Anatomy of a Witch: A Map to the Magical Body

From time to time someone will lament that there are "no" advanced witchcraft books. Generally I disagree and send along some current favorites, and now I have a new book to offer: Anatomy of a Witch: A Map to the Magical Body.

Zakroff is a glorious weaver of words and uses an unusual perspective to explore the literal and figurative embodiment of a witch. Each chapter uses a Major Arcana card as a symbolic archetype for five (symbolic) aspects of a witch's body: lungs (breath), (pulse and rhythm), serpent (our primal nature), bones (strength and structure), and the weaver (mind). The reader is also given meditations, energy exercises, rituals, sigils, and journaling prompts.

This book is full of body positivity and unusual perspectives for connecting our mundane and magical lives, offering a perspective that the body is a temple, not just a vehicle for moving through the world. Within ourselves, our very physical being, are all of the tools and space with which to do any ritual, work any magic. We are symbols, not just those found externally. So much of the practices in Anatomy are unusual and deeply creative

I truly admired how accessible Zakroff's writing is to beginners while managing to be profoundly interesting to those long on the path. This is a book that needs to be in your collection, one I guarantee will capture you and alter your practice is amazing ways.

~review by Lisa McSherry

Author: Laura Tempest Zakroff
Llewellyn Publications, 2021
pp. 197, $17.99