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The New Aradia: A Witch’s Handbook to Magical Resistance
Aradia or The Gospel of the Witches , as it was collected by Charles Godfrey Leland, brings us a folkloric mixture of myth, poetry, and magical instructions. Wrapped within those pages is the truth that Witchcraft is a revolutionary practice – a means for fighting against social injustices, shifting the balance of power, freeing people from oppression, breaking down political and financial systems that work against the people and nature itself. Witchcraft has long been the tool of the disenfranchised and the marginal. Calling oneself a Witch is in itself an act of defiance, a statement of going against the grain and the status quo of society. Right now, Witchcraft is experiencing another revival that’s far-reaching across the social spectrum – and the story of Aradia streams forth like light amongst the shadows. How do we interpret Aradia today for the times that we are living in? As modern Witches, we can take inspiration from Aradia and add to the story with our own experiences, lore, and spellcraft. The #WeAreAradia movement says we don’t need to look to or watch for a savior – we are the ones we have been waiting for. These are the times that we are made for. Magical resistance happens both through physical means and metaphysical works – mind, body, and spirit. We seek not only to survive, but to thrive and craft new possibilities for tomorrow – for humanity, for the planet, for all. The New Aradia is a handbook is designed to serve as a collection of ideas to teach, share, inspire, empower, protect, and guide. Within its pages are sigils, spells, recipes, essays, invocations, rituals, and more, all gathered from experienced magical practitioners. At your fingertips is an arsenal of tools to aid you on your path. With contributions Aidan Wachter, Amanda Bell, Annalun, Annwyn Avalon, Aradia The Rose, H. Byron Ballard, Casandra Johns, Christopher Penczak, Deborah Castellano, Devin Hunter, Gwendolyn Reece, Irina Xara, Irisanya Moon, Ivo Dominguez Jr., Jay Logan, Jenn Zahrt, Kelden, Laura Tempest Zakroff, Lisa Bland, Lyssa Heartsong, Mat Auryn, Misha Magdalene, Patti Wigington, Phoenix LeFae, Raye Schwarz, Stephen Pocock & Storm Faerywolf.
104 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2018
22 people are currently reading
780 people want to read
About the author
Laura Tempest Zakroff
33 books408 followersLaura 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 10, 2018
I very much enjoyed this book. I know a lot of hard work and spiritual energy are packed within it. The majority of the book gave me a lot to think about. I walked away with some new insights and a few good thoughts of things I can incorporate into my own practices and workings. I definitely came away with a better understanding of how Aradia and her spirit may have morphed, changed, strengthened, and resurfaced over the last 100 years. If you work with Aradia, or do any social justice, healing, protection, and, yes, even hex work, this little book will make a big contribution to you!
January 1, 2019
3.5 stars
Like with all collections, this had a few pieces I loved; a few pieces I loathed; and a lot of stuff that fell somewhere in between. What really matters to me is the simply fact that this book exists, that a bunch of people came together to talk about resistance, resilience, and hope in a time of overwhelming despair. I think that's the greatest magic in this book.
Like with all collections, this had a few pieces I loved; a few pieces I loathed; and a lot of stuff that fell somewhere in between. What really matters to me is the simply fact that this book exists, that a bunch of people came together to talk about resistance, resilience, and hope in a time of overwhelming despair. I think that's the greatest magic in this book.
October 31, 2018
A small but mighty volume. The first few articles are about the legend of Aradia and why we should be following in her footsteps today - which may be a case of preaching to the choir, since if one has bought the book one is probably looking for tools to do so. So the good news is that the rest of the book gives you those. There are rituals, invocations, spells, recipes, herbal lore, and several sigils designed by Laura in workshops for use in such current needs as protection during protests, avoiding ICE, and building community with other resistors. There really isn't any dead weight here.
May 29, 2019
I zipped through this book in an afternoon, but it's chock full of highlighting and dog eared pages. It feels like a dawning for someone interested in magickal political influence -- some of the basics will take a moon cycle to setup and many will entwined throughout my magickal resistance until our goals are reached. It contains both general incantations and spells aimed at specific issues, which is fantastic.
February 11, 2020
This was a fun one to read. Though some of the selected writings missed the point. All can be said to aid in resistance, even cleaning products? Others then seemed very much written just to write and be published under the banner of 'Witch of the Resistance', a dangerous attitude in my opinion. But not all was sad pages! There were some very interesting pieces as well, for example, how regeneration and recreation is a big, often neglected, part of revolution. When interested in these things you won't be sad you read it, but it's not really a high quality one in my opinion. (Laura Tempest is really good with the sigils and treats us to some in this one as well)
March 23, 2023
A slim and timely little anthology of activist witchcraft.
November 20, 2018
An interesting ebook about the perception witches have about the world of today and how to work with it. I really like the idea, the contributions and the sigils presented, which are works of art on their own. Laura Tempest Zakroff is with no doubt an increible author, but proved to be an editor with a good eye. Hopefully, this will not be the only book she edits.
January 12, 2020
I really liked the format of this book and that there were so many different contributors who approached the topic from different perspectives.
November 11, 2020
First Glance
This summer I went hunting for books about magical resistance. With America being full of unrest and injustice, I wanted to do something! This book came up on more than one suggested reading list, so I decided to grab a copy.
Positive Bits
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or hopeless, this book is for you. Thanks to the variety of writers who pitched in their works, the handbook serves as a pep talk across diverse angles of approach. There are rituals and sigils to work toward change, but there are also reminders of our inherent power laced throughout.
I’m pleased to say that the focus isn’t so targeted to 2020 that the book will lose value with time. While highly applicable to today’s problems, I feel like the writers made smart choices in providing ideas and spells that can be molded to any working angled toward justice, positive change, and community. When I bought this book in June, I imagined I’d make the most use out of the sigils included. However, here I am in November embracing the self-care rituals and reminders of my personal power as a witch. Clearly, the topics covered flex with your needs.
As a poet and longtime witch, I don’t often use other people’s spells as written. I tend to rework the wording, paraphrasing the original in my own syntax. However, I found myself impressed with several of the workings as written; I find myself wanting to use them “as is” rather than transforming them, and that’s a good thing. Well-written magic is beautiful and powerful!
Less Enjoyable Bits
This book should be three times bigger than it is! In all seriousness, I wish the book had been delayed a bit longer to allow for more content inclusion; the introduction mentions how rushed the creation process was, and I feel like we missed out on an opportunity to truly build a social justice handbook for witches everywhere.
The title made me think there’d be more of an embrace of Aradia’s mythos, but she was minimally included. As I don’t connect to her story, it didn’t bother me; however, newer witches less familiar with her might wonder why she was used as a lens to view magical resistance through in this book. Aradia’s mythos is very focused on using witchcraft to fight oppression, particularly when wielded by the minority against a powerful majority. I think including a bit more explanation of her history might’ve been helpful for some readers coming in blind.
There’s no organization to this handbook. My brain works the same way, where most thoughts are only tangentially tied together. If you prefer linear thoughts and patterns, then this book might frustrate you. Fair warning!
Is it worth the coin?
Yes – I needed this. Of all the books I purchased with magical resistance in mind, this is the first one to give me something back: hope.
This summer I went hunting for books about magical resistance. With America being full of unrest and injustice, I wanted to do something! This book came up on more than one suggested reading list, so I decided to grab a copy.
Positive Bits
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or hopeless, this book is for you. Thanks to the variety of writers who pitched in their works, the handbook serves as a pep talk across diverse angles of approach. There are rituals and sigils to work toward change, but there are also reminders of our inherent power laced throughout.
I’m pleased to say that the focus isn’t so targeted to 2020 that the book will lose value with time. While highly applicable to today’s problems, I feel like the writers made smart choices in providing ideas and spells that can be molded to any working angled toward justice, positive change, and community. When I bought this book in June, I imagined I’d make the most use out of the sigils included. However, here I am in November embracing the self-care rituals and reminders of my personal power as a witch. Clearly, the topics covered flex with your needs.
As a poet and longtime witch, I don’t often use other people’s spells as written. I tend to rework the wording, paraphrasing the original in my own syntax. However, I found myself impressed with several of the workings as written; I find myself wanting to use them “as is” rather than transforming them, and that’s a good thing. Well-written magic is beautiful and powerful!
Less Enjoyable Bits
This book should be three times bigger than it is! In all seriousness, I wish the book had been delayed a bit longer to allow for more content inclusion; the introduction mentions how rushed the creation process was, and I feel like we missed out on an opportunity to truly build a social justice handbook for witches everywhere.
The title made me think there’d be more of an embrace of Aradia’s mythos, but she was minimally included. As I don’t connect to her story, it didn’t bother me; however, newer witches less familiar with her might wonder why she was used as a lens to view magical resistance through in this book. Aradia’s mythos is very focused on using witchcraft to fight oppression, particularly when wielded by the minority against a powerful majority. I think including a bit more explanation of her history might’ve been helpful for some readers coming in blind.
There’s no organization to this handbook. My brain works the same way, where most thoughts are only tangentially tied together. If you prefer linear thoughts and patterns, then this book might frustrate you. Fair warning!
Is it worth the coin?
Yes – I needed this. Of all the books I purchased with magical resistance in mind, this is the first one to give me something back: hope.
January 29, 2025
The New Aradia: A Witch’s Handbook to Magical Resistance is more than just a book—it’s a call to action. Drawing inspiration from the legacy of Aradia, the legendary rebel witch, this anthology weaves together spellwork, rituals, essays, and wisdom from a diverse group of practitioners committed to using magic as a tool for resistance, justice, and empowerment.
What makes this book so powerful is its balance of historical grounding and modern application. Each piece speaks to the necessity of magic in times of crisis, offering practical ways to resist oppression, protect one’s community, and cultivate personal and collective strength. The contributors bring unique perspectives, creating a tapestry of voices that reinforce the idea that witchcraft is—and always has been—political.
I loved how this book felt both deeply personal and universally relevant. It doesn’t just inspire; it equips. Whether you’re new to the craft or a seasoned practitioner, The New Aradia offers something invaluable: a reminder that witches have always been warriors, and our magic is a force for change.
Highly recommended for anyone seeking to weave resistance into their magical practice. This is a book to return to again and again.
What makes this book so powerful is its balance of historical grounding and modern application. Each piece speaks to the necessity of magic in times of crisis, offering practical ways to resist oppression, protect one’s community, and cultivate personal and collective strength. The contributors bring unique perspectives, creating a tapestry of voices that reinforce the idea that witchcraft is—and always has been—political.
I loved how this book felt both deeply personal and universally relevant. It doesn’t just inspire; it equips. Whether you’re new to the craft or a seasoned practitioner, The New Aradia offers something invaluable: a reminder that witches have always been warriors, and our magic is a force for change.
Highly recommended for anyone seeking to weave resistance into their magical practice. This is a book to return to again and again.
November 23, 2025
The New Aradia: A Witch’s Handbook to Magical Resistance is a compact, no fuss field guide for turning belief into action. It gathers voices from the community and offers spells, protections, rituals, and small daily practices alongside essays and art that keep your courage topped up. The focus is practical. Know your aim. Work with your land and your people. Mind consent and safety. Measure results. I like that it makes room for care and mutual aid as much as for warding and hex breaking. If you want your craft to meet the world without losing your center, this is a solid place to start.
December 18, 2019
It was okay. I skimmed through most of it (I read it as part of the Witches Book Box). I am really unfamiliar with the original Gospel of Aradia, so maybe that's hindering my enjoyment of the book. Some of the contents were excellent (the sigils were pretty great), other ones were a bit lack-luster. Pretty easy read.
February 28, 2021
A good mixture of things to think about and samples. VERY much a product of its time, but has useful things to carry forward.
December 28, 2021
A very short but inspiring anthology of essays, mostly 2-3 pages in length, focusing on modern interpretations of folklorist Charles Leland's "Aradia: Gospel of the Witches," an influential text from 1899 presenting myth and theology about Italian witchcraft. One of its themes was the use of witchcraft as a way for the impoverished and disenfranchised to work against forces that oppress them, and this aspect is the main interest of this collection, applying these magical concepts to contemporary situations. It was overall pretty good, although I did skip over some of the more recipe-like spells.
August 6, 2024
Enjoyed reading the different short rituals about engaging in magical resistance in support of activist causes.
February 1, 2025
There’s alot of power in this book. If you are a witch seeking justice, this is for you.
I enjoyed all the different modes of magic and perspectives within.
I enjoyed all the different modes of magic and perspectives within.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews