Moon Magic is an introduction to working with the phases of the Moon, what they are and how to live in harmony with the lunar year and to utilize all the magical powers it provides. It’s filled with the basics of the lunar cycle, the representations and correspondences of each phase, what magic to work and when and also includes a look at the lunar year, moon deities, moon spells, meditations, specific moon rituals, moon names, tree moons and moon recipes.,
Rachel is an English witch who has been walking the Pagan pathway for over thirty years.
A working wife and mother who has had over 30 books published (so far), some of them becoming best sellers.
Her passion is to learn, she loves to study and has done so from books, online resources, schools and wonderful mentors over the years and still continues to learn each and every day but has learnt the most from actually getting outside and doing it.
She likes to laugh...and eat cake...
Rachel gives talks to pagan groups and co-runs workshops with the Kitchen Witch Coven.
High Priestess of the Kitchen Witch Coven and an Elder at the online Kitchen Witch School of Natural Witchcraft.
A regular columnist with Fate & Fortune magazine, she also contributes articles to several magazines such as Pagan Dawn and Witchcraft & Wicca. You will find her regular ramblings on her own personal blog and YouTube channel. Rachel is host for the Pagan Portals Podcast, produced by Moon Books Publishing.
Her craft is a combination of old religion witchcraft, Wicca, hedge witchery, kitchen witchery and folk magic.
Her heart is that of an English Kitchen Witch.
Rachel was added to the Watkins '100 spiritually influential List' for 2023.
This is a Wicca book, I didn't know that when I bought this. Not that I mind reading Wicca books normally, but as a non-Wiccan Pagan, I'm looking for something non-Wiccan now.
My biggest frustration was how cis-normative the period section was. FYI, transmen (FTM) do get periods, and they aren't women. As a genderqueer biological female, it was just not a good look. I realize cis-gendered people can forget about trans people, but they do exist and should be acknowledged. I'm not even going to start on how even biological cis-gendered women may not even currently get periods for medical reasons (either because of infertility or other reasons). I realize this is a short book, but a little mindfulness would have been nice.
Focuses mostly on goddess = moon and god = sun dynamic, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I was hoping for a bit more broader context outside of Wicca.
If you enjoyed this book, more power to you, but I did not. I'm just disappointed.
I think the only good thing is that there were short to the point (but basic) correspondences, that would be a good place to start for beginners.
Don't let its length fool you; this little book packs a powerful punch. As full as it could possibly be with useful information and practical activities, Pagan Portals Moon Magic provides a clear and direct interpretation of moon lore. Touching on a wide range of lunar-related subjects from moon-phase correspondences to astrology and Tarot, Rachel Patterson guides the reader through the practical aspects of rituals, spells and meditations based on the moon. The recipes for oils, incense and bath salts add depth and functionality to a book that is a quick read but that won't stay on the shelf for long; the person lucky enough to own a copy will page through it again and again for reference at every phase of the moon.
Pagan Portals is, as the name suggests, a series of books (by various authors) with the aim of introducing various aspects of Paganism. Moon Magic seems a staple in this diet, as there are few branches of Paganism that don't require at least some familiarity with the cycles of the moon. My initial concern is that this book may have little to offer the experienced practitioner. Just looking at the contents page dispels these fears instantly. Not only does Rachel (also known as Tansy Firedragon) cover what I would think of as 'The Basic' such as the phases of the moon, Esbats and some of the more well-known moon rituals, she also brings a fascinating amount of detail including working with cords, charms and supernatural creatures.
So rubbing my hands together gleefully at the prospect of learning something new about my favourite satellite, I dive right in. Rachel writes in a very accessible style that is very inclusive to readers of all aptitudes. Facts are listed in well written, easy to consume bites, and each section that stems after is broken down in such a way it could almost be used as a reference book. Each moon phase has its own correspondences and magic, so it's easy enough to flick through to find what you need at a specific time. I would find the information on oils and crystals particularly useful. The meditations included are beautiful; someone really needs to make a podcast of these though so they can be downloaded and played at whim! We move from the phases of the moon into the seasonal moon and examine different ways of using a moon calendar including relating it to the controversial Celtic Tree calendar. I'm glad she includes this though; it shows that moon magic and timings are not just for Wicca, but for any path.
I am particularly pleased with the Planting with the Moon chapter; this is such a simple aspect of bio-dynamic agriculture but so many people forget the impact the Moon has on plants and the soil. I've often used lunar agrarian principles for my own garden and others', but this chapter teaches me things I never knew and will definitely implement myself.
This book is very short and as such you really have no excuse to not read it. If you have even the slightest interest in Paganism, Magic, natural living or astrology, this book will be relevant to you. The moon affects all of us, after all! Rachel brings a wealth of information together in such a way that you can go back to this book time and again, without it ever feeling old. The style is simple and full of common sense, yet magical and wondrous at the same time. Quite an achievement.
Very flat book. It is useful in case you want to remember what you could do in certain moon phases, but other than that, it is quite a plain book. The content from this book could be easily found in other books about witchcraft.
The author could also have developed more certain things...If you find it out there for 1 buck, get it. It is not so bad for complete beginners.
Excellent Book, I highly recommend this to anyone learning about Moon magic. I found it very helpful to connect other classes and lessons I am taking as well. Rachel is a gifted writer, I look forward to reading more from her!
As I am more interested in a theoretical or philosophical approach, this practical guide is not for me. I did enjoy some of the meditations and the chapter about moon deities.
Really liked this. Includes different types of moon, as well as things you can do (spells, rituals, etc) for each of the moon's phases. Really nice informative book.
Rachel Patterson has distilled the essence of everything connected with the moon into this wonderful and charming book. Moon phases, rituals, recipes, meditations, deities, power animals, signs, symbols, charms, spells, divination and so much more are tucked carefully within its pages and through it all shines the authors love of working with the moon and moon magic. A delight for everyone who gazes upon the moon and wonders how to work with its immense power
What a lovely little book!! I kept seeing this every time I browsed on Amazon and kinda discounted it due to its length but it really is a gem of a book with a lot of information relating to our beautiful moon. Quick and very easy to read this is exactly the kind of book that I will look at over and over again due to its length and subject matter! I'm really glad to have this book in my collection.
The quote comes from the introduction to Rachel Patterson's Moon Magic book. this is a book full of ideas for spells and rituals associated with different phases of the moon. People often think of witchcraft as a full moon activity, but as Rachel demonstrates, any phase of the moon can be worked with, although some lend themselves more to certain kinds of magic and ritual than others.
Enjoyed this book, always been fascinated by the moon. More so the effects they have on us. How to Welcome & Enjoy All Her Phases. This is a Easy to read & Enjoy read.
It's pretty short but holds so much useful information. I really loved this and will be using it a lot. I'm a Moon lover so this book really caught my attention. Glad I bought it you won't be sorry you did. Blessed Be.