The definition of Traditional Witchcraft has always been problematic. Its use in referring to Traditional Wicca, Non-Wiccan Witchcraft, folk magic movements and more means that it often means something very different to each witchcraft community. So when I first saw this title I was not certain what niche it would fall into. Thankfully it didn't matter in the end. What this book has to offer stands above the definitions in many ways as a work applicable for many witches.

There were great insights here as well as practical applicable information useful for most witches. Some of the insights on rituals and practice were extremely useful for me, as a witchcraft teacher, to see a different perspective and different ways of implementing the craft. So I have added this to our recommended reading list for our class.

We offer classes in a very specific form of Traditional Witchcraft based upon English traditions but localized to Japan and Asia where we all live and practice. We integrate Japanese folk magic traditions as well as those from elsewhere in Asia and Central Asia which have influenced us over the years. Yet I found a lot of this book to be very close in beliefs to our ideas and with some very practical ideas that we could readily adopt and integrate into some of the rituals and spell work we use.

A good witch, no matter her tradition, will always seek out new ideas, ways of doing things and practical information that can transform and enhance her craft. This book is one I would recommend as a source of useful and insightful ideas.

I will be adding a hard copy edition to our school library.

A great book to think about the common topics of witchcraft. I see this more as a collection of essays and useful theory, for there are just a couple of journling prompts, but it made me see things in a very different way.

Zakroff really nails it with this book. She takes her own experiences and uses them as examples as to what can happen when you do magic. I liked the resources in the back to further read. Her foot notes made sense and didn't drone on and on. I love the cover how it looks to be hand drawn and colored. That to me adds authenticity. Would recommend.

Content wise there is good stuff and a few resources for further reading. There is a variety, more of an introduction to some further writing. A beginner/intermediate book. For me, not a book to pick up again, more for those who are on a traditional witch path.

My Review: This was a great little book that gives you essays, journaling topics, theory, and more. I really enjoyed this book in full I do wish it would have more uses than just reading but I really enjoyed the part about how to avoid Witch Wars and more. This was a very good book that I think those that are just starting and those who are advanced should read. So no fluff in this one this is a down to earth no nonsense book!

This book and it's content are very similar to the works of Scott Cunningham and Silver Raven Wolf.

The main message is to make witchcraft fit you and not being pressed into something that doesn't feel quite right.

The book reads a bit like a memoir and can be used as a work book to find your own path, write your own rituals and spells. At the end it has a great list with further recommended titles.

You are never too old to learn something new. I come from a long line of witches. We have evolved over the years and nothing is exactly as it was for the first ones. Reading this book has opened my eyes to many new experiences. Changing and renewing are part of that. There is a sentence in this book that goes something like "we are the weavers and creators". This is so true. We make who and what we are. So many subjects are touched upon. I was glad to see that Witch Wars was addressed. No one seems to want to talk about this subject or they don't realize that it is a reality. There are nine guidelines listed it his book to help prevent them. If these guides are used everyday, then it would do more than prevent them, it would make life in general easier. This is a down to earth book written in a style that anyone can understand and use. I highly recommend it. I received this book from Net Galley and Llewellyn for a honest review and no compensation otherwise.

[Book Review] Weave the Liminal

I’ve been a fan of Laura Tempest Zakroff ever since reading her book on sigil magick last year.

I heard through the grapevine about her book on Modern Traditional witchcraft. Of course, I got pretty excited.

Luckily, Netgalley was kind enough to provide an advanced reader copy of this book for me to review. I received Weave the Liminal and devoured it.

The title itself says much about Zakroff’s approach in writing this book. It isn’t call “Weaving The Liminal;” it’s “weave.”

The word choice is evocative and important. It puts the action on the reader. This book is a call to action for witches to evolve, grow, explore, and act for positive change in the world.

The book lives up to the title.

You won't find long lists of correspondences, deities, or chapters of basic spells in this book. Instead, she focuses on the nuances of being a practicing witch.

Zakroff explains her concept of witchcraft as both modern, yet traditional. You won’t find any fluffing about ancient lineages or thousand-year-old covens. She acknowledges with uncommon frankness that her tradition is not ancient.

She also explains why this doesn’t make it any less valid or effective. In a community where so many assume that older is better, this is a helpful and healthy perspective.

It examines equal parts theoretical and practical ideas. Zakroff’s work has uncommon depth.

Zakroff discusses ritual practices like circle-casting and invocation, of course. She cleverly avoids implying that these must be done in only a certain way, though. This allows readers to build their own practice, unhindered by strict expectations.

In fact, the book does not contain pre-written rituals or meditations. Instead, Zakroff focuses on giving readers a sort of toolbox. This allow them to construct their own rituals and workings. This is great to see in a beginner’s book, because

Zakroff also acknowledges atheist witches, as well as general secular witches. That’s so rare - over the past twenty years, most books on witchcraft focus only on Wicca or other theistic paths. So many people have written to me asking for secular-friendly introductory books. Now, I have one I can readily recommend!

Another great thing about this book? Zakroff is unabashedly curse-positive! She emphasizes personal responsibility in all things, both magical and mundane. She also acknowledges that baneful workings exist and can sometimes be useful.

This is an excellent message for witches both young and older. Many of us, I know, tire of the “do no harm” perspective often pushed in earlier books on Wicca and witchcraft.

Even now, twenty years after the 1990s “white witch” trend, many still claim that “real witches don’t curse.” For an author to explain otherwise is wonderful progress.

This book went way beyond my expectations. I look forward to future works by Zakroff.

And, I'd recommend Weave the Liminal to almost any witch. Intermediate and advanced witches can learn from Zakroff's unique perspective and frankness. I feel like this book says what many of us have been thinking for years.

I'd definitly recommend it to beginners. There is much to glean from no-nonsense perspective and honesty.

I award this book five out of five stars!