By Rust of Nail & Prick of Thorn: The Theory & Practice of Effective Home Warding

by Althaea Sebastiani

Warding is a practical means of magickal protection using physical objects as anchor points for energy. It is a preventative measure that uses your skill as a witch to tap into wild and ancient forces in order to take very ordinary objects and render them powerful wards.

In this book, you’ll explore the theory behind warding with an in-depth look at the three things generally warded against, those things that cannot be warded against, and the surprising benefits warding affords to your witchcraft practice. You'll then put that information into practice with simple yet powerful wards you can easily make to guard your home, as well as techniques for warding your home when you don’t have access to tools but need immediate magickal protection.

You will learn:
• Why blanket protection spells are generally ineffective at providing the protection you need
• How to make your magick stronger by identifying what you can and cannot ward against
• How to transform your home into a spiritual safe-haven with a powerful hands-on approach to witchcraft
• To simply yet effectively protect yourself from curses and unwanted energy
• How to quickly ward your home without any tools in the event of a spiritual threat
• To rely more strongly on yourself and make fewer excuses about why you can’t do the witchcraft

With an emphasis on common sense, practicality, and a no-excuses approach to witchcraft, this book will help you to look at your spiritual protection needs for your home more objectively and to devise an immediate plan of action using materials you already have on hand.

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

129 pages, Paperback

First published September 11, 2017

About the author

Althaea Sebastiani is a full-time spiritworker and religious educator whose work focuses on helping people navigate the realities of deep spiritual practice. Their work is punctuated by strong emphasis on doing the work and encourages learning through direct experience. A spirit-led witch with 25+ years’ experience, their personal practice is land-based and devotional, focused on being responsive to the spirits of the land wherever their travels take them and doing right by the Gods Who have called them into Their service.

Please visit their website to see all currently available witchcraft courses (many self-paced): https://www.ladyalthaea.com

For exclusive workshops, peer support groups, and private community of animist and polytheist witches check out The Winding Way: https://www.patreon.com/Althaea

Reviews

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up because I saw it on social media, and it seemed interesting. It's a very practical, down-to-earth, and useful introduction that I would recommend. I don't do witchcraft or have a background in it; the last book I read that included info on warding was something from 15-20 years ago, and it was much longer and less tailored as a quick-start guide. A bit of the language around Gods made me a bit nervous, though. Some of the content/ideas are applicable to non-witchcraft contexts in which someone is petitioning household Gods or Gods who preside over boundaries/liminal spaces.

[Nicole Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic little book! It’s to the point and has an easy to read narrative that’s enjoyable. It’s a far more effective and usable resource on warding than some others I have come across that make warding an unnecessarily complicated process. I love the emphasis on actually doing the work rather than focusing on aesthetics - it really underlines the importance of doing and not about how fancy or creative the work is (which could otherwise lead some folks to do eschew warding altogether). I also like how the information Althaea provides creates space for the reader to decide for themselves what works for them. In essence, this gives readers permission to do what feels right for them rather than to overthink the warding process and worry about “not doing it right”. The emphasis on doing what we can with what we already have is a fantastic counter position to the “buy all the things and all the crystals” crap we’ve been fed by capitalism. No, you don’t need a fancy knife to cut that string for the special crystal you travelled an hour on the bus to buy. Get a rock from your yard, use some red yarn from your knitting basket, and get the work done!

[PJ Who Once Was Peejay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brief book but absolutely chock full of useful information on warding and cleansing, all of it presented in a practical and straightforward manner. It does include some sections on theory and on helping you recognize the bad habits that may have invited things into your home, but also the whys and wherefores of how to protect yourself, both you personally and your home.

There are sections on constructing wards, charms, sigils, as well as using things you may already have in your home, how to deploy these items, and how to charge them. There are plenty of techniques here, both simple and somewhat more complex, which should allow just about anyone to find one or more to suit their purpose and personal taste.

Highly recommended. In fact, I've recommended it to several of my friends.

[Naava · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read. What can I say? It gets you thinking, that's important.

edited to add to the review on April 4th:
It also gets you working. That's even more important.

[Owlvine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely little book filled with inspiration for the practising witch. It is not a beginners book, filled with simple "how to's". It is for the witch who already knows her stuff and just needs a little kick up the butt to get it done.

"Witchcraft is about what you are doing. It does not matter how many pretty candles you own, how many bones are scattered about your work space, how many exotic herbs fill your cupboards, nor how many books you've read.

You become a better witch because of everything you've done and everything you're doing. It is that action, that building of skill and that amassing of experience that makes the doing of magick reflexive, that tends that knowledge into true wisdom."

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

straight shooter

Straightforward, blunt, and informative. The author cuts through a lot of mysticism and superstition when it comes to home warding and protection. Everyone should read this book. Not a beginner, step by step, but good discussion on the actual theory and practice of warding in witchcraft.

[COURTNEY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purely informational, no fluff, straight and to the point. Well done and an easy reference

[hope h. · Rating 3 out of 5]

this has plenty of useful information and is a good primer on the basics of warding/charging/etc, but i have a few gripes with it:

- it is a BASIC primer, which unfortunately takes such a strong "you need to get out there and do this, not listen to me tell you shit" stance that it...forgets to tell you shit. like it's good for the basics, but there's a lot more information to be shared here, especially in the theory section, and like...if you're telling me the theory of warding why are you seemingly mad that the reader is reading the book rather than actively warding RIGHT NOW

- it sort of promotes itself as a general guide, and while it's hard to write anything truly general given the broad spectrum of practices within witchcraft, this is definitely written from a sort of general-folk-magic practice in mind with an animistic worldview. i would've appreciated more insight into where the traditional charms that they mention are coming from - especially as crossroads lore and spirit bottles are mentioned in the same space as sacred circles and pentacles. i would always advocate for doing additional research and making sure that you know where the magical working you're using comes from, or else you can get yourself into hot water

- the author spends so much time telling the reader to DO THE WITCHCRAFT that it comes across as condescending. i know that the most effective magical working is one that is actually done, not just read about, i'm here for you to tell me about warding theory, not treat me like an idiot?? also it promotes action in such a way as to be borderline dangerous - study has its place in witchcraft, and doing magical workings without proper study can have VERY NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES. especially since the author is recommending using spirits as wards with little time devoted to protective guidelines for interacting with spirits, and ESPECIALLY since the author recommends magical workings involving your own blood/urine/etc, which when combined with spirit work can be a dangerous road to go down. to counteract the 'do the witchcraft' mantra: learn the basics and be intentional, then do the shit. and please please make sure you know how to get yourself out of an emergency situation before you start fucking with spirits and blood magic. again, i think a lot of this comes from the author writing from an animistic folk magic pov, where spirit interaction is essential and working with powerfully charged substances like blood is common, but like....guys please just learn your basics and try to keep your workings appropriate to your skill level at first.

overall some no-nonsense, useful, solid information muddled by a borderline condescending tone.

[C. Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick and to the point, very easy to engage with at all levels of practice.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Handy little short and simple guide for anyone wanting to learn more about warding without being bogged down by unnecessary or overwhelming stuff. I highlighted so many parts of this ebook so I can go back and reference. Definitely a worthwhile investment.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful and practical. Love that she stresses using what you have as opposed to buying new shit.

[Victoria P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing Take!

I love that this book is not Wicca based, or based one any one practice or religion. It just focuses on witchcraft and honing your magical skills to get things done. Not deities, not fancy tools or ingredients, just you. The book is short, so for anyone who struggles to finish books, this one's for you. It's not packed with fluff or stories, just straight to information about warding. Now, warding is a broad topic, like most things in witchcraft, so don't stop at this book and think you know it all. Continue your research on the topic. Also, this is not a book for the true beginner, the author clearly states that you should be familiar with raising and directing energy before moving forward, so keep that in mind. This book is not a tutorial on how to practice witchcraft, it's a book about warding for those familiar with witchcraft already (although you do not need to be an advanced, or even an intermediate practitioner to benefit from this book). All-in-all, it's a great book that I recommend for any magical practitioner who's ready to advance their craft.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really excellent, practical book. No BS, all the good things.

If you're a beginner with a good mind, all the way to a seasoned witchy expert, this book will inform and refresh your practice.

One thing I noticed in reading this book, compared to any book on witchcraft I've read is that you. must. do. the. work. It's emphasised meaningfully, humorously, and well. You can't be a witch if you don't DO the witchcraft.

[Andi Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

So well written! I appreciate her firmness of tone and engaging style. She makes me absolutely want to go out and Do It.
I also appreciate that it’s not a long ramble down the path of history and lore (not that I dislike a stroll, but there’s a time and place) this is a To Do book. It’s as if she infused her words with motivating energy (maybe she did?!) and the immediate effect is empowerment and a confidence in putting your hands to work.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book for warding and protection. Loved the authors voice.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, Althaea Sebastiani lays out everything you need to start warding your home and property. She explains what warding is, why it’s important, and what you can/should ward against. After laying the foundation, she describes many types of wards, including, but not limited to: plants, charms, and sigils. She even provides instructions on how to craft a simple-yet-effective ward with nothing more than a pen and a square of paper (you can use a napkin if that’s what you have!)

What I loved most about this book was Althaea’s frequent nudges to put the knowledge gleaned from reading it into immediate practice. I think every chapter contains at least one call to start taking action right now! Flipping through the pages, my eye caught the sentence, “Don’t be a lazy witch,” twice.

I purchased a signed copy of “By Rust of Nail & Prick of Thorn” directly from ladyalthaea.com. Her signature included a quote from the book’s prelude:

"If you take nothing else away from this book, would it be the willingness to act."
~ Althaea Sebastiani

Yes, Althaea, I got to work before I even finished reading.

Many reviews of this book point out how “no-frills” and “blunt” the writing is. I love that. After reading another one of Althaea’s books, “Paganism for Beginners,” I wasn’t surprised by her clear, direct, and informative style. But don’t get me wrong, this is not a dry or boring textbook. Althaea’s spark transfers through her words on the page and incites the reader to work their magic.

The book is brief (less than 100 pages, including the foreword and glossary) and easy to read in one sitting. It’s also well-organized and laid out in sections that flow nicely.

In short, I highly recommend it!

(This review first appeared on lunaphoxx.com)

[Kellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every New Practitioner Should Read This

I recommend this book to new witches and seasoned practitioners alike. My only problem with it is just that its too short. The author could prerelease with more warding chants or recipes in the future to beef it up. Regardless of that, warding isn't covered in great depth in many books I've read, and they cover it quite proficient my here. They have a funny,no nonsense writing voice and that too makes it an enjoyable read. I sincerely hope to see more work from Althaea in the future.

Also, my reviewing this book at all is an indication of how much I enjoyed it. I rarely review anything at all.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent guide to warding your space. Easy to follow and well organized.

[Sas UrbaneHexe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for Beginners.

A book every beginner with should read.
It's easy to read, accessible, practical and empowering. No nonsense.

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and valuable information. I will be returning to this book for reference.

[Enrique Betancourt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it

Has good information about protection I definitely recommend it to any level of practicing witch or anyone who just needs protection

[Lanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, practical, pragmatic and useful. This book reminds me of an agricultural extension brochure that gives you the real-deal “how to”. I sincerely hope the author writes many more of in-depth, non-dogmatic, focused topic works like this. It was exactly the information I was looking for.

[Sol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and effective! It gave me motivation to "do the withcraft"!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential. Well-written and concise guide whose primary goal is to get readers to put accessible practices into actual practice.

[Ruth Godfrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply Magic

The most effective and simple book about magic. I was able to follow this and put into practice without getting reams of various ingredients etc

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is zero fluff, no crap, down to earth guide explaining what wards are, what you can and should be warding against and how to ward. Absolutely perfect.

[Charlotte111 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely one of my favourite books of all times.
It's short but on point, no waste of word. Really, it provides a pretty good knowledge on warding.

[Courtney Trethric · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfect for folks looking to add home warding to their regular practice! Not only is it a short read, but it's wildly packed with great knowledge. It doesn't skimp on information, and is easy to follow along.

[Babs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, straight forward, internally consistent. Fine place to begin if you know nothing about warding. It will get you well on your way.

[Lídia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recomendadísimo 🌼 Me gusta mucho que te anime a actuar y procure quitarte de encima las excusas varias que nos decimos. Además, va directo al grano y eso se agradece.