full of ancient wisdom, personal stories, and innovative tips that will help readers to enchant their lives and, in doing so, change the world.
Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair review.
April 10, 2023
This was a thoughtful book that featured reflections on each new moon - with a theme for the moon of that zodiac symbol and in-depth discussions. I really liked how the authors used both historical and more modern-day individuals to discuss what that respective theme and new moon could mean for an individual and how to draw inspiration from the work of others. I also enjoyed how the authors called out areas for white and non-marginalized witches to do more research and to recognize the work of Black activists and others. I think this book is a good meditation for anyone looking to broaden their relationship with their craft. A good way to read this book would be to read the chapter associated with the month’s zodiac sign and then reflect on it and complete the associated ritual (or one of your own). This way you can get a lot out of this book over the entire year and absorb it all in your own practice. 4.5/5 due to the shear density of the material that can be prohibitive to some newer readers/witches.
September 26, 2023
My passion for history goes hand in hand with my interest in the craft, which is full of it. Taking a step beyond and knocking it out of the park. With their history research and the book that came into fruition because of their efforts. This book came a long way and rose above and beyond and knocked it out of the park. Unless there is something in this book that empowers you, we can't be genuine friends if you read it and don't feel empowered by it lol. There is a book called New Moon Magic that I would like to recommend to you. The book meets all expectation levels, and I believe that anyone who is interested in the craft will find it useful. This book has a lot to offer, no matter if you are a practitioner or just curious about it, whether you are one or not. You will learn a great deal from this book.
February 27, 2025
I took a full year reading this so I could read the corresponding chapter during each New Moon. Sometimes I cried, sometimes I laughed, sometimes I felt wholly understood, and sometimes it was too academic for me. I ALWAYS have a non-fiction, academic book going alongside my for-pleasure books, but there was something about this one that didn’t always resonate with me. I kept finding myself thinking, what does this have to do with the New Moon?? Maybe it’s because I don’t find much inspiration in other people’s rituals, or even in other people’s magick. Maybe it’s because I don’t have as firm a grasp on what each zodiacal New Moon means as Amy and Risa do that I found it difficult to loop the chapters back to the New Moon. I’m not really sure. I did find much wisdom in many of the chapters, especially Gemini and Cancer.
March 15, 2023
Magic From a Different View
The authors have definitely provided and discussed some very different views, tools, and techniques worth noting. As they discuss each moon phase, a different ritual is provided with the introduction of a tool for each moon phase and ritual. As readers will come to realize, not all ritual tools are tangible, some are intangible, such as in the case where dance is discussed as a tool of magic.
This book is quite interesting and it offers various rituals to be performed during the different phases of the moon, in which one can connect or reconnect with their ancestors. Very good read.
The authors have definitely provided and discussed some very different views, tools, and techniques worth noting. As they discuss each moon phase, a different ritual is provided with the introduction of a tool for each moon phase and ritual. As readers will come to realize, not all ritual tools are tangible, some are intangible, such as in the case where dance is discussed as a tool of magic.
This book is quite interesting and it offers various rituals to be performed during the different phases of the moon, in which one can connect or reconnect with their ancestors. Very good read.
September 25, 2023
I really enjoyed New Moon Magic! This book has so much information, beautiful quotes, and amazing storytelling. You can tell that the authors put a lot of of hard work and time into their research. I really enjoyed and appreciated the personal stories and memories that the authors included throughout the chapters.
This book was incredibly thought-provoking, empowering, and full of new and creative ideas that I had never even thought of or considered when it came to practicing magic.
I highly recommend this book to those that are interested in new and innovative ways of practicing magic, feminism, improving one's life, and making the world a better place.
This book was incredibly thought-provoking, empowering, and full of new and creative ideas that I had never even thought of or considered when it came to practicing magic.
I highly recommend this book to those that are interested in new and innovative ways of practicing magic, feminism, improving one's life, and making the world a better place.
April 20, 2024
Many thanks to NetGalley, Risa Dickens, Amy Torok and the publishers for letting me read this ARC.
I need to get this as a physical copy!
This book has fundamentally impacted how I think about my witchcraft. This book truly is showing us how to use our practices in our flawed current life, in a way that's anti-capitalist, pro-resistance and absolutely re-enchanting! I loved that everything is organised around the moon phases, this makes it easy to find something that fits the current phase of your life/the moon and is in my opinion an optimal way of organising information in a witchcraft book.
Do not be fooled by the beautiful cover tho, it's packed to the brim with information.
I need to get this as a physical copy!
This book has fundamentally impacted how I think about my witchcraft. This book truly is showing us how to use our practices in our flawed current life, in a way that's anti-capitalist, pro-resistance and absolutely re-enchanting! I loved that everything is organised around the moon phases, this makes it easy to find something that fits the current phase of your life/the moon and is in my opinion an optimal way of organising information in a witchcraft book.
Do not be fooled by the beautiful cover tho, it's packed to the brim with information.
April 3, 2023
I think maybe I’m not the target audience for this book. There were definitely some empowering quotes about being a powerful person and witch, but not as much on how to use your tools to do so which is what I was expecting. It’s filled filled with a lot of history. I’m not into history at all so I wasn’t really enjoying those parts. I guess I was looking for and expecting more practical/functional knowledge on using tools within your craft. I do like the writing voice the authors use and it’s filled with some very useful, inspiring quotes that I took notes of.
June 16, 2023
I received an advanced reading copy in exchange of an honest review. Recently I've been leaning towards learning about Wicca and paganism, and because of that, any book that seems to relate to those topics even remotely is a book I'm interested in reading. What I learned while reading New Moon Magic, which I thoroughly enjoyed, is very interesting and something that I will definitely be incorporating to my life from now on. The moon is very powerful, even scientists agree, but it has this magic to it that makes it captivating.
August 1, 2023
The title of this books seems to misrepresent the content. I was excited about reading a book about new moon magic. There were so many different stories, i didn't really find them relevant, they didn't keep my interest and i didn't find them interesting. There are some interesting historical facts. You can see the authors have lots of passion. This book was just not for me, it didn't have the magic i thought it would.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 20, 2023
I absolutely loved this book.
This is not like any witchcraft book I've ever read. The majority of the book is writing around a theme that includes musings on historical and current figures who have done something powerful in their lives.
The information inside was so amazing to discover. It had me googling so many things I never heard of before.
This book has only a little bit of outlines for magic work.
Go into it for an inspirational magic history book, not as a spell work book.
This is not like any witchcraft book I've ever read. The majority of the book is writing around a theme that includes musings on historical and current figures who have done something powerful in their lives.
The information inside was so amazing to discover. It had me googling so many things I never heard of before.
This book has only a little bit of outlines for magic work.
Go into it for an inspirational magic history book, not as a spell work book.
March 20, 2023
I love history and the craft is full of it. This book really went above and beyond and knocked it out of the ballpark with their historical research and the book that came to fruition as a result of their work.
If you read this book and don’t feel empowered by the content, we can’t be friends! Seriously, this book really, REALLY delivers and is a must read for anyone interested in the craft, whether practitioner or someone with just an interest in the topic!
If you read this book and don’t feel empowered by the content, we can’t be friends! Seriously, this book really, REALLY delivers and is a must read for anyone interested in the craft, whether practitioner or someone with just an interest in the topic!
July 25, 2023
I liked the idea of magic-making for each of the new moons. I was just distracted by all of the intertwining of the stories in between the magic-making. But the idea of the book was pretty nifty if I must say so. Fairly good read! I voluntarily read this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 17, 2023
An interesting, thought provoking and well thought that teach how to work with the phases of the moon and list a series of spells that i found interesting and easy to follow
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
October 13, 2023
The reader gets stories and information about the moon and topics introduced by the author. Not a book that would give the reader spells or rituals, but there is one ritual at the end of each chapter.
January 24, 2024
Surprisingly informative. So many of these books just repeat the same old information. This book was filled with stories of modern witchcraft from around the world and how it's being used to reshape people and the societies we live in. I highly recommend it and will be sharing it with my book club
February 10, 2024
This book fed my soul and lit me up. I borrowed it from the library and bought my own copy halfway through because this is one I will return to again and again for its wisdom and inspiration. I learned a lot and found this very accessible.
April 15, 2023
Thankyou to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this ARC.
This is a useful resource to new witches.
I did find this book to be interesting.
Thankyou again.
This is a useful resource to new witches.
I did find this book to be interesting.
Thankyou again.
August 13, 2023
Very helpful book to learn more about the Moon and how to work with it and the phases better. A lot of good information rather you are an expert or a new beginner.
August 19, 2023
Great book and very informative. Grateful to have in my collection.
Thanks to NG and the publisher for allowing me access to this book.
Thanks to NG and the publisher for allowing me access to this book.
September 6, 2023
Unusual book--for guidance if you want it
December 21, 2023
It’s important to note the anti capitalist element is as important as the magical element here. This is as much storytelling as it is about ritual and it works very well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews