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Visual Alchemy: A Witch's Guide to Sigils, Art & Magic
Discover the Power Where Art and Magic Meet
A follow-up to the bestseller Sigil Witchery, Visual Alchemy takes a deeper look at the extraordinary connection between art and magic. Laura Tempest Zakroff expands on her signature sigil witchery method, an accessible and intuitive approach to crafting effective sigils. She covers numerous topics, including how to connect to the artist within, draw inspiration to you, and easily incorporate art into your ritual practice. Visual Alchemy presents art magic in two parts: create and collaborate. You'll start with techniques for optimizing your creativity, such as crafting a personal symbolic language and solving problems with design concepts. You'll then explore magic that connects you with others, from sharing sigils to making public art. Featuring more than fifty shared magic sigils, this book empowers you to put aside fear and unleash the full potential of your imagination.
A follow-up to the bestseller Sigil Witchery, Visual Alchemy takes a deeper look at the extraordinary connection between art and magic. Laura Tempest Zakroff expands on her signature sigil witchery method, an accessible and intuitive approach to crafting effective sigils. She covers numerous topics, including how to connect to the artist within, draw inspiration to you, and easily incorporate art into your ritual practice. Visual Alchemy presents art magic in two parts: create and collaborate. You'll start with techniques for optimizing your creativity, such as crafting a personal symbolic language and solving problems with design concepts. You'll then explore magic that connects you with others, from sharing sigils to making public art. Featuring more than fifty shared magic sigils, this book empowers you to put aside fear and unleash the full potential of your imagination.
240 pages, Paperback
Published October 8, 2022
48 people are currently reading
244 people want to read
About the author
Laura Tempest Zakroff
33 books412 followersLaura Tempest Zakroff (she/they) is a professional artist, author, performer, and Modern Traditional Witch based in New England.
She holds a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design, and her artwork has received awards and honors worldwide. Her work embodies myth and the esoteric through her drawings and paintings, jewelry, talismans, and other designs.
Laura is the author of several bestselling Llewellyn books including Weave the Liminal, Sigil Witchery, Visual Alchemy, and Anatomy of a Witch, as well as the artist and author of the Sigil Witchery Oracle, Anatomy of a Witch Oracle, The Liminal Spirits Oracle. Laura edited The New Aradia: A Witch’s Handbook to Magical Resistance, The Gorgon's Guide to Magical Resistance, and Serpents of Circe: A Manual to Magical Resilience from Revelore Press.
Laura is the creative force behind several community events and teaches workshops online and worldwide.
Visit her at www.LauraTempestZakroff.com.
She holds a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design, and her artwork has received awards and honors worldwide. Her work embodies myth and the esoteric through her drawings and paintings, jewelry, talismans, and other designs.
Laura is the author of several bestselling Llewellyn books including Weave the Liminal, Sigil Witchery, Visual Alchemy, and Anatomy of a Witch, as well as the artist and author of the Sigil Witchery Oracle, Anatomy of a Witch Oracle, The Liminal Spirits Oracle. Laura edited The New Aradia: A Witch’s Handbook to Magical Resistance, The Gorgon's Guide to Magical Resistance, and Serpents of Circe: A Manual to Magical Resilience from Revelore Press.
Laura is the creative force behind several community events and teaches workshops online and worldwide.
Visit her at www.LauraTempestZakroff.com.
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September 12, 2022Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for this ARC!
After reading Sigil Witchery, I was thrilled to dive into Visual Alchemy by Laura Tempest Zakroff. As expected, this book dives deeper into the intersections of magic and art and how these two aren't very different. Zakroff's examples were clear and helpful throughout to help make meaning of the concepts.
I loved how this book goes from conceptual to tactical and incorporates the work from Sigil Witchery into Visual Alchemy. It's also not just about drawing or painting, but all types of art.
After reading Sigil Witchery, I was thrilled to dive into Visual Alchemy by Laura Tempest Zakroff. As expected, this book dives deeper into the intersections of magic and art and how these two aren't very different. Zakroff's examples were clear and helpful throughout to help make meaning of the concepts.
I loved how this book goes from conceptual to tactical and incorporates the work from Sigil Witchery into Visual Alchemy. It's also not just about drawing or painting, but all types of art.
September 29, 2024
Visual Alchemy is an invitation to delve into the transformative power that arises when art and magic are fused into a single, potent practice. Laura Tempest Zakroff expands on the ideas she presented in Sigil Witchery, but here, she moves beyond just sigil crafting to explore the broader landscape of art magic, where every line, brushstroke, and image can become a vessel for intention and enchantment. This book speaks directly to the creative witch, whether experienced or just beginning to explore visual magic, offering a guide to transforming artistic expression into a magical act that extends far beyond the canvas or sketchbook.
What sets Visual Alchemy apart is its focus on personal empowerment through the act of creation. Zakroff starts by dismantling the myth that artistic talent is required to perform art magic, emphasizing that anyone, regardless of skill, can harness the energies of form and symbol to achieve profound results. This accessibility makes the book feel welcoming rather than daunting. She encourages readers to see beyond the aesthetic value of their creations and to focus instead on their power as vessels of intent and transformation. By shifting the focus from technical skill to energetic resonance, Zakroff liberates the reader from the constraints of perfectionism, allowing the process of creation itself to become the spell.
The book is divided into two main sections: Create and Collaborate. The Create section delves into techniques for optimizing one’s creativity, breaking down the elements of visual magic into digestible components that anyone can apply. Zakroff discusses how to establish a personal symbolic language, how to connect with inner archetypes, and how to draw inspiration from one’s surroundings. Each concept is paired with practical exercises that guide readers in translating abstract ideas into concrete visual forms. Her process for building a personal library of symbols is particularly engaging, encouraging the reader to view everything—objects, patterns, even the shapes formed by shadows—as potential building blocks for their own visual spellwork.
Zakroff’s approach to sigil magic is more nuanced than in her previous work, showing the evolution of her thoughts on the subject. She explores how sigils can be layered with multiple meanings, turning simple symbols into complex magical constructs. This multi-layered approach reflects her understanding that effective sigils are not just static symbols, but dynamic energies that interact with the practitioner and the world around them. For example, her use of design principles like contrast, repetition, and alignment isn’t just for aesthetic purposes—it serves to guide the viewer’s eye and energy through the sigil, creating a flow that enhances its magical potency.
The Collaborate section of the book is equally compelling, exploring how art magic can be expanded beyond the personal sphere and into shared, public spaces. Zakroff’s discussion on collaborative magic—whether through group sigil work, community art projects, or public sigils designed to influence collective consciousness—is groundbreaking. She frames art as a tool not only for personal transformation but for social change and community building. Her emphasis on shared symbols and the creation of magical art in public spaces challenges the notion that magic must be private or hidden, suggesting instead that visual magic has the power to weave new realities on both individual and societal levels.
One of the most powerful aspects of Visual Alchemy is its treatment of art as an act of ritual. Zakroff discusses how setting up one’s creative space, choosing materials, and even the gestures made during the creation process all serve as components of a larger spell. This elevates art magic from being a simple act of drawing or painting to a full-bodied ritual experience. Each piece of art becomes a living spell, charged by the focus, intent, and emotion of the practitioner.
The illustrations and shared sigils throughout the book are both inspirational and instructional. The fifty shared sigils included are not just examples; they are templates that readers can use, adapt, and build upon. Zakroff’s own artwork is interspersed with contributions from other artists, showcasing a range of styles and approaches that enrich the text and offer readers a broader view of what visual magic can look like. This collaborative spirit is a testament to the book’s philosophy—magic, like art, can be both deeply personal and powerfully communal.
The foreword by Nick Bantock, best known for his Griffin & Sabine series, adds a layer of artistic gravitas to the text, bridging the gap between the world of fine art and the esoteric. Bantock’s presence reinforces the notion that the boundaries between art and magic are fluid, and that visual creativity is a legitimate and potent form of spiritual expression.
What sets Visual Alchemy apart is its focus on personal empowerment through the act of creation. Zakroff starts by dismantling the myth that artistic talent is required to perform art magic, emphasizing that anyone, regardless of skill, can harness the energies of form and symbol to achieve profound results. This accessibility makes the book feel welcoming rather than daunting. She encourages readers to see beyond the aesthetic value of their creations and to focus instead on their power as vessels of intent and transformation. By shifting the focus from technical skill to energetic resonance, Zakroff liberates the reader from the constraints of perfectionism, allowing the process of creation itself to become the spell.
The book is divided into two main sections: Create and Collaborate. The Create section delves into techniques for optimizing one’s creativity, breaking down the elements of visual magic into digestible components that anyone can apply. Zakroff discusses how to establish a personal symbolic language, how to connect with inner archetypes, and how to draw inspiration from one’s surroundings. Each concept is paired with practical exercises that guide readers in translating abstract ideas into concrete visual forms. Her process for building a personal library of symbols is particularly engaging, encouraging the reader to view everything—objects, patterns, even the shapes formed by shadows—as potential building blocks for their own visual spellwork.
Zakroff’s approach to sigil magic is more nuanced than in her previous work, showing the evolution of her thoughts on the subject. She explores how sigils can be layered with multiple meanings, turning simple symbols into complex magical constructs. This multi-layered approach reflects her understanding that effective sigils are not just static symbols, but dynamic energies that interact with the practitioner and the world around them. For example, her use of design principles like contrast, repetition, and alignment isn’t just for aesthetic purposes—it serves to guide the viewer’s eye and energy through the sigil, creating a flow that enhances its magical potency.
The Collaborate section of the book is equally compelling, exploring how art magic can be expanded beyond the personal sphere and into shared, public spaces. Zakroff’s discussion on collaborative magic—whether through group sigil work, community art projects, or public sigils designed to influence collective consciousness—is groundbreaking. She frames art as a tool not only for personal transformation but for social change and community building. Her emphasis on shared symbols and the creation of magical art in public spaces challenges the notion that magic must be private or hidden, suggesting instead that visual magic has the power to weave new realities on both individual and societal levels.
One of the most powerful aspects of Visual Alchemy is its treatment of art as an act of ritual. Zakroff discusses how setting up one’s creative space, choosing materials, and even the gestures made during the creation process all serve as components of a larger spell. This elevates art magic from being a simple act of drawing or painting to a full-bodied ritual experience. Each piece of art becomes a living spell, charged by the focus, intent, and emotion of the practitioner.
The illustrations and shared sigils throughout the book are both inspirational and instructional. The fifty shared sigils included are not just examples; they are templates that readers can use, adapt, and build upon. Zakroff’s own artwork is interspersed with contributions from other artists, showcasing a range of styles and approaches that enrich the text and offer readers a broader view of what visual magic can look like. This collaborative spirit is a testament to the book’s philosophy—magic, like art, can be both deeply personal and powerfully communal.
The foreword by Nick Bantock, best known for his Griffin & Sabine series, adds a layer of artistic gravitas to the text, bridging the gap between the world of fine art and the esoteric. Bantock’s presence reinforces the notion that the boundaries between art and magic are fluid, and that visual creativity is a legitimate and potent form of spiritual expression.
September 17, 2022
A Great Book
Laura Tempest Zakroff defines Visual Alchemy as the place where art and magic meet. One way to define visual alchemy is that it is the magic of what we can see combined with the powers of what can we do. She discusses quite a bit of background information to include design magic, ritual application, ritual art projects, sigil applications, and many other aspects of visual alchemy.
One of the main topics that I enjoyed reading about was that on creating sigils. Laura states that technically, making a sigil for someone is not any different than doing a spell for someone else, that you should have a solid understanding of what that person needs or wants. She further states on the other hand, a well-designed sigil is exceptionally mobile and can be created in a matter of moments or minutes, and they can be quickly drawn with chalk, pen, or marker, then easily stenciled or printed onto a sticker and affixed somewhere.
I do feel that I should have read Sigil Witchery prior tp reading this book, because it is referred to several times in this book. The author discusses making sigils for a variety of uses, such as, sigils for health and healing, anti-burnout sigils, encompassing heart sigils, luck and prosperity sigils, creativity and movement sigils, and many others.
Because the information in this book is so great, I now choose to purchase her book Sigil Witchery. Highly recommend this book, but feel that Sigil Witchery should be read prior to this one. However, it does not take anything from this book.
Laura Tempest Zakroff defines Visual Alchemy as the place where art and magic meet. One way to define visual alchemy is that it is the magic of what we can see combined with the powers of what can we do. She discusses quite a bit of background information to include design magic, ritual application, ritual art projects, sigil applications, and many other aspects of visual alchemy.
One of the main topics that I enjoyed reading about was that on creating sigils. Laura states that technically, making a sigil for someone is not any different than doing a spell for someone else, that you should have a solid understanding of what that person needs or wants. She further states on the other hand, a well-designed sigil is exceptionally mobile and can be created in a matter of moments or minutes, and they can be quickly drawn with chalk, pen, or marker, then easily stenciled or printed onto a sticker and affixed somewhere.
I do feel that I should have read Sigil Witchery prior tp reading this book, because it is referred to several times in this book. The author discusses making sigils for a variety of uses, such as, sigils for health and healing, anti-burnout sigils, encompassing heart sigils, luck and prosperity sigils, creativity and movement sigils, and many others.
Because the information in this book is so great, I now choose to purchase her book Sigil Witchery. Highly recommend this book, but feel that Sigil Witchery should be read prior to this one. However, it does not take anything from this book.
December 10, 2025
Since the dawn of human creativity, magic and art have been deeply, powerfully intertwined. But somewhere in the midst of that conversation sits me—and others like me, I'm sure—excited by this idea, sensing that we have both art and magic in our souls, but not having the faintest idea how to unlock this potential, how to even begin to "do the thing." "Arting" when you're not an "artist" is a terrifying prospect! Laura expands on her signature sigil witchery method, guiding us through exercises and practices to move past our fears and trust our intuition. We explore and grow and create meaning and magic from the shapes and symbols and patterns we find within, weaving these elements together, imbuing them with intent, creating something wholly, uniquely ours alone. Everything around us has a pattern. We find layers of meaning encoded in how shapes and symbols dance forth from our hands. Through art, we are communicating with the divine as much as we are discovering ourselves. Essential for anyone who senses they have art and magic in their souls but doesn't know how to begin, for readers who want to craft their personal symbolic language, for those terrified of making marks on paper, and for witches ready to discover that the doing itself is the spell.
December 12, 2023
As someone who has always had difficulty finding their way into the practice of spells in witchcraft (I was always more drawn to practicing divination) this book was one of the best reads I've had!
I'm talking about a very particular experience, but I'm an artist and one of my favorite activities in the world is drawing and painting.
I had been flirting with the idea of implementing magic in my personal arts for a long time and by doing some research about it, I discovered the magic of chaos and sigils.
I would say that this book manages to unify concepts of chaos magic with artistic practice and knowledge of graphic design composition with an accuracy that with each passing chapter I became more inspired to produce!
I would say it would be the equivalent of The Artist Way Book for witches and frankly, it inspired me even more than that one.
I'm talking about a very particular experience, but I'm an artist and one of my favorite activities in the world is drawing and painting.
I had been flirting with the idea of implementing magic in my personal arts for a long time and by doing some research about it, I discovered the magic of chaos and sigils.
I would say that this book manages to unify concepts of chaos magic with artistic practice and knowledge of graphic design composition with an accuracy that with each passing chapter I became more inspired to produce!
I would say it would be the equivalent of The Artist Way Book for witches and frankly, it inspired me even more than that one.
October 7, 2022
Un complemento perfecto para su predecesor. Mientras que Sigil Witchcraft es bastante práctico, Visual Alchemy tiene bastante teoría, ideas interesantes y útiles que pueden ayudar a cualquier practicante a llevar sus sigilos, y el proceso de creación, carga, y lanzamiento, a un nuevo nivel. Claro, conciso, breve, y a la vez detallado, es un libro bastante útil.
A perfect complement to its predecessor. While Sigil Witchcraft is quite practical, Visual Alchemy has plenty of theory, interesting and useful ideas that can help any practitioner take their sigils, and the process of creating, loading, and casting, to a new level. Clear, concise, brief, and at the same time detailed, it is a very useful book.
A perfect complement to its predecessor. While Sigil Witchcraft is quite practical, Visual Alchemy has plenty of theory, interesting and useful ideas that can help any practitioner take their sigils, and the process of creating, loading, and casting, to a new level. Clear, concise, brief, and at the same time detailed, it is a very useful book.
August 15, 2022
This is a great follow up to the first book, “Sigil Witchery” and it takes you on the next step of your sigil journey. What really captured me in this book is the use of your artistic and creative abilities to take the next step of creating your very own sigils.
I’ve been thinking throughout my time reading this that perhaps I should come up with my own signature sigil and sign my artwork with it. This book really inspired me to think outside the box and being my own ideas to my practice as well. A great read!
I’ve been thinking throughout my time reading this that perhaps I should come up with my own signature sigil and sign my artwork with it. This book really inspired me to think outside the box and being my own ideas to my practice as well. A great read!
August 24, 2022
This book should probably be read after reading Zarkoff’s book Sigil Witchery. This book expands on the knowledge you learn in that book by applying it to art.
This was a great follow up to Sigil Witchery. Zarkoff shows the connection between art and magic. She challenges you to rethink your views on art and how art is magic. This was an informative, eye opening book that will help you expand your sigil practice.
*ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.*
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
This was a great follow up to Sigil Witchery. Zarkoff shows the connection between art and magic. She challenges you to rethink your views on art and how art is magic. This was an informative, eye opening book that will help you expand your sigil practice.
*ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.*
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
September 7, 2022
Here is presented very interesting and intuitive method of sigil creation. Also, advices how to charge the same sigil are given. But, if you feel that you're not in time there is a beautiful collection of visual alchemy made by the author which you can use right away. Excellent ideas about politics are briefly presented. No matter that, just in few places text is wordy. Awesome book.
December 9, 2023
NetGalley Arc
Not a fan of the layout, the content. This book lacked a lot for me. A lot of information but lacked balance, lacked better organization. I hope the print version is better. But that still leaves the content so-so.
Not a fan of the layout, the content. This book lacked a lot for me. A lot of information but lacked balance, lacked better organization. I hope the print version is better. But that still leaves the content so-so.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews