First thing I have to point out is how gorgeous and visually pleasing the book is! This eye-catching hardback is illustrated by Mickie Mueller. Author Deborah Blake and artist Mueller have paired on various other projects and I was happy to see that they once again formed a lovely duo for The Eclectic Witch’s Book of Shadows. (Full disclosure, I am a huge fan of Deborah Blake’s books and was so excited for this release. I have read nearly all her previously published works as well as used several of them as a guidebook for my daughter who is learning the pagan path.) This book is another new favorite on my personal bookshelf.

What makes this book unique is not only is it filled with information but there are pages for the reader to journal and write their own notes within. The interior features the dazzling illustrations throughout making this a colorful Book of Shadows for personalization. This workbook is set up as you might find a traditional Book of Shadows but with plenty of space to build the readers path from the ground up.

While this may sound like beginner book, there is plenty of information that can be great as a refresher or as a reference go to book for your magical bookshelf. Some of the subjects covered in the book are herbs, stones, candles, magical recipes, divination, Gods and Goddesses, invocations and quarter calls, spells, rituals, recipes, and correspondences. Each section has plenty of blank pages for the reader to add notes, creative ideas etc.

The reader can work thru the book from cover to cover or if they want to skip to certain subjects, they just need to check the front contents list for the page number. The choice is completely up to the reader.

I highly recommend this book to anyone new to the path. For those who like a refresher or a reference book to write notes, I suggest snagging a copy. I always enjoy the authors easy to follow friendly tone in her books and this one is enjoyable as usual. The Eclectic Witch’s Book of Shadows definitely earns a spot on the witchy bookshelf!

~review by Amber Barnes

Author: Deborah Blake
Llewellyn Publications, 2021
pp. 288, $19.99