The Enchanted Life: Reclaiming the Magic and Wisdom of the Natural World

by Sharon Blackie

Enchantment. By Dr. Sharon Blackie’s definition, a vivid sense of belongingness to a rich and many-layered world, a profound and whole-hearted participation in the adventure of life. Enchantment is a natural, spontaneous human tendency — one we possess as children, but lose, through social and cultural pressures, as we grow older. It is an attitude of mind which can be cultivated: the enchanted life is possible for anyone. It is intuitive, embraces wonder, and fully engages the mythic imagination — but it is also deeply embodied in ecology, grounded in place and community.

Taking as her starting point the inspiration and wisdom that can be derived from myth, fairytales, and folk culture, Dr. Sharon Blackie offers a set of practical and grounded tools for enchanting our lives and the places we live, so leading to a greater sense of meaning and of belonging to the world. To live this way is to be challenged, to be awakened, to be gripped and shaken to the core by the extraordinary which lies at the heart of the ordinary.

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Self Help, Nature, Philosophy, Audiobook, Witchcraft

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

Dr. Sharon Blackie is an award-winning and internationally bestselling author, and a psychologist with a background in mythology and folklore. Her highly acclaimed books, lectures and teaching programs are focused on reimagining women’s stories, and on the relevance of myth and fairy tales to the personal, cultural and environmental issues we face today.

As well as writing six books of fiction and nonfiction, including the bestselling If Women Rose Rooted, her writing has appeared in anthologies, collections and in several international media outlets – among them the Guardian, the Irish Times, the i and the Scotsman. Her books have been translated into several languages, and she has featured in programs by the BBC, US public radio and independent filmmakers. Her awards include the Society of Authors’ Roger Deakin Award, and a Creative Scotland Writer’s Award. Her most recent book, Wise Women: Myths and Stories for Midlife and Beyond was published by Virago in October 2024.

Sharon is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and an Honorary Member of the UK Association of Jungian Analysts, awarded ‘in recognition of the importance of lifetime achievement and contribution to Jungian ideas in the world’. She has taught and lectured at several academic institutions, Jungian organisations, retreat centres and cultural festivals around the world. She is online faculty for Pacifica Graduate Institute, California, where she teaches a Graduate Certificate Course on ‘Narrative Psychological Approaches to Finding Ourselves in Fairy Tales’ and other programs.

Sharon’s much-loved publication ‘The Art of Enchantment’ is a Global Top Ten Literature Substack.

Sharon lives in Cumbria, in the far north of England, with her husband, dogs, hens and sheep. She is represented by Jane Graham Maw, at Graham Maw Christie Agency.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book should be renamed "the enchanted life: unlocking the magic of the everyday if you have the means to live on an Irish farmhouse." I began the book enchanted with the prose but fell out of love about halfway through. The authors advice to living an enchanted life boils down to "quit your job, go into nature, buy multiple farmhouses and go on expensive retreats where white people do stuff to you like watsu." In a life like that, if you dont see enchantment theres something wrong with you. Theres no advice for those of us who live in urban or suburban areas without access to nature, who don't have the means to move house, who are stuck in corporate or even retail and menial jobs and have no option to change. Even we deserve pockets of enchantment in our lives but very little of the advice i read could apply to me. Its a shame since the author does come from a working class childhood but seems to have lost touch with that.
Disillusionment is not just the provence of rich people and they are not the only ones who deserve enchantment. Do better.

[Alyssa W · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a struggle to read. I was very excited by the blurb, and had a strong feeling that this book was for me. I do, in fact, "long for a more authentic, harmonious and connected lifestyle." "An Enchanted Life" delivers on that! There are plenty of tips to cultivate "enchantment," develop a sense of connectedness, and a sense of community. Unfortunately, the tone of the book left me disenchanted.

The previously mentioned tips are buried in pontification and repeated commentary on the evils of "Western culture" "the rat race" and other norms. It's clear that Blackie feels very strongly about the environment and our effect on it, but I did not expect this book to go down this path so often and so quickly. The effect came off less like a sage imparting wisdom and more like an old man yelling at the kids on his lawn. The constant references to our inadequate "western" culture and the ideation of primitive cultures really rubs me the wrong way. Isn't enchantment about respecting all, and finding what we can learn form everything, and respecting the value in all? Maybe I'm just so used to my hipster and tumblr-dwelling peers constantly negging on the mainstream that I lose respect for anyone that takes this kind of strong viewpoints. Not all readers are going to have the such a perverted sense of obligation to finish your book that they'll press on through repeated shamings about their lifestyle.

Blackie is clearly writing from a place of privilege as an educated member of a more successful generation. I'm not sure if she realizes that not all debt is the result of living beyond your means (what about student loans, medical bills, and the debt from identity theft?) Not everyone is going to have the financial ability to drop everything and go on a walkabout, make a pilgrimmage, move to an island or create art form found objects as a career. That's not a path for everyone, that that should be acknowledged and accepted.

Maybe there's some wisdom here that I'm not in the right life stage to understand. Either way, this is the first self-help book where I've come out knowing more about the author than myself, and for that it gets only 1.5 stars from me. I came for enchantment, but what I got was a personal manifesto, and this left me feeling like the victim of a bait and switch.

I was given an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Janisse Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just what I needed, at a time I really needed it. It's full of great ideas on how to live a wilder life, one of magic & enchantment. It's a glorious book.

[Kaley · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Recently, I happened across it again, by chance – if you believe, which I do not, that stories ever come to you by chance.” I don't think I happened across this book by chance.

Sharon Blackie explores the philosophical and psychological history of *disenchantment*, and how Western society came to be so thoroughly and determinedly disenchanted with the world. In the face of the trauma this has caused (in the form of increasing rates of depression, anxiety, and physical manifestations of stress), she offers up an alternative: *enchantment*, or falling in love with the world and all its complexities.

Don't underestimate this work. It's not "woo-woo", a term she uses a few times in reference to escapist, magical, potentially silly ways of thinking. Blackie has a strong background in neuroscience and doesn't hesitate to dive into academic texts spanning psychology, philosophy, and folklore.

This book was incredibly meaningful to me. As soon as I read the comparison of Woman A vs. Woman B, I started trying to implement some of these ideas into my own life. I do feel like I've fallen prey to the isolation and meaninglessness that result from such determined individualism, human supremacy, and pessimism. I hope that I can bring myself to a better place now that I've recognized where those feelings may come from.

There are little exercises throughout the book that tie into what she's talking about. Some of them can be quickly written down in a journal; others are more involved and will take time. I've done some of the easy ones and intend to do most of them eventually.

[Ariel [She Wants the Diction] · Rating 1 out of 5]

I kind of knew I wouldn't like this but decided to try it anyway because I saw a friend of mine reading it. I also just finished Lost (the TV series) which is HEAVY on the faith vs. science issues to the point where it's nearly unbearable, so you could say I was already in the mood. 🤣

Anyways, "recovering scientist" is an actual phrase she uses in this book. Which, ew. But the thing that made me DNF an hour into an 11 hour audiobook?

Humans, so uniquely clever but so uniquely alone, dropped down by virtue of some evolutionary accident on the hard surface of a largely inanimate planet, [are] completely at odds with the physical bodies which are our only means of receiving, experiencing, and living in the world. Nothing else to have a proper relationship with, nothing to look up to and - as atheism continues to gain ground over religious faith - nothing to consider sacred beyond ourselves. No wonder we're alienated and depressed.

Love how she's painting a picture here of atheists being a bunch of selfish bastards. Which, to be fair, is kind of the reputation we have in popular culture, too: we're just dicks with no morals or purpose because we don't have a god to tell us what to do, right? Wrong. Not every atheist is automatically a piece of shit and I'm so, SO tired of that being the go-to stereotype. It's lazy. People literally can't conceive of someone who doesn't believe in a deity to the point where they demonize anyone who openly declares they don't. It boggles the mind. She even goes so far as to pit atheism in this passage directly against religion, as if having the potential to "wipe it out." PFFFFT. As if that'll ever fucking happen. But you better run from the big, scary atheists! 🙄

As an atheist who cares deeply about the environment, I'm offended that she seems to be linking a disbelief in god with a lack of regard for our planet. Atheism ≠ consumerism. Also, blaming individuals for global warming when the vast majority of pollution is the direct result of a handful of major corporations (which itself are a result of the drive for ever-increasing production due to capitalism) is a shit move. Truth is, the world is not in any danger and never was; the only thing that's in danger is humanity. If anything, humans will be wiped out or wipe out ourselves, but either way, the earth will survive.

My last point is that I am alienated and depressed and also an atheist, but I don't think that's the cause. I don't think mental illness can be blamed on any one thing, not even the trappings of modern society (though that could be one element). And it's certainly not going to be solved by some misguided, gross primitivism, as other reviewers have pointed out. I think primitivists seem to forget the past was really only awesome for white people. Or maybe they just don't care! 🤷 Maybe I'm alienated and depressed because I see things clearly - due in part to my atheism and hard-earned belief in reality. Or maybe depression isolates people... hence the alienation. Who knows? All I know is, it's none of the things Sharon Blackie is suggesting in this book.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring, unoriginal white middle class primitivism. What a terrible waste of trees!

[Heather Larcombe · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is probably a life-changing inspirational book for someone. I just don't happen to be that someone.

[DebH · Rating 5 out of 5]

I happened upon this book, in fact it found me. The title drew me even though I wasn’t looking for enchantment at the time. This book was not what I expected. I didn’t expect much; another general self-help guide, light and a quick read to escape into. Instead I was completely absorbed by the enchantment Blackie had weaved. It has depth and resonance and is eloquently written. It does not fit simply within the genre of self-development, it is much more than that. It highlights our underlying connection to nature and the consequences of upsetting the balance between humans and the flora and fauna of the planet. This unbalance for women is evident in the lack of connection and the loss of enchantment in life experienced by many today. With exercises to reconnect to ourselves through landscapes, place and mythology it has the ability to rekindle enchantment within. A very engaging and pertinent read for our times.

[Victoria Weinstein · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sometimes one simply finds an author's voice to be insufferable. That was the case for me here. I read a lot of spirituality-centric work and I am an amateur scholar of Jungian arechetypal psychology (through years of courses with the Jungian Center of New York and private study). I found Sharon Blackie's take on what we might call "the enchantment of everyday life" (with a bow to the eminently readable Thomas Moore) to be egotistal, judgmental and spiritually toxic.

One of my very best friends in the world gifted me this book because he loves it. I donated my copy to our Tiny Library at church and I genuinely hope someone else will find it and love it.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Agree with previous reviews: interesting content, pretentious writing, a bit too personal, hard to apply unless you're a guru, and some of the ways of living idealized by the author aren't necessarily sustainable, e.g. we can't all live on remote islands or vast tracts of rural farmland. But still, I like the principles behind it and think if it was written a little more light-heartedly it could have been a great guide to connecting with nature and "magic".

[Juli Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was exactly what I needed to read right now. Blackie writes with sensitivity and earnestness, and her call for radically re-enchanting the ways in which we interact with the world was a welcome wake-up call for me. This book is more theoretical than practical, and I would love to see a companion volume (possibly even a workbook) that would help people discover and understand what enchantment can look like in their own lives. Nonetheless, I would recommend this book to any number of spiritual seekers in my life.

[Kate Powe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond exquisite. I became a fan of Sharon Blackie after reading If Women Rose Rooted, and The Enchanted Life just blew my heart open once more. I��m not sure when I last cried reading a book but this divinely-crafted piece opened crevices of my soul even I didn’t know we’re still locked. A masterful, beautiful work.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Enchanted Life
unlocking the magic
of the everyday
By Sharon Blackie
On Sale February 27, 2018

The title caught my attention and I knew I had to read this book. I am on a quest to celebrate the art of ordinary moments. I believe in my soul that there is magic in the everyday, if we only take the time to see it. And, those thoughts are what Sharon Blackie illustrates beautifully in her newest book. Reflecting back, I almost do not know where to start because she covered so much in the pages of this book. She opens the book with the story of two women walking in the woods, one distracted by modern technologies and business, and one fully present. This illustration captured my attention immediately. Blackie defines enchantment as to fully participate in the world, to be open both to its transparency and its mystery. She discussed our path to disenchantment from childhood to adulthood. As children we are open to wonder and discovery, but to be considered fully adult and to be accepted as such we must fit within cultural norms which do not include enchantment. I love the way children play, with creativity and awe. The books that are written for children that allow them to escape in to worlds of wonder. The way they are enamored with chasing after a mystery that sparks their curiosity. Why are play, discovery, and fairy tales only for children? Blackie encourages the reader to get lost in a story of fantasy and delight. She argues that, “if we can create a shift in the fundamental ways in which we see and approach the world, so that we come to feel again that sense of wonder, awe and belonging that we felt when we were children, then we will dramatically enhance the quality of our own lives and increase our sense of wellbeing.” She travels from there, to our place in the living world. She says that, “because enchantment, by my definition, has nothing to do with fantasy, or escapism, or magical thinking: it is founded on a vivid sense of belongingness to a rich and many-layered world; a profound and whole-hearted participation in the adventure of life.” It’s about being fully engaged in a place, in a community. She encourages us to slow down and truly find our place in our home, in the ecology of place. I loved the way she discussed belonging as it relates to our sense of connectedness to the ecology of our place, to how well we really know our surroundings. She believes that our disconnection from nature plays in to our increased levels of anxiety and depression. In fact, she lists as one of the four major components of enchantment to be, “a sense of fully participating in a living world-a feeling of belonging rather than separation.”
This beautiful book is full of highlights, and is one I will not only continue to reflect upon, but go back to often. There are beautiful prompts and questions throughout the book to help readers re connect to their sense of wonder and enchantment. I highly recommend this read, as someone who values play and is on a quest for beauty-this book truly spoke to my heart. I want to reconnect with my childhood sense of awe and magic. I will continue to build blanket forts, I will spend more time getting to know-really know the ecology of my home, and I will curl up with a fairy tale tonight.

[Richard Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely believe that we need to reenchant the world. We can make our lives richer by finding a closer connection to our bodies and to the world around us and by approaching life with a sense of mystery and wonder. Too much focus on rationality and empricism can take us in the wrong direction, cause us to lose heart and soul, and make our lives no fun. I don't mean to throw out rationality completely, just to not see it as an answer to all things. This book is the antidote that I needed to Stephen Pinker's book on Rationality that I read last week and came away from feeling that Mr. Pinker was missing an essential point.

Ms. Blackie gives us a guide for finding enchantment in dozens of ways in the world around us. It's easy to be enchanted by a beautiful natural setting or by an innocent child at play, but it's equally possible to find mystery and enchantment in more mundane settings, in everyday interactions with people and things and even in your breath. Just be attentive, be present and let the world speak back to you. Ms. Blackie even gives us exercises for finding enchantment. I wasn't inspired to try any of them, but it's nice to know that I have a place to find a step by step guide if I start having difficulty finding enchantment on my own.

[Maria · Rating 1 out of 5]

20210113 ◊ A few nice ideas, wrapped up in a nauseating amount of privilege. Turns out it’s a lot easier to live an enchanted life if you build a cottage on your property in the Hebrides and spend time talking to birds and moss-covered rocks. Who knew?!

Should have spent more time reading the lackluster Goodreads reviews before diving in.

NB: Chapter 9 maintains that we can heal our pain by talking to plants.

[Luminea · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband and I listened to this audio book together, and it sparked many interesting conversations as to how we can create more deeply fulfilling (enchanted) lives. There were many great suggestions in this book for activities to undertake and thought provoking questions to consider. We had several realizations, set some goals, and recognized several small changes we can implement right away. Highly recommended!

[Wesley · Rating 1 out of 5]

As someone who spends most of his waking life in nature I liked the premise of this book. And it started out pretty well with two examples of a woman walking through nature. The first very much disconnected with nature and the other part of the world she was walking through.
However that was literally the only positive thing I have to say.
First of all Blackie pretty much says knowledge is the worst thing when it comes to enchantment. According her we need to stop explaining and solving stuff. Science seems to be pretty evil. Especially the science of 'rich white men' (her words, not mine). She tries to validate her point to attack the person of Francis Bacon (who is corrupt) and Descartes (who is weak). I think there is a lot wrong with the mechanistic worldview of both men. But trying to prove a point by attacking the person (ad hominem) is morally wrong.
There is also a lot of cherry picking and I don't think she has an understanding of the philosophy of Plato and Aristotle.

In the first 3 hours I listened to she mentions how weird/primitive/different she is. She even suggest she has a mental disease which helps her to connect with things. She gives the example of her seeing a face in a rock. Newsflash. Draw two circles and put a line beneath it and almost everyone sees a face.
Also if her enchantment is the result of her being special than the book doesn't make sense, since we are clearly not.

Throughout the book she says things happen for a reason and chance doesn't exist. An example she gives is that she found the perfect house at a moment she was looking for it. According to Blackie this was the plan of the universe. Let's say the previous owner of that house was a nice old lady who got raped and murdered, and that's why the house was on sale.
Following her own argument the woman was killed so Blackie could get a house. It was all a plan of the universe.

The last drop for me was when she was walking on a hill. The hill had the shape of a horse. And then she had an epiphany... the hill was a real hore. And she was walking on the back of her. No, nothing symbolic. It was a horse. Imagine her husband calling her: "Where are you?"
Blackie: "I'm on a horse!"

[RosieDarling · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book but it was difficult to get through. I found myself skimming over much of it. My biggest issues with this book are mentioned by other reviewers but I’m going to reiterate them here. First this book should be more about how to bring enchantment into your own life. While I appreciate the questions the author puts out there at the end of each chapter to stimulate the readers own reflection about their life, and I would go as far to say these questions are really the only thing of value in this whole book, most of the book is talking about the authors own life and experiences or the experiences of other people, which to be honest was pretty boring. Second, the book is mostly comprised of the author reflecting on her own experiences and giving snippets of other people who have managed to be re-enchanted by life and these examples reek of privilege. No one I know can quit their job to make jewellery full time, or to move to a coastal cabin with a bank loan to renovate it. These are stories of people who clearly are middle to middle upper class who are financially secure enough they can afford to take little sabbaticals from real life to play. Am I jealous? Yes, but that’s not the point. My point is few people outside from the privileged or delusional are going to get much out of these stories which I think are designed to be inspirational. The vast majority of people have to work 40 hours a week in jobs they might just barely tolerate while juggling housework and child rearing. It would have been infinitely more inspirational to read about average folk who find ways to incorporate myth and magic into their daily lives then people who travel across the country in a bus putting on mythical plays at festivals. The only reason this book even gets two stars is because of the reflection questions but also because the author clearly has a noble goal of changing the way people think and see the natural world in order to save the planet. But I can’t help but feel like if the book addressed a larger population of people this goal might have more of a chance than just directing it at those who have the ease and luxury of taking large breaks from life to coddle themselves in fantasy.

[Valorie Hallinan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book, and there was much about it I did like, as I am sympathetic to this mindset and the view that for many, life as it is lived today lacks enchantment. The author is fascinating; her writing is clearly out of the academic world. I admire her transition to a very different lifestyle, from the academic and corporate life to the "wild," myth-infused, natural life. She vividly engages and embraces life. Where the book falls down is on helping others to "unlock the magic of the everyday." (I think the subtitle is vague and perhaps part of the problem here.) What she is REALLY talking about is a radical change that most people must make - all of society - in order to save ourselves and the planet. This is the challenge of our age. Yet her instructions are curiously simplistic, almost cursory. I have already begun to embrace some of the lifestyle changes she recommends; I wanted more but found little here helpful to me or to most people. She's articulated her own philosophy and lifestyle (it's more than a lifestyle, actually), but as to a how-to for others, many of her suggestions are quite lame and uninspiring. Go out and talk to the birds and trees, for example - good advice, maybe, but it is not something I'm inclined to do. The book is tantalizing but really falls short.

[Licking County Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended by Grace, Emerson R. Miller Branch (West Newark Library), Five Stars, October 2018

Grace's Review:

If you ever feel like you are sleepwalking through your life, aware that there might be magic and wonder out there somewhere, but unable to grasp it in the tedium of to-do lists, chores, responsibilities, and work, then this is the book for you. Even if you make a conscious effort to live life in an imaginative and enchanted way, you may still benefit from reading this book as well.

[J.L. Slipak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enchantment. By Dr. Sharon Blackie’s definition, a vivid sense of belongingness to a rich and many-layered world, a profound and whole-hearted participation in the adventure of life.

Enchantment is a natural, spontaneous human tendency — one we possess as children, but lose, through social and cultural pressures, as we grow older. It is an attitude of mind which can be cultivated: the enchanted life is possible for anyone. It is intuitive, embraces wonder, and fully engages the mythic imagination — but it is also deeply embodied in ecology, grounded in place and community.

Taking as her starting point the inspiration and wisdom that can be derived from myth, fairytales, and folk culture, Dr. Sharon Blackie offers a set of practical and grounded tools for enchanting our lives and the places we live, so leading to a greater sense of meaning and of belonging to the world. To live this way is to be challenged, to be awakened, to be gripped and shaken to the core by the extraordinary which lies at the heart of the ordinary.

Out April 2018

MY THOUGHTS:

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

Hmmm. I tend to stay away from this type of book because they often are bias and written from one perspective, usually preachy and often the true message is lost on the reader because it generates from the writer’s own personal beliefs.

Although there are many moments of salvation for Blackie, I did run across a lot of the above noted clichés. The author’s message was often lost under the piles of rhetoric about what the author ‘thinks’ best for the reader despite lacking an apparent realistic understanding of the differences each reader faces in life. It’s okay to tell someone to quit their job and got back to nature, but seriously, only the privileged would be able to do this. What about the others?

Despite this, there were many more aha moments. I do give credit to the author for getting her points across most of the time in a few chapters that held my attention. There is this belief that we all live in a layered sheltered version of life and need to break free of this in order to enjoy life.

Folklore, psychology, history, philosophy and life examples are used to get her points across in a refreshing and practical way. Overall, I would recommend that you read this book for yourself and make your own decision about whether or not you find it preachy, etc. I have to admit, there are some interesting perspectives contained within its pages.

[Candice Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and House of Anansi for the advanced copy of this book - all thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Enchanted Life is an incredible deep dive into a conversation about living a life of satisfaction vs. living a life of disenchantment. Sharon Blackie has done some considerable work to present her thoughts on how we, as a society, can get back to living an authentic and more satisfying life.

Full disclosure - this book is heavy - I would not suggest in any way that this is a light or easy read. There is terrific information, terrific suggestions and terrific advice in this book, but you need to be prepared to delve into a fairly solid mass of science, philosophy and debate to get at it. Sharon is, as she would call it, a reformed academic, and that is clearly reflected in her writing style.

That being said - I genuinely enjoyed the storytelling she sprinkles throughout the book. The stories in turn have led me to other authors and philosophers that I wouldn't have otherwise stumbled upon, and I now have a list of additional reading that I am excited to jump into.

This won't be a book for everyone, but for those readers who love science and philosophical based works, this is a terrific perspective to indulge in.

[Patricia Rosa-mendes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a millenial, no. I belong to another generation, the one that raised millenials and made them who they are... So, this book is really for me and I loved it. Sharon does not intend for anyone to find enchantment by buying an Irish cottage and retire to the country, obviously. She gives us clues as to live a life in connection to the earth and its rythms, and shares her experience wich is one of living in a farmhouse. She is passionate about the earth and her creatures, as expected of someone who is rooted in Life, and I very sorry for millenials if they are not, as their future will be a bleak or non existant one, if that is the case.
Dr.Sharon Blackie tell us to find the marvelous around us, in our daily lifes, by changing the perspective and looking for it; by engaging with Nature, by redescovering crafts and walks and stories and a commitment to Soul and deepness. In the end, she shares a commitment to live such a Life with 13 points that resume the entire book, and it can be followed by someone living in a city and being born after 1984.
This is a wonderdull book, full of questions and invitations to reflect and to act. If you feel that your Soul longs for expression and you long for wonderment, read it with begginner's eyes and an open heart, no matter your age.

[Masha Mazi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sharon Blackie is a pretty peculiar writer who nails the prose and style, but can be a lot on terms of passionate activism or in some cases, not clearly acknowledging the privileges that come with being fully enchanted. As a person of pretty distinct privileges myself, I found the possibilities described in the book quite possible for myself, but I can fully understand why some people can't. The only reason why I am not giving this book 5 stars is because Blackie's passion for the environment can sometimes sound militant (this is actually the reason I never finished If Women Rose Rooted) and the feeling of guilt for not being in a state where I can fully devote my resources to the planet lingered me through every page.

Other than that, this book is beautifully written, inspiring, and full of actionable prompts for living a more enchanted life. I will definitely be coming back to it for the questions and prompts for self-reflection and ideas for activities of enchantment. I would highly recommend this read to anybody interested in making any moment, no matter if it's a minute or multiple hours that you have available throughout your day, feel like there is more to life than just grinding, struggling, or just passing by.

[Imke Folkerts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely kind of repetitive. It was enlightening and I feel much more inclined to focus more on energies that the earth provides us with and she tells beautiful stories of her past. Overall a great topic, but very drawn out. It could have been a shorter read by removing repetitive concepts.

[Sarah Pizzichemi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was even more than I was hoping it would be! It just reinforced-in much more eloquent language-so many of the things I have been discussing with good friends/my reading circle, pondering, introducing into my own life, or lived with for a long time but packaged up so beautifully. Sharon Blackie’s educational background is evident in the way she doesn’t shy away from difficult feelings, the climate crisis, the cruelties and inequalities of this world and how we psychologically take that on, and I’m really grateful she discusses these things in the book.

So many other authors within this field (animism for the modern/future of humanity, living with more enchantment, connecting to pagan roots, storytelling and fairy tales for making sense of our histories and our futures, becoming less wasteful and more nature connected and resourceful, etc.) tend to put a glossy finish on everything and aren’t as grounded as the writing here and with this much truly practical advice.

I am also impressed with how far I have come especially over the last 5 years or so in my own path of becoming more spiritually connected and aware of the world in a more realistic but animistic way-so much of this book was reinforcement but I feel like this would be a wonderful read for just about anyone.

[Mary (literary_bear) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up. Blackie’s neuroscience and mythology backgrounds come through beautifully in this exploration of humans and their connection to the world around them. I really enjoyed the examination of philosophies that tie into folklore and societal values throughout time. I also liked the questions asked at the end of sections to help you continue to think about the key points.

However, the how-to parts of this book are often wildly privileged and impractical. Also, Blackie mentions indigenous ways of knowing several times, but I don’t feel she goes into those belief systems in enough depth. Some of the interviews with folks “connected to the land” made me roll my eyes.

I think if you approach this as more of a history of enchantment rather than a self-help book, you might have a better expectations. I’m glad I read it overall and think it’s helped me to connect lines of thinking related to subject.

[Abby Mapel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like it more than I did. I'm still excited about her other books! She's obviously a good writer! But I think she's a better storyteller than advice-giver. My favorite parts were in fact when she was relaying myths and folklore. So: one star for enchantment in general, and one star for the stories she told. But as far as the "self-help" or inspiration portion of this book? Pass.

Like yes! Speak to birds and trees! Embrace your whimsy! Sit in nature! But not everyone can quit their jobs and move to little Irish islands and countryside, or go on artist retreats and vision quests. This is supposed to be "Unlocking the Magic of Everyday" but that's NOT the everyday?? Seemed kind of misleading and inaccessible. I actually think this would have been cooler as a memoir, because the way she lives her life and the people she has met would have been ARE interesting and enchanting.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read many books with the same overall themes and messages as this one. They become redundant. This book offers more than the typical slow down and touch some trees. Sharon Blackie shares her struggles of being a person working in a scientific world and embracing a freeing, natural life. She shares stories that she has collected throughout the years from friends and acquaintances that have helped her embrace being in tune with nature. She offers advice on how to find the calm and peace in a chaotic world even when living in an urban environment. I loved this book and I highly suggest it to those that are looking for a new, slower approach on life.

[Julei · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author asks questions we can ask ourselves and weaves in ideas from other philosophers. I hope to nurture my connections to our earth and its inhabitants and find what works for me as living on a windy wild island in Scotland works for our author. To this point my ideal landscape is at a phish show (I dreamt of being at one last night before I picked up this book.. funny based on what she says of dreams :)