This was the first book I've come across focusing on folklore and witchcraft solely in "the new world". This was very comprehensive and offered over 500 intriguing stories & lessons on folklore and witchcraft. The author clearly did a ton of research and that's reflected in the meticulously presented information. Very interesting!

New World Witchery: A Trove of North American Folk Magic by Cory Thomas Hutcheson

553Pages
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications, Llewellyn Worldwide
Release Date: April 8, 2021

Nonfiction (Adult), Religion, Spirituality, Folklore, North American, Magic, Rituals

The book is divided into the following chapters parts with exercises, and practical work.

First Rite: Naming
Second Rite: Initiation
Third Rite: Casting the Spell
Fourth Rite: Second Sight
Fifth Rite: Flight
Sixth Rite: Chewing the Root
Seventh Rite: The Familiar
Eighth Rite: Hallowing the Ground
Ninth Rite: Calling the Moon
Tenth Rite: Working the Charm
Eleventh Rite: Necromancy
Twelfth Rite: Invisibility


The author has a conversational style of writing. Since I share a birthday with Margaret Hamilton, the Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz, I am always tickled to see her mentioned. I appreciate the author’s comments on magic being neutral. Some people get caught up in white or black and good vs bad. Magic is up to the practitioner, and I was glad to see him mention that fact. I also like that he states you do not need to purchase magical tools and a fancy book. This is a great book for anyone new to the practice looking for alternative to Raymond Buckland’s Big Blue Book.

This is a wonderful book that is somewhat anthropological in nature. There are tons of books about the history of witchcraft in the Old World (Europe) but not much about the witchcraft practices of the New World (USA). The author sets out to find and examine the many examples of witchcraft in the US, as well as how we can adapt them to fit in with our practice. This book is a reference to cherish for life.

What is a fascinating collection of new American tradition in folklore tied to witchcraft and witches. This isn’t a book that I thought I would see this soon however I enjoyed reading it and thought it had a lot of very interesting tidbits packed into it. It seems like the author knows what they’re talking about and I think this collection will be one that people read for a very long time.

As a fan of New World Witchery's podcast and Cory Hutchenson's work in general, I came into this book with high expectations and I can genuinely say they were all met. Woven between the histories of folkloric witchcraft and customs are stories, rituals, and ways to dive deeper and meditate on the subject. Digging deep, Cory also discusses the folk traditions that are largely not considered witchcraft - some even related to scripture and biblical stories - as practiced both historically and in our modern world in places like the Appalachia Mountains. I've definitely discovered a few of my family's old remedies and recipes tie in to deeper roots and I love the doors that has opened.

I highly recommend New World Witchery, both for witches looking to deepen their understanding of many of the customs and cultures that feed modern witchcraft, as well as open minded individuals who want to take a walk through the magical side of history.

I’ve always enjoyed New World Witchery (the podcast). Here, Cory Hutcheson addresses some of the same subjects, plus more.

The title alone excites. So many works on folk magic focus on Europe and the British Isles. It’s great to see a shift in focus towards the traditions on the left of the Atlantic. It’s also much appreciated by us American witches!

North America’s magical traditions speak to the unique history of the continent. Hutcheson doesn’t shy away from the painful aspects of that history.

We’ve recently seen a (welcome) acknowledgement of colonialism’s psychic trauma. New World Witchery discusses this, and provides resources for further exploration.

This book does mention live animal sacrifice. It’s such a ubiquitous feature of ancient (and some modern) religions. I would’ve found the book incomplete without some mention of it.

The details on it that the author provides are appropriate. New World Witchery doesn’t give any how-to information for animal sacrifice, of course. Still, expect to learn a lot about its history in America.

This book mentions corpses (human) too. For millennia, locks of hair, bits of clothing, etc, have all connected sorcerers to their dearly departed. This book discusses the historical role corpses have played in North American magic. Hutcheson writes respectfully and with nuance, doing justice to this serious topic.

The author admits that magic can veer a person into strange situations. Hutcheson willing dives into the spooky stuff. This is fitting in a book about North American traditions, so many of which connect with local High Strangeness experiences. Mothman wants you to read this book, in other words. I asked him.

I love the author’s look at how secular North American holidays might relate to magical timing. The book also raises questions about the origins of magical materials, like gemstones. I would like to see this topic expounded upon by other authors - I think we, as a community, need to talk about this more.

There’s a lot of folklore in this book - spells, formulas, charms, leaving me with quite the appetite for it. I realize that much more would’ve made the book massive, though. Hutcheson provides ample sources for further reading.

The author’s treatment of recent New World occult phenomena interests me most of all. The book includes instructions for a classic creepypasta game hailing from online haunts. This brought me fond memories of life online in the illustrious mid-2000s. As online occult spaces become increasingly relevant, I love seeing authors address it. This book’s a gem.

Some will question the author’s choice to include a chapter on the Satanic Panic. I find it apt, timely, and important. We currently see the resurgence of a new such fear outbreak, spurred by the likes of Qanon and Pizzagate. Hutcheson shows how modern conspiracy theories often copy older blood libel legends. Not a fun thing to read about, but definitely important!

This is more than a collection of folktales and rituals from the Americas. New World Witchery gives us a vivid, dynamic picture of America’s psychic landscape. I give this book five out of five stars. It’s available from most online book retailers, and I highly recommend it!

Great resource for new to the world of witchcraft and valuable for well seasoned. Thoroughly enjoyable and great foundation.

Very interesting and a book filled with much info. One of the most comprehensive collections of witchcraft and folk magic ever written, New World Witchery shows you how to integrate folk traditions into your life and deepen your understanding of magic. Well worth the read.

I really enjoyed this book! I am starting to venture into folk magic and this is an easy to read and super comprehensive book. A great place to start if you’re looking to get to your folk roots.

Excellent text with comprehensive historical information and exhaustive research on the topic. I highly recommend this text to anyone interested in learning more about this history.

I was supposed to finish the book. I really tried so many times to read this one but it was never for me. Though the first few parts that i've read is somehow interesting. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me an opportunity to read this book.

This was such a hood and extensive compilation of folk magic practices. As a witch whose practice is deeply impacted by the spirit of place and folklore of our region I always love to read about other’s takes on folk magic practices. I particularly enjoyed the highlights of other practitioners as that showed the variety in practices, yet also the similarities between them.

As someone very interested in folk magic this book is fantastic! It’s easy to read and incredibly comprehensive. This would be good for beginner and seasoned practitioners alike.

Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for the advanced e-reader copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

A fantastic book about North American Folk Magic! It is incredibly comprehensive and easy to read. It covers practically everything you need to know to get started in this type of magic. I loved that it is packed with stories, rituals, how to gather or create supplies you need, and so much more. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is interested in North American Folk Magic.

This is an excellent book for beginners and experienced practitioners alike. It's incredibly comprehensive and I found it to be highly entertaining as well. I would definitely recommend this one to anyone who is interested in learning about North American Folk Magic.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

First up, I LOVE the cover of this one. On to my review...I enjoyed this one a lot! It was super interesting, full of magical folklore stories. It also had spells and rituals sprinkled throughout. That said, this isn't a sit down and read cover to cover type of book. More the type of book you pick and savour in bits and pieces.

**ARC Via NetGalley**

Truth be told, it had me at "Folklore". Talk to me about myths, lore, customs and such and I'm yours. Honestly, I can't get enough of all things magical including Hoodoo and other root practice that have found their way deeply woven into the fabric of our lives. This gem provides so much on the historical and social contexts of the origins of witchcraft practice and then comes full steam ahead to today and the "how's" and "why's" we do what we do as well as touching on what we shouldn't.

The conversational tone the author uses in his writing is warm and inviting. I have not listened to the podcast (yet!) but I can see why he has the following he does. This book has been well researched and the recommended reading alone is a wealth of information for further work. This is not a quick read filled with step by step rituals that someone can jump into, but rather a well rounded offering of history with a sprinkling of ethics so that the reader can take what resonates with them and incorporate it into THEIR own practice.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Llewellyn for this ARC. All opinions expressed are authentically my own.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve been a fan of the New World Witchery podcast for years. I love how Corey and Laine would break down their subjects and give funny, sometimes cute, but always knowledgeable takes. When I heard that Corey had written a book, I was stoked. Let me tell you, it didn’t disappoint.
Have you ever wanted to take a class in folklore? Here's your textbook. It's ridiculously well researched and somehow still imminently readable! I’m not going to lie; I could hear Corey’s voice while I was reading. That was a great added bonus.
The book was light on the witchy side. What I mean by that, is that it’s not your typical New Age resource with boatloads of spells and grimoire tips. The typical witch stuff that is included is more along the lines of self-reflection. Mind you, I’m not complaining in the least. New World Witchery is dense with information. If you want to get some background in your craft, I highly recommend this book.

The pile of books on my desk is slowly shrinking as I pump out more book reviews. I promise I have more I want to talk about than books, but honestly, books have kind of been the only thing on my mind lately. Reading is one of those things I do to escape; that, and playing World of Warcraft which I have been doing a lot of lately. But I digress. Yesterday afternoon I finished New World Witchery: A Trove of North American Folk Magic by Cory Thomas Hutcheson. When I read the title for a potential review, I knew immediately this was a book I needed to read and one my readers would appreciate as well. I was not wrong.

There were so many amazing things in this book that I am not even sure where to start. First, Hutcheson takes a stance to use feminine pronouns throughout the book when referring to witches, his reasoning being women are often underrepresented in literature. He goes on to explain that men are also witches, and by using the pronouns she/her he is not neglecting this fact. I appreciated this. Representation matters! Furthermore, he takes a stance against cultural appropriation, stating that while he is sharing information from a vast number of different practices and cultures, that does not mean they are necessarily yours to take. I said "Yes, yes, yes!!!" while reading this section of the book and my boyfriend was like, "You're clearly giving that one a good review!" and he's right. It isn't about being "woke" or a "sheep" or "PC" to recognize bias and cultural appropriation when we see it; it's the right thing to do because cultural appropriation hurts other cultures. Later, Hutcheson encourages readers not to use the word "smudge" and to find cultural alternatives to white sage and Palo Santo due to their cultural roots and the environmental damage being done to mass market these products. He sticks to his guns throughout the book, being sure to reiterate his points often.

The book is divided up into thirteen rites, because, witchery! Within each rite are a number of chapters discussing different practices, folklore, historical documents, and lessons pertaining to that rite all within North America, mostly the United States, but some from Canada and Mexico. He covers everything from defining "witch" using folklore to help support his definition, to spell casting, divination, familiars, shapeshifting, and witch flight. Obviously, my favorite sections were on witch flight, familiars, shapeshifting, and spirits, all of which came with some amazing folktales from all over North America and fantastic lessons at the end. In some cases, he compares North American tales to those found in Europe, showing how they changed once immigrants moved to the colonies. Every chapter includes amazing footnotes with additional explanations and suggested readings at the very end. I walked away with a huge list of books I need to eventually check out to learn more. With the suggested readings he explains what he liked about the books and why he is suggesting them. His insight helped me decide if a book should be placed on my list of books to read immediately or if it was something I could get around to eventually. I appreciate his insight. Each chapter also includes "The Work" and "Dirt Beneath the Nails." "The Work" is about things you should be working on generally speaking, while "Dirt Beneath the Nails" is active lessons Hutcheson encourages you to do. These active lessons are almost always a spell or ritual, to help you get practicing right away. My favorite rituals were the ritual to meet the Devil, the ritual to meet the Man in Black, and the ritual to build a shapeshifting mask and use it. These are three rituals I have stored away from later use and I will be making my own mask very, very soon. Don't be afraid though. Hutcheson provides ways to protect yourself, break spells, and remove vows should you change your mind. Furthermore, the Devil referred to here is more like the Witch Father, if you believe in him.

Hutcheson covers the Spiritualist movement in the United States which I ate up like candy. In college, I wrote a lengthy paper about how Spiritualism inspired Charles Dickens and shows up in his writing. There is a reason I have a cat named Charles Dickens. Haha! Needless to say, the history he covers here and the sources he used were fascinating. He also takes a pro-talking board stance which I greatly appreciated. Prior to the film The Exorcist, talking boards or spirit boards were commonly used without any negative reports. For some reason, people let that movie completely change how they perceived spirit work, and now we have a large number of witches that have convinced themselves spirit boards open portals and are evil. Hint, hint, they are not in any way shape or form. You've tricked yourself into believing Christian propaganda.

Finally, Hutcheson promotes localized witchcraft, encouraging the reader to use herbs, crystals, and other magical ingredients found close to home. He mentioned contacting your local spirits, developing a relationship with plants near your home, and keeping your local environment clean. Several of the "The Work" sections encourage the reader to research local folklore and keep a journal of what you find. I adore this message, and it's one I encourage often here on my blog.

In all honesty, I have nothing negative to say about this book. Nothing. I took detailed notes while reading, and nothing I wrote down is remotely negative. That should tell you something about this book. New World Witchery: A Trove of North American Folk Magic by Cory Thomas Hutcheson is available now. I loved this book so much I am purchasing a physical copy to return to later. This will be one I use time and time again and one I cannot help but highly recommend.

It's an informative, well researched and interesting book. I learned a lot about this type of folk magic and made me wish to learn more.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine