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mavisbird's review against another edition
3.0
I think this book is good and gives a good reference as well as easy to understand and use information.
The biggest concern for me is that they do not discuss closed practices there are a few specifically listed closed practices in the book and its important for people to know that they should not be doing them unless they are a member of that group.
The biggest concern for me is that they do not discuss closed practices there are a few specifically listed closed practices in the book and its important for people to know that they should not be doing them unless they are a member of that group.
jraye1998's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
lsparrow's review against another edition
2.0
I did like that there was acknowledgement of the different traditions behind the spells.
Although I felt that the awareness around broader issues and connections did not seem as present in this book.
Although I felt that the awareness around broader issues and connections did not seem as present in this book.
mslauraolivia's review against another edition
4.0
Lots of quick and easy spells for all kinds of needs, most having to do with self-care. I'll definitely be copying some of these into my book of shadows for future use.
litematcha's review against another edition
Although the book states that the spells within are created without a particular path in mind, they are a mix of Wiccan practices and closed traditions. It is disingenuous to open a feminist self-care book with an Audre Lorde quote, and then pages later, tell the reader to purchase sage to ward their space. Usually, I would leave it to the discretion of the practitioner to choose spells and materials that align with their beliefs and personal ethics, but this book seems to be motivated solely for the profit made off of naive, well-meaning, beginners.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cultural appropriation
laurareads87's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
3.0
Spellwork for Self-Care is an introductory book featuring spells focused on protection, wellness, love, finance/future, and sovereignty. I appreciate a lot about it: there are clear attempts to be inclusive (particularly with respect to language not being cisnormative or presuming the reader’s sexual orientation), Monica Ramos’ illustrations are charming (and much more body size inclusive than many books like this), and the spells are, broadly speaking, accessible (they don’t require much in the way of fancy supplies beyond a mortar and pestle and a burn-safe bowl and they’re mostly written in ways that don’t presume able-bodiedness at all). The introductory section emphasizes the ‘work’ in spellwork in a way that I appreciate. The appendix on correspondences is not particularly comprehensive but it’s clear and includes relevant safety notes on essential oils, and the overall tone of the book is inviting and encouraging without being overly prescriptive.
The book is written with an audience of mostly young folks in mind – particularly young women – as the book is addressed to womxn and uses ‘we’ presuming a reader who identifies this way, and refers to ‘finding your first adult job’ in one of the spells.
My criticisms would be that the book does reproduce language of ‘light’ + ‘white light’ as positive and ‘darkness’ as negative and advocates offerings to Oshun and the creation of mojo bags in ways that feel a bit superficial and definitely potentially appropriative. I will also say that I don’t love when spell books effectively advocate littering – no, please don’t bury non-organic candle wax outside or toss things in your local body of water, use some common sense here.
The bibliography is... a bit strange, and includes a lot of sources that have nothing whatsoever to do with spellwork, and some of the resource page is now outdated, but I am glad that these were included.
Finally, I will note that I do not love that the author’s name is not included anywhere in the book as far as I can tell. It is frustrating to not know what tradition(s) this author practices in, what (if anything) else they’ve written, etc.