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Jak studiować magię
Chciałabyś zanurzyć się w świat magii, ale nie wiesz, od czego zacząć?
Czarownica z ponad dziesięcioletnim doświadczeniem w praktykowaniu i nauczaniu magii, przedstawia nowicjusz(k)om podstawowe narzędzia czarostwa. Ukazuje różnorodne tradycje wróżbiarskie, medytacje, aż po metody oczyszczania i ochrony.
Przedstawia pięć najczęściej wybieranych ścieżek współczesnej magii: magię chaosu, czarostwo, księgi zaklęć i grymuary, magię ceremonialną oraz pogaństwo. Omawia również kilka podstawowych magicznych pomysłów i technik, które można wykorzystać na każdej z opisanych ścieżek.
Każdy rozdział zawiera praktyczne sugestie, jak prowadzić swój magiczny dziennik, by móc dojść do wypracowania własnych, spersonalizowanych praktyk magicznych.
Dzięki tej książce początkujące czarownice odkryją swoją moc.
Czarownica z ponad dziesięcioletnim doświadczeniem w praktykowaniu i nauczaniu magii, przedstawia nowicjusz(k)om podstawowe narzędzia czarostwa. Ukazuje różnorodne tradycje wróżbiarskie, medytacje, aż po metody oczyszczania i ochrony.
Przedstawia pięć najczęściej wybieranych ścieżek współczesnej magii: magię chaosu, czarostwo, księgi zaklęć i grymuary, magię ceremonialną oraz pogaństwo. Omawia również kilka podstawowych magicznych pomysłów i technik, które można wykorzystać na każdej z opisanych ścieżek.
Każdy rozdział zawiera praktyczne sugestie, jak prowadzić swój magiczny dziennik, by móc dojść do wypracowania własnych, spersonalizowanych praktyk magicznych.
Dzięki tej książce początkujące czarownice odkryją swoją moc.
224 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 2022
51 people are currently reading
539 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 2, 2023
About the Author
Sarah Lyons is a writer, activist, occultist and witch. She has practiced magic for over a decade. Currently living in Brooklyn, Sarah is an organiser with the New York City Democratic Socialists of America. As well as being deeply involved in New York City’s occult scene she is an on-air expert for the CW’s Mysteries Decoded.
Sarah’s writing has appeared in: Teen Vogue, Vice, Broadly, Slutist, Fusion, Dirge magazine and Dear Darling. Her first book Revolutionary Witchcraft – A Guide to Magical Activism was published in 2019. Check out my review of her first book here.
About the Book
Blurb:
“The ultimate introduction to the world of magic.
Have you ever wanted to enter the world of magic but weren’t sure how to begin? Knowing where to start can be mystifying, but it doesn’t have to be. And How to Study Magic is the answer you’ve been waiting for. Inside you’ll learn the basic tools of magic – from divination and meditation to cleansing and protection – before diving into the history, lore, and modern incarnations of a wide range of magical practices. With chapters on Witchcraft, Chaos Magic, Spell Books and Grimoires, Gods and Goddesses, and more, this dynamic guide from author, educator and seasoned witch Sarah Lyons gives an insider’s perspective on how to craft your own personalised practice.”
My Thoughts
As soon as I read the introduction from Sarah, about how she discovered magic, I knew I was going to get along with this book. Her story was extremely relatable. I’m sure we’ve all gone through the stages of wanting to believe in magic, but feeling foolish, and googling everything we could just to be even more overwhelmed by the information available. One of the great things about this book, and Sarah’s voice, is how validating and reassuring it is.
It’s worth noting at the offset that this book is about Magic, in that it doesn’t just focus on Witchcraft; it explores a whole host of magical practices. Sarah asks you to consider, ‘why do you want to study magic?’ It’s such a simple and fundamental thing to start, which leads you to think about the type of magic best for you. For me this highlighted that my craft is a bit lost right now and that I needed to reevaluate what I want from it. Although, the book does look at Witchcraft I felt myself enjoying the other chapters on chaos magic, grimoires, and ceremonial magic a lot more.
'How To Study Magic' is very much a ‘how to’ book that helps you to forge your own path and research further by being critical. As someone who already has a ‘study’ mindset from years in education I found it easy to apply that to my Witchcraft studies. Through this book Sarah makes studying magic accessible for everyone. She allows you to work out what you want from magic and how to get it.
Before hitting us with the ‘heavy’ stuff, chapter two provides the basics. There’s information about divination methods, meditation, cleansing, grounding and journaling; the literal basics and foundation of any magical practice. If like me, you don’t consider yourself a beginner anymore, a lot of this you will already know. However, who better to learn or relearn the basics from that Sarah Lyons? She is such an authoritative voice on the subject and it’s obvious she knows her stuff. I wish I had this book when I first started out in the magical world.
In the same way that she covers the basics, Sarah tackles the topic of ethics and colonisation of magical beliefs and practices in a measured way. This is a hot topic at the moment and you will find a lot of new magic or witchcraft books attempt to discuss this. Sarah does so in a practical, sensible and clear way that allows the reader to think for themselves when it comes to forming an ethical practice.
In terms of specific chapters, Chaos Magic is one that stood out to me. I thought I had an idea of what chaos magic was but the book provided so much more information and background that it completely changed my view of it. Having an introduction to its origins and the theory/lore behind it intrigued me. So much so that I have already started doing further reading around it, based on the sources Sarah provided.
Furthermore, I really appreciated Sarah’s general outlook and perspective of magic. She adds a lot of legitimacy to it; creating a concept that is easy to grasp, almost tangible, and explainable to those who may not believe. This also came across when she talked about areas of magic that have bothered or troubled me. A lot of magical practices have their issues, but Wicca and Thelma – particularly Aleister Crowley – have been areas that I, and a lot of others, have found problematic. I originally started my practice following a somewhat Wiccan path. However, as I delved deeper into Wicca’s history (or lack there of) it put me off. Yet, Sarah’s pragmatic view of magic highlighted that actually the ‘history’ of Wicca doesn’t matter; it doesn’t make it any less legitimate. If it is something that resonates with you and works for you then that’s great. Ironically, it was fact that Wicca was a lot more modern than I first realised, that put me off, and now I find myself drawn to the even more modern chaos magic.
The most surprising chapter was the one about Grimoires. I was expecting the usual beginner spiel about how to create a Grimoire or book of spells. However Sarah explores how to use a Grimoire; an old magical book, in your own magic. It excited the forever student in me and I just wanted to study dusty old books.
As well as magical practices, Sarah also introduces you to some of the figures you will come across in your studies. People such as; Aleister Crowley, Margaret Murray, Gerald Gardner and Helena Blavatsky. All of them have been influential in their area of magic, however some of them also come with their problems. As with the rest of the book Sarah addresses the problematic aspects and encourages you to form your own opinion.
Final Thoughts
The book is great for beginners who are not sure where to start, yet will also offer guidance to those who already have a magical practice. Sarah delves into the history of magic and the lore surrounding it to give you a real understanding of where the various aspects originated. Not only does she provide beginners with books to start with, but there are opportunities for further study for more advanced practitioners. Similarly, whilst reading the book, you will probably find yourself interested in another area of magic that you hadn’t considered before. (I now need to read the OG book of correspondences.)
Overall, 'How To Study Magic' is the ultimate introduction to magic. It provides the groundwork; a base; the foundational knowledge for various aspects of magic giving you the context and understanding to further your research and studies. It’s a no pressure approach, so if there is something that doesn’t work for you then you can adapt ideas to work for you.
It is beautifully organised and illustrated, making it a real pleasure to read. Sarah is an encouraging and reassuring voice throughout. When I started my Craft there was a lot of trial and error. I went down a few wrong paths and I made some mistakes, which will happen for all beginners. However, I would have felt a lot more prepared if I had this book to start with. The next time someone says to me, ‘how do I start?’ I will definitely recommend How To Study Magic and, as Sarah says, you don’t need to know everything to start – just start!
*Book was gifted by the publisher, Running Press, in exchange for a review.
Sarah Lyons is a writer, activist, occultist and witch. She has practiced magic for over a decade. Currently living in Brooklyn, Sarah is an organiser with the New York City Democratic Socialists of America. As well as being deeply involved in New York City’s occult scene she is an on-air expert for the CW’s Mysteries Decoded.
Sarah’s writing has appeared in: Teen Vogue, Vice, Broadly, Slutist, Fusion, Dirge magazine and Dear Darling. Her first book Revolutionary Witchcraft – A Guide to Magical Activism was published in 2019. Check out my review of her first book here.
About the Book
Blurb:
“The ultimate introduction to the world of magic.
Have you ever wanted to enter the world of magic but weren’t sure how to begin? Knowing where to start can be mystifying, but it doesn’t have to be. And How to Study Magic is the answer you’ve been waiting for. Inside you’ll learn the basic tools of magic – from divination and meditation to cleansing and protection – before diving into the history, lore, and modern incarnations of a wide range of magical practices. With chapters on Witchcraft, Chaos Magic, Spell Books and Grimoires, Gods and Goddesses, and more, this dynamic guide from author, educator and seasoned witch Sarah Lyons gives an insider’s perspective on how to craft your own personalised practice.”
My Thoughts
As soon as I read the introduction from Sarah, about how she discovered magic, I knew I was going to get along with this book. Her story was extremely relatable. I’m sure we’ve all gone through the stages of wanting to believe in magic, but feeling foolish, and googling everything we could just to be even more overwhelmed by the information available. One of the great things about this book, and Sarah’s voice, is how validating and reassuring it is.
It’s worth noting at the offset that this book is about Magic, in that it doesn’t just focus on Witchcraft; it explores a whole host of magical practices. Sarah asks you to consider, ‘why do you want to study magic?’ It’s such a simple and fundamental thing to start, which leads you to think about the type of magic best for you. For me this highlighted that my craft is a bit lost right now and that I needed to reevaluate what I want from it. Although, the book does look at Witchcraft I felt myself enjoying the other chapters on chaos magic, grimoires, and ceremonial magic a lot more.
'How To Study Magic' is very much a ‘how to’ book that helps you to forge your own path and research further by being critical. As someone who already has a ‘study’ mindset from years in education I found it easy to apply that to my Witchcraft studies. Through this book Sarah makes studying magic accessible for everyone. She allows you to work out what you want from magic and how to get it.
Before hitting us with the ‘heavy’ stuff, chapter two provides the basics. There’s information about divination methods, meditation, cleansing, grounding and journaling; the literal basics and foundation of any magical practice. If like me, you don’t consider yourself a beginner anymore, a lot of this you will already know. However, who better to learn or relearn the basics from that Sarah Lyons? She is such an authoritative voice on the subject and it’s obvious she knows her stuff. I wish I had this book when I first started out in the magical world.
In the same way that she covers the basics, Sarah tackles the topic of ethics and colonisation of magical beliefs and practices in a measured way. This is a hot topic at the moment and you will find a lot of new magic or witchcraft books attempt to discuss this. Sarah does so in a practical, sensible and clear way that allows the reader to think for themselves when it comes to forming an ethical practice.
In terms of specific chapters, Chaos Magic is one that stood out to me. I thought I had an idea of what chaos magic was but the book provided so much more information and background that it completely changed my view of it. Having an introduction to its origins and the theory/lore behind it intrigued me. So much so that I have already started doing further reading around it, based on the sources Sarah provided.
Furthermore, I really appreciated Sarah’s general outlook and perspective of magic. She adds a lot of legitimacy to it; creating a concept that is easy to grasp, almost tangible, and explainable to those who may not believe. This also came across when she talked about areas of magic that have bothered or troubled me. A lot of magical practices have their issues, but Wicca and Thelma – particularly Aleister Crowley – have been areas that I, and a lot of others, have found problematic. I originally started my practice following a somewhat Wiccan path. However, as I delved deeper into Wicca’s history (or lack there of) it put me off. Yet, Sarah’s pragmatic view of magic highlighted that actually the ‘history’ of Wicca doesn’t matter; it doesn’t make it any less legitimate. If it is something that resonates with you and works for you then that’s great. Ironically, it was fact that Wicca was a lot more modern than I first realised, that put me off, and now I find myself drawn to the even more modern chaos magic.
The most surprising chapter was the one about Grimoires. I was expecting the usual beginner spiel about how to create a Grimoire or book of spells. However Sarah explores how to use a Grimoire; an old magical book, in your own magic. It excited the forever student in me and I just wanted to study dusty old books.
As well as magical practices, Sarah also introduces you to some of the figures you will come across in your studies. People such as; Aleister Crowley, Margaret Murray, Gerald Gardner and Helena Blavatsky. All of them have been influential in their area of magic, however some of them also come with their problems. As with the rest of the book Sarah addresses the problematic aspects and encourages you to form your own opinion.
Final Thoughts
The book is great for beginners who are not sure where to start, yet will also offer guidance to those who already have a magical practice. Sarah delves into the history of magic and the lore surrounding it to give you a real understanding of where the various aspects originated. Not only does she provide beginners with books to start with, but there are opportunities for further study for more advanced practitioners. Similarly, whilst reading the book, you will probably find yourself interested in another area of magic that you hadn’t considered before. (I now need to read the OG book of correspondences.)
Overall, 'How To Study Magic' is the ultimate introduction to magic. It provides the groundwork; a base; the foundational knowledge for various aspects of magic giving you the context and understanding to further your research and studies. It’s a no pressure approach, so if there is something that doesn’t work for you then you can adapt ideas to work for you.
It is beautifully organised and illustrated, making it a real pleasure to read. Sarah is an encouraging and reassuring voice throughout. When I started my Craft there was a lot of trial and error. I went down a few wrong paths and I made some mistakes, which will happen for all beginners. However, I would have felt a lot more prepared if I had this book to start with. The next time someone says to me, ‘how do I start?’ I will definitely recommend How To Study Magic and, as Sarah says, you don’t need to know everything to start – just start!
*Book was gifted by the publisher, Running Press, in exchange for a review.
November 23, 2022
fun and well researched intro into various magical practices! The author's voice is very fresh, engaging, and compassionate. Even if don't practice/believe in magic, this book is very informative and a great overview of modern magical movements and their historical contexts
July 3, 2024
I am a writer and this book is a fantastic resource for those looking to learn more about magic! Lyons provides great overviews of five different types of magic that people have, and do, practice. Whether you’re a writer or someone looking to actually start practicing magic, this book will be helpful. My favorite part was that Lyons provides plenty of resources that readers can look for to learn more about any of the topics discussed. This book is a great starting point for those looking to whet their whistles in the world of magic. I will be buying a copy.
January 22, 2023
Excellent, a must for your bookshelf
I read this for a book club. When I read the title, I totally judged the book by it. As a practitioner of 20+ years I didn't think I would need a physical copy of this book. As it turns out, this book is full of so much useful information that it would be an excellent resource for anyone's bookshelf. I will be picking up a physical copy for mine.
I read this for a book club. When I read the title, I totally judged the book by it. As a practitioner of 20+ years I didn't think I would need a physical copy of this book. As it turns out, this book is full of so much useful information that it would be an excellent resource for anyone's bookshelf. I will be picking up a physical copy for mine.
July 7, 2023
The nebulous and intricate world of magic can be a strange and wonderful yet intimidating subject for someone new to it such as myself, thus any initiatory resources can prove to be a fantastic boon. That is why I was quite joyous to discover this book! Initially, I was overwhelmed in my search for a prudent place to begin my fantastic journey, but I found the insight necessary within these pages. Personally, I can think of three main elements that this guide contained which proved it's merit...
It's organized! This little book is neatly divided into corresponding chapters that serve to fundamentally tackle each primary facet of magic, with an abundance of neat illustrations included to further depict certain concepts being conveyed at the time.
It's informative! I especially enjoyed the rich and storied histories associated with tenet as well as the styles in which they were addressed, from the ancient beliefs of pagans to the more wily aspects of chaos magic. Lyons succeeds at not only providing a generalized summary of each discipline but also suggestions towards the practice/understanding of the disciplines themselves, drawing connections between concepts and ideologies as well as establishing a basis where one can metaphorically get their foot in the door. Within the realm of magic as a whole, it can be especially intimidating or confusing to a novice such as myself, thus these methods served to provide a starting point in a fashion I enjoyed more than other books on similar topics that I have read in the past.
It's fun! This book would not be complete without a few magical rituals/activities for the reader to try. Lyons habitually stresses to not only avoid becoming overwhelmed by complexities that arise within this craft but also to begin in a simplistic fashion and to enjoy yourself whilst still maintaining the art of learning as you progress from novice to adept. A whole menagerie of further reading is also provided should one find that they enjoy a particular path and wish to pursue it further.
My only qualm was that the book could get a tad too political, pedantic, or opinionated for my tastes at times... I totally respect the right to everyone's opinions, but I'm here to learn the intricacies of magic rather than delve into underlying societal issues or condemnations. This type of phenomenon was scant however and was not a major concern.
I see some folks on here noting that after gleaning magical information from a variety of sources that this book was minimal at best - well, I think that's because it was specifically designed for the beginner rather than the expert. Consequently, I am more than inclined to recommend this title to the former, for I am just starting myself and found the information on these pages to be beyond helpful. I feel as though this will prove as an invaluable resource as I continue to study the craft.
It's organized! This little book is neatly divided into corresponding chapters that serve to fundamentally tackle each primary facet of magic, with an abundance of neat illustrations included to further depict certain concepts being conveyed at the time.
It's informative! I especially enjoyed the rich and storied histories associated with tenet as well as the styles in which they were addressed, from the ancient beliefs of pagans to the more wily aspects of chaos magic. Lyons succeeds at not only providing a generalized summary of each discipline but also suggestions towards the practice/understanding of the disciplines themselves, drawing connections between concepts and ideologies as well as establishing a basis where one can metaphorically get their foot in the door. Within the realm of magic as a whole, it can be especially intimidating or confusing to a novice such as myself, thus these methods served to provide a starting point in a fashion I enjoyed more than other books on similar topics that I have read in the past.
It's fun! This book would not be complete without a few magical rituals/activities for the reader to try. Lyons habitually stresses to not only avoid becoming overwhelmed by complexities that arise within this craft but also to begin in a simplistic fashion and to enjoy yourself whilst still maintaining the art of learning as you progress from novice to adept. A whole menagerie of further reading is also provided should one find that they enjoy a particular path and wish to pursue it further.
My only qualm was that the book could get a tad too political, pedantic, or opinionated for my tastes at times... I totally respect the right to everyone's opinions, but I'm here to learn the intricacies of magic rather than delve into underlying societal issues or condemnations. This type of phenomenon was scant however and was not a major concern.
I see some folks on here noting that after gleaning magical information from a variety of sources that this book was minimal at best - well, I think that's because it was specifically designed for the beginner rather than the expert. Consequently, I am more than inclined to recommend this title to the former, for I am just starting myself and found the information on these pages to be beyond helpful. I feel as though this will prove as an invaluable resource as I continue to study the craft.
January 29, 2023
I haven't written a review in a long time but I can't set this book aside without saying something.
A quote from the last chapter:
Do I need to ask the question burning on my tongue? Seriously? Did you forget that Judaism is neither Christianity or Islam? It's very much alive, along with our long history as a persecuted minority, BUT NOT DEAD. You really shouldn't give your readers a free pass to plunder our books and culture like we're Druids or Celts.
Since you mentioned closed religions, I'm glad you at least are aware enough to recognize African religions and cultures as not your lane. As JUDAISM IS A CLOSED RELIGION, maybe let's not appropriate from us either.
You can speak Hebrew all you want, borrow our texts all you want — but don't claim them as your own, and most importantly, don't erase us. Find out for yourself how putting Jewish history, culture, and religion in the past-tense and conflating it as *just* the pathway to Christianity is ignorant and gross. Not knowing it's a closed religion and still practiced is embarrassing. You really should do the work and learn a thing or two about Judaism before you write about it — or forget to when you should.
A quote from the last chapter:
At the end of the day, here's the thing about modern paganism. These are all new religions, even if they worship old gods and pull from historical records. Christianity and Islam became dominant thousands of years ago, while the original pagan religions trailed off and disappeared. No one has practiced them in a very long time. None of these are continuous practices followed by a persecuted minority, and as such, you can't really "appropriate" any of them. You can be disrespectful or stupid, but you can't really steal from a dead culture.
Do I need to ask the question burning on my tongue? Seriously? Did you forget that Judaism is neither Christianity or Islam? It's very much alive, along with our long history as a persecuted minority, BUT NOT DEAD. You really shouldn't give your readers a free pass to plunder our books and culture like we're Druids or Celts.
Since you mentioned closed religions, I'm glad you at least are aware enough to recognize African religions and cultures as not your lane. As JUDAISM IS A CLOSED RELIGION, maybe let's not appropriate from us either.
You can speak Hebrew all you want, borrow our texts all you want — but don't claim them as your own, and most importantly, don't erase us. Find out for yourself how putting Jewish history, culture, and religion in the past-tense and conflating it as *just* the pathway to Christianity is ignorant and gross. Not knowing it's a closed religion and still practiced is embarrassing. You really should do the work and learn a thing or two about Judaism before you write about it — or forget to when you should.
December 30, 2022
As a beginner in this realm, I found this to be a fantastic beginner book. Now, I don't plan to dive into every area that this book discusses, but I enjoyed the chaos and paganism channels the most. So, I feel like those are the paths I will explore first, and I find this book got me started on a great path.
I really enjoyed the activities in each chapter and the journal prompts at the end of each chapter. Really allows you to explore those areas and really think if it's something you want to explore further.
I really enjoyed the activities in each chapter and the journal prompts at the end of each chapter. Really allows you to explore those areas and really think if it's something you want to explore further.
December 10, 2024
I LITERALLY could not put this book down... read it cover to cover in a single sitting. I'm still a baby witch trying to find out what all this means to me and this is EXACTLY what I needed. It's an excellent primer on magic history and practice and MOST IMPORTANTLY, it makes good on its promise- the whole point of this is to teach you to make your own practice that works for you rather than cramming yourself into a mold.
November 8, 2023
A nice primer on various paths of magic and potential avenues for learning about and practicing each. A great book for beginners but still useful for those who may be experienced in one path but still interested in being more eclectic.
July 2, 2025
I am really impressed with this book. I've read many Wiccan 101 books in my time and I feel that what Sarah has done here is write a 101 book that introduces multiple forms of magick in such a way that the reader can gain a solid launch to dive into whatever version speaks to them. Nice job!
January 23, 2023
It's pretty basic, although I did learn more about grimoire magic than I knew before. But really a basic book.
dnf
March 8, 2023DNF.
June 13, 2023
A lot of good information. A good way to dip a toe into magic.
October 5, 2023
Very enjoyable. The author doesn’t take herself too seriously which makes it more relatable.
October 11, 2023
it was very helpful and informative
November 2, 2023
Well-written and informative overview reg. magic and its history.
March 18, 2024
Good book
June 8, 2024
Really great book, has a lot of content I've never heard of and it left me wanting to dive down a rabbit hole. Fantastic for beginner witches 🧙♀️
January 17, 2025
Thoroughly informative and brilliantly funny. I admire how the author broached the topic of cultural appropriation. She also includes a lot of books for further reading on various topics.
January 25, 2025
Buen libro para quienes se están iniciando en el camino de la magia
June 18, 2025
A solid introduction for those interested in exploring magic.
August 15, 2025
A clear and concise history of magical practices. Lyons broadly discusses the most prevalent practices of magic making this a great starting point for anyone interested in magic and the occult.
July 14, 2023
An excellent primer for both those who are new to magic and those who have been at it for awhile. The voice in this work is engaging. Lots of references suggested for further reading.
October 23, 2023
I wish this had been one of the first books/guides on magic I read. It keeps complex topics simple, gives related bibliography to those interested in something in particular, and the author has no obvious theist or pagan bias. Overall a quick, fun read.
September 5, 2023
This felt like a good little companion book for someone just getting into witchcraft and the occult. This book touches on chaos magic, ceremonial magic, along with witchcraft and paganism. Throughout the book were some journaling prompts and spells that I thought were great to have been included. I wish there was more but this was still a great beginner book.
July 3, 2025
Podría tener interés -para alguien que está dando sus primeros pasos en este mundo- como una recopilación superficial de conocimientos esotéricos y, aunque correcto, no tiene la enjundia necesaria para ser un ensayo de peso sobre estos temas.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews