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Modern Magic: Stories, Rituals, and Spells for Contemporary Witches
In this enchanted sibling to the cult classic Modern Tarot, literary and tarot icon Michelle Tea returns to her magical roots, offering stories, little-known history, traditions, rituals, and spells for any witch seeking a deeper spiritual practice.
A self-described DIY witch and professional tarot reader, literary and feminist icon Michelle Tea provides a fascinating magical history and spiritual traditions from around the world, giving us the tools, spells, and rituals to navigate our stressed-out, consumer-driven lives. Witty, down-to-earth, and wise, she bewitches us with tales of how she crafted her own magical practice and came into her own. She also shares enchanting stories from her earliest witchy days as a goth teen in Massachusetts as well as insights from her adult practice. Modern Magic gives us the tools to tap into a stronger, distinctive magic that lies within us, one that incorporates queer, feminist, anti-racist, intersectional values. These
Love Magic for the 21st centuryHexes for when you really need them (and an exploration of magical ethics)Sleep Magic, from dream interpretation traditions to prophetic dreamsThoughts on why magic practice is spiritual practiceMichelle shares her truth and observations about the world around us as well as her vision for what it could be. For novice and seasoned witches alike, Modern Magic is the essential guide for defining and deepening a practice that aligns with our individual political and spiritual values.
A self-described DIY witch and professional tarot reader, literary and feminist icon Michelle Tea provides a fascinating magical history and spiritual traditions from around the world, giving us the tools, spells, and rituals to navigate our stressed-out, consumer-driven lives. Witty, down-to-earth, and wise, she bewitches us with tales of how she crafted her own magical practice and came into her own. She also shares enchanting stories from her earliest witchy days as a goth teen in Massachusetts as well as insights from her adult practice. Modern Magic gives us the tools to tap into a stronger, distinctive magic that lies within us, one that incorporates queer, feminist, anti-racist, intersectional values. These
Love Magic for the 21st centuryHexes for when you really need them (and an exploration of magical ethics)Sleep Magic, from dream interpretation traditions to prophetic dreamsThoughts on why magic practice is spiritual practiceMichelle shares her truth and observations about the world around us as well as her vision for what it could be. For novice and seasoned witches alike, Modern Magic is the essential guide for defining and deepening a practice that aligns with our individual political and spiritual values.
249 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2024
31 people are currently reading
206 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Tea
50 books1,020 followersMichelle Tea (born Michelle Tomasik) is an American author, poet, and literary arts organizer whose autobiographical works explore queer culture, feminism, race, class, prostitution, and other topics. She is originally from Chelsea, Massachusetts and currently lives in San Francisco. Her books, mostly memoirs, are known for their views into the queercore community. In 2012 Tea partnered with City Lights Publishers to form the Sister Spit imprint.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 18, 2024
I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t quite this.
Honestly, this felt more like a memoir than a book about “Modern Magic”, but it wasn’t organized in any real way, other than the subtopics that the author tried to relate back to magic. The anecdotes could be interesting, but I didn’t really find myself connecting or sympathizing with the narrator in the kind of way that would’ve led me to read this book had I actually had a better idea of what I was picking up when I bought it.
The “spells” listed within were definitely the weakest part of the book. Some of them, if done as-written, could get you fined or in trouble if you actually do them. (Such as peeing in a bottle and then giving it to someone you want to hex. That’s the kind of thing that people start harassment lawsuits about.)
Also, personally, I am not really a fan of “spells” that offer rules and ingredients and then immediately tell you that it doesn’t really matter and you can substitute anything and do what you feel is right. I don’t say this because I think that spells need to be precise lists like baking recipes— it just felt to me as if someone started to provide structure and then immediately shrugged and said, “who cares?” It’s not necessarily wrong, but I feel that it reads poorly.
The whole book felt disjointed. It’s possible that this book was actually intended for people who are already interested enough in the author to read a rambling account of her life intermixed with some of her opinions about magic. I just wasn’t that person.
Honestly, this felt more like a memoir than a book about “Modern Magic”, but it wasn’t organized in any real way, other than the subtopics that the author tried to relate back to magic. The anecdotes could be interesting, but I didn’t really find myself connecting or sympathizing with the narrator in the kind of way that would’ve led me to read this book had I actually had a better idea of what I was picking up when I bought it.
The “spells” listed within were definitely the weakest part of the book. Some of them, if done as-written, could get you fined or in trouble if you actually do them. (Such as peeing in a bottle and then giving it to someone you want to hex. That’s the kind of thing that people start harassment lawsuits about.)
Also, personally, I am not really a fan of “spells” that offer rules and ingredients and then immediately tell you that it doesn’t really matter and you can substitute anything and do what you feel is right. I don’t say this because I think that spells need to be precise lists like baking recipes— it just felt to me as if someone started to provide structure and then immediately shrugged and said, “who cares?” It’s not necessarily wrong, but I feel that it reads poorly.
The whole book felt disjointed. It’s possible that this book was actually intended for people who are already interested enough in the author to read a rambling account of her life intermixed with some of her opinions about magic. I just wasn’t that person.
August 1, 2025
I picked this book up at a little bookstore because I’m trying to be more whimsical and channel my chill side. I’ve also always been genuinely intrigued by witches and witchcraft. If you’re also a super Type A, chronically anxious, grind your teeth in your sleep, and run on pure rage and caffeine girlie, this book definitely isn’t for you. I can see its appeal for the cool girlies who can just do a little ritual and have a bunch of crystals on rotation.
This book wasn’t what I was expecting. I think I was expecting a little more structure and educational material on modern witchcraft. The author’s personal stories are fun and interesting but it’s so clear that she doesn’t actually consider what she does witchcraft? There’s no belief behind anything she described and they all just seem like little quirky things that she does rather than “witchcraft”. But maybe the little quirky things we do are just witchcraft? At some point she said her first cat was her familiar. As a fellow cat lady, a cat is just a cat my guy and I had no idea what she was going on about.
This book wasn’t what I was expecting. I think I was expecting a little more structure and educational material on modern witchcraft. The author’s personal stories are fun and interesting but it’s so clear that she doesn’t actually consider what she does witchcraft? There’s no belief behind anything she described and they all just seem like little quirky things that she does rather than “witchcraft”. But maybe the little quirky things we do are just witchcraft? At some point she said her first cat was her familiar. As a fellow cat lady, a cat is just a cat my guy and I had no idea what she was going on about.
November 9, 2024
DNF @ 28%.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperOne for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
As someone who is just starting to delve into different aspects of magic, I’ve been kind of building an eclectic practice of bits and pieces of what works and what isn’t relevant for me. It doesn’t mean that what isn’t relevant to me isn’t important, it may be super relevant to someone else, it just doesn’t apply to me personally or certain situations. I kind of do this with every area of my life—learning more and applying what resonates to help create a better life. What I learned is that I had to stop reading this book at 28% because it wasn’t the right fit for me. Let me explain my thoughts
The tone of the author is upbeat and quirky. It was easy for me to like her and the fun vibe that she gives off. She’s also a big proponent of ‘take what works and leave the rest’ philosophy, and encourages readers to do exactly that. I found it a little strange to change the spelling of ‘goddess’ to ‘goddexx,’ but I was prepared to overlook that. Her first spell won me over, especially reading about her ‘F*** This Spell’ on what was Election Day in the United States. I’m pretty sure more people might want to use the F*** This Spell — it’s been a rough week around the world, not just the US.
After this, the spells kind of went downhill for me. The advice to rub a coin or something on my vulva and give it to someone gave me the ick, and there were also some spells that come across as rambling. I’m used to a list of what is needed followed by directions, kind of like a recipe. This book offers the title of a spell and a little about how to do it, paired with where it came from and how it has worked for her or others.
Talking about how the brain reacts when prayer, chanting, and mantras are used was a really fascinating part of the book, at least as far as I read. But when I read nonfiction, and there are claims being made, it’s nice to know where they come from. There is an appendix at the end of the book, but it’s really just a list of her favorite books since her teenage years. In this age of misinformation and disinformation, it’s always a good practice to back up the claims you made. This statement, for example, would have been much more powerful if there was a citation:
“Prayers, chanting, and mantras—all repetitions of language—engage the frontal lobes of the brain, stimulating a hyper-focus. For folks in the process of channeling a spirit, the frontal lobes fade and the thalamus, the switchboard of communication between your body and your brain, lights up with activity.”
But what really gave me the full ick was when the author was talking about how the female body is the Ultimate Bad Luck Charm, and provided a bunch of evidence to support her position. However, and this is something I’ve been sensitive to, but something that has become increasingly common in magic books. This is the use of Hebrew words or Jewish practices/literature to justify a point, and it bothers me for a few reasons. This author decided to use a prayer that exists in Judaism and explain the misogynistic meaning of it and how it rolls into how women are viewed as negative or unlucky in cultures around the world. Which would be fine, if she had consulted with a Jewish person or even a rabbi who is familiar with the prayer thanking God for not making him a woman. Here’s how Tea explains it in her book:
“There is a reason Jewish men are encouraged to thank their creator for not having been born with a uterus and a vulva and a couple of teats.”
This is a gross misrepresentation of three prayers of gratitude, thanking God for not making him a gentile, not making him a slave/bondsman, and not making him a woman. There are valid reasons why I hate seeing Judaism tossed into magic books and other books written by people who are not Jews and have clearly not learned much about us. There’s a fantastic explanation of what the prayer actually means here, But the basics is that women are viewed as naturally more spiritual than men, leading the men to be required to do more mitzvot (good deeds) than women. What they’re actually thanking God for is not being made with a peen, it’s being given the gift of being able to complete more good deeds to overcome their reduced spirituality compared to women, and to basically have even more chances to worship God. She also leaves out the corresponding prayer that women say, thanking God, “who has made me in accordance with His will.” It doesn’t come across as nearly as misogynistic, when there is more information offered.
Judaism is a closed practice. It always has been, and our texts and practices have been appropriated and used against us for Two. Thousand. Years. There’s a reason that we have books full of our sages discussing what everything means in intense detail, and that’s to prevent us from misunderstanding even a word in the Torah. Since it’s a closed practice, and the author clearly explains her Catholic upbringing, she demonstrates a lack of understanding of how it’s just as uncool to appropriate from Judaism as others. She discusses the need to avoid appropriation from closed practices multiple times in the first 28% of the book, and then caps that off … by appropriating information from a closed culture that is still practicing and one of the most marginalized groups in America.
But after seeing Tea compare a practice that actually places women in a highly valued position to the misogyny that is inherent in Christianity, without even recognizing that this is problematic, was a major issue for me. It signifies that maybe the information being presented isn’t all trustworthy, and a few pages later, I came across the misrepresented and highly sensationalized story of Bridget Cleary, a woman who was murdered by her husband in 1895 when he became convinced his wife had been taken by the fairies and replaced with a changeling. It was unable to be determined whether she died from the beating before being burned or not. But in this book, apparently the author has an inside line for info that no one else has (which she conveniently doesn’t cite) because she described the murder as if she was there. And worse yet, despite Bridget Cleary never having been accused of witchcraft or being a witch, the author slips a line into her description about how Bridget also used the ‘rub a coin on your vulva and give it to someone’ by giving it to her cousin.
Overall, this wasn’t an especially enlightening or helpful read. I don’t have vast knowledge of witchery yet, but I do have a good working knowledge of how research claims work in a book, along with the ability to not appropriate from *any* closed practices because it’s something that is fundamentally wrong and doesn’t sit well with me. And as always, when I’ve found one thing that is presented incorrectly with no basis to check the source, another usually follows. So this isn’t a book that I can recommend in good conscience to anyone, because I don’t support a book labeled nonfiction with no source citations and with blatantly incorrect descriptions.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperOne for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
As someone who is just starting to delve into different aspects of magic, I’ve been kind of building an eclectic practice of bits and pieces of what works and what isn’t relevant for me. It doesn’t mean that what isn’t relevant to me isn’t important, it may be super relevant to someone else, it just doesn’t apply to me personally or certain situations. I kind of do this with every area of my life—learning more and applying what resonates to help create a better life. What I learned is that I had to stop reading this book at 28% because it wasn’t the right fit for me. Let me explain my thoughts
The tone of the author is upbeat and quirky. It was easy for me to like her and the fun vibe that she gives off. She’s also a big proponent of ‘take what works and leave the rest’ philosophy, and encourages readers to do exactly that. I found it a little strange to change the spelling of ‘goddess’ to ‘goddexx,’ but I was prepared to overlook that. Her first spell won me over, especially reading about her ‘F*** This Spell’ on what was Election Day in the United States. I’m pretty sure more people might want to use the F*** This Spell — it’s been a rough week around the world, not just the US.
After this, the spells kind of went downhill for me. The advice to rub a coin or something on my vulva and give it to someone gave me the ick, and there were also some spells that come across as rambling. I’m used to a list of what is needed followed by directions, kind of like a recipe. This book offers the title of a spell and a little about how to do it, paired with where it came from and how it has worked for her or others.
Talking about how the brain reacts when prayer, chanting, and mantras are used was a really fascinating part of the book, at least as far as I read. But when I read nonfiction, and there are claims being made, it’s nice to know where they come from. There is an appendix at the end of the book, but it’s really just a list of her favorite books since her teenage years. In this age of misinformation and disinformation, it’s always a good practice to back up the claims you made. This statement, for example, would have been much more powerful if there was a citation:
“Prayers, chanting, and mantras—all repetitions of language—engage the frontal lobes of the brain, stimulating a hyper-focus. For folks in the process of channeling a spirit, the frontal lobes fade and the thalamus, the switchboard of communication between your body and your brain, lights up with activity.”
But what really gave me the full ick was when the author was talking about how the female body is the Ultimate Bad Luck Charm, and provided a bunch of evidence to support her position. However, and this is something I’ve been sensitive to, but something that has become increasingly common in magic books. This is the use of Hebrew words or Jewish practices/literature to justify a point, and it bothers me for a few reasons. This author decided to use a prayer that exists in Judaism and explain the misogynistic meaning of it and how it rolls into how women are viewed as negative or unlucky in cultures around the world. Which would be fine, if she had consulted with a Jewish person or even a rabbi who is familiar with the prayer thanking God for not making him a woman. Here’s how Tea explains it in her book:
“There is a reason Jewish men are encouraged to thank their creator for not having been born with a uterus and a vulva and a couple of teats.”
This is a gross misrepresentation of three prayers of gratitude, thanking God for not making him a gentile, not making him a slave/bondsman, and not making him a woman. There are valid reasons why I hate seeing Judaism tossed into magic books and other books written by people who are not Jews and have clearly not learned much about us. There’s a fantastic explanation of what the prayer actually means here, But the basics is that women are viewed as naturally more spiritual than men, leading the men to be required to do more mitzvot (good deeds) than women. What they’re actually thanking God for is not being made with a peen, it’s being given the gift of being able to complete more good deeds to overcome their reduced spirituality compared to women, and to basically have even more chances to worship God. She also leaves out the corresponding prayer that women say, thanking God, “who has made me in accordance with His will.” It doesn’t come across as nearly as misogynistic, when there is more information offered.
Judaism is a closed practice. It always has been, and our texts and practices have been appropriated and used against us for Two. Thousand. Years. There’s a reason that we have books full of our sages discussing what everything means in intense detail, and that’s to prevent us from misunderstanding even a word in the Torah. Since it’s a closed practice, and the author clearly explains her Catholic upbringing, she demonstrates a lack of understanding of how it’s just as uncool to appropriate from Judaism as others. She discusses the need to avoid appropriation from closed practices multiple times in the first 28% of the book, and then caps that off … by appropriating information from a closed culture that is still practicing and one of the most marginalized groups in America.
But after seeing Tea compare a practice that actually places women in a highly valued position to the misogyny that is inherent in Christianity, without even recognizing that this is problematic, was a major issue for me. It signifies that maybe the information being presented isn’t all trustworthy, and a few pages later, I came across the misrepresented and highly sensationalized story of Bridget Cleary, a woman who was murdered by her husband in 1895 when he became convinced his wife had been taken by the fairies and replaced with a changeling. It was unable to be determined whether she died from the beating before being burned or not. But in this book, apparently the author has an inside line for info that no one else has (which she conveniently doesn’t cite) because she described the murder as if she was there. And worse yet, despite Bridget Cleary never having been accused of witchcraft or being a witch, the author slips a line into her description about how Bridget also used the ‘rub a coin on your vulva and give it to someone’ by giving it to her cousin.
Overall, this wasn’t an especially enlightening or helpful read. I don’t have vast knowledge of witchery yet, but I do have a good working knowledge of how research claims work in a book, along with the ability to not appropriate from *any* closed practices because it’s something that is fundamentally wrong and doesn’t sit well with me. And as always, when I’ve found one thing that is presented incorrectly with no basis to check the source, another usually follows. So this isn’t a book that I can recommend in good conscience to anyone, because I don’t support a book labeled nonfiction with no source citations and with blatantly incorrect descriptions.
June 13, 2024
In a follow-up to her book Modern Tarot, Michelle Tea offers up her perceptions and practices of magic. She explains the historical origins of magic and the violence connected with fear of witches. She introduces the reader to various methods she uses employing magic: tarot, protective amulets, crystals, honoring divinity through understand that some rituals have a long and storied history.
She discusses the evil eye, meditations done with focused breathwork, She writes about seeking ones’ familiar, or to my understanding karmic animal companion. In fact, she writes quite a bit about animals and their place in metaphysical study.
Michelle offers a potpourri of techniques to get in touch with ones’ inner witch, intuitive, spiritual power. Take what makes sense and leave the rest.
Thanks to NetGalley, Edelweiss Plus, and the publisher for the eARC.
She discusses the evil eye, meditations done with focused breathwork, She writes about seeking ones’ familiar, or to my understanding karmic animal companion. In fact, she writes quite a bit about animals and their place in metaphysical study.
Michelle offers a potpourri of techniques to get in touch with ones’ inner witch, intuitive, spiritual power. Take what makes sense and leave the rest.
Thanks to NetGalley, Edelweiss Plus, and the publisher for the eARC.
October 6, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this not-a-spell book, more similar to a memoir but with loose spell-ish suggestions tacked onto the end of every chapter, book about living magic(k?)ally. Michelle Tea writes irreverently, almost skeptically, about life as a modern witch, and I dig it. I took my time with it, reading about one chapter per day, and what I got from it was not a bunch of rules about doing things the right way, but more of a come what may attitude concerning embracing a way of life that gives women the freedom to live outside the need to have all the answers all the time. I found it refreshing, and I will probably read it again one day.
April 26, 2025
Much more a stream-of-consciousness memoir/brag session about all the drugs, sex, and outsider-status this author experienced in her younger years than a compilation or introduction to, as the subtitle promised, "stories, rituals, and spells for contemporary witches." I learned far more about Tea's sexual life, and preferred drugs, etc, than any relevant insight into witchy history or practice.
This book could have benefitted greatly from thorough editing. I'd have suggested spending more time determining this book's target audience and goal: tell-all memoir *or* magical guide? I'd have suggested reducing the personal asides and increasing the practical, hands-on information (and including references!) by at least 50% each. I'd have noticed how very very concerned Tea is about appropriation... and then the numerous instances of her merrily throwing together tidbits of knowledge and practice from various open AND closed practices that, as a white author, is indeed appropriative... and advised reworking accordingly.
And, given this author's goth past and various challenges that should have made her more circumspect, but regardless as general good practice, I would not, absolutely not, have let an in-book suggestion to self-harm pass my editor's desk. (She encourages readers to scratch a particular figure's symbol into their skin.) Also, rubbing coins on your genitals and then giving them to people you want to influence? Sounds borderline harassment to me. Another easy deletion any decent editor should have made.
This book could have benefitted greatly from thorough editing. I'd have suggested spending more time determining this book's target audience and goal: tell-all memoir *or* magical guide? I'd have suggested reducing the personal asides and increasing the practical, hands-on information (and including references!) by at least 50% each. I'd have noticed how very very concerned Tea is about appropriation... and then the numerous instances of her merrily throwing together tidbits of knowledge and practice from various open AND closed practices that, as a white author, is indeed appropriative... and advised reworking accordingly.
And, given this author's goth past and various challenges that should have made her more circumspect, but regardless as general good practice, I would not, absolutely not, have let an in-book suggestion to self-harm pass my editor's desk. (She encourages readers to scratch a particular figure's symbol into their skin.) Also, rubbing coins on your genitals and then giving them to people you want to influence? Sounds borderline harassment to me. Another easy deletion any decent editor should have made.
October 2, 2024
Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for sharing the advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.
To me, this was a bit disjointed and all over the place. It is a memoir of sorts that describes the author's relationship with magic while adding some historical notes about witches and feminism.
I think I might have loved this book 15-20 years ago. This is a coming-of-age or "coming-into-power" story, in a way. Perhaps younger readers, especially those interested in the subject or considering themselves practitioners, will enjoy the book a lot more.
If you pick this book up for spells and rituals, you might be disappointed - there aren't many that are clearly described, and I don't think the book really wanted to be a modern grimoire. There is literally a part where we are told to "google a PDF of AA Just for Today poem" to create a "spell." (I am not knocking the suggestion - just questioning the delivery)
I hope this book finds its readers, but I do think the title and the cover are a touch misleading.
To me, this was a bit disjointed and all over the place. It is a memoir of sorts that describes the author's relationship with magic while adding some historical notes about witches and feminism.
I think I might have loved this book 15-20 years ago. This is a coming-of-age or "coming-into-power" story, in a way. Perhaps younger readers, especially those interested in the subject or considering themselves practitioners, will enjoy the book a lot more.
If you pick this book up for spells and rituals, you might be disappointed - there aren't many that are clearly described, and I don't think the book really wanted to be a modern grimoire. There is literally a part where we are told to "google a PDF of AA Just for Today poem" to create a "spell." (I am not knocking the suggestion - just questioning the delivery)
I hope this book finds its readers, but I do think the title and the cover are a touch misleading.
October 2, 2024
Sometimes you read a book and it’s what you thought it was based on the blurb and your satisfied. Other times you read about that it’s not quite what you expected. But then there’s that rare occasion when a book for exceeds what you were expecting in this book is exactly that!
If you’re looking for a truly awesome book in this genre, look no further! The author share some awesome stories from her life which alone were enough to intrigue me. But she, sprinkles and spells, rituals, and history that just makes us stand out beyond any other book. I’ve read in this genre this year.
I know this is gonna sound weird, but so be it. This is part witchy, part educational, and 100% feel good! There, I said it. and those are words you generally don’t hear when reading a book of this type. But there’s a first for everything. And this is it for me..
If you’re looking for a truly awesome book in this genre, look no further! The author share some awesome stories from her life which alone were enough to intrigue me. But she, sprinkles and spells, rituals, and history that just makes us stand out beyond any other book. I’ve read in this genre this year.
I know this is gonna sound weird, but so be it. This is part witchy, part educational, and 100% feel good! There, I said it. and those are words you generally don’t hear when reading a book of this type. But there’s a first for everything. And this is it for me..
October 3, 2024
Thank you Harper Collins and Netgalley for the ARC of Modern Magic by Michelle Tea.
Modern Magic by Michelle Tea
Is part memoir, part instructional, and part history lesson on witchcraft. Michelle has been a solo practitioner for the better part of her life. She describes how difficult moments in her life informed the practice she has cultivated over the years. I especially enjoyed the focus on finding witchy women throughout history to admire and connect you with your own practice. The spells and rituals were thoughtfully written with explanations into intent and flexibility. This book is very accessible, aimed toward a younger demographic, and shares valuable insight into both life and witchcraft. Overall 3/5 stars.
Modern Magic by Michelle Tea
Is part memoir, part instructional, and part history lesson on witchcraft. Michelle has been a solo practitioner for the better part of her life. She describes how difficult moments in her life informed the practice she has cultivated over the years. I especially enjoyed the focus on finding witchy women throughout history to admire and connect you with your own practice. The spells and rituals were thoughtfully written with explanations into intent and flexibility. This book is very accessible, aimed toward a younger demographic, and shares valuable insight into both life and witchcraft. Overall 3/5 stars.
September 30, 2024
Modern Magic by Michelle Tea is an insightful and informative guide for anyone looking to explore the world of witchcraft and spiritual practices. Tea’s approachable style makes complex concepts easy to understand, offering practical tools for incorporating magic into everyday life. Whether you're a beginner or experienced practitioner, this book serves as a helpful resource for deepening your magical journey.
March 24, 2025
DNF. I’m not the target market and decided to quit at the end of chapter 2. The author has a tendency towards shock value and speaking every aside outloud. I value her pursuit of finding and placing meaning in her practice. I won’t be taking much with me other than a few laughs. More fit for those who use crassness as justified honesty and those developing a practice of centering the femme in worship.
Read
September 24, 2024This is more of a memoir than anything else. The subtitle is "Stories, rituals, and spells for contemporary witches," but it's mostly just stories. I enjoy memoirs, but I don't know this author and (no offense) I don't care to learn about her life. I was expecting more rituals and spells, but there weren't that many. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.
March 14, 2025
There were some interesting snippets of history, both far history and more recent, and some well explained spells and rituals. But overall, this felt more like an autobiography and the story of queer/trans/feminism in the authors boozy past... not judging, but I was expecting a witchy book based on the podcast that brought me to it.
December 22, 2024
This is fun, but it's a memoir, with a lot of claims that aren't cited or referenced in any way(about various religions, historical figures, items). The food, love, and familiar chapters were my favorites, but as others said, it felt rambly.
January 29, 2025
This book is much more memoir than how-to, so I think the subtitle is really misleading. I found it interesting and like the author's narrative style, but I would have liked it better if it had more focus.
July 23, 2025
My least fave of Tea's. While I have loved her memoir style books, and really enjoyed a lot of her storytelling, this one was just...boring. The magic spells were sometimes gross, it felt a bit rambling and self-indulgent and I lost interest and skimmed the end.
August 17, 2025
Super fun starter for a new witch, or an invigorating queer-centric overview for the rest!! Just realized the crossover between this and “How to Fuck Like a Girl”, which I’m also reading. Love both these authors and looking into delving into more from Sister Spit!
September 16, 2025
Delightfully irreverent look at one solitary’s journey toward spiritual peace through witchcraft and mysticism. Though the history was a little too loosey goosey for me (I’m not the right audience), the personal stories were powerful and the philosophy was insightful.
October 31, 2025
felt very seen by this author! it was loosely organized, but that ended up lending to her relatability. so many books on the craft don’t lend enough of the witch’s personality through the pages, but this was refreshingly not the case.
November 17, 2024
This is like a temu version of Melissa Cynova’s kitchen table magic. Some of the suggestions are seriously terrible.
December 28, 2024
Funny & informative. Very enjoyable read! I recommend it to all my witchy friends!
January 3, 2025
Entertaining and informative!
January 29, 2025
me 🤝 anything Michelle tea writes
April 26, 2025
There are some strange layers to peel back, but I wish I had this book as a teenager!!!
July 3, 2025
Ein Michelle Tea Buch ist immer ein gutes Buch, aber das Thema war nicht so meins
October 16, 2025
An easy, fun read — part memoir, part grimoire.
November 28, 2024
Don’t waste your time, unless you’re interested in reading the author’s ramblings. There’s a sprinkle of silly magic and rituals in between the ramblings, but nothing of value.
November 28, 2024
Another refreshing read from Michelle Tea! She reads as so much more real and grounded than many witchy authors. I will definitely recommend her book to witchy folks looking for a more radical perspective - Tea cares about cultural appropriation and virtue signaling. She's realistic about using all of our resources intentionally. Though this book isn't ideal for folks wanting quick spells and references, as it's full of storytelling, it's a great recommendation for a thoughtful magical feminist who wants to read and ask questions. Her voice really stands out in the world of witchy books.
May 20, 2025
Michelle Tea wrote a memoir based around her magical practice? Sold. This IS NOT a step-by-step spellbook or guidebook. I prefer whatever this collection is because I want to see how a solitary practitioner of 90s punk/feminist/queer counterculture esteem formulates spells with meaning and intention. THIS is real inspiration. Bonus: An appendix list of books that aided Tea throughout the years and random facts that might lead you down a very fun rabbit hole.
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