Witchcraft Activism: A Toolkit for Magical Resistance

by David Salisbury

The first hands-on guide to witchcraft activism with practical tips on everything from joining activist groups to conjuring spells for self-protection There is a movement on the rise, one that brings the worlds of social justice and political activism together with the practice of witchcraft. Activists wish to add magical methods to their arsenal, while spell casters seek to use their powers to resist oppression. Written by an experienced witch-activist and with the current political climate in full view, the book shows readers how to learn spells for self-protection and body shielding, as well as methods of developing enhanced psychic intuition and situational awareness. Salisbury explains how and why to conjure spirits of defense, land spirits, ancestral spirits of activism, as well as your own personal guardian spirits. Included are rituals, spells, and sigils, written clearly and simply, so that even someone with absolutely no previous experience in spell casting can immediately feel empowered and join the "witch resistance."

Genres: Witchcraft, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Paganism, Activism, Social Justice, Politics

192 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2019

Reviews

[Bon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a solid book meshing craft with political action.

It starts with extremely practical and doable work, even if it was written pre-covid precautions and things. Sigils on hands before shaking with your representatives, smudging letters sent to your representatives, simple actions like breathing, hand gestures, or verbal invocations before and during protests.

The prayer for queer ancestors was good stuff, and the constant mention of intersectional allyship when you're building a movement.

I was with the author until he praised Kenneth Anger, but otherwise it is pretty good advice in here, in a tightly-paced book.

[Sarah Esmae Wolfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, short, basic book about using witchcraft to fuel your activism. It gives some great ideas of how you can blend them and examples of spells and rituals. It's only four stars, not five stars, because the writing style was a bit dry and impersonal. My favorite part was the last chapter talking about magick practitioners in history using witchcraft for their cause.

[Lavender · Rating 3 out of 5]

Began 2-12-2020
Ended 3-12-2020

Ratings:
3 stars for Intermediate & Advanced Pagans, Witch, & Wiccan (PWW*)
3.8 stars for beginner PWW*
4.5 stars for PWW Activists
4 stars for activists
Average rating---> 3.825

Would I reread it? Yes, in the future, when I am more involved in healing the outer world.

Recommend? Yes, to PWW who want to learn how the craft can benefit from the effective change.

In the middle, I skimmed through, losing interest. I did learn things about how to incorporate things I would never have thought of on my own. If I was a beginner, parts of the book strictly regarding magick I would love to have. If I was into social justice and much more, then most of the book would be perfect. It is hard to imagine a non- PPW practicer to find this book useful aside from his genuine advice and stories from experience. The symbols, vocabulary, reading recommendations, and spell examples definitely more up my alley of what I was searching for. Can broaden your knowledge and grimoire for present and future use. Overall not terrible at all, just not what I am currently ready for.

[Rebecca Elson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review originally appeared on The Magical Buffet website on 03/21/2019.

Not too long ago I posted a photo on social media of all the books/decks that I have yet to write reviews for and asked for people’s opinion on what they’d like to see first. The overwhelming response was to review “Witchcraft Activism: A Toolkit for Magical Resistance” by David Salisbury next. I can’t say as I blame anyone who voted for it. In this time of political upheaval people now, more than ever, are looking for a way to take action.

The good news is, “Witchcraft Activism” gets the job done. Obviously if you’re a magical practitioner, the idea of effecting change with magic isn’t an outlandish idea. However, I was happy to see Salisbury clearly show the similarities (similarities that never occurred to me) between magic and activism. Both require a serious reflection on intention and the work of follow through. Salisbury has a background in activism and takes you step by step through any type of activism that may interest you: lobbying, letter writing, marches, and more. Then add to that an inspiring number of ways you can utilize magic to reinforce and improve on those actions! He discusses sigils, candle spells, spirit servitors, and of course, more.

David Salisbury has created a great guide for aspiring activists. You could ignore all the magical elements and still walk away with a fantastic book on activism. As far as I’m concerned, the informative magical information is just icing on the cake! Highly recommended!

[Durgadas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Activism can be a daunting prospect. While many of us vent our frustrations about injustice on social media, it can be tough to know what else to do. Attend a protest? Write our local representative? Boycott a product? What is most effective? And if we decide to engage more, are there more or less effective ways to do that? Some of us may've even had the unfortunate experience of trying to enter an activist space only to be criticized for not knowing as much as others about social issues, the current jargon, etc. Given that, where can we learn to be effective activists?

One excellent answer to that question is this book. While it's called "Witchcraft Activism," and there is certainly ample witchcraft in it, it throughly details how to be an effective activist. David Salisbury thoughtfully, respectfully, and diligently walks us through what we need to know to embark on a host of activist endeavors. Salisbury has been in the trenches of social change work for well over ten years, and he brings that experience to the reader in an accessible, straightforward manner. I would even recommend this book to people who are interested in activism and on the fence about witchcraft because of how effectively he breaks down the processes of activist work. This is where I would send anyone I know who is interested in witchcraft and has decided they want to do more to effect social change than post on social media, vote, and discuss politics with friends and family. Or even just consider what more they could do.

Having said that, I don't want to undersell the witchcraft element, which is certainly here and thoroughly presented. Salisbury shares many time-tested techniques for marrying magic with activism, giving specific examples of how to boost social change efforts with magic. This book is also short and quick to read, which inclines me to feel like I'd recommend it even to people who are only peripherally interested in activism because I think the process of social change is important for a critical mass of people to understand even if they never engage in most of the kinds of action detailed in this book. And the reality is, as magical practitioners, there are many ways we can boost the efforts of those doing direct, physical world action without leaving our homes. This important, timely book can help us do our part to bring about greater justice in the world, wherever we do that from.

[MaggiCat Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little more “beginner” than touted for me, but overall a good start for utilizing magick in activism. I look forward to testing the tarot spreads, three that were provided. The instructions for creating thoughtforms was interesting, but the list of spirits for activism work was rather short. This should be personal and I feel the author allows you to research and work with those whom you feel the call to. A solid 3.5 stars

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an extremely interesting read. It includes historical references, mythology as well as philosophy. There's so much covered in a relatively short period of time.

The one negative I will say is, I listened to the audio version of this book and unfortunately I just couldn't get on with the narrators voice. But still a great read

[Alan D.D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Illustrative and useful. The author combines both topics in theory and practice, and provides several historic examples on how, when and where witchcraft has been used as an activism tool. It is worth to keep an eye on this author.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the things I particularly loved about this book - other similar books focus on what color candles to use, how to hex in the name of political justice, and various spells to use, while this one starts out with WRITE YOUR CONGRESSPERSON. It’s practical!

[Leontiy [princeofbookandbone]]

100% read this by accident thinking it was a different book and was quite confused hahah

[Nicole Luttrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was so much practical advice in this. I honestly think this book will make me a better activist and a better witch.

[Mitchell Stern · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid overview of magical activism, if a bit thin on details.