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Bitchcraft: Simple Spells for Everyday Annoyances & Sweet Revenge
Spells to empower the modern woman to exact revenge and take charge For the modern woman who wants to unleash her inner bitch, this magical book offers simple spells and incantations to exact revenge on anyone who deserves it—an evil ex, a coworker who stole her thunder, the stylist who ignored what ‘just a trim’ means, the rude idiot who won’t stop talking through the movie—the list sadly never ends. This enchanting collection emboldens women to use their own power to take matters into their own hands, with sassy spells for home, work, love, and more. A driver cut you off? There’s a spell for that. Someone on the subway stepped on your shoe and didn’t apologize? Just recite an incantation! Boss won’t approve your vacation days? Cast a hex! The bitchy witch can also get her friends in on it with included group-cast spells. Complete with 2-color illustrations and inspirational bitchy quotes, Bitchcraft is a cheeky twist on witchcraft for the modern woman.
142 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 8, 2019
61 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 8, 2021
So I think this is supposed to be funny? Like a lol-magic-femme-power kind of thing. But...it's not funny.
Taking it as given that we're not meant to take this book seriously, I side-eye pretty hard any piece of media that promotes the idea that petty revenge is the answer to life's little problems. "Bitchcrafts" little spells and hexes could certainly work for someone -- they're simple and easy to do -- but the list of offences for which these minor hexes and jinxes are designed are just not worth it.
Essentially every situation Colburn writes a spell for is something that a bitch needs to put their big person pants on and deal with -- usually by actually talking to the person giving offence and being direct about the issue. Okay, your barista made a shitty cup of coffee. Go back and ask for another to be made. Okay, you had a disappointing hookup. Take a minute to figure out why it sucked, and do better next time. Okay, your co-worker is annoying. Talk to them! Or your manager!
These spells are all passive-aggressive responses to life's mundane challenges. They promote a lack of empathy towards others, who are likely having an equally shitty day. This book is probably meant as a joke, but it's definitely not clear that it is one. I just imagine mean little middle school girls/kids getting ahold of this and doing the bullshit young teenagers are known for. Don't love that.
The one redeeming quality of "Bitchcraft" was the inclusion of "Essential Empowerment Spells" at the end of each section of offences. They do what quality spells should do, which is help the caster get their shit right with themselves. But a handful of decent well-intentioned spells can't carry the burden of all the other mediocre, poorly-intentioned hexes and jinxes.
Taking it as given that we're not meant to take this book seriously, I side-eye pretty hard any piece of media that promotes the idea that petty revenge is the answer to life's little problems. "Bitchcrafts" little spells and hexes could certainly work for someone -- they're simple and easy to do -- but the list of offences for which these minor hexes and jinxes are designed are just not worth it.
Essentially every situation Colburn writes a spell for is something that a bitch needs to put their big person pants on and deal with -- usually by actually talking to the person giving offence and being direct about the issue. Okay, your barista made a shitty cup of coffee. Go back and ask for another to be made. Okay, you had a disappointing hookup. Take a minute to figure out why it sucked, and do better next time. Okay, your co-worker is annoying. Talk to them! Or your manager!
These spells are all passive-aggressive responses to life's mundane challenges. They promote a lack of empathy towards others, who are likely having an equally shitty day. This book is probably meant as a joke, but it's definitely not clear that it is one. I just imagine mean little middle school girls/kids getting ahold of this and doing the bullshit young teenagers are known for. Don't love that.
The one redeeming quality of "Bitchcraft" was the inclusion of "Essential Empowerment Spells" at the end of each section of offences. They do what quality spells should do, which is help the caster get their shit right with themselves. But a handful of decent well-intentioned spells can't carry the burden of all the other mediocre, poorly-intentioned hexes and jinxes.
May 9, 2020
I think this book is supposed to be some misguided attempt at femme empowerment. This book is actually a collection of ways to validate simple pettiness.
I'm especially troubled that the majority of the first chapter is about punishing people in the service industry. It comes across very classist and tone-deaf; most assuredly a lack of intersectionality.
The only redeeming qualities in this book are the empowerment spells at the end of each chapter.
I'm especially troubled that the majority of the first chapter is about punishing people in the service industry. It comes across very classist and tone-deaf; most assuredly a lack of intersectionality.
The only redeeming qualities in this book are the empowerment spells at the end of each chapter.
December 23, 2020
Feels like someone came up with the title, did a cursory look into what wicca and other spellcrafting niches do in their spells, and added some petty exterior paint to the whole thing. If you're so petty that you're cursing the grocery store clerk and bagger for being slow, sounds like you're the one who should be cursed.
November 30, 2020
I came across this book and out of curiosity I read some snippets as well as researched the author. Not only is the author not a practitioner in any shape or form (I always tell baby witches to do research on not just what they're supposed to believe but WHO the sources are, because some people are just only out to money grab. ) but she even writes in her profile on Amazon she just writes books on what "peaks her interest". Not because she actually wants to help people learn the craft or hex safely.
As for the content itself, some of the spells are not only incredibly petty and classist (Who the hell hexes a low income worker for "being too slow"? And a "cut me off in traffic" hex? Really? A stranger who you'll never see again?) but the tools used are never explained. It's important to know the correspondences of your tools so you can charge and put the proper intent behind them. There's way more to witchcraft than writing something on a piece of paper and calling it a day.
Overall, I would not recommend to any proud witch.
-Signed,
Pagan witch of 11 years who IS hex positive, but not towards the working class and out of immaturity.
As for the content itself, some of the spells are not only incredibly petty and classist (Who the hell hexes a low income worker for "being too slow"? And a "cut me off in traffic" hex? Really? A stranger who you'll never see again?) but the tools used are never explained. It's important to know the correspondences of your tools so you can charge and put the proper intent behind them. There's way more to witchcraft than writing something on a piece of paper and calling it a day.
Overall, I would not recommend to any proud witch.
-Signed,
Pagan witch of 11 years who IS hex positive, but not towards the working class and out of immaturity.
October 21, 2025
Very quick and funny read. Most spells are easy to do and pretty harmless. A few daily hexes to mutter under my breath. ✨️
There is one spell that takes it wayy too far, that bothered me. (Pg. 70) I would consider it abusive to even attempt. No matter how wronged you might feel in the situation, please do not use it.
There is one spell that takes it wayy too far, that bothered me. (Pg. 70) I would consider it abusive to even attempt. No matter how wronged you might feel in the situation, please do not use it.
January 12, 2025
Have you ever gotten your order at Starbucks wrong and thought "wow, maybe I should jump to hexing the baristas." No? That's probably because you are a normal and sane person unlike Kerry Colburn.
I've read a lot of bad witchcraft books in my time but this one i DNF'd the fastest, and for good reason: this book is so petty and out of touch in a way I'd only expect to see from witches on TikTok. Nothing screams "I'm a privileged middle-to-upper-class white lady who's never had to worry about making ends meet" than writing spell after spell after spell targeting working class people for being infallible humans. I'm by no means anti-hex/curse but let's keep that energy for all of the worlds rapists and liars, not the check-out clerk who's going a little slower than you'd like.
As a witch of many years, I'd also like to point out that the "spells" in this book are so poorly constructed. There little to explanations, the instructions are minimal and the author refuses to really cite where she got anything. Ever time I read a sentence that amounted to "grab xyz tool and do xyz thing with it" i couldn't help but think: " Go girl, give us nothing!" There's so many considerations being missed here: How and why does the spell work, what are the goals behind this spell, what are the items and ingredients representing, when is this spell supposed to happen and for how long, how will ones environment or circumstances affect the outcome of this spell, etc.?
If you want something on baneful magic, your money is better spent elsewhere, lest you too become a classist a-hole who's bad at magic.
I've read a lot of bad witchcraft books in my time but this one i DNF'd the fastest, and for good reason: this book is so petty and out of touch in a way I'd only expect to see from witches on TikTok. Nothing screams "I'm a privileged middle-to-upper-class white lady who's never had to worry about making ends meet" than writing spell after spell after spell targeting working class people for being infallible humans. I'm by no means anti-hex/curse but let's keep that energy for all of the worlds rapists and liars, not the check-out clerk who's going a little slower than you'd like.
As a witch of many years, I'd also like to point out that the "spells" in this book are so poorly constructed. There little to explanations, the instructions are minimal and the author refuses to really cite where she got anything. Ever time I read a sentence that amounted to "grab xyz tool and do xyz thing with it" i couldn't help but think: " Go girl, give us nothing!" There's so many considerations being missed here: How and why does the spell work, what are the goals behind this spell, what are the items and ingredients representing, when is this spell supposed to happen and for how long, how will ones environment or circumstances affect the outcome of this spell, etc.?
If you want something on baneful magic, your money is better spent elsewhere, lest you too become a classist a-hole who's bad at magic.
September 24, 2022
I read this one time and have never gone back to it or even honestly thought about it until I saw it sitting on my bookshelf. This was honestly a waste of money and I wouldn’t recommend this to anybody.
October 10, 2020
Interesting read :)
Read
February 28, 2021Ok, I'm DNFing this one. Not because it's bad, but that I just don't care to finish it. It's exactly what you think it is.
August 17, 2022
Witty
April 23, 2024
Useless. If you want a TikTok manual then this is perfect for you.
January 4, 2020
I like the purpose and snarky tone of this book in theory, but it didn’t deliver in a relatable way. Have you ever worked customer service? You know those insufferable customers that act super entitled and want you to be an automaton rather than a human they have to treat as such? Yeah. The authorial voice here is that person. I don’t know if it’s the actual author or a persona she’s put on, but it’s like nails on a chalkboard.
There are a few entertaining moments that describe actual everyday annoyances, but otherwise it feels targeted towards the life experiences of 45+ wealthy white women who have never worked a service job in their lives. Or retirees.
I normally wouldn’t write a review, but I often use Goodreads to decide whether or not to read a book, so wordless bad rating seemed counterintuitive. If you’re thinking of reading this book, I hope this helps you decide.
There are a few entertaining moments that describe actual everyday annoyances, but otherwise it feels targeted towards the life experiences of 45+ wealthy white women who have never worked a service job in their lives. Or retirees.
I normally wouldn’t write a review, but I often use Goodreads to decide whether or not to read a book, so wordless bad rating seemed counterintuitive. If you’re thinking of reading this book, I hope this helps you decide.
December 29, 2019
The book is what it says it is. While the book is 144 pages, to me, this is more of a gift book for someone with the neighbors hell, or a bad breakup, or an annoying work situation.
The rhymes used to the spells are catchy, but feel more embarrassing than inspiring for my taste.
However, it’s fun to read through these and think about past situations in one’s life where things might apply.
Recommended as a gift or joke book. If you have any friends who actually practice the craft, they’re going to be way beyond this book unless this the is first group of books they pick up.
The rhymes used to the spells are catchy, but feel more embarrassing than inspiring for my taste.
However, it’s fun to read through these and think about past situations in one’s life where things might apply.
Recommended as a gift or joke book. If you have any friends who actually practice the craft, they’re going to be way beyond this book unless this the is first group of books they pick up.
October 13, 2021
Regardless if this book is a joke or not, nothing good can come from this book. Ever heard of karma or the rule of threes? You'll get more out of solving your problems like an adult.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews