What do you think?
Rate this book
The Magic of the Otherworld: Modern Sorcery from the Wellspring of Celtic Traditions
Build Your Own Magical Practice Rooted in Celtic Traditions
Shaped by ancient and mythological texts, this book introduces you to a wellspring of Celtic magic and demonstrates how to apply these deep traditions to your unique, contemporary practice. Morpheus Ravenna helps you develop your skills from the ground up through rituals and deity work for healing, empowerment, justice, and more. With hands-on activities woven alongside history and lore from all over the Celtic world, you will master spiritual hygiene practices, protection methods, conflict magic, and a variety of other topics.
Drawing upon polytheism, animism, and a connection to the Otherworld, Morpheus provides instructions for blessing water, conducting an ancestor elevation rite, beginning a spirit alliance, and creating a curse tablet. You will advance your sorcery through divination, sigil work, necromancy, and other techniques, developing more powerful expertise every step of the way.
Includes a foreword by River Devora, a multi-traditional spirit worker, healer, clergyperson, and teacher
Shaped by ancient and mythological texts, this book introduces you to a wellspring of Celtic magic and demonstrates how to apply these deep traditions to your unique, contemporary practice. Morpheus Ravenna helps you develop your skills from the ground up through rituals and deity work for healing, empowerment, justice, and more. With hands-on activities woven alongside history and lore from all over the Celtic world, you will master spiritual hygiene practices, protection methods, conflict magic, and a variety of other topics.
Drawing upon polytheism, animism, and a connection to the Otherworld, Morpheus provides instructions for blessing water, conducting an ancestor elevation rite, beginning a spirit alliance, and creating a curse tablet. You will advance your sorcery through divination, sigil work, necromancy, and other techniques, developing more powerful expertise every step of the way.
Includes a foreword by River Devora, a multi-traditional spirit worker, healer, clergyperson, and teacher
374 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 8, 2023
14 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 8, 2023
This book is a must read for anyone with an interest in Celtic paths. I particularly loved the research-heavy angle that Morpheus approaches the text from and any of the Spells, prayers, rituals, or other practices suggested all include multiple sources, clearly explained with examples from history.
Sí also makes a point to explain early on that this is a book for modern practitioners, derived from a modern practitioner’s personal practice. The reality of Celtic magic is that we don’t have any primary sources, everything we have comes from secondary sources often almost 1000 years after it would’ve been in mainstream use. So that means a level of creativity needs to be used for anyone building a Celtic practice. That being said, this book is grounded in history and the best sources available for the subject matter.
The level of knowledge, research, and practical application that Morpheus has is astounding and shines through on every page. I also appreciated that there were sections on execration magic that didn’t waffle around the karmic conversation — Morpheus allows the reader to make their own call on what they will, or will not use. My favorite chapter was the Apotropaic Magic, but my favorite rituals were towards the end of the book where sí explores and explains how to use poppets (figure magic), curse tablets, and other forms of justice magic.
The book is grounded in the importance of using magic for justice, and doesn’t shy away from explaining the challenges of the modern world, and how they can be met with the ancient wisdom.
Morpheus is a fascinating person to learn about through this book, and hir stories are really enlightening as well. Each chapter includes personal journeys, with the practical side of what is being suggested in the chapter, which is a delight and super helpful for practitioners of any degree of experience.
Sí also makes a point to explain early on that this is a book for modern practitioners, derived from a modern practitioner’s personal practice. The reality of Celtic magic is that we don’t have any primary sources, everything we have comes from secondary sources often almost 1000 years after it would’ve been in mainstream use. So that means a level of creativity needs to be used for anyone building a Celtic practice. That being said, this book is grounded in history and the best sources available for the subject matter.
The level of knowledge, research, and practical application that Morpheus has is astounding and shines through on every page. I also appreciated that there were sections on execration magic that didn’t waffle around the karmic conversation — Morpheus allows the reader to make their own call on what they will, or will not use. My favorite chapter was the Apotropaic Magic, but my favorite rituals were towards the end of the book where sí explores and explains how to use poppets (figure magic), curse tablets, and other forms of justice magic.
The book is grounded in the importance of using magic for justice, and doesn’t shy away from explaining the challenges of the modern world, and how they can be met with the ancient wisdom.
Morpheus is a fascinating person to learn about through this book, and hir stories are really enlightening as well. Each chapter includes personal journeys, with the practical side of what is being suggested in the chapter, which is a delight and super helpful for practitioners of any degree of experience.
June 24, 2024
I've been disappointed by the Llewelyn books I've read over the last few years. Calling them 101 books is reductive. They are shallow. They skim the surface. This probably has as much to do with the fact that I've read a ton of these sorts of books. They are for beginners and I am no longer the target audience.
But this book has a lot going for it. The chapter on Divination and the author's personal sigil system are worth the price of admission. The rune system based on the Lepontic script was new to me and sent me down an internet rabbit hole which, even if I never use the system as it, will inform my use of the Futhark and Ogham.
While it talks about spiritual hygiene and purification, I would have liked to have seen a stronger recommended daily foundational practice. I guess the fact that it leaved that to the reader is what makes it a 201 course?
But this book has a lot going for it. The chapter on Divination and the author's personal sigil system are worth the price of admission. The rune system based on the Lepontic script was new to me and sent me down an internet rabbit hole which, even if I never use the system as it, will inform my use of the Futhark and Ogham.
While it talks about spiritual hygiene and purification, I would have liked to have seen a stronger recommended daily foundational practice. I guess the fact that it leaved that to the reader is what makes it a 201 course?
July 31, 2023
I found it easy to follow and a good popularization of the classic occult books. I loved how it explain how to apply century old practice today and it's well researched.
I think it's perfect if you want to start reading about the ancient practice or learn something new
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I think it's perfect if you want to start reading about the ancient practice or learn something new
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
June 24, 2023
Chock full of modern tools and tips for working with magic — inspired by Celtic traditions. Somehow the writing style is equally ethereal and pragmatic, weaving a spell for the readers across land, sea, and sky. Fascinating, well researched and well written — undeniably valuable teachings for anyone interested in learning more about contemporary practices and sorcery with Celtic roots.
June 4, 2023
This is a very interesting survey of Celtic myths and occult practices. Because of that, reading of this book is very similar to reading Agrippas monumental work. But here, we have actual practical techniques adjusted to modern times. I would call this book kinda "iron strong" book because its main concern are protections, curses, justice and even "war magic". All that is given but also advises how to use some of these "dangerous" methods. And in that way, the state of balance simply is crying why some more beneficial practices (healing, love, wealth, creativity...) are not included in this text, but okay, maybe will be in the second part. A unique book and nice pictures!
May 23, 2023
So often books about the old world practices can be a bit hard to read or too much like a college professor’s lecture. This book, however is nothing of the sort! This reads so well that you’ll find yourself getting lost int eh words and becoming a part of it.
This is not only a fabulous read, it’s a great resource. I recommend it to anyone who is interested in the old traditions and using them today.
This is not only a fabulous read, it’s a great resource. I recommend it to anyone who is interested in the old traditions and using them today.
June 27, 2023
The Magic of the Otherworld holds a wealth of information on Celtic-inspired magic. The format is mix of academic review and personal inspiration and the book is a useful guide for both beginners and reconstructionists interested in the magical practices of Celtic peoples.
The book begins with a brief history of Celtic peoples, major themes in Celtic mythology, and tools for developing your own ethical framework for magic. Chapter 1 is a guide to spiritual hygiene practices and includes ideas for shielding, smoke cleansing, and consecration by water and fire.
Chapter 2 discusses charms and protection magic such as lorica and caim prayers, creating protective charms, spirit traps, and protective spirits. The author also discusses their own experience working with the goddess Tlachtga in protective magic. Next, in Chapter 3, the author explores animism, environmental and animal spirits, stone veneration, and inspirited objects and weapons.
Chapter 4 is about the historical use of poetry in Irish texts for sorcery and charms and is followed by Chapter 5, which discusses divination such as omens, augury, and various language and writing systems. The author also outlines their own method of divination and sigil creating using Iron Age Lepontic script. Then in Chapter 6, ancestor veneration and necromancy are examined.
Chapters 7, 8, and 9 provide an overview of baneful magic: binding, cursing, justice, and war magic. These chapters have the most historical analysis and cite sources such as the Táin Bó Cúalnge, Togail Bruidne Dá Derga, and the Carmina Gadelica.
The Magic of the Otherworld is a dense volume of Celtic-inspired magic based on historical practices and will become a staple for those interested in adding Celtic magic to their own personal practices.
Thank you to Llewelyn & NetGalley for providing an ARC.
The book begins with a brief history of Celtic peoples, major themes in Celtic mythology, and tools for developing your own ethical framework for magic. Chapter 1 is a guide to spiritual hygiene practices and includes ideas for shielding, smoke cleansing, and consecration by water and fire.
Chapter 2 discusses charms and protection magic such as lorica and caim prayers, creating protective charms, spirit traps, and protective spirits. The author also discusses their own experience working with the goddess Tlachtga in protective magic. Next, in Chapter 3, the author explores animism, environmental and animal spirits, stone veneration, and inspirited objects and weapons.
Chapter 4 is about the historical use of poetry in Irish texts for sorcery and charms and is followed by Chapter 5, which discusses divination such as omens, augury, and various language and writing systems. The author also outlines their own method of divination and sigil creating using Iron Age Lepontic script. Then in Chapter 6, ancestor veneration and necromancy are examined.
Chapters 7, 8, and 9 provide an overview of baneful magic: binding, cursing, justice, and war magic. These chapters have the most historical analysis and cite sources such as the Táin Bó Cúalnge, Togail Bruidne Dá Derga, and the Carmina Gadelica.
The Magic of the Otherworld is a dense volume of Celtic-inspired magic based on historical practices and will become a staple for those interested in adding Celtic magic to their own personal practices.
Thank you to Llewelyn & NetGalley for providing an ARC.
January 15, 2025
Premier livre de l'auteur que je lis. Je comprends les avis des autres lecteurs, c'est accessible, bien structuré, avec à chaque fois une partie théorique et historique (parfois un peu approximative), suivie d'un "toolkit" pour explorer la notion en question. Vraiment, rien à redire là-dessus, c'est un véritable petit manuel de magie à inspiration celtique (et j'insiste sur le mot "inspiration", il ne s'agit pas ici d'un ouvrage reconstructioniste).
Même si je vais garder ce livre pour son côté pratique et super abordable (avec de vraies to-do, de vrais exemple, et c'est assez rare pour le souligner), je ne mettrai pas plus de trois étoiles. Je suis un peu trop mal à l'aise avec la vision de l'auteur, avec tout ce disclaimer qu'iel nous sort en début d'ouvrage sur le libre-arbitre, tout ça pour écrire deux longs chapitres sur une magie (très) offensive. Cela s'éloigne trop de ma propre philosophie.
Pour avoir lu pas mal d'ouvrages à portée historique sur le sujet, on passe quand même bien à côté d'un gran pan de la spiritualité celtique. Là, on a l'impression que les Celtes ne faisaient que se battre et maudire leurs voisins. On oublie tout le statut de druide, de poète... Bref on se retrouve avec un manuel détaillé, mais partial. Et c'est bien normal, l'auteur nous explique bien qu'iel est avant tout activiste, et que sa magie nourrit ses actions militantes.
Et puis OK, ce n'est pas un bouquin reconstructioniste, mais il serait quand même utile de ne pas forcément comparer bêtement les sources gauloises et irlandaises, qui n'ont ni la même nature, ni la même temporalité.
En résumé, un bon livre à lire, car rare exemple d'une pratique contemporaine et raisonnée (j'ai beaucoup aimé l'usage de l'Ogham), mais qui sera insuffisant pour explorer la richesse des civilisations celtes.
Même si je vais garder ce livre pour son côté pratique et super abordable (avec de vraies to-do, de vrais exemple, et c'est assez rare pour le souligner), je ne mettrai pas plus de trois étoiles. Je suis un peu trop mal à l'aise avec la vision de l'auteur, avec tout ce disclaimer qu'iel nous sort en début d'ouvrage sur le libre-arbitre, tout ça pour écrire deux longs chapitres sur une magie (très) offensive. Cela s'éloigne trop de ma propre philosophie.
Pour avoir lu pas mal d'ouvrages à portée historique sur le sujet, on passe quand même bien à côté d'un gran pan de la spiritualité celtique. Là, on a l'impression que les Celtes ne faisaient que se battre et maudire leurs voisins. On oublie tout le statut de druide, de poète... Bref on se retrouve avec un manuel détaillé, mais partial. Et c'est bien normal, l'auteur nous explique bien qu'iel est avant tout activiste, et que sa magie nourrit ses actions militantes.
Et puis OK, ce n'est pas un bouquin reconstructioniste, mais il serait quand même utile de ne pas forcément comparer bêtement les sources gauloises et irlandaises, qui n'ont ni la même nature, ni la même temporalité.
En résumé, un bon livre à lire, car rare exemple d'une pratique contemporaine et raisonnée (j'ai beaucoup aimé l'usage de l'Ogham), mais qui sera insuffisant pour explorer la richesse des civilisations celtes.
June 23, 2023
Very Informative
Morpheus Ravenna provides some great background information on Celtic traditions by discussing what the term Celtic sorcery mean, and what it doesn’t. She goes on to say that purification and spiritual hygiene are the first thing you will need to do in order to enter magical practices safely. This includes the ability to cleanse yourself, your tools, and your working spaces, because the basis of spiritual hygiene is an understanding that people, places, and things can gather spiritual residue and need cleaning, just as they do physically.
The author states that practices to cleanse spiritual contamination, purify the spiritual body, and rid us of harmful residues and forces can be broken down into three types based on their function: They are:
1. Cleansing, which removes contamination. For personal spiritual hygiene, you may sometimes need to use cleansing practices to wash away the residues of the world from yourself in the ritual equivalent of taking a shower and washing the dirt down the drain.
2. Blessing, which acts to realign or to restore a state of spiritual health. A blessing practice is designed to refresh, restore, or release trapped spiritual energies within your own being, without washing anything away.
3. Banishing, which is used to turn unwanted spirits away. Banishing refers specifically to practices designed to drive out spirit beings that are not wanted, and is keyed toward beings rather than residues.
The author discusses various protection and shielding prayers, and the many various aspects of Celtic traditions and magic. Very informative book, highly recommend.
Morpheus Ravenna provides some great background information on Celtic traditions by discussing what the term Celtic sorcery mean, and what it doesn’t. She goes on to say that purification and spiritual hygiene are the first thing you will need to do in order to enter magical practices safely. This includes the ability to cleanse yourself, your tools, and your working spaces, because the basis of spiritual hygiene is an understanding that people, places, and things can gather spiritual residue and need cleaning, just as they do physically.
The author states that practices to cleanse spiritual contamination, purify the spiritual body, and rid us of harmful residues and forces can be broken down into three types based on their function: They are:
1. Cleansing, which removes contamination. For personal spiritual hygiene, you may sometimes need to use cleansing practices to wash away the residues of the world from yourself in the ritual equivalent of taking a shower and washing the dirt down the drain.
2. Blessing, which acts to realign or to restore a state of spiritual health. A blessing practice is designed to refresh, restore, or release trapped spiritual energies within your own being, without washing anything away.
3. Banishing, which is used to turn unwanted spirits away. Banishing refers specifically to practices designed to drive out spirit beings that are not wanted, and is keyed toward beings rather than residues.
The author discusses various protection and shielding prayers, and the many various aspects of Celtic traditions and magic. Very informative book, highly recommend.
September 5, 2023
This book offers a very deep magical practice from a thoroughly-researched Celtic perspective. Although it starts with the basics, most of the material covers more intermediate or advanced sorcery, and is clearly influenced by Ravenna's lifelong dedication to the Morrigan (a war goddess).
Aside from the practical advice that I may come back to at some point, Ravenna's perspectives on animism, ancestors, and justice/cóir were also interesting and offer much food for thought.
Aside from the practical advice that I may come back to at some point, Ravenna's perspectives on animism, ancestors, and justice/cóir were also interesting and offer much food for thought.
October 20, 2023
The Magic of the Otherworld by Morpheus Ravenna is an interesting look at Celtic practices and traditions as they apply to the modern practitioner. The Most useful aspect of this title is that its organization lends itself to non sequential reading. The downside to this is that several bits can come across as slightly repetitive at the cost of going further in depth. This Book will be an excellent read for Pagans and Celtic curious academics.
January 5, 2025
Well written and researched! I loved the framework of the content in this book but wished there was more on learning about spirits/deities. Witchcraft is deeply personal, but I wish there was more than a handful of Celtic figures to learn about.
October 2, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
Read
December 22, 2025really enjoyed this and cant wait to go back to this again and again.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews