As a Reclaiming witch myself, when I saw Irisanya Moon had written a new book in the Pagan Portals series: “Reclaiming Witchcraft”, my first thought was “why didn’t I think of that?!” I’m glad I didn’t, though, as Irisanya has done such a wonderful job of sharing a sense of the workings that make Reclaiming what it is. “Pagan Portals – Reclaiming Witchcraft” by Irisanya Moon (Moon Books, 2020) systematically shares about the parts of a tradition which grew out of a deep, activist, desire to bring magic to bear on the world for positive change. The origins and history of its roots in an activist collective, and its subsequent growth into a worldwide collective – anarchistic in that each witch is their own authority, and recognising that we always live within community. Through the Principles of Unity, Irisanya shares the guiding concepts of Reclaiming, and illustrates how we balance our independence and our collectivity. How do highly creative, anarchistic witches work in community? Through listening and developing structures through which each member can, when it works, be heard. Irisanya touches on the ways in which we co-create Ecstatic, Improvisational, Ensemble, Inspired, and Organic rituals and magic. The Tools mentioned in the “Core Classes” give each witch both their own toolbox and shared points of magical development and ritual technology. And the concept of “Witchcamps” is discussed too, between the ritual style, the tools, and the Witchcamps, Reclaiming has an unusual and effective system of magic and community development. All of which feed back into creating change in the world. As a tradition with 40+ years of history now, the question of how different generations are included is an important one, and one Irisanya handles gently and with compassion… Because a world of community must have space for all the family! The final chapter on Magical Activism speaks to the desire that underpins Reclaiming Witchcraft… To make the world a better, fairer, place, and a home for us all. ~ Halo Quin, https://haloquin.net/2023/02/08/two-book-reviews-reclaiming-honouring-the-wild/

Ms. Moon, does the Reclaiming witchcraft tradition a great service in less than a hundred pages. While the text is written as an invitation to someone unfamiliar with the Reclaiming tradition I came away from the lovely little primer Reclaiming Witchcraft published by Pagan Portals, appreciating my own tradition and how it has grown and is continually adapting and changing to become a more inclusive and expansive community. The author explains the pertinent history of Reclaiming by moving between historical discussion and her personal relationships and experiences, as she is weaving the two threads together readers gain an understanding of some of the patterns of ritual, spiritual practices, magickal activism and a taste of the infinite possibilities they might anticipate experiencing when participating in Reclaiming communities. She pulls back the veil on public gatherings, small communities and solitary practices that enrich and strengthen the community and draws the reader closer with her descriptions of the wheel of the year rituals, classes, camps and community. The concept of personal spiritual authority while in community is a key foundation of Reclaiming and the author succinctly makes this clear. She introduces and gives excellent context for the Principles of Unity (POU) a key document of Reclaiming and discusses how it came to be and functions as a living document within the community that is still young in the spiritual world. A community that grapples with many of societies challenges all while leaning into connection and community. Finally, the primer provides resources for connecting to the Reclaiming Tradition and beginning or deepening one’s own spiritual journey. A wonderful read for the curious and an excellent reference for those already connected to Reclaiming. ~ , Anastasia Prentiss