This book was incredibly interesting to say the least, however it’s not a guide to practicing magic and spells. This book more dives into the history and the background information surrounding folklore and folklore practices.

I think if you’re looking for the former, you’ll be disappointed with this book, but I found it interesting because it was an area that I knew little of

I was delighted to discover the wealth of history, story, and knowledge Hutcheson packed into this book! I appreciated the focus on North American craft, while still hearkening back to the roots of various practices -- ranging from Mountain Witchcraft to Hoodoo and so many others! I loved the way this book highlighted so many common themes and practices surrounding witches, lore, and the craft that have woven their way throughout our lives from cultures all around the world.

Hutcheson explores several occult traditions which have been rooted in America, and provides history, and knowledge in an authentic way. I enjoyed the way this book highlighted many common themes and practices surrounding witches, lore, and the craft that have become a part of our lives from other cultures. It was also nice to see Hutcheson go the extra mile by adding some recommending reading suggestions at the end of each chapter. The “dirt under the nails” was also a fun addition.

New World Witchery: A Trove of North American Folk Magic by Cory Thomas Hutcheson is an intriguing read that is full of tips and tricks with lots of useful information. A book I am sure to read again and again.

This was a must-read for anyone who practices or is interested in witchcraft. I loved how packed full of information this book was. A wonderful resource for beginners or those more experienced!

Book Review: New World Witchery by Cory Thomas Hutcheson

I’d like to begin by saying that Hutcheson’s book New World Witchery is a wonderful read if you are a fan of folklore and folk practices. However, if you are looking for a book to teach you witchcraft, this is not that type of book.

That being said, I feel that New World Witchery is an important read as it is a deep dive into the various practices that exist in North America. The topic of folk practices, not all of them necessarily called witchcraft though it is categorized similarly in the book, is a sensitive one as the Americas has a deep-rooted history of colonialism and cultural appropriation. Hutcheson is explicit about the intent of the book as one to jump-start further research into folklore and folk practices and addresses the issue of cultural appropriation very early on. He also discusses the ethics of using materials used in closed practices, using smudging as an example. He goes into the question of ethics surrounding the use of white sage and how it impacts the indigenous community by asking questions such as “Is growing it ethical?”, “Are you giving back to the community in some way?”, and “Are you stealing native practices/co-opting native terms?” Making you think more critically about the reasons someone may have for using items such as white sage or dream catchers (as he mentions the mass-production of them and how little of the profits made from it benefit the communities they actually come from).

Hutcheson focuses more closely on folk beliefs on what witchcraft is in the eyes of communities like Pennsylvania Dutch practitioners, Appalachian folk practitioners, and so on rather than the more prevalent modern witchcraft movement. Because of the complex nature of various practices, Hutcheson takes a good amount of time discussing the differences and similarities present in these communities and goes on to explain that because he is using the term witch in the broader sense of the word, it does not mean that these practices are viewed as witchcraft by the members of the communities. Witchcraft then becomes more of a placeholder term to encompass the spectrum of magic used in the New World. Another thing that Hutcheson does well is the scope of practices he covers by including communities such as the Ozarks, PA Dutch Practitioners, Native American practices, Hoodoo, and the modern witchcraft movement. He goes in-depth and thoroughly explores the many avenues of lineages.

This book leans more towards academic study than most other books on witchcraft commonly found in circulation. Despite this, Hutcheson writes in such a way that makes all of the information digestible for those who aren’t used to academic literature. As far as writing style goes, Hutcheson does a wonderful job keeping the audience’s attention focused on the information presented instead of overwhelming them. To complement this, Hutcheson also includes a list of books after each chapter to help readers find more literature to explore the various topics discussed in the book. On top of all of that, he also has an extensive list of references throughout the book. Going over 300 references, Hutcheson’s research is backed by multiple texts and creates a level of transparency that is not often seen in a non-academic piece of literature, especially on witchcraft.

The only drawbacks that I noted were minuscule compared to all of the things Hutcheson does right. A couple of instances that I noted were the occasional use of Indians in reference to Native Americans, the use of dumb suppers (which can be seen as ableist to some members of the community), and the use of the term mojo bag, which is closely tied with Hoodoo and African-American practices, when something along the lines of sachet spell could have been used. But these things do little to detract from the overall quality of the book.

Overall, this book was a great read, especially for those who are interested in folklore. It can be somewhat dense, but it does not bog the readers down with too much information. Hutcheson does a wonderful job of being inclusive without oversimplifying the various practices he discusses. While there are minor instances where he could have been worded better, the information that he provides is impartial.

Overall Rating: 10/10
Would I Recommend It? Yes!

Holy snap! New World Witchery is the kind of book my teen self would have devoured, back when I really started wanting to learn more about witchcraft and lore. Recently I've been especially interested in North American witchcraft folklore, so this book appeared at the perfect time. I was delighted to discover the wealth of history, story, and knowledge Hutcheson packed into this book! I appreciated the focus on North American craft, while still hearkening back to the roots of various practices -- ranging from Mountain Witchcraft to Hoodoo and so many others! I loved the way this book highlighted so many common themes and practices surrounding witches, lore, and the craft that have woven their way throughout our lives from cultures all around the world. Incidentally, I've been recognizing some of these themes within my own witchy path in recent years, so the familiarity and recognition was a nice surprise. I think my favorite part of New World Witchery is the sections at the end of each chapter, "Dirt Under the Nails" and "The Work", which provide a wealth of ideas for integrating some of these things into your own practice (if/when appropriate) and recognizing how they may already be surfacing in your own life. This is one book I definitely want to keep on my shelves and pass down to whomever I have the honor to mentor in the future (whether that is my own children or fellow witchy folks). Just a treasure trove of discovery here. Definitely recommended for anyone interested in witchy folklore beyond the more well-known European varieties.

This is a treasure. There is a conversational tone that draws you in, comforts you and you absolutely enjoy the tea. The generosity of spirit in guiding you to other sources of information is resource gold. I have enjoyed this book, will be referring back to all that I book marked and there were wonderful coincidences for me in this read... this came up that I was reading or had just read or was about to read and it was so affirming to know this was meant to be read. Highly recommend for your library and I will look for more from this Author. Thank you for the opportunity to review.

The world of witchy books resides heavily in the pantheons and lore of the eastern half of this globe. I can’t recall another book I have seen that even made much mention of western folklore and folk magic. Of course, the author admits, this book misses the western mark a bit too, as it focuses on the stories and tales passed down on the North American continent so it isn’t even the entire “new world”. At 480 pages, that’s okay! Someone should definitely take up the gauntlet and give South American folklore focus as well.

I’ve always loved folk tales and stories and this book is a veritable treasure trove. It’s definitely a book worth having as a physical copy. I particularly liked the herbal healing stories. While there are some rituals and remedies to lace the past and present together, those aren’t really what the book is about. There is definitely fodder there for a second book to go into far greater detail on some of the information shared there. Dr. Hutcheson is a folklorist and an academic - an interesting combination - and I learned a lot. If I lived closer to Pennsylvania, I would love to take one of his college courses. In the meantime, I do enjoy listening to his podcast, New World Witchery, and recommend it.

This book is jam-packed with stories and information and still doesn’t dive deeply into any one story due to just how rich and colorful the story of North American folklore is. (The book would be 1200 pages long if it did!) There are definitely places where I was left wanting more information. Thankfully, there are recommended reading sections for every chapter with some words on what to expect to find from each recommendation, not just a strict bibliography (though there is a sizable bibliography too).

This book is not a quick read. There’s just too much to digest. It is as much a reference book as it is a storybook. While there are rituals and spells throughout that relate to the folklore shared, it’s not really a ritual or spell book so I don’t recommend getting it for that purpose. If you are interested in North American folklore and spirituality and the melting pot that helped shape it, then this book belongs on your bookshelf.

This is a comprehensive book, offering a good explanation of various topics. Recommended for beginners and more experienced alike.

An absolutely fantastic tome of knowledge! This book has it all and offers it all, with an accessible and accountable voice. There's lots of careful wording toward the ways in which traditions are used, or appropriated in some cases. There's acknowledgment of the harm that can result from improper use of herbal remedies, which is admirably responsible of the author. Honestly, I found this to be a really honest and frank discussion of the ways in which traditions have risen in our country, and how they can be looked to for inspiration in our craft. It's a fantastic resource that I intend to add to my own shelf at home, as well as my library's.

New World Witchery is an ambitious book, in which Hutcheson walks us through folklore, traditions, and rituals. I wish this was split into two separate books: one with the practical side of things and the other with the folklore. I found that chapters were slightly inconsistent in the balance between the two. This book would be amazing as just a reference guide, but I wouldn't recommend it cover to cover (also because some information gets repeated often).

This wasn't quite was I was hoping for. While I love folklore, I was hoping to see more rituals and practices. I like the different practices covered, from local to those brought in from other countries.

I really liked The Work sections, there were some great questions to ponder and meditate on.

If you're interested in American Folklore then this will be good for you.

I was excited by the concept of this book, but I didn't make it very far. It just seemed very repetitive, I felt like I read the same thing over and over again, just in different ways.

Full of bits and pieces that were helpful in my journey and practiice. Lots of folk lore and legends that were interesting to read. It's a book that I will keep fpr reference as there is plenty tolearn

Not my type of book, can be really useful to others looking for more of an American type of folk magic. Does have some good history and information.

I so enjoyed this read and it’s dive into folkloric Magick in America. Although it was a large book to get through, I enjoyed it immensely and will definitely be coming back to it in the future. In fact I’ve ordered my own hard copy! Thank you for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First Glance
As a long time witch, I’ve studied various paths and cultures to see what speaks to my spirit. American folklore and practices are, I admit, one of my blind spots. I don’t connect to any one region because of being a military brat, so I lack the personal history and ties to a place that others might find spiritually relevant. When I saw this book available for review, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to look into my own country and culture for spiritual inspiration.

Positive Bits
The premise of this book is outlined very early on: “In some ways, I am hoping that picking up this book will be like unearthing a box buried at the crossroads for you and finding it stuffed full of folkloric odds and ends – a veritable treasure trove of witchery, if you will. Each little piece will tell you something about magic, and let you put together your own picture of folkloric witchcraft here and now.” As you explore this book, it truly dives into a variety of sources, from local tribal traditions to immigrant practices from other countries that settled here. The details are also regularly tied back to the current occult movements that match them, allowing you to draw the line between past and present with ease.

I enjoyed the author’s take on magical ingredient correspondences. I’m a big fan of finding your personal connection and symbolism in magic, and they took the time to mention something they get out of each item rather than rehashing the correspondences you find in every other sourcebook. In the same section, there’s an exercise that involves looking at your favorite foods or recipes and considering what magicks they would represent based on their ingredients – which is something I’ve done before, and it’s fascinating to look at your food in a magickal light (particularly if you’re an avid cook)!

Each section has interesting tasks to try, called The Work. After you’ve been exposed to one type of magical folklore, you’re invited to explore it within your own spiritual path. Several of them contained great questions to meditate or journal on, and I found myself pausing to consider how they related to my practice. I enjoy interactivity in books, so this is a major bonus point to the book as a whole.

Less Enjoyable Bits
This book is very heavily focused on folkloric knowledge, with much smaller sections tying it back to modern witchcraft. While intriguing if you like history and folklore as topics, I found myself a bit disappointed to slug through 480 pages of folklore when I had thought there’d be more active rituals and practices to explore. Considering how often folklore related to witches dips into talk of worshipping the Devil, I found myself less interested in the information provided when it was steeped in stories from that angle.

On the flip side, there were mentions of folklore that greatly intrigued me… only to be presented in one or two sentences and then never referenced again. For example, I live near the Chehalis tribe in the Pacific Northwest, and they were mentioned in a section about moon folklore. Apparently they see the moon as masculine, but we get one note to that effect and then nothing further. Living so close to multiple tribes, I wish more Native culture had been included as part of American folklore. Too often, we treat Natives as “other” and less American than the immigrants who supplanted them.

I think this book is geared toward an audience who wants to explore American folklore and folk magic but doesn’t want to dive into research alone. If that’s your focus, then it’s a good guide to jumping off points for exploring our history. If that’s not your cup of tea, then this book is a long and difficult trek through a portion of American history.

Is it worth the coin?
No – unless what I described is what you’re looking for. It wasn’t the guide to American folk magic that I had hoped to find, but it had value for someone exploring folklore for folklore’s sake.

This book will be a wonderful addition to anyone's collection of magick studies! It is definitely a must read and keep kind of book! It is so full of information for a witch who is learning more about their studies or for anyone else that is interested in understanding about this craft.

New World Witchery does a fabulous job of explaining many different practices that have developed in North America from the traditional way of practicing in the past. It focuses on folklore, history, rituals, rites, tools, spirits, foods, and so many more topics laid out in a easy to read, organized method carried throughout the book. There are exercises included to help you put to practice what you have learned. I found the recommended reading at the end of each chapter very beneficial. Knowing what other books the author believes would be beneficial to read, helps narrow down the list.

There is just so much in this book that one read through is not enough. I will be adding a physical copy to my shelves when it is published. I am looking forward to being able to flip through the pages, highlight information, learn and to expand on my own nature-based spirituality.

Thank you so much to LLlewellyn Publications and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to discover this book and provide a review!

Fantastic collection of old and new as the author explored magic, folklore, and occult practices in America. This book would make a wonderful gift for anyone interested in magic and witchcraft, as either a practitioner or a scholar.

Thank you NetGalley and Llewellyn Publications for the opportunity to read an advance reading copy.