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Major Arcana: Portraits of Witches in America
A photo-based exploration of modern-day witches from all over America, beautifully capturing the various ways “witch-ness” belongs to those who claim it.
Based on her critically acclaimed exhibition, Major Arcana collects the work of photographer Frances F. Denny, who traveled around the U.S. photographing and interviewing a diverse group of people who identify as witches.
This book is an exploration of contemporary witchery told through striking photographs and short, inspiring essays written by the “Terry Gross of witches,” Pam Grossman, and the subjects themselves. From occultists and Neo-pagans, to herbalists and Wiccan High Priestesses, Denny’s portraits capture the face of modern American witchcraft and challenge our assumptions about who and what a witch really is.
Based on her critically acclaimed exhibition, Major Arcana collects the work of photographer Frances F. Denny, who traveled around the U.S. photographing and interviewing a diverse group of people who identify as witches.
This book is an exploration of contemporary witchery told through striking photographs and short, inspiring essays written by the “Terry Gross of witches,” Pam Grossman, and the subjects themselves. From occultists and Neo-pagans, to herbalists and Wiccan High Priestesses, Denny’s portraits capture the face of modern American witchcraft and challenge our assumptions about who and what a witch really is.
160 pages, Hardcover
Published November 10, 2020
8 people are currently reading
338 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 2, 2021
Evocative portraits of witches, mostly women, contentedly not smiling. Compelling, strong. No need to please, to stay sweet. It rhymes with how i am feeling about now, in this totally new existence of loosened perceived obligations and newly defined immediate connections.
“witchcraft is undoubtedly about the autonomous cultivation of power, and the ability to manifest change or action.”
” a witch is someone who can harness their intuition and consider it a gift.”
Nature’s a force - it’s really the only force. Humans can rage, destroy, disembowel our planet - but we’re only killing ourselves. We must know that on some level, or there wouldn’t be the focus on becoming gods of faraway planets, or creating gods that are distant, vague, vituperative. Just sayin’. Homo sapiens may think they’re winning, but they’re not. Unfortunately, we’re taking millions of innocent species out as we go.
I’m working on my cackle.
“witchcraft is undoubtedly about the autonomous cultivation of power, and the ability to manifest change or action.”
” a witch is someone who can harness their intuition and consider it a gift.”
Nature’s a force - it’s really the only force. Humans can rage, destroy, disembowel our planet - but we’re only killing ourselves. We must know that on some level, or there wouldn’t be the focus on becoming gods of faraway planets, or creating gods that are distant, vague, vituperative. Just sayin’. Homo sapiens may think they’re winning, but they’re not. Unfortunately, we’re taking millions of innocent species out as we go.
I’m working on my cackle.
April 30, 2024
Absolutely stunning, emotionally moving, POWERFUL photos. The accompanying text is surging with electric, profound witch-energy. This book has become my most prized in my collection of books on witchcraft.
"When I grow up I want to be a witch."
"You'll never grow up, and you're already a witch."
"When I grow up I want to be a witch."
"You'll never grow up, and you're already a witch."
August 15, 2021
very evocative and thought-provoking!!
July 13, 2023
Solid 4 stars!!
I absolutely loved learning about the subjects’ relationships to witchcraft!!! Great excerpts of interviews from so many thoughtful witches and very heartening to discover so many identify witchcraft as an inherently radical and political state of being. Super quick read and just so many cool-ass witches to look up to!!!
I absolutely loved learning about the subjects’ relationships to witchcraft!!! Great excerpts of interviews from so many thoughtful witches and very heartening to discover so many identify witchcraft as an inherently radical and political state of being. Super quick read and just so many cool-ass witches to look up to!!!
January 1, 2021
No clue where I heard about this book, but it was a fun view into the current world of witches, and what it means to be one.
Quotes:
"The word "witch" means everything to me. It's who I am as a woman: divine, connected, intuitive, magical, sexual, powerful, commanding. A witch is a woman who lives in tune with the cycles of the earth, the cosmos, and herself. It's a woman who lives powerfully, consciously, and unapologetically."
"I've always understood "witch" to stand for someone who is in tune, both with themselves and the world around them. Personally, I've always been a highly empathic person. While this can manifest in a really anxious way (being stressed by tension, and others' moods and pain), it also gives me a unique way to connect with others, specifically when reading tarot. I think a "witch" is largely someone who can harness their intuition and consider it a gift."
"I am a poet by art and trade, and so I have found that my magic comes best through my words and that poems can act as sorts of spells. I am a word witch. Having something to say and having a voice is sometimes the toughest magic there is."
"A "witch" is any woman who is grounded in her power, able to manipulate/shift energy for her highest good whether in the boardroom, the bedroom, or the kitchen."
"To me, the witch is a figure who rails against any and all forms of systemic oppression."
Conclusion: I may be a witch. ;)
Quotes:
"The word "witch" means everything to me. It's who I am as a woman: divine, connected, intuitive, magical, sexual, powerful, commanding. A witch is a woman who lives in tune with the cycles of the earth, the cosmos, and herself. It's a woman who lives powerfully, consciously, and unapologetically."
"I've always understood "witch" to stand for someone who is in tune, both with themselves and the world around them. Personally, I've always been a highly empathic person. While this can manifest in a really anxious way (being stressed by tension, and others' moods and pain), it also gives me a unique way to connect with others, specifically when reading tarot. I think a "witch" is largely someone who can harness their intuition and consider it a gift."
"I am a poet by art and trade, and so I have found that my magic comes best through my words and that poems can act as sorts of spells. I am a word witch. Having something to say and having a voice is sometimes the toughest magic there is."
"A "witch" is any woman who is grounded in her power, able to manipulate/shift energy for her highest good whether in the boardroom, the bedroom, or the kitchen."
"To me, the witch is a figure who rails against any and all forms of systemic oppression."
Conclusion: I may be a witch. ;)
June 28, 2021
Really really enjoyed this book a lot my only reason for giving it four stars is I wish there was more people in it. I felt like it was very short. I understand how hard it can be to find people but it just left me wanting to know more witches out there. Also understand why the author only choose females to interview and photograph and the author does mention that choice but would have be nice to see witches of other genders.
July 6, 2022
I love photography, especially portraiture, and witches of all stripes, so this was perfect for me. Told in the women’s own words and with their input on styling and location, this truly gave the women a platform to speak about what a “witch” is to each of them. Some put emphasis on politics, others on feminism, history, or group dynamics, but almost all spoke of witchcraft involving a profound connection to nature. 💚
March 5, 2021
Very cool project! I appreciate the author's approach to redefining what it means to be a witch by highlighting some of America's powerful magic folk and capturing them as she did in such a respectful & authentic way.
March 12, 2021
Highly recommend this book for photo/portraiture enthusiasts and witches. For me, this book is a celebration of the magic that powerful women bring into this world. Major Arcana showed diversity and various perspectives of the world of spirituality and witches.
May 14, 2023
Very, very interesting. Obviously this is a photography book, so more place is given to the actual (beautiful) portraits than to the text, and as a reader I wanted more words about these women, more of their stories.
August 20, 2024
Beautiful! I hope by now we realize that not all witches wear black pointy hats and live in the woods on the outskirts of town. The women featured in this book are beautiful, strong, wise, connected to nature, and KNOW what it means to be magical.
March 28, 2025
Everything about this book is a metaphysical slam dunk! Preternatural perfection. Each subject, each intuitive included, provides an essential window into the multifaceted facets of what it means to "witch."
February 20, 2021
Beautiful portraits and stories.
July 15, 2021
Breathtaking, spellbinding, empowering!
July 17, 2023
The physical book itself is beautiful, and the passages within are even moreso. While most statements are brief, they are both eye-opening and thought-provoking. I highly recommend this book.
July 12, 2022
Absolutely fascinating.
October 1, 2025
A beautiful book of powerful stories. Thank you, Frances, for being.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews