Practically Pagan - An Alternative Guide to Magical Living
A modern-day grimoire for the lover of ordinary magic, natural spirituality, and all things witchy.
A modern-day grimoire for the lover of ordinary magic, natural spirituality, and all things witchy.
A modern-day grimoire for the lover of ordinary magic, natural spirituality, and all things witchy.
Inspiration & personal growth, Magick studies, Paganism & neo-paganism
This guide is full proverbial spells, daily conjurings, and mystical insights designed to help those in search of a little more magic in their day to day life, no complicated spells, expensive accessories, or experience required. That’s the thing about everyday magic: it’s always within reach, within the self, and in the world. Only not in the way readers might normally think. It’s a less mumbling 'double double toil and trouble' over a cauldron and trouble and a more cooking a delicious soup in a beloved cast iron pot. It’s simple. It’s mundane. It’s magic!
This book offers grounded mystical practices, including how to turn routines into healing rituals, to teach readers how to connect to themselves, the Universe, and the magic of everyday life. Journey into the realm of pleasure magic, radical self-care, synchronicity, and the profound joy of living a life beyond the expected with this alternative guide to daily mystic practices.
After all, true magic is in the everyday.
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Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed this and the topic of the story, I seem to be led more and more towards pagan living. I think that is down to my grandma. I'd recommend this book to those interested in knowing more about magical living and life. ~ Fiona J (Reviewer), NetGalley
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. This book wasn't what I was expecting, but I think I enjoyed it more because I didn't expect what I found. It's about 'magic' as a concept of being present, enjoying the everyday and being mindful, at least that's what I took from it. It was an enjoyable, easy read and was a solid read that I've revisited a couple of times. ~ Donna Wilson (Reviewer) , NetGalley
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. I'm always in need of a little more magical in my life and this book definitely helped! I liked the daily conjurings and the tips on how to connect with magic on different levels. I used the tips in my own meditation and daily rituals and keep this book on the shelf to dive in and out of for helpful reminders and inspiration to keep looking for the magic. Highly recommended! ~ Sarah Dickinson (Reviewer), NetGalley
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. What a gem of a book. Filled with so much magic to live a magical life. I look forward to trying some of the things out. ~ Shell Peddle (Educator), NetGalley
Practically Pagan ~ An Alternative Guide to Magical Living just won the Gold Medal Living Now Book Awards (books for a better world) for the Enlightenment/Spirituality Category for 2022. https://livingnowawards.com/158/2022-medalists ~ Living Now Book Awards, https://livingnowawards.com/158/2022-medalists
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. This book is extremely powerful. I love the idea of incorporating more self care and ritual into your daily life. The book was well organized and provided great options for allowing more space for yourself in your life. ~ Emma Meyer (Educator) , NetGalley
As a Wiccan author myself, I receive lots of magical books for review, but this was my first from John Hunt Publishing, so many thanks to the publisher for sending this one to me. Practically Pagan; Magical Living is a modern day primer of traditional magic. It looks at various aspects of magic from the everyday to that of synchronicity. It is nicely presented and the writing style makes it an accessible read for both new and experienced practitioners alike. The authorial voice is warm and friendly, drawing you in from the opening pages and it is full of interesting information, designed to help the reader bring a touch more magic into their day to day life. Overall, I would say this is a nice book for neophyte witches and those new to the magical path, as it will guide them towards living a more enchanting life. Perfect for beginners. Advanced practitioners might not find anything new here, but it is still an enjoyable read and if it does well, then the author might write a companion volume for adept practitioners too. All in all, I enjoyed reading this book. ~ Marie Bruce (Reviewer), NetGalley
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. I found this book to be full of interesting information. I will definitely recommend this book to others following a similar path to myself in a quest for knowledge. Thanks. ~ Leanne Pawley (Educator) , NetGalley
Rating 5*. This is the first book that spoke of the kind of magic I believe, the kind of paganism I practice. A wonderful read and something I know I will be returning to often for guidance and kinship. ~ Caj, Amazon UK
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. I was excited to read this one and once I did I wasn't disappointed. There were plenty of spells, information and more for the new witch and experienced witch alike. I particularly liked the amount of self-care work and would definitely pick this up again. Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! ~ Jen Bard (Reviewer), NetGalley
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. I think this book will speak volumes to many people, but in different ways to each of us. Definitely worth reading and making a commitment to yourself and your life. Living is for joy and happiness and anything we can do to keep that on track, we need to commit to new rituals and self care. Enjoy this book as I did and be true to yourself and your beliefs. ~ Michelle Coates (Reviewer), NetGalley
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Good for people who are looking for: a beginner’s perspective on mindful living, an introduction to everyday paganism, a gentle and empowering guide written to help those burnt out by modern life. Practically Pagan offers a simple guide to living a life infused with subtle magic. The advice is focused on mindfulness, diet, and listening to yourself and what you really want. It’s written in an empowering way, and is accessible. This is a guide for the beginner - those already familiar with the concepts may find themselves wanting more. Though there is not much in the way of solid guidance, meditations and practical advice, the aim of the book is to help the reader be guided by themselves. The book offers a loose framework for areas of life which may need attention, and a jumping off point for living a life better connected to yourself and the world around you. The author has a talkative and warm writing style, is clearly knowledgeable, and has been through burnout herself. It’s definitely a narrative many will relate to, especially those who are introverts. There are quite a few examples from the author’s own life, making it easy to understand what she means and how the insight might be applicable to the reader. This is a good book for gently exploring pagan magic as a beginner, without complicated rituals or spells. The idea is that magic can be found in our daily routines, that joy can be found in the everyday if we reframe the mundane as grounding. ~ Cathy Charlton (Reviewer), NetGalley
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Not my regular genre but I was drawn to this book, perhaps the word 'practical' in the title alleviated some reservations I may have had. I liked the background/historical context provided and a deep dive into the author's psyche of why they wrote this book and the meaning behind certain topics. This author takes this subject matter very seriously yet was able to communicate certain topics that didn't go over the reader's head, especially if this is their first encounter with such topics covered by this book. ~ Nadia D. (Reviewer), NetGalley
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Loved this book. It's a very no nonsense guide to being true to yourself in the 20s. And definitely don't think Pagan in the Stonehenge sense either. This is an extremely relatable guide. The prose was easy to engage with (I dipped in and out of it while on holiday) and I really liked the author. ~ Samantha Brick (Media), NetGalley
An interesting book, written with passion and competence and with some magical sparks! It is highly recommended. ~ alfemminile.blogspot.com, Review
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. The latest addition to Moon Books’ Practically Pagan series, Maria DeBlassie’s An Alternative Guide to Magical Living doesn’t exactly do what it says on the tin, but is still an informative and encouraging read. To be clear — this isn’t necessarily a book on magical living (in terms of the basics of Paganism) but it cover many aspects that underpin living a more magical life. Many people think that living a magical life is all spells and potions all the time, but it’s more than that — and I’m speaking here as an experienced Witch with many years under her belt. It is understanding where you came from, who you are today, and where you’re going — which the author covers as she weaves her own story throughout this book. It is also ensuring that you are taking the best care of yourself as possible, so as to provide a firm foundation for any magical work that you may wish to do — so this includes things like self-care, mindfulness, slow living, being aware of nudges and winks from the Universe/Divine and so on. Reframing your everyday rituals as magical, remembering to schedule your doctor’s appointment, taking your med, challenging your limiting beliefs, finding joy in the everyday — all of this underpins a magical practice, and that’s what the author is getting at here. There are meditations, rituals, and journal prompts in this book, but they are firmly rooted in the everyday, in the mundane and practical, such as taking care of yourself, getting used to saying no, or meditating on the benefits of doing a chore you hate. There are some energetic practices too, such as becoming aware of how you spend your energy each day, or listening to your intuition, and valuing your own instincts. However, there is a lot of emphasis on the Goddess and feminine spirituality, and therefore some readers who do not identify as female may feel alienated, which is a shame. This book also goes into the deep work of dismantling societal conditioning that many of us take as “the norm” — such as the myth that productivity is more important that simply being; that consumerism and capitalism are the only ways to live; that being labelled as “less than” is acceptable. There are also discussions about being aware of generational trauma and working to heal it; mental health awareness and healthcare; and taking control of your own joy and pleasure without the ingrained guilt that many of us feel, amongst other things. If you are looking for a book full of spells and rituals, look elsewhere; this isn’t it. If, however, you are looking for a book to challenge your thought processes, to help you reframe and redefine your life on your own terms, to encourage self-care and self-determination — all of which produce a good foundation for magical and spiritual work — then this is a great introduction. ~ Heather K Veitch (Reviewer), NetGalley
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Great book. Its full of spells, rituals and conjurings among other things. I was particularly interested in the healing rituals. A book that should be added to any witches library. I received this book from Net Galley and John Hunt Publishing for a honest review. This is one. ~ Marie Angel (Reviewer), NetGalley
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Sometimes you need to remember that magic is something that you can find in everyday life and even in the most menial chores. There's plenty of food for thought and it was an interesting and informative read. It mixes the author's personal experiences with hints and sometimes it's more a memoir than a guide. Recommended. ~ Anna Maria Giacomasso (Reviewer), NetGalley
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Beautiful, informative, and a wonderfully written book. As a practicing Pagan and witch, this book really helped with my practice and gave me some much needed ideas of how to enhance and focus on my practice in a world that wants to bombard me constantly. ~ Zoe Robinson-Lees (Reviewer), NetGalley
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. This offers readers an excellent guide to connecting to their spiritual side. This is filled with helpful tips, ceremonies, spells, etc. to help you hone and practice your magical skills. I wish I had this book permanently so I could refer back to it often because I found the material to be fascinating. ~ Jessica Bolsei (Reviewer), NetGalley
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. I'm new to practicing, so this was incredibly helpful. I loved reading ways to expand my practice and the best part is how easy everything is. It's perfect for a beginner. I'll be buying a physical copy soon! ~ Kali Thomas (Reviewer), NetGalley
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. This book was everything I could have hoped for. DeBlassie approaches magic in a way that is less intimidating and much more natural, at least to me. The focus on intention as magic and having less focus put on complex spells and rituals makes this book both beginner-friendly and something that can reignite the passion for longtime practitioners. ~ Colleen Vanderlinden (Reviewer) , NetGalley
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. I love the way that this book weaves magic and wonder into the everyday, making paganism feel accessible to everyone. I'm going to try to reframe household chores as a form of magic! ~ Melanie Knight (Educator) , NetGalley
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. This guide is informative, well written, and easy to get through. I recommend it to anyone looking to get into the pagan lifestyle. ~ Amber Herbert (Reviewer), NetGalley
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. I highly recommend Practically Pagan for adults who are struggling with the corporate world and work-life balance trying to juggle their career and family obligations while trying to become the best version of themselves and grow their own selves through various hobbies and connecting with their inner selves more powerfully. It's a great book for introverts who want guidance and inspiration to cope with different emotional situations and life changes. The message is to not change but to be proud of themselves and live their life on their own terms making the most of their life. ~ Murtaza Kanorwala (Reviewer), NetGalley
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. What a beautiful book! I loved reading about enriching my witchcraft practices with solid acts of self care. ~ Sonja Kipka (Educator), NetGalley
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The description does not exactly match the book, yet I found it to be practical and full of interesting wisdom and suggestions. Maria DeBlassie is a bruja, but the magical wisdom shared in these pages is to guide the reader along the road of self-discovery and taking back the power laying inside of all of us. There is powerful magic in everyday choices, in living our best lives. As women we live lives that we are told by society we should live; we should do all, be all, do more and continually sacrifice ourselves to make others more comfortable. The spells included in this book are not spells a reader might expect; the most significant take-away I received was that the magical world lives inside of all of us; there is magic in every single thing we do, we just have to tune ourselves to it. I highlighted many passages that resonate with me, and I look forward to practicing this magical living going forward in my own life. I found this book to be a permission slip of sorts - permission to say no to doing more and being more - and saying yes to following that path which is inside of my heart. ~ Kim Fields (Librarian), NetGalley
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. I think that the title of this book sums it up perfectly - it is an alternative guide to magical living.. As many reviewers have noted, this book is less about "magic" and spells, and more about self-review and self-care. It is a simple guidebook for being aware of the beauty and wonder around you, offering straight-forward suggestions and tips. I feel that this is a book that I would refer to again for a refresh and reminder to care for myself. ~ Linda Crumbaugh (Reviewer) , NetGalley
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed this book and loved the way it was written. It felt as if the author was truly talking to me. I can absolutely relate to being a woman of color and having a mestiza heritage. This book provided lots of practical tips on how to fit into magical spaces and being true to your Brujeria. I give this book my thumbs up! I voluntarily read this book via Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. ~ Christina Blake (Reviewer), NetGalley
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. An interesting book which I read quickly and which sparked off so many ideas I almost feel like a different person after reading it than before! It's practical and thought provoking and I'm looking forward to getting a physical copy of the book so I can use it in my daily practice. ~ Andrea McHugh (Reviewer), NetGalley
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Practically Pagan is an alternative guide to magical living by Maria DeBlassie. This book reads almost like a self-help book, and I believe the target audience would be someone who may be drawn to a more magical or witchy lifestyle but is maybe in a rut or doesn’t know how to relax and needs a crash course in mindfulness (we all do at some point). ~ P Loveday (Reviewer), NetGalley
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Why wait until the new year to make resolutions? You should always make taking care of yourself a priority, not just a resolution. This book is a great way to start doing just that with every day magic that makes taking care of yourself and your life. The author takes us through some things we need to remember and others we may need to forget as we pursue our quest for magical living. I think this book will speak volumes to many people, but in different ways to each of us. Definitely worth reading and making a commitment to yourself and your life. Living is for joy and happiness and anything we can do to keep that on track, we need to commit to new rituals and self care. Enjoy this book as I did and be true to yourself and your beliefs. ~ Cindi Austin (Reviewer), NetGalley
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. I really enjoyed reading this book and found myself highlighting quite a lot of passages which is always a sign to me that there are important messages that will benefit me. If 'magic' is not your thing, don't be put off by the title of this book. It is not a book of 'spells' but rather a reminder of ways to find magic in our every day lives. Maria DeBlassie describes how she moved step by step from a full-on life where she pushed herself both at work and socially to a life she loves where she takes the time she needs to recharge her batteries. The author acknowledges that she is an introvert and explains that quiet time on her own is essential to her wellbeing. But I think the key message of the book holds true for all of us and that is a message about self care. This is not just enjoying the odd bubble bath at the end of the week, but really finding what makes our hearts sing in life - and doing it! This can be making sure we enjoy our small, daily routines, such as a morning cup of coffee, rather than doing them on autopilot and hardly noticing. But also taking a good look at the things in our diaries and maybe sometimes saying 'no' to things that don't truly bring us joy. DeBlassie explains that once we have created a personal life that we love this will spill over into all aspects of our lives, giving us renewed energy and enthusiasm. I took a lot from this book. I see several reviewers have recommended it for readers who are starting out on a spiritual journey. In my view, it is good for us all to be reminded how important self care is and that not being true to ourselves is an exhausting way to live. ~ Rosalind Bryden (Reviewer) , NetGalley
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but its magic drew me in! When we think of magic, we often think of the mysterious, unexplained, or even something that is scary. However, magic is all around us everyday. The author gently reminds us that magic exists even in the most mundane of tasks, and there is beauty in those tasks. We are also reminded to just "be." Take the time and find what lights you up and makes you smile. I would read for a bit, then set the book down to look at my surroundings and let the author's words soak in. There is a lot of wisdom within these pages. ~ Susan Parker (Educator), NetGalley
This was a good, simple, quick read that encourages you to see the beautiful magic of every day. Great for people at the begining of their spiritual journey ~ Bailey Clarice (Reviewer), NetGalley
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. I really enjoyed this book and it gave me a well needed lift to my day. The insight and humour spoke volumes about the experiences and challenges that we were guided through as the audience. I am very glad I read this book and would highly recommend.. ~ Billie Ingram-Sofokleous (Reviewer), NetGalley
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Open your eyes and take in the wonders of our world into your life with appreciation. This book will guide you with the advice and facts of the spiritual ways of old. Enjoy!!! ~ Shirley Packer (Reviewer), NetGalley
......One of the biggest takeaways I got from this book is just how important self-care is really is. It is not selfish and it is not universal for everyone. It’s important to find what form works for you because that might not work for everybody else. It was also eye opening to realize just how much “conjuring” I actually do in a given day. Every time you wish for something or look for signs- that is everyday magic. I also enjoyed the section on coming up with a daily routine that works for you..... ~ Ashley Aguilar (Reviewer) , NetGalley
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. This is one of those "witchy" books that go beyond what you would normally read now. I loved how this book was informative and fun to read; I feel like I really took some things from this book. This is one that I will recommend and buy a physical copy of to keep! ~ Renee Pinkston (Reviewer), NetGalley
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. I found this book rather beautiful. Maria creates a friendly, cosy intimate reminder to reconnect with your senses and find the magic in the everyday and mundane. Whilst I'm not pagan the lesson contained within the pages to slow down, be more mindful and curious are immensely valuable to everyone who feels life is happening to them rather than them experiencing it. As someone in desperate need of a refresh and regroup this gentle book has provided that perfectly. ~ Elly Makinson (Reviewer), NetGalley
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. This is an excellent book to learn from. It is filled with common sense and ways that are gentle and rewarding I have found. One of the statements the author made was look for wisdom in the ordinary! To me that speaks volumes and this work shows it, Daily my life can seem dreary or mundane but once I started reading this I began looking for the magical in my life, Yes , I found it! Practically Pagan is written in an engaging style that reads easily and also lends itself to remembering the activities I found. Excellent and groundbreaking material that is making my life better. ~ Patrick Carmen (Reviewer), NetGalley
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. This book talks about creating our own magic by daring to live a life that prioritizes self-care, pleasure, and wellness. The author talks about how posting on her blog helped her out and to realize you don’t have to be perfect to be happy. What an eye opener!! It talks about taking away the toxic things in your life and creating room for the good and healthy things. You shouldn’t feel guilty about taking care of yourself. The chapter about self-care couldn’t have come at a better time in my personal life! The author stresses to listen to your inner voice always. We take that for granted a lot of the time in our lives. The author says that routine is soothing which I never thought about it like this before. Great book! ~ Heather Addai (Educator), NetGalley
This book delivered exactly what the title promised: an alternative guide to magical living. For those getting started with paganism, witchcraft, and magical living, it can be hard to determine where to start. I remember finding everything too overwhelming and feeling inclined to turn away when things got too complicated. The author, Maria DeBlassie, shares some of her experiences with paganism, and they invite readers to engage in introspection while working on a spiritual routine that works for them. If the world of pagan spiritualism has ever seemed inaccessible to you before, this is the best book to start with. It is not packed with info-dumps, and it allows you to take your time with the craft. I highly recommend it! ~ Agnese Palumbo (Reviewer) , NetGalley
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Practically Pagan by Maria DeBlassie is outstanding! This book contains so much wisdom and practical knowledge. As a self-proclaimed witch, this book was like a breath of fresh air! It was never dull and it had a light-hearted and humorus tone which spoke to many of the topics the author covered. Practically Pagan was absolutely AMAZING! And because of that, I give this book 5 ⭐ ~ Ryker Nicholson (Reviewer), NetGalley
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Practically pagan an alternative guide to magical living by Maria DeBlassie is a good book for the witch who is interested in introspection and learning to make everyday a magical experience and everyday tasks rituals. There are a lot of self reflection questions and ideas in this book to help the reader know what they should be asking themselves. ~ Samantha Piña (Reviewer) , NetGalley
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. What a great book! I cannot wait to assign it to my students. I appreciate the author's inclusion of social justice issues along with magical perspectives. Beautifully written as well. ~ AnaLouise Keating (Educator), NetGalley
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.....I believe this book will appeal to anyone just starting out on their spiritual journey or anyone who is already well versed but is looking for basic review or maintenance/motivation. Some concepts discussed were mindfulness, looking for magic in everyday living, the importance of healthy, self fulfilling self care, among others. I loved how the author went beyond the typical "easy" self-care and pointed out how self-care is also about enriching yourself, such as cutting down on processed sugar and ensuring there are no toxic relationships in your life. Self-care isn't always easy, but important. It goes beyond bubble baths and relaxation techniques. The author also adds in personal stories. I appreciated how the author discusses how her culture and journey affects her practice with magic. I appreciated this as a reminder that everyone's perceptions will be different based on our own experiences. She also touched briefly on culture appropriation, which is something that I feel isn't shown enough. In fact, I would have loved to read more about this.... ~
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. When I decided to read this book I didn't expect for it to give me cause to reflect, but it did. I very much enjoyed learning about the author Maria DeBlassie, she gave me many points throughout the book to pause, think and reflect. I finished reading this book with a new perspective, the magic of the every day, from traffic jams giving us a reason to slow down, to washing providing time to reflect in an almost meditative way, I feel I've learned to live a little slower, tune into what is going on around me a little more and pick up on the natural cues all around me. Thank you! ~ Chris Hannah-MarsdenMarsden (Reviewer), NetGalley