This was such a cool read. I love learning about astrology, tarot, and other ways to improve yourself through meditation and spirituality.

I really enjoyed The Maker’s Guide to Magic by Andrea Hannah. Hannah approaches the craft in a way that I feel would be relatable and easy to understand for folks new on the path. That being said, there was a good bit more “newbie” information than I expected for what doesn’t necessarily feel like an “introduction to magic” topic. I think I expected a bit more advanced knowledge and tips for established witchy folk.
But don’t get me wrong- this was a solid read and one I’ll be recommending to newer witches as it gives some brilliant suggestions for how to incorporate magic into your creative time. As a working artist, I appreciate the thoughts on the various ways to incorporate magic into every bit of your process, helping you break through creative barriers and really tune into your process in an intentional way.

4/5 stars; highly recommended for creative witches, especially those new to the path or stuck in a rut.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Publishes, & Andrea Hannah for the opportunity to review an advance copy of this book.

It's a very knowledgeable book. I do recommend this book as a source of information. I am glad I had the opportunity to read this one.

This was a really interesting book! I love the connection to creativity and the magic of the world. Easy to follow, this book breaks down all the steps needed to inspire you in your creative life and the world of magic.

I liked the title of this book; it fits well with the idea of magic and crafters. This book and its subjects are very approachable and easy to read; it is always nice when an author seeks to make something that can be daunting into something easy. I can see this book working for a wide variety of people and because the topics are so varied, there is a little something for everyone.

This book was super informative & covers a beginner's guide into magical tools & practices such as astrology, tarot cards, oracle decks, nature, and elements. I decided to DNF this because I’m already very familiar with these topics and wasn’t gaining more insight from the book once I was nearly through the Tools section. I was looking for a more niche focus on creatives and while some of that was in there it was not as deep a focus as I wanted. I think this would be a great book for someone who has an interest in learning more about modern magical practices & looking for foundational information.

I got a lot more out of this book than I expected. I would also so that this is a great book for beginners looking to unleash creativity through a communication with the cosmos.

Throughout the book, Andrea Hannah takes the time to define magic and create an association to that and creativity. Through this, she discusses how each person delving into the practice should focus on their own uniqueness, how to focus on a path, and ways to get into better connection with your own personal magic. Topics ranged from opening and focusing on personal aspects such as creating a channel, learning to tune in and take action, and then how and what to do with the garnered wisdom to the ways to use tools and rituals.

If you have ever wanted to delve into the creativity and tools that have long been available to those that seek them out, then this is a great book to get started with as you begin your journey.


Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's for the dARC of this work in exchange for my honest review.

If you love rituals or tarot, or anything in that realm and you’re a creative this is a great add to your collection. There are one or two ways I plan to incorporate what’s in here and it definitely lit my mind on fire when it comes to ways I want to practice my creativity.

I had requested this book among a spree in this genre, and while it took me quite some time to get around to reading it, I’m so incredibly glad that I did. So far, this is the standout of the bunch that I’ve read so far. The introduction…oof, right in the feels. Really resonant for any one who engages in creative pursuits. I love the unique way of viewing magic and weaving it with creativity. I am inspired and recharged because I engaged with this book and got so much from it.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Essentials for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I had requested this book among a spree in this genre, and while it took me quite some time to get around to reading it, I’m so incredibly glad that I did. So far, this is the standout of the bunch that I’ve read so far.

There are certain types of magic discussed in the book that I’m more familiar with, but if there’s one piece of advice that the author gives that I am grateful that I took, and highly recommend that you also take, it would be to keep an open mind, especially, if there’s some kind of magic that you are less familiar with or even might not think much of.

Hannah takes us through how magic works in her life, and breaks it down in ways that make it understandable even for beginners, without dumbing it down. She also talks about tarot, astrology, and oracles, as well as the importance of developing ritual in creative practice. I loved how she broke down tarot, and stressed how helpful it is to use your own insight when reading tarot, as well as your own experiences with the cards.

Don’t judge, but before I read this, I was a bit skeptical of astrology. This book delves into astrology by having us create a natal chart using a (free) website based on the date, time, and place of our birth. That information is then used to determine various characteristics. I was blown away by how much information I was able to learn based on this chart, and how much of it was on point. She also offers a more in depth section for people who are more knowledgable about astrology.

Throughout the book she offers options for the reader to journal responses and thoughts about certain questions. While this is undoubtedly helpful to the newbie, it can also be helpful to experienced practitioners to see things through a different perspective or even refresh things from a beginners point of view. Overall, this is a fantastic book, and it’s one that I’ll definitely be using as a resource in the future.

I found so much to enjoy in this guide. Andrea Hannah's view of "making" isn't limited to artists and content creators; she expands "creating" to include the things we all do on a daily basis to build the world around us and define our place in it. In this sense, we are all creating all the time.

This book reminds us that creation is not a single thing done by a single person. It reminds us to incorporate the energies and the tools around us, to invoke forces both seen and unseen in our process… In short, to make magic.

Although I am not an artist or a content creator, I found comfort and inspiration in these reminders of how to reconnect with my own magic. I was motivated to find ways to bring a little elemental magic into my workspace, which helps me to feel a bit more grounded when things around me are getting stressful.

I'm so glad I was able to read this ahead of publication and I will definitely be buying a hard copy to keep on hand for when I inevitably need to be reminded again.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Maker’s Guide to Magic

At first I wasn’t sure that I was the target audience, because I don’t think of myself as creative, and I’m not really a “maker” but I decided to take a look anyway, and I’m glad I did. The information presented in the book was useful even if you don’t think you’re creative, and it definitely opened up a new avenue of myself that I didn’t know existed.

After finishing WHERE DARKNESS BLOOMS earlier this year and having taken Andrea's Tarot for Writers class previously, I knew this was going to be insightful but I was not expecting how much this would bring me back to my own craft. A must read for any creative that practices tarot, astrology, or any other form of divination.

I am inspired and recharged because I engaged with this book and got so much from it. Through tarot, astrology, and other oracles, this book explains how to find your greatest creativity. I took 21 pages of notes, played with my tarot and Oracle cards, analyzed my birth chart, and dug deep emotionally and creatively. I just loved the whole experience and would recommend getting this book for people that you love.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was well written and quite informative. I enjoyed the discussions around astrology (of which I have very little experience) and found it very beginner friendly.

If you’re looking for more information about magic and ways to use several tools along with your creativity, this book is for you. While this book provides a great starting point, it doesn’t go too deeply into any one area which makes it a truly great way to gauge your interest and choose which you wish to peruse in more depth.

That said, this book will help get you started and allow you to include several tools your practice. A great way to expand your knowledge and take things for a spin before delving deeper.

What a useful, magical book! This was an enchanting read that will connect with many creatives. Highly recommended.

This is a great addition for anyone interested in astrology and magic. It would make a great table book display.

Great for Beginners

Andrea discusses the definition of magic and its relationship with creativity. She states that each practitioner has to discover their own unique brand of magic and how to identify it by choosing one of two paths: the path of destruction or the path of creation. Additionally, she states that there are also steps that need to be taken to hear your own magic, loud and clear, and they are:
1. Clearing the Channel
2. Tuning In
3. Taking Action
4. Distilling the Wisdom

The author discusses many aspects of magic, including tools, phases of the moon, the elements and other pertinent areas of magic. She provides information on astrology, tarots, oracles and other tools.

This is a great book for anyone desiring to learn the basic of magic. I particularly enjoyed yhe fact that the author provides quite a few rituals.

Highly recommend.

Okay, I loved this book! I’ve always had a soft spot and deep-rotted interest in all things “Magic” from tarot reading to divination. I’ve studied a variety of Wicca books over the years, practiced with rune stones, and kept sleep journals. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘳’𝘴 𝘎𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘔𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤 has it all!

Andrea Hannah does a fantastic job in connecting personal growth and creativity with “Magic.” Covering topics such as nature magic, moon phases, candles, tarot, elements, astrology, and so many others, she makes valid opinions and firm discussions about the importance of utilizing tools to guide your hands. So many topics are broken down into easy to follow sections that provide prompts and exercises that will help you find new and fresh ways to explore yourself and the “Magic” around us in mindful ways.

This guide is a wonderful tool itself for guidance into the world of the magic. Both beginners and seasoned practitioners can benefit from this wealth of knowledge.

𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚. 𝙈𝙮 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙞𝙨 𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙮.