Danielle Dione has written a very helpful and useful book for witches and other magickal people living with chronic illnesses. There are a wealth of exercises and spells, with several in each chapter, and a kind and caring spirit moving throughout. Written in an easy, personal, and accessible style she put me at ease immediately.
Chronic illnesses are very common – about 40% of the American population suffers with one of them, a larger percentage in the Pagan communities. The assumption is still made that the natural and normal state of the body and mind is perfect health and communities, including the Pagan communities, see awareness, accessibility, and accommodation to the different physical and mental challenges which people face to enable full participation and membership in community to everyone as being something ‘special’ and not simply reality. Dionne begins by reminding us of these realities and talks very personally about the onset of her most challenging chronic disease as well as other challenges in her life. From living with chronic illness as a witch, she sees herself as remaining a person of power in a particular physical and spiritual position, on good days and bad.
The first section of the book is immediately practical advice – acquainting oneself with the reality of living with chronic illness, accepting health (overcoming the myth of the rugged individual, the fear of vulnerability), spiritual and physical hygiene, and making your home a haven and healing place. She moves on from this foundation of knowing who you are and what your situation is, to spellcraft, a variety of alternative healing modalities to explore, the use of divination, and magick for empowerment. The third section of her book deals with spiritual allies – healing spirits, plant allies, stones, and animal spirits. And then she returns to the completely practical for her final chapter – discussing mortality, dealing with fear and hopelessness, moving to assist others as a ‘wounded healer’, a few tips for communities to include people with physical limits, and a brief section of living the best life that you possibly can.
In the wealth of useful exercises included here, a couple stood out for me as especially valuable: the ‘Communing With the Spirit of Your Disease’ one, the ‘Dispelling Guilt’ one, and the ‘Body Blessing’ rite. The practical and grounded tone overall, acceptance and being gentle with oneself.
I believe that Chronically Magickal will be helpful to both those living with a chronic illness and those who care for them. It may also, I hope, increase awareness in the community at large about our need to include people as a natural part of being together, to acknowledge different needs and capacities.
~ review by Samuel Wagar
Author: Danielle Dionne
Llewellyn Books, 2024
198 pg. Paperback £15.23 / $27 Can / $20 US
