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A Witch's Guide to Crafting Your Practice: Create a Magical Path that Works for You
Customize Your Magical Path with Time-Tested, Practical Lessons Build a unique practice that fits you to a T with Lisa McSherry's self-paced guide to the fundamentals of witchcraft. Presenting a progressive series of lessons with real-world results, Lisa helps you truly connect with each topic. From creating an altar and Book of Shadows to performing rituals and developing psychic abilities, this book gives you the foundation needed to start and grow your personal path. Unlike other introductions to magic, this book presents concrete analyses of each topic as well as interludes that use related activities to map out your own practice. Lisa has effectively taught and refined this approach for decades, and now she shares it with you.
- GenresWitchcraftNonfiction
248 pages, Paperback
Published October 8, 2022
7 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 12, 2022
I initially requested A Witch's Guide to Crafting Your Practice because I thought it would be a great research book to read, but while reading I felt welcomed back into the Craft with new, gentle insight into this practice. Lisa McSherry writes with a welcoming, accessible style and comforting voice, and I particularly appreciated the author's care to make their writing gender inclusive. This is a book you could read cover to cover, or chapter by chapter, and work with as a beginner or someone more advanced. The lessons and topics include creating an altar and Book of Shadows; performing rituals; and a helpful glossary. Offering the foundation needed to start and grow your personal path, the author offers decades of study that will doubtless be helpful and strengthening to anyone curious about starting out their journey.
I am grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of A Witch's Guide to Crafting Your Practice. These opinions are my own.
I am grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of A Witch's Guide to Crafting Your Practice. These opinions are my own.
Want to read
May 9, 2023This book overwhelmed me. It was written in a way that explained a lot of things in depth but I felt like I needed a prerequisite before diving in. I did not find the advice listed here to be helpful for a clueless beginner
December 9, 2023
NetGalley ARC
DNF! Again, the author comes off ver condescending, use the I AM, & claimed founder of tradition… red flags right there. In America this mean new age, unstable, and so much more. The tone the author uses is the same tone My Uncle used to manipulate his students in his Pagan practice cult he founded.
Do no recommend- do not allow teen to read as they don’t know enough to separate honest pagan practice and tradition to new made up ones.
DNF! Again, the author comes off ver condescending, use the I AM, & claimed founder of tradition… red flags right there. In America this mean new age, unstable, and so much more. The tone the author uses is the same tone My Uncle used to manipulate his students in his Pagan practice cult he founded.
Do no recommend- do not allow teen to read as they don’t know enough to separate honest pagan practice and tradition to new made up ones.
October 8, 2022
In Lisa McSherry’s latest book, A Witch’s Guide to Crafting your Practice, the reader gets to experience the knowledge and teachings of the fundamentals of the Witchcraft path. This is a book I wish would have been around in the 90’s when I started my path. No matter where the reader is on their path, this book has something for everyone. I had the honor of taking an online Wicca class with JaguarMoon and now this book feels like an open door to reach so many others who have felt called to a pagan practice.
Her writing style is informative and easily understandable. She literally takes the reader by the hand as they progress thru the journey at their own comfort level and pace. While this book is perfect for beginners, it also works well for those who are looking to continue to grow as Witchcraft is ever-changing as we move along in life.
The book is set out in two parts. Part 1 covers the Foundation such as a Book of Shadows, Creating an Altar, Deity work, Magic and Ethics. Part 2 focuses on Practice such as energy work, sacred spaces, rituals, spells, tools and more. Someone brand new to the craft can quickly become overwhelmed, but this book is meant to be guide to walk the reader thru the steps to build a foundation for their craft. One thing that truly sets this book apart is the outlook on modern times to be more inclusive. The author mentions that their own coven is currently revising and reviewing the rituals of the past that focused previously on only two genders. For example, making changes from High Priestess or High Priest to Lead or Second that can allow any gender to take on these roles. Just as our society is changing, so is the spiritual aspect of our lives and this book embraces the changes and encourages the reader to adapt to fit their daily life and craft.
Aside from the chapters filled with great information and guidance, I also love the provided activities to take the teachings a step further. For me personally, it is one thing to read and absorb the contents, it is another for me to next do hands on activities to really understand the material. Again the author provides step by step assistance to walk the reader thru the activities provided.
Once the reader has finished up on the Foundation aspect, the book dives into the Practice portion in Part 2. The book covers everything from how to meditate, relaxation techniques, visualization, energy work and other activities that can be done daily. These are simple activities but important ones that are often missed or not really explained in other books on how to properly do them. That is one thing I really like in this book, the reader will not feel like they are missing something as everything is explained well.
Rituals and spells are provided, but more importantly the background of why and how we do them is also found. This helps strengthen our reasons for the work but also truly grasp and understanding what and why we are trying to accomplish. Once the reader has finished the book, they should feel confident in their journey and feel comfortable continuing their craft moving forward. I highly recommend this book not just for those starting out, but anyone who could use some foundational brush ups and continuing to learn and grow!
Her writing style is informative and easily understandable. She literally takes the reader by the hand as they progress thru the journey at their own comfort level and pace. While this book is perfect for beginners, it also works well for those who are looking to continue to grow as Witchcraft is ever-changing as we move along in life.
The book is set out in two parts. Part 1 covers the Foundation such as a Book of Shadows, Creating an Altar, Deity work, Magic and Ethics. Part 2 focuses on Practice such as energy work, sacred spaces, rituals, spells, tools and more. Someone brand new to the craft can quickly become overwhelmed, but this book is meant to be guide to walk the reader thru the steps to build a foundation for their craft. One thing that truly sets this book apart is the outlook on modern times to be more inclusive. The author mentions that their own coven is currently revising and reviewing the rituals of the past that focused previously on only two genders. For example, making changes from High Priestess or High Priest to Lead or Second that can allow any gender to take on these roles. Just as our society is changing, so is the spiritual aspect of our lives and this book embraces the changes and encourages the reader to adapt to fit their daily life and craft.
Aside from the chapters filled with great information and guidance, I also love the provided activities to take the teachings a step further. For me personally, it is one thing to read and absorb the contents, it is another for me to next do hands on activities to really understand the material. Again the author provides step by step assistance to walk the reader thru the activities provided.
Once the reader has finished up on the Foundation aspect, the book dives into the Practice portion in Part 2. The book covers everything from how to meditate, relaxation techniques, visualization, energy work and other activities that can be done daily. These are simple activities but important ones that are often missed or not really explained in other books on how to properly do them. That is one thing I really like in this book, the reader will not feel like they are missing something as everything is explained well.
Rituals and spells are provided, but more importantly the background of why and how we do them is also found. This helps strengthen our reasons for the work but also truly grasp and understanding what and why we are trying to accomplish. Once the reader has finished the book, they should feel confident in their journey and feel comfortable continuing their craft moving forward. I highly recommend this book not just for those starting out, but anyone who could use some foundational brush ups and continuing to learn and grow!
January 12, 2025
As someone who's been practicing magic for years, I like to try and pick up books geared towards beginners so I know what's out there and what I can recommend. I somehow got myself about 3/4th's through this book until I just couldn't do it anymore because it's genuinely that bad and I was not willing to put my brain cells through any more damage.
Starting with the worst part of this book: you can't go more than 5 pages without the author butting in to talk about herself and/or advertise her coven. Legit every single chapter it feels like the author is trying to give you a sales pitch and convince you of her credibility. It's not only low-key cult like, but it's the biggest red flag by far. When I buy a book, I shouldn't spend most of it hearing about how great and awesome and knowledgeable you are. Your work should stand on its own and speak for itself.
Another reason why I couldn't finish this book is because it's just another generic watered down Wicca 101 guide. Firstly, witchcraft is a practice, Wicca is a religion. Now, are some witches also Wiccan? Yes! But that's not all witches nor is it representative of witchcraft as a whole. So to title a book "A Witches Guide to Crafting Your Practice" while proceeding to teach though the lens of Wicca is dishonest at best and dangerous at worst, especially considering the fact that Wicca is essentially Franken-Faith: The Religion. It's built of centuries of bigotry, appropriation and ahistorical narratives, issues which the book either ignores or tackles in a way that makes Wicca look favorable to beginners who don't know their history that well. The low-key bashing and general mishandling of other faith perspectives is also sickening. If I as a Jewish witch have to read about how "oppressive" the "Abrahamic religions" are one more time I'm gonna throw up.
Furthermore, the contents within this book are just garbage. When you're not stumbling over the unedited mess of overly wordy paragraphs (including one that was entirely repeated twice word for word... i don't know how this book was published and NO ONE caught that) the content is surface level, unpolished and horribly credited. I found numerous claims left uncited and a good portion of the time her cited source is literally herself. Not to mention, the few practices and rituals i stumbled across just sucked. If the most substantial part of your book is mindfulness exercises and elemental correspondences I can find free online, then your book is of no value.
I firmly believe that the only reason anyone should be buying this book is if they need some fire starter because any beginner witch who gets this book in their hands is setting themselves up for failure. There are quite a few beginner friendly witchcraft books out there that not only include more than easily googled information from an author with an inflated ego, but that won't get you starting your practice on the wrong foot.
Starting with the worst part of this book: you can't go more than 5 pages without the author butting in to talk about herself and/or advertise her coven. Legit every single chapter it feels like the author is trying to give you a sales pitch and convince you of her credibility. It's not only low-key cult like, but it's the biggest red flag by far. When I buy a book, I shouldn't spend most of it hearing about how great and awesome and knowledgeable you are. Your work should stand on its own and speak for itself.
Another reason why I couldn't finish this book is because it's just another generic watered down Wicca 101 guide. Firstly, witchcraft is a practice, Wicca is a religion. Now, are some witches also Wiccan? Yes! But that's not all witches nor is it representative of witchcraft as a whole. So to title a book "A Witches Guide to Crafting Your Practice" while proceeding to teach though the lens of Wicca is dishonest at best and dangerous at worst, especially considering the fact that Wicca is essentially Franken-Faith: The Religion. It's built of centuries of bigotry, appropriation and ahistorical narratives, issues which the book either ignores or tackles in a way that makes Wicca look favorable to beginners who don't know their history that well. The low-key bashing and general mishandling of other faith perspectives is also sickening. If I as a Jewish witch have to read about how "oppressive" the "Abrahamic religions" are one more time I'm gonna throw up.
Furthermore, the contents within this book are just garbage. When you're not stumbling over the unedited mess of overly wordy paragraphs (including one that was entirely repeated twice word for word... i don't know how this book was published and NO ONE caught that) the content is surface level, unpolished and horribly credited. I found numerous claims left uncited and a good portion of the time her cited source is literally herself. Not to mention, the few practices and rituals i stumbled across just sucked. If the most substantial part of your book is mindfulness exercises and elemental correspondences I can find free online, then your book is of no value.
I firmly believe that the only reason anyone should be buying this book is if they need some fire starter because any beginner witch who gets this book in their hands is setting themselves up for failure. There are quite a few beginner friendly witchcraft books out there that not only include more than easily googled information from an author with an inflated ego, but that won't get you starting your practice on the wrong foot.
March 21, 2023
"Lisa McSherry has put together a series of knowledge and tools that go hand in hand to guide the solitary witch step by step in the search to achieve - with a fairly solid base - the realization and protection of her own mystical-esoteric path.
A Witch's Guide to Crafting your Practice is designed with a special emphasis on helping seekers of all places and of all levels to create their own tools, from a variety of altars and grimoires, to elemental and healing magic.
A good book for the lonely witch and the modern healer."
- Elhoim Leafar, author of Dream Witchery.
A Witch's Guide to Crafting your Practice is designed with a special emphasis on helping seekers of all places and of all levels to create their own tools, from a variety of altars and grimoires, to elemental and healing magic.
A good book for the lonely witch and the modern healer."
- Elhoim Leafar, author of Dream Witchery.
December 18, 2022
Overall, this book was very informative and gave really nice groundwork for someone who knows nothing about witchcraft. I think the author tried to have minimal biases and mostly succeeded. Overall, I had just hoped for a little more out of it. I wanted it to cover more sides of witchcraft and other avenues. She discussed what she knows in depth, I was just hoping for a little bit broader of a spectrum of knowledge.
August 16, 2022
This book is a great introduction to The Craft. The author takes you through the basics and builds on them so that you can create your own altar, perform rituals and create your own Practice. I really like this book for it’s approach and will be gifting it to a few friends for the holidays. Well written and clearly laid out.
August 21, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for gifting me this ARC! I really enjoyed this book. It is one of the best "beginner" guides to witchcraft I've read in a long long time. It was very detailed and informative, and the activities were a great way to bring the concepts in each chapter to life. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be using it and gifting it.
October 5, 2022
This is a good introduction to the craft, informative and well explained. There's not a lot if you are more experience but I believe there's always something new you didn't know.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
April 10, 2023
This does have some really good information and things to think about. I think there is some Wicca influence [but can be taken away if not and adjusted]. Does give some things the reader could do themselves which is nice.
January 15, 2023
A Witch’s Guide to Crafting Your Practice by Lisa McSherry
4/5 Stars
I don’t often read to review books about the Craft, but I couldn’t pass up this little book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was incredibly gentle, it is perfect for beginners with soft descriptions and a very good but guiding push into information that is hard or overwhelming to accumulate by oneself as a beginner going into a google search for the first time.
Each chapter was it’s own instruction, with definitions, instructions, activities and more to help understand each section. It is incredibly informative without being too much. The book itself starts with the foundations like Magic and the ethics that come with it, the creation of an alter and how they work, and deity work before diving into the actual practice itself.
There is no pressure in this book to do things a certain way, each topic has so many options that it makes it very easy to explore at your own pace while also having the guidance you could possibly need.
The only thing I didn’t really enjoy in this book was the pressure and accentuation on Deity work and working with deities. It’s not something I personally do and I think that if it was to be pursued, there would need to be a lot more information on it than what this book gives you.
Overall, this is a book I would recommend to anyone that is interested in the practice, new, old, or returning.
4/5 Stars
I don’t often read to review books about the Craft, but I couldn’t pass up this little book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was incredibly gentle, it is perfect for beginners with soft descriptions and a very good but guiding push into information that is hard or overwhelming to accumulate by oneself as a beginner going into a google search for the first time.
Each chapter was it’s own instruction, with definitions, instructions, activities and more to help understand each section. It is incredibly informative without being too much. The book itself starts with the foundations like Magic and the ethics that come with it, the creation of an alter and how they work, and deity work before diving into the actual practice itself.
There is no pressure in this book to do things a certain way, each topic has so many options that it makes it very easy to explore at your own pace while also having the guidance you could possibly need.
The only thing I didn’t really enjoy in this book was the pressure and accentuation on Deity work and working with deities. It’s not something I personally do and I think that if it was to be pursued, there would need to be a lot more information on it than what this book gives you.
Overall, this is a book I would recommend to anyone that is interested in the practice, new, old, or returning.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews