The book may be small but don't let that fool you. Looks can be deceiving. The book is packed full of useful and interesting information. The author does a nice job of organizing it well and goes beyond the expected contents. The author's credentials, too, are impressive. She is the president of the British College of Witchcraft and Wizardry and teaches courses on witchcraft. Tudorbeth is the author of numerous books and she comes from a long line of practitioners of the magical arts.
There is so much information, 100 plus spells, charms and recipes for love, money, health,family and career, that it feels overwhelming at first. While I admire the author's goal to teach and help inform the reader of a myriad of useful spells, at first you question whether you want to continue. So much to learn! It's a virtual smorgasbord of spells and incantations to choose from. You've heard of The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need? Initially, I thought this book wanted to be The Only Witchcraft Book You'll Ever Need. But, as I read further and was learning things from ye olde days to the modern, I realized it keeps things simple. There are no exotic ingredients or hard-to-find tools.You can perform your chosen spell now rather than have to shop for the tools or lay out a pretty penny. All the information you would ever need is right here. It starts with a listing of the bare necessities from the basic altar to the magic cupboard with tools and supplies. You'll get to know deities,crystals, oils and elixirs, candles and colors. salts and mirrors.
There are spells for love and money, first off. The number one subjects for almost anyone. Just ask any tarot reader! The love spells are expanded to include how to find it, how to keep it, sex, beauty tips. There's even a love potion. Followed by every facet concerning money: getting it, keeping it, saving it, getting more, how to get debt free, even how to get money that is owed to you. It goes on to home, family, health (body, mind and soul), and protection.
I especially liked the informative section about the four seasons and their accompanying sabbats and esbats wherein are listed the dates, meanings, colors and elementals.
The book is small in size but beautiful with its leaves in light and dark blues decorating every page.There's a wealth of knowledge within those pages. If you're debating whether you want to be a hedgewitch, the author explains one at the end of the book. "A hedgewitch is a person doing his or her best to live in harmony with nature while practicing magic. Hedgewitchery focuses mostly on the solitary aspect so usually no two hedgewitches practice in exactly the same way. Regarded as the protectors of the earth and all elemental beings who dwell within the earth, air, fire and water."
To sum it up, spells are like prayers with the added kick of using nature to fuel them.
~Review by Judy Blackstone
Author: Tudorbeth
Llewellyn, 2021
pp. 274. $16.99
