Weave the Liminal: Living Modern Traditional Witchcraft

by Laura Tempest Zakroff

Weave the Liminal helps you explore what it means to truly be a Witch in the contemporary world and learn how to overcome the issues that can be problematic in defining your path. A hands-on guide to the Modern Tradition of Witchcraft, this book is all about creating an authentic expression of Witchcraft that works for you.

Discover how to formulate a personalized working practice with RITES (Roots, Inspiration, Time, Environment, Star). Delve into spellcraft, metaphysics, and ritual, and learn how to journey into the liminal realm to meet with divinity and spirits. Modern Traditional Witchcraft is a path of experimentation. Let Weave the Liminal be a guide and companion as you experiment with the Craft and continue evolving the rich pattern of your magical life.

Genres: Witchcraft, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Occult, Paganism, Magic, Magick

296 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

Laura Tempest Zakroff (she/they) is a professional artist, author, performer, and Modern Traditional Witch based in New England.

She holds a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design, and her artwork has received awards and honors worldwide. Her work embodies myth and the esoteric through her drawings and paintings, jewelry, talismans, and other designs.

Laura is the author of several bestselling Llewellyn books including Weave the Liminal, Sigil Witchery, Visual Alchemy, and Anatomy of a Witch, as well as the artist and author of the Sigil Witchery Oracle, Anatomy of a Witch Oracle, The Liminal Spirits Oracle. Laura edited The New Aradia: A Witch’s Handbook to Magical Resistance, The Gorgon's Guide to Magical Resistance, and Serpents of Circe: A Manual to Magical Resilience from Revelore Press.

Laura is the creative force behind several community events and teaches workshops online and worldwide.

Visit her at www.LauraTempestZakroff.com.

Reviews

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I begin every book on witchcraft with a healthy dose of skepticism. I’m ready for a lot of woo, or pages and pages of prescribed rituals or spells with only fluff in between to hold it all together, or self-important stories about what a skillful witch or diviner or medium the author is. Never having read Zakroff’s earlier work, I began this book in the same fashion. I was, however, delighted to be wrong.

This book is the book I wish I’d had 10 years ago when I was first exploring witchcraft. Its tone is delightfully conversational while the text also makes good use of footnotes and references to articles, Wikipedia pages, other books on witchcraft, mythology, and more.

More importantly, though, the whole book is about how to build your own craft. Using the acronym RITES as a framework - Roots, Inspiration, Time, Environment, Star - Zakroff offers “a foundation to build upon... ideas to grasp and grow, [and] a sense of how and where to direct what you build and put it into action.” I admit I’m still a little unclear of what Star really refers to, but I read it as the culmination of the other four components; our roots, whether our family of origin, ancestral home, or other early influences, our influences and the things that inspire us and our craft, the way that time figures into our life and practice - moon cycles, seasonal cycles, everything from daily routines to once in a lifetime rites of passage - and finally environment, the location where we live and came from. The star, then, is more than the sum of these four parts; it is the synergy of those components in this space and time and shaped by this particular witch.

While Weave the Liminal remains steadfastly a book about how to claim one’s own path, Zakroff does, of course, share her own experiences and philosophies as well. While not including the Threefold Law or the Wiccan Rede in her own craft, she does offer Nine Guidelines to Prevent Witch Wars (which might be useful here on tumblr) which include her own Threefold Law - Read everything three times before responding, and read your response three times before posting.
With an extensive discussion of deities -- are they required for witchcraft? (Spoiler alert -- nope) How do I choose which deity to include in my practice? What’s the difference between worship, devotion, and working with a god or goddess? -- as well as ideas for ways to work with various types of ancestors or spirits of the dead (she recognizes the Familiar Dead, the Ancestors, and the Mighty Dead), she also includes reminders that there is plenty of energy to work with even if you never contact any other spirits or gods. While Zakroff herself identifies as what she calls the “P words” -- pantheist, pagan, polytheist, etc -- and does use an animist lens when speaking about working with the spirits of place, especially, she employs journal prompts throughout the book to guide readers in examining and articulating their own beliefs.

This is as excellent book for a new or beginner witch as it is for a more seasoned practitioner. There was little new information in the book for me, but it was given with a perspective that I find to be rare in most witchy books and was incredibly refreshing. Even as she describes her experiences with the ‘clair’ senses or talks about a side conversation she had with a deity during ritual, she gives an impression of grounded level-headedness. Just as we over at @witchmums​ like to remind our followers to look for the mundane explanations before the magical ones, so too does Zakroff. Just as I insist upon a place for secular witchcraft in the community, so does she. Indeed, there was so little I disagreed with in the book that it felt like I could have written it (though of course I do not have as extensive experience she has to draw from and therefore my version would have been shorter and probably less impressive).

In all, I would highly recommend this book, especially for witches looking to develop a craft unique to their own life and experience, and/or those who are less interested in high formal ritual than in tapping in to their own power and building ritual from there. In fact this has probably made it to the top of the list of books I would recommend to new witches, though I believe witches of any experience level can find something useful or resonant in it.

[The Shakti Witch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally some empowering publications happening on the subject of witchcraft. This is a must read for 2019. This new book from Laura Tempest Zakroff is a timely introduction to modern witchcraft. Perfect for beginners forging their own paths and a welcomed reminder to those who reject teachings made largely by men in the 21st century. Do you have difficulty connecting with the heterosexual based wheel of the year? Not comfortable with practicing sky clad, a directive made by an elderly man to his nubile female followers? As a southern hemisphere witch of matriarchal linage, I have been blessed to see through a lot of the nonsense hatched up by these men last century and regurgitated by their female cult followers. This book comes as a welcomed antidote to a lot that has been written in the past and is set to be a classic! Oh, and if you want to get your kit off, then power to you.

[Charli Erbland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have no clue how to rate this book. I loved it yet it also was one of the most uncomfortable reads I've had at the same time. It's somehow both 5 stars and 3 stars.

I'm 100% against hexing at all times. Nobody will be able to convince me otherwise. Yes, people have tried.
I found her stance on deity confusing. She is somehow a theist while also speaking like an atheist. She refuses to "worship" deities yet everything she does IS worship but in a less heavy word as "work with".
She seems to have little respect for mythology. Stating it will hold little truths. Yet seems really curious about Greek Mythology, and seems to invoke Hekate/Hecate often.

I would say if your a polytheist, maybe pass on this. She won't even write the word, calling it "p-word" instead, which comes off pretty rude. If your an atheist or secular witch, this book would be perfect for you. Wiccans? Totally avoid, she really is pushy on the hexing.

So, do I hate the book and or author? Would I never read another book from her again? I do like her as a person, and her videos are great. I would read other books by her but now that I know her beliefs better, I can be better informed. Some of what she says about deity and mythology made me feel like a i needed a hot shower and felt deeply uncomfortable.

[Misty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Zakroff starts the book saying that it's intended to be a tool to help the reader construct their own personal path. It's not that. It's very much beginner material. I kept reading because I run a community group and I'm always looking for books to recommend to people new to witchcraft. I'd be hesitant to recommend this book to most people.
Pros:
--I agree with her about covens; not everyone belongs in one and it's best to be thorough and ask questions when considering one.
--Her points about the importance of critical thinking are pretty spot on
--Her description of her relationship with deity; I also consider myself someone who works with rather that worships. It's a point of view that a lot of people buck against, but I think it's an important idea especially for beginners. If you worship a god and he commands you to go on a hunger strike and relocate to a small island near Alaska, worship dictates you at least make an attempt. If you work with a god and he asks the same; you say no. A working relationship implies an exchange, a certain level of equality between you and the god/spirit you're working with. It gives you more room for negotiation and straight up just the ability to say no.
--She has some good ideas to consider if you're new to the whole magick/witchcraft scene.

Cons
--It's terribly organized.
--It's more of a memoir than anything else.
--At least half of her advice is modern psychotherapy concepts that really only apply to a certain set of personality types. A lot of that would have been better left to a professional.
--She goes back and forth between telling the reader that no one can define what a witch is and isn't, but then does that. A lot.
--She says that the witchcraft community should distance itself from Abrahamic thought (I don't disagree, personally, but there are a lot of Christian witches and their paths are just as valid)
--AND THEN she waxed poetic about Leland... so ditch Abrahamic thought but take up the book that's all about the VIRGIN goddess Diana having a child with fucking LUCIFER!? I hate Aradia Gospel of the Witches to the core of my being because it drags Christian bullshit into witchcraft, it's disrespectful to the mythos of Diana, and it promotes this certain corner of witchcraft that likes to try to invent history. (I'm talking to you Margaret Murray and all the burning times fanatics)
--I'm not sure who the target audience is. Someone that needs to be told that you still need to pay your bills, be polite to people, learn good communication skills, and don't do drugs? Children? Did she write for children wanting to enter altered states through orgasm? Who's the audience? No one knows.
--She says that the whole right-hand path left-hand path setup is BS ( I disagree, I think assigning them moral alignments is BS but there world view and practice differences that can be applied to the RHP, LHP idea) but then she mainly only discusses things that would fall in the RHP camp of things.
--"Ceremonial magicians- what are you guys doing reading this book anyway?" (good fucking question) I guess this book isn't aimed at everyone then...
--For a book that says it's not going to discuss morality, that's kinda all it does.

The reason I would hesitate to recommend it to a beginner is that it shows only one narrow way of approaching the world of witchcraft. It gives a very skewed view of the magick scene as a whole. For instance, my magickal views and path are completely dismissed in this book. If I would have read this starting out it might have taken me much longer to end up where I was happiest. If I come across someone that needs more of a self-help style book about magick I might suggest this one.

[Juli Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is very much a theory-based, rather than entirely practical, book on witchcraft. The emphasis is on creating one's own path and practices through research and interests, and how to structure these beliefs and practices. I appreciated Zakroff's openness to a variety of relationships with divinity and especially the RITES method of framing a spiritual belief system and practice. However, I thought this book was too chatty, and relied too much on personal narrative, and it could have been 3/4 the length without losing any important content.

[Danni · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Remember that you are not alone. You are following in the footsteps of countless generations of liminal weavers, and you are surrounded by spirit in so many ways. Breathe, close your eyes, find the quietude of the darkness. Soon the light of the star will become visible like the rising sun, the fabric will be illuminated again, and you will find your place. " - Laura Tempest Zakroff

As I continue to explore shifting my focus, expanding my practice, I read the delightful book Weave the Liminal by Laura Zakroff. I've always found liminal spaces to be wonderful gateways to magic and the otherworld. I was curious to read what someone who called their path "Modern Traditional Witchcraft" might have to say about liminal work. 

Before we dive into the meat of the book, I do want to praise the artwork on the cover and for each chapter. It really managed to capture the essence of the book and added a real magical flair to the pages! 

This book is intended for any witchcraft practitioner who is looking to forge their own path. New practitioners will find a lot of wonderful advice and inspiration that will save readers countless hours trying to figure out on their own.  Questions about working with Deity, labels, and the history of witchcraft are presented in easy to digest segments. A newbie book that finally reflects what magic and witchcraft looks like in today's world. I've not yet read a book that so clearly empowers readers to do their own thing while still subtly providing the foundation and answers that newbies desire. 

The author writes with expertise and good humor. I felt like I was talking to an older sister who "got it" but also knew a few things more than I do. While I don't consider myself to be a beginner at this point, I can see this tone being incredibly helpful for a beginner in paganism or witchcraft. 

What I loved reading about was the author's take on Deity and the practicalities of being a witch in today's world. Readers really get to dive into the fascinating world of liminal work in the Deity chapter. The conversation around how one might differentiate between spirits, gods, ghosts, ect. was enlightening. The tidbits concerning navigating our modern world as a witch or pagan was just what our community needed. The author finds avenues for the traditional roles of healer, priestess, seer to be integrated in our mundane lives in 2019. These chapters are exactly what I look for when reading a book that isn't directly related to my own path as a Druid. Informative, inspiring, and providing just enough of shift that I can look at my own path with fresh eyes. 

Readers who are new to witchcraft or paganism, this is a MUST READ! Those who are looking to really shape and make their paths their own will also delight in this wonderful look at modern traditional witchcraft. 

[David Lowry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nothing new here. Nothing really here at all. A lot of progressive political dogma and massive hypocrisy. Also witchcraft isn't a religion, it's a craft. Witchcraft isnt a political idealogy, it's a craft. Wicca is a religion.

Witchcraft books these days all follow the same formula, it's getting old quick. Witchcraft authors need to quit assuming all people into the craft fall to the left and realize, it's as varied as any other group.

[aphrodite · Rating 5 out of 5]

when it comes to books on witchcraft I can appreciate a step-by-step resource and authors who give specific examples of practice. however, considering the nature of this belief system I much prefer a book that give me a new perspective on the tools rather than the exact tools themselves.

this is exactly what zakroff did with this book and I loved every minute of it. the conversationalist writing style, the emphasis on creating YOUR own path, and the no nonsense insights into the craft left me excited, inspired, and confident.

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Book Review] Weave the Liminal

I’ve been a fan of Laura Tempest Zakroff ever since reading her book on sigil magick last year.

I heard through the grapevine about her book on Modern Traditional witchcraft. Of course, I got pretty excited.

Luckily, Netgalley was kind enough to provide an advanced reader copy of this book for me to review. I received Weave the Liminal and devoured it.

The title itself says much about Zakroff’s approach in writing this book. It isn’t call “Weaving The Liminal;” it’s “weave.”

The word choice is evocative and important. It puts the action on the reader. This book is a call to action for witches to evolve, grow, explore, and act for positive change in the world.

The book lives up to the title.

You won't find long lists of correspondences, deities, or chapters of basic spells in this book. Instead, she focuses on the nuances of being a practicing witch.

Zakroff explains her concept of witchcraft as both modern, yet traditional. You won’t find any fluffing about ancient lineages or thousand-year-old covens. She acknowledges with uncommon frankness that her tradition is not ancient.

She also explains why this doesn’t make it any less valid or effective. In a community where so many assume that older is better, this is a helpful and healthy perspective.

It examines equal parts theoretical and practical ideas. Zakroff’s work has uncommon depth.

Zakroff discusses ritual practices like circle-casting and invocation, of course. She cleverly avoids implying that these must be done in only a certain way, though. This allows readers to build their own practice, unhindered by strict expectations.

In fact, the book does not contain pre-written rituals or meditations. Instead, Zakroff focuses on giving readers a sort of toolbox. This allow them to construct their own rituals and workings. This is great to see in a beginner’s book, because

Zakroff also acknowledges atheist witches, as well as general secular witches. That’s so rare - over the past twenty years, most books on witchcraft focus only on Wicca or other theistic paths. So many people have written to me asking for secular-friendly introductory books. Now, I have one I can readily recommend!

Another great thing about this book? Zakroff is unabashedly curse-positive! She emphasizes personal responsibility in all things, both magical and mundane. She also acknowledges that baneful workings exist and can sometimes be useful.

This is an excellent message for witches both young and older. Many of us, I know, tire of the “do no harm” perspective often pushed in earlier books on Wicca and witchcraft.

Even now, twenty years after the 1990s “white witch” trend, many still claim that “real witches don’t curse.” For an author to explain otherwise is wonderful progress.

This book went way beyond my expectations. I look forward to future works by Zakroff.

And, I'd recommend Weave the Liminal to almost any witch. Intermediate and advanced witches can learn from Zakroff's unique perspective and frankness. I feel like this book says what many of us have been thinking for years.

I'd definitly recommend it to beginners. There is much to glean from no-nonsense perspective and honesty.

I award this book five out of five stars!

[The Librarian Witch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This witchy read is described as book to help you “create an authentic path of witchcraft that works for YOU.”
It doesn’t preach.
It doesn’t waffle.
It doesn’t lay down a set of ironclad rules that you MUST follow in order to be considered a “real witch”.
And it’s pretty refreshing to be honest.

The whole vibe of this book is basically “do what feels right to you. And if it doesn’t feel right, then try something else.”

Focusing on the path of the Modern Traditional witch (and explaining that term wonderfully too!) this book features history, definitions, how to fit your practice into everyday life, what being a witch means, how to write your own spells (hint: it’s not that hard!), information about altars & rituals, how to work with spirits & deities, whether you really need to work with deities, and so much more!

I really enjoyed the no nonsense, straight to the point, no frills and fluff way Laura Tempest Zakroff has of explaining things in her book.
I’m used to a lot of witchcraft books containing a lot of airy-fairy descriptions, over the top rituals and spells that require about 20 obscure items and a whole whoo-haar to perform, and this book was not like that at all.

This is more of a guide book to steer you along onto your own path and help you to find your own way of doing things.
It’s a friend with a gentle guiding hand on your shoulder that you can fall back on for clarity and inspiration when you need it.
It’s a fantastically written, insightful guidebook that I believe every witch, no matter their path or skill level, would benefit from having on their shelf.

[Mina · Rating 2 out of 5]

It could have been titled "Modern Traditional Witchcraft as Self-Help and How Anyone (Especially All Modern Women) Can Become Empowered By It".
A bit too much persistent reassurance that labels and lore can be whatever one likes than the depth I had hoped for. Language, like mythology, is also ever-evolving, but for my tastes it was over-saturated with Millennial-era style quips(like putting "#truth" right after a sentence, and many "Buzzfeed"-style sentences.) and persistent, repetitious modern "woke" feminist empowerment was tiring. I simply wasn't the right reader for this book. I did think the first chapters were worthwhile as it went into some history and the evolution into modern perspectives, in general and towards witchcraft. As I am not into the supernatural, the later parts of the books on communicating with gods and other worlds was less interesting than I would have hoped for, even simply for learning about someone else's beliefs and practices. It was also a bit more auto-biographical in focus than I had expected, which all would have been more enjoyable if I liked the author's writing style more, maybe. I did appreciate her "RITES" concept, which was insightful. As you can tell, I was looking for something a little different. I think this could be a nice read for those who feel insecure about their interests in learning from more obscure knowledge, ancient myths, and etc., like being able to consult a friend.

Note: Goodreads says I have read this twice, but I have only once. Not sure why that happened or how to fix it. :)

[Alexia ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in beginning in Witchcraft or, who is already a practitioner, but needs an extra boost. The author is just fantastic, I love the way she writes and explains things. The comparison between our practices and a web is just... perfect and made me think and reflect so much on my path and my practice.

I read this book both as an audiobook and as an e-Book through Scribd and I loved both ways, I think it's such an easy and fantastic book that can be read at any given time. It will truly inspire you to work more on your practice and to reflect on your routines or, in case you're beginning, it will help you mold your path and start giving the first few steps.

Definitely one of my fav books in 2020!

[Bon · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 15%. The author has a smug tone that I can't stand, nor is their practice similar to mine or helpful. On to the next!

[✨Bean's Books✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for those who are continuing their path or maybe redefining their path as it doesn't really go into the step by step details that most beginner books do. I don't think beginner's would get as much out of it as a more seasoned practitioner. Definitely a bit more advanced.
However very well written and I love the author's concepts and ideas. She's one of those authors where you read her books and you'd love to meet her in person to pick her brain. 😊

[The Witch of Nottingham · Rating 2 out of 5]

It somehow feels long, yet there’s very little actual information in it. This book suffers from disorganization and an identity crisis. It doesn’t know what it wants to be about — part personal memoir that’s not too interesting, partially some meanderings about different schools of thought when it comes to witchcraft - the majority of which is overwhelmingly common sense. Most people would come to these conclusions on their own without needing to read the book. It didn’t feel like there was any deep wisdom here. Then of course, it covers the various Witch 101 crap - a discussion of the Wheel of the Year, a brief list of types of spell magic - though the author will tell you she’s not really one to do spells but when she does they work so well she can’t offer much advice for what to do if they don’t work. Throughout the book the author empowers the reader to make witchcraft what they wan to be and to follow a practice that resonates with them, but the specifics are thin. It’s not a beginners book, it’s not an intermediate book, it’s not specifically essays on pagan thought. It’s just kind of a mess.

Frequently the author’s tone comes off bratty or a bit judgmental mental yet she decries gatekeeping or the idea that there’s only one right way. There were a lot of sections were I just rolled my eyes.

I’ll be honest, I started and stopped this book a couple times. The only reason I got through it is because I had the audible version and I could adjust the narrators speeds to 1.4X, thus making it a quicker slog. And I had a large mindless task to do that required my hands, so it was good to zone out to.

I should mention that the Audible narrator’s delivery was not my cup of tea. I cannot put my finger on it exactly, but her tone was just wrong for this book. She should be narrating books about housekeeping or maybe textbooks, but not books on witchcraft. There was just a major disconnect there. Between the narration (which was perfectly competent, in all fairness) and the author’s penchant for humble bragging - it was a struggle to get through this one.

For background, I am in my early 40’s. I got interested in paganism in my late teens and read quite a few books back then going into my mid-20’s. I would characterize myself up until recently as a non-practicing pagan. My beliefs and the principles that are important to me are borrowed from a pagan framework, but for many years I didn’t really “do” much with it, no spells or rituals or celebrating sabbats. In the last few years, I’ve had the itch to get more deeply into learning about paganism and the craft, and to make an effort to practice. And luckily it seems that witchcraft is trendy now and there’s no shortage of new books out there with beautiful covers. But I continue to have the same problem I did back in the 90’s — so much of it is just the same stuff, or there isn’t a lot of wisdom to be found. It feels like 90% of witchcraft books are just Witch 101 primers, with the same cursory info that was already explained in Scott Cunningham’s works years ago. I also have a hard time grappling with all these young authors — I’m the kind of person that really values the knowledge of experts and it can sometime just feel strange to turn to someone 10-20 years younger than me for spiritual advice. While in some respects, I feel very much like a neophyte because of my non-practicing status, it would be unfair to say that I’m really a beginning when I’ve been applying general spiritual laws to my life for quite a few years now.

One final thing to note - there is really hardly any in-depth or even cursory information on actual traditional witchcraft in this book. While I understand that this book is about ‘modern traditional”, I don’t see very much of the “traditional” here. There are much better sources to pursue for the reader who’s actually interested in traditional witchcraft.

[Annette Bowman · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book because it was recommended. I am old. I typically pay little attention to the nuances of spiritual politics. I misspoke in addressing a young witch as a Wiccan and thought it was time to check-in after a few decades on where things were. I don't call myself either term because for me the terms are not as important. I don't understand the hype around this book and will not recommend it to anyone who is looking for more information about witchcraft. However, I do feel this author has things to say. I feel it is important to let people know where I am coming from before starting this review.

Laura Tempest Zakroff says at one point in the book she doesn't want to assert power of authority, but this book feels like an assertion of authority. A striving to be an expert, sometimes at the expense of others' knowledge. I am not sure that is a good aim. I do wonder if there might be a way to uplift one another?

Overall the book is poorly written and this made it just hard to read-- it could have used a good editor. Laura Tempest Zakroff is at her best in her writing style when she is writing from her personal experience. Please write a memoir? There would be value to others in the example of your life. An exploration and an intimate telling of your personal truth could help others.

The book intends to be about developing a witchcraft practice and be beyond Witchcraft 101. It might have helped to go through a few more drafts and editing to organize the material. The framework of RITES was clever and useful. In my opinion this book could have been about half its length and presented the material at hand on witchcraft.

In regards to the material... Laura Tempest Zakroff states she is not judgmental, but she is judgmental and her message is confused throughout the entire book. She writes from the perspective of an atheist, but invokes Hecate. She disparages pagans and deists and yet talks about mythology. She pulls in the myth of Aradia and yet eschews Abrahamic mythology. This push-pull felt jarring at times and not useful.

As I look around there are an awful lot of books striving to be THE definitive book for witches, Wiccans, pagans, etc. This tells me that there is a huge need and people are looking for answers and depth in their lives.

[Mike Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pissed me off.

...let me explain!

I have been a voracious reader since I was very young. I can finish large books in a day or less. I have also been in the “broom closet” since I was around 10 or 11. I think my parents are pretty open, but I grew up in a large Roman Catholic family, so even some of my liberal ideas can become an issue (again, not my immediate family). I have read SO MANY BOOKS on the subject of Witchcraft/Wicca/Shamanism/Paganism. I’m not a follower of Wicca. Definitely more Witchcraft and taking things I like from other spiritual paths and adding it to my own. This damned book...

Guys...it took me weeks to finish. WEEKS! Every few pages I’d have to stop and takes notes on what I had just read. I had to make a Google doc to keep it all in order. I feel like this review is all over the place and I’m sorry about that. How can I sum it up?

This book was like a tuning fork to my very soul. Each page caused further harmony. I wish this had been the first book I picked up when I started on my path all those years ago (mid-30s now). The author struck so many chords within me. Drop everything and read this book if you’re even mildly interested in Witchcraft/Paganism/et al.

A warning: I get the feeling that some Wiccans might take umbrage with some parts of this book. To those people the author often repeats that this is what works for her and her path. Take the many nuggets of wisdom and use them!

I hope everyone, whether you’re just starting on your path or have been on the journey for a while, finds resonance with this amazing and incredible book. You deserve more stars than I am allowed to rate, Laura Tempest Zakroff.

[ReD]

I have such mixed feelings on this book.

What is described on the back of the book is only loosely what is inside of the book. The concept of weaving and liminal is applied only loosely at the beginning of each chapter; it feels a bit like an after-thought. I also have mixed feelings on the tone in the book. I find the author to be the most engaging when she is talking about her personal experiences (something I usually dislike in other books) but at times the language feels very flippant and off-putting. I kept expecting to see 'yas girl slay' written and I'm not sure how I feel about it. (Calling Pagans/Polytheists/etc the "P-word" left an uncomfortable taste in my mouth.)

It is very possible I felt removed from the book because I am a bit past the "witchcraft 101" section. That being said, it was enjoyable that this was a 101-book that was not incredibly Wicca focused. I'll actually be gifting it to a friend who is beginning in witchcraft and finding Wicca does not work for her.


I'll write a full review once I get my thoughts in order but if the book encouraged me to do anything, it was to check out the author's blog. She's an engaging writer when it comes to discussing her personal experiences and I am interested in hearing more about her experiences and how they influenced her path.

[Sarah Esmae Wolfe · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was nothing wrong with this book per-se, but it just wasn't for me. It was a lot of the author's personal stories, experiences, and beliefs but if you connected with the way the author approaches witchcraft I think you'd really enjoy this.

[Ever Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. This was the witchcraft book I have been waiting for for a decade and a half. It's great for beginners, as well as a wonderful refresher for those (like me) who have stagnated on their paths. This book reawakened the witch in me, and I'd definitely recommend it to others.

[Ivy♌ · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable informative text that collaborates the authors experiences with the craft including examples of the positive and negative vibrations when doing magic.
There were very few journaling prompts or self relating activities which is a shame I would have loved a bigger collaborative section to work alongside the guide as you learn.
The foot notes were relevant & the overall text within was not too drawn out.
The book reads like a beginner/intermediate level guide with a wide variety of topics for these levels on the path.
Being an eclectic witch that borrows from all facets of the practice this guide leans more towards a "traditional" witchcraft path.
If you follow a "traditional" path or are just starting out on the journey this will be a useful resource guide.

Many thanks to Llewellyn Worldwide- Publications and Netgalley for an advanced copy for an honest review.
(All opinions expressed are my own and unbiased)

[Violet · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading this book was weird. It's hard to explain; I was really looking forward to read it, but it came out being the complete opposite of what I expected. I feel the name and presentation is quite misleading.

For what it is, I agree with most of what the author says and I considere most of the info she gives very important for beginners or people trying to redefine their path. However, there was something in the tone of the writing that made it incredibly uncomfortable to read for me, to the point that I had to put it down for good at 75% and I still can't pinpoint exactly why (though I have my suspicions...). It's not a bad book! Definitely a perspective to take into account. It says many things that other books for beginners do not delve in enough, and that's good. But if you have been reading about this subject for a while and you are looking for something more advanced and practical, you may find this one a little annoying.

[Hege · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost gave this 5 stars but her preaching that you must have a super good reason, pretty much life or death, for “breaking a vow” - including breaking up with a partner, was highly disturbing and not something young people should read. So if you’re unsure: “this is not what I want anymore” is more than a good enough reason to end a relationship.

If we have to have life or death reasons to break a pact, we really should avoid any relationships at all which is just silly.
It seems like this is a personal trauma, and I wish it hadn’t reached the book.

But otherwise the book is great and well rounded. Not a typical “witchcraft 101” - she’s not going to give you any spells, but help you explore a way of life. the book is pretty well written so it’s an enjoyable read

[Kitty · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was pretty disappointed when I got halfway into the book and realized there wouldn’t be much of a book on actual liminal spaces. This is another witchcraft 101 book which was all-in-all disorganized and just meh. Nothing liminal about it and not much on the area of “deepening your connection to spirits”.

In addition, the author doesn’t take criticism well. So sadly, I won’t be reading anything of hers in the future and can’t recommend to anyone.

[Lonnie Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellence in Why Witchcraft

This book is all about mindset. Start with why and build.your craft. I loved this so much that it's now required reading for my students right next to Six Ways by Aidan Wachter.

[Nic Ristevski · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book does not know what it wants to be. Very general, beginner level information about a variety of topics, so much so that I came out of this book having learned nothing. And at the end (strangely) a chapter of life advice, which I don't need from a book about witchcraft.

[Sam (Hissing Potatoes) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zakroff has an incredible way of clearly expressing ideas, with the smartest and most accessible metaphors, and giving them appropriate weight while never losing a sense of humor (and therefore the understanding that we are all humans trying to get through this thing called life together). The central loom/weave structure is used brilliantly.

While I don't agree with or know what I think about everything Zakroff discusses, MANY of the viewpoints uncannily match my own journaling over the last few months, which is wonderfully validating. I strongly agree with and support Zakroff's approach that finding your own path, however that looks for you and regardless of what others think, is the most important part of witchcraft. That assertion is the backbone of this book.

It's a great guide for both beginners and those who have done significant reading on witchcraft topics. It provides great summary and discussion of the history of witchcraft, trends, things to be wary or cognizant of, etc. Zakroff covers many different aspects of witchcraft and contextualizes her own viewpoints while offering the others that are available that might work better for different people. Her utter lack of judgment for things that aren't actively harmful is refreshing and inspiring.

And her art in the illustrations on the cover and at the beginning of each chapter is GORGEOUS.

[The Nerdy Witch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hear a lot of people asking for books to help them learn about witchcraft. This is the book you're looking for. It is one of the most path-neutral books I've read that gives an introductory overview to topics from rituals to hexing to deities. There are a few tips and things to try, but the focus is not on practicing spellwork; it is instead on building your foundational beliefs and practices. This book will help you build your own filter to sift through all the information that comes your way as you dive into learning, so that you can confidently take what resonates and leave what doesn't. A great first read for beginners and an excellent refresher for seasoned practitioners.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really nice primer to read as a "baby witch." I appreciated that it wasn't a set of rules beyond "don't be a jerk to others," and left the reader a lot of room to forge a path within witchcraft that fits their needs, energy, and means. Don't be fancy if it doesn't feel right to you, or fancy it up if that helps you connect to your power and (optional) divinity.

It mostly left me feeling okay with where I am (new and learning) and provided some guidelines of the different paths we can (or don't need to) explore.

[Raquel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best book I've read to date on the subject of witchcraft as a spiritual tradition. Rather than list spells and correspondences or lists of must-dos, Zakroff instead covers the general aspects of this spiritual tradition and how one can adapt it for their own practice. As someone who doesn't connect with Wiccan or Pagan traditions in my own craft, I truly appreciated this book for not assuming this was the approach one wants or needs in their practice. I will refer back to this one regularly.