Llewellyn's Complete Book of North American Folk Magic: A Landscape of Magic, Mystery, and Tradition

by Cory Thomas Hutcheson (Editor), Melissa A. Ivanco-Murray (Contributor), Starr Casas (Contributor)

20+ Diverse Traditions from New England to the West Coast Drawing on the expertise of twenty-four renowned practitioners, this book features contemporary folk traditions from all over North America. Diverse as the landscapes they thrive on, these authentic practices will expand your worldview and inspire you to enrich your own spirituality. Explore the history, tools, and spiritual beliefs of many different paths of folk magic from Mexico, the United States, and Canada. You'll tour the continent's rich and varied cultures region by region, taking an insider's look at more than twenty traditions, Appalachian Mountain Magic BrujeriaCuranderismo Detroit HoodooFlorida Swamp Magic Irish American Folk MagicItalian American Magic Melungeon Folk MagicNew England Cunning Craft New Orleans VoodooOzark Folk Magic Pennsylvania Powwow & BrauchereiSlavic American Folk Magic Southern Conjure Stephanie Rose Bird H. Byron Ballard Starr Casas Ixtoii Paloma Cervantes Kenya T. Coviak J. Allen Cross Alexander Cummins Morgan Daimler Mario Esteban Del Ángel Guevara Lilith Dorsey Morrigane Feu Via Hedera Cory Thomas Hutcheson Melissa A. Ivanco-Murray E. F. E. Lacharity Dee Norman Aaron Oberon Robert Phoenix Jake Richards Sandra Santiago Robert L. Schreiwer Eliseo “Cheo” Torres Benebell Wen Brandon Weston

Genres: Witchcraft, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Paganism, Folklore, Cultural, History

384 pages, Paperback

Published April 8, 2023

Reviews

[Laura Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this. A really fascinating look at North American folk traditions from practitioners across the continent. It's more anthropology than practical guide, but there are some spells/rituals/etc. for those who are interested in that (and the writers make clear when they're sharing something from a closed tradition). Also, lots of great recommendations for further reading - I added a bunch of books to my TBR.

[Emma Liston Draughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great collection of essays on the origination and modern day interpretations of North American regional magic, folklore, and how those traditions have trickled down through the ages and shaped our continent’s collective imagination. I loved learning about the sources of different stories and how they broke down each region’s particular history.

[Rebecca Elson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review originally appeared on The Magical Buffet website on 01/03/2024.

You might remember my enthusiasm for the book “New World Witchery” by Cory Thomas Hutcheson. It was a fascinating look at folk magic as it is practiced in America. It’s an academic exploration written by a practitioner. Loved it!

I was thrilled to learn that Llewellyn put Hutcheson in charge of “Llewellyn’s Complete Book of North American Folk Magic: A Landscape of Magic, Mystery, and Tradition.” Honestly, I assumed he would be the author of the whole book, so imagine my surprise when I learned that although Hutcheson contributes ample content for this book, it also features a who’s who of magic makers. A few examples:


J. Allen Cross, who you may remember from my review of his book “American Brujeria”, contributes an essay titled “Saints with Scissors: American Brujeria.” Starr Casas, well known author of multiple books on the topic of southern conjure authored a piece called “The Making of a Starr: Working Old-Style Conjure.” The author of “Backwoods Witchcraft” (another book that has been featured on this website), Jake Richards, wrote the article “The Poor Man’s Play: Appalachian-Melungeon Folk Magic.” When everything is said and done, over 20 magical practitioners with diverse backgrounds contribute essays ranging from academic, biographical, and hands on how to. The book covers the geography of North America in the following sections: New England and the Maritimes, New Holland and Deitscherei, The Upland South, The Deep South, The Midlands, Plains West, El Norte, and The Left Coast.

So, is “Llewellyn’s Complete Book of North American Folk Magic” that complete? The beauty of most magical traditions is their ability to migrate and evolve, and none more so than folk magic. What I’m trying to say is, it’s as complete as it can be and an amazing resource for anyone interested in developing a better understanding of North America’s folk magic traditions.

[Tiffany H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Llewellyn's Complete Book of North American Folk Magic

Editor: Cory Thomas Hutcheson

Rating: 5/5

Llewellyn's Complete Book of North American Folk Magic is less of a book and more of an encyclopedia. NAFM is a beefy book loaded with information on 364 pages. It includes a forward, author introductions, and a chunky boi of a bibliography. If you're familiar with the podcast New World Witchery or the book of the same title, the name Cory Thomas Hutcheson on the cover will ring a bell.

While Hutcheson is credited with compiling and editing this book, it has a total of 24 authors: Stephanie Rose Bird, H. Byron Ballard, Starr Casas, Ixtoii Paloma Cervantes, Kenya T. Coviak, J. Allen Cross, Alexander Cummins, Morgan Daimler, Mario Esteban Del ngel Guevara, Lilith Dorsey, Morrigane Feu, Via Hedera, Cory Thomas Hutcheson, Melissa A. Ivanco-Murray, E. F. E. Lacharity, Dee Norman, Aaron Oberon, Robert Phoenix, Jake Richards, Sandra Santiago, Robert L. Schreiwer, Eliseo "Cheo" Torres, Benebell Wen, and Brandon Weston.

This book would be an excellent resource for any witch just starting on their path; even seasoned witches could benefit from learning about unfamiliar traditions than their own. Llewellyn hit it out of the park with this title. NAFM is a reference book every witch or pagan should have on their bookshelf. For full review, please check out my blog: www.foxdencurio.com

[Vanora · Rating 2 out of 5]

I initially found great enjoyment in reading the book out of sheer curiosity, making it through roughly 40% of its content. However, it soon devolved into a burdensome task. What proved most disappointing, perhaps more so than anything else, was the injection of snippets of political bias and contemporary "woke" rhetoric into what should have been a non-political exploration, such as folk magic.

Coming from Eastern Europe, I am steadfastly certain that my ancestors never participated in slavery trading and scarcely ventured more than 50 kilometers from their birthplaces. How can progress be achieved when writings are saturated with resentment and animosity? Doesn't this contradict everything spiritual? Our greatest endeavor should be to glean lessons from the past to avoid repeating the same mistakes in the future...

[Kenya T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and loved contributing to it.
I found so many wonderful voices represented, and cherished traditions shared.
I would also like to clear up something, though.

I have not in the past, currently or in the future been affiliated with the Detroit Hoodoo Festival.
This event has as far as I know, have always solely been under the direction of its owner.
In a recent publication by Llewellyn "Llewellyn's Complete Book of North American Folk Magic", it was indicated in error.

Thanks to the people at Llewellyn for making this happen!

Kenya T. Coviak

[Catherine Keller · Rating 2 out of 5]

somewhat of a 'good' read, definitely not complete
feels like each component doesn't have enough space to really go in depth of the true philosophies of each practice
DEFINITELY taken aback by the Pennsylvania Dutch "Pow-wows".... NOT ONCE referencing the impact of the Indigenous population in PA. If it's called "Brauche or Braucherei", not a pow-wow... just say that ... if it's Christian-adjacent Germanic pride you're after.... then use those linguistics. Not the language of the oppressed.
this guy Cory compiled this in...2023? sounds about white

[Chronicat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good overview with some very good writers who are respected and known in this field so there are some names you will recognize. I like the format of how it picks certain spots in the US and ends each chapter with places to visit and a very good bibliography. This is a book that would guide a complete beginner but still show things an established practitioner could still learn from. I think that the size, scope and length hits just right. I honestly don't think you can wrong with any of the offerings in Llewellyn 's complete guide to series.

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Complete" is a stretch, but this book does have many interesting perspectives on folk magic in North America.

[Mitchell Stern · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great broad overview of many different practices but it did leave me wanting more!