I enjoyed reading this. The writing style was good and instructive. I felt that I got new knowledge from this that I did not know before.

This book is so full of hands on ritual, spells, and experiments and it makes the perfect book of practice versus theory and reading. I appreciate how quick this one is to push you to actually do work versus just read about it and contemplate work. A must have for anyone interested in witchcraft and workings!

NetGalley Review

a well worth the purchase. I valued the honest and transparency of the author. Great for those wanting to learn a lot of honest history, and the author sites and also recommended books to further research if that topic sparked interest.

Not a personal favorite but worth the purchase

Ooops, I chose the wrong book for review. I haven't read this one yet, will edit once I have!!

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I lobe everything about this book/ journal! It's hands on and makes you actually do the magic rather than just read about it. I want to get a physical copy of it

Very useful for those wishing to start their journey. Accessible, engaging. The cover is also really nice. Hopefully they keep it, the artist knew what aesthetic to aim for

I found this book to have more of an extended glossary/short encyclopedia feel to it, which was not exactly what I was personally hoping for. I am new to delving into witchcraft topics, so I tend to like my beginner books a bit more digestible - which is a reflection of my preference and level. I found that this read touched on to many topics too quickly or for too short amount of space to help me organize my thoughts around a topic well. I think this read could be great for a beginner that is trying to learn about many different topics and then choose which to further research.

Thank NetGalley for the ARC of this read.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

It was a great book! I really enjoyed the author's writing and how the book was structured.

I like the way the author separated the book into parts of the body. It helped me to think of the topics involved with witchcraft in a different light. I enjoyed that her writing gave you the information you needed, but was succinct and to the point, with no flowery language that tends to be in these types of books. I can definitely see this as a fantastic reference for anyone who is working on their craft, including myself.

I really enjoyed this book!
The writing style, the information and the journal prompts - All are done so well.
Practical information that gets you started with your own practice and i really like that she makes it sound all so easy and joyful.
She also gives an introduction and background to so many of the concepts and ideas in witchcraft - so i found this to be a good reference book to understand the different terms and they exactly are.
I recommend this to a beginner and even a more experienced reader - I wish this was one of my first books i'd read when getting interested in this subject.

I added it to my NetGalley requests, procrastinated reading it, and then was truly blown away and impressed. As an avid reader and practitioner of the craft, it's always a delight to stumble upon a book that not only informs but empowers. "Witchcraft Discovered" by Josephine Winter is one such gem, a brand-new title fresh from Llewellyn that I had the privilege of exploring through a NetGalley ARC. I have added it to my top five recommendations for new witches. This is a solid text for new practitioners.

Witchcraft Discovered by Josephine Winter is an excellent resource for Witches or witchcraft curious individuals looking for a book that includes a lot of practical try it yourself style exercises. Fans of Psychic Witch and witchcraft theory and Practice may also enjoy this title.

A great book for beginners but also a book that can supply some new ideas or hints.
Well written and easy to follow
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is a hands-on, jump in and get started, guide to beginning witchcraft. Witchcraft is not a minorly covered subject in metaphysics, but there can be a lot of exposition without a lot of encouragement to get your feet wet. (As someone with ADHD, I love these books, but I don't get a lot of real world use out of them.) Or to the other end of the spectrum, there are a good number of silly books that don't add anything to the current dialogue. (But they are usu fun.) Witchcraft Discovered by Josephine Winter doesn't fall into either of those categories. It's about doing, not dreaming.

It is divided into three main parts: Head, Hands, and Heart with a finishing chapter in a fourth section (Going Deeper.)

Head - gets into the history of witchcraft, discussion of paganism and witchcraft, different definitions, a nice bit on cultural appropriation and how to be respectful, the elements, the wheel of the year, etc.

Hands - is all about energy. This is what the draw is for many of us. Changing our energy to feel better than when we started. Can also be an ADHD bog, but she keeps this section moving right along with exercises and journal prompts. (I love the trend of bringing writing into the fore of praxis.)

Heart - the third section gets into the fun stuff. The tools, techniques, rituals, and spells. A quick run-through on divination with well-written sections on runes (witches and trad) and tarot.

In the fourth section, she gives parting words about going forward and the most extensive bibliography I've ever seen (including tweets??). There's a lot of discussion about record-keeping. The bibliography shows that she herself must be marvelously well-organized. I also liked the timeline of witchy books thru the decades, 1960s-present.

Just a wonderful effort and an important addition to the community.

As someone who has practiced witchcraft in the mid-1990s, I have read more than my fair share of “Witchcraft 101” books, and I have often thought we do not need any more. They regurgitate the same information, often inaccurately, and add little to the overall magical discourse. So I wasn’t initially all that enthused about reading “Witchcraft Discovered” by Josephine Winter, but I added it to my NetGalley requests, procrastinated reading it, and then was truly blown away and impressed. As an avid reader and practitioner of the craft, it's always a delight to stumble upon a book that not only informs but empowers. "Witchcraft Discovered" by Josephine Winter is one such gem, a brand-new title fresh from Llewellyn that I had the privilege of exploring through a NetGalley ARC. I have added it to my top five recommendations for new witches. This is a solid text for new practitioners.

"Witchcraft Discovered" primarily caters to newer practitioners, though it contains valuable insights that could be of interest to more seasoned witches. The core thesis of this book is clear and compelling: it aims to encourage new practitioners to move beyond theory and actually practice witchcraft. In a world brimming with endless information, Winter offers a refreshing perspective that emphasizes the importance of action.

In a vast sea of witchcraft literature, "Witchcraft Discovered" stands out as a beacon of clarity and practicality. It's a book that gently debunks myths, explains concepts, and encourages readers to roll up their sleeves and engage with the craft actively. While there are many excellent books on witchcraft, Winter's unique blend of scholarship and accessibility makes this a standout choice, particularly for new witches.

The book is structured in four parts, echoing the “Magic, Ritual, and Enchantment for Head, Hands, and Heart” of the title. Each part contributes to a holistic understanding of witchcraft:

1. Head: This section provides essential background information, dispelling myths and misconceptions while offering an updated history of witchcraft. Winter's approach is scholarly, focusing on accuracy—a quality sometimes lacking in earlier pagan 101 books.

2. Hands: The practical exercises in this section are the heart of the book. The emphasis is on providing new witches with tangible activities to engage in, promoting a hands-on approach to learning.

3. Heart: This section, while a bit less defined, delves into deeper aspects of witchcraft. I think that these could all be lumped into the “Hands” section, so this is where I think that the breakdown, well, breaks down. Winter takes readers through various aspects of witchcraft, including tools, the magic circle, magic/ritual/spellcraft, divination, and herbs and plant magic. The information given is good; I just think the inclusion in the “Heart” section is arbitrary.

4. Going Deeper: This extra section offers additional insights and resources for those hungry to explore further.

As alluded to earlier, one of the book's most significant contributions to the world of Witchcraft 101 is its commitment to updated history and a focus on accuracy—two aspects often lacking in earlier pagan 101 books. While classics like Scott Cunningham and Silver RavenWolf hold a special place in many of our hearts, Winter's approach adds a layer of credibility that is essential for modern practitioners. She references both old and new texts, meticulously sorting through a wealth of information to present readers with a well-rounded perspective. And bless her for explaining the rise of sabbat names like Mabon and Litha. (She stays neutral, but I will just say; I hate those names!)

As an Australian Alexandrian witch with decades of experience, brings a distinct voice and perspective to the book. Her background as a special educator and teacher-librarian shines through, making the content accessible and easy to grasp. Her conversational style engages readers, inviting them to explore the craft with curiosity and confidence while still offering citations, sources, and suggestions for further reading.

I have received an this arc from netgalley and publisher in an exchange for an honest review.

I have always been drawn to witchcraft and magic from when I was a little girl. I am a beginner and wanted to learn what all it entailed. This author shows you different practices of witchcraft and the definitions of what they mean.

I found this book very helpful with the exercises and questions she asked before the chapters and answered them at the end. I struggle with focusing and keeping my mind calm and this book showed what measures it takes to relax.

I found this book informative of all the different kinds of practices and everyone chooses their own path and what works for you. This book you can keep by your side and look back to find the answers you are looking for. She doesn't get into everything in full detail, but she recommends books and authors to read more about what intrigues you.

Overall, this book got my foot in the door of learning the basics of witchcraft.

EN: I am pleased to share my thoughts on "Witchcraft Discovered," a book that delves into the intriguing world of witchcraft, with a particular focus on the perspective of Wicca, as the author is part of traditional Wicca.

This book has several positive aspects, especially for those taking their first steps:

Pros:
- I was impressed by the abundance of practical exercises it offers, making it ideal for beginners. These exercises gradually empower the practitioner, promoting their independence.
- The inclusion of numerous examples for each topic was an aspect I greatly appreciated. This made the content more accessible, as I often found I could identify with at least one of the examples.
- The comprehensiveness of this book is notable. It covers a wide range of topics and includes useful lists of correspondences and meanings, making it a valuable reference tool.

However, there are some less positive aspects to consider:

Cons:
- The book may create some confusion when addressing the concepts of being a witch, Wiccan, pagan, and druid. The mixing of the meanings of these concepts can confuse and mislead those seeking clarity.
- It is important to emphasize once again that this book is more geared towards beginners. More experienced readers may not find significant value in it.

In summary, I thoroughly enjoyed reading "Witchcraft Discovered." I identified with the author's personality and informal writing style. However, I would recommend this book primarily to those who are just beginning their journey into the world of witchcraft and Wicca. It is a useful tool for those looking to start their journey in these topics but may not meet the needs of more experienced practitioners.

I want to express my gratitude to Llewellyn Publications and the NetGalley website for providing this eBook. The opportunity was truly appreciated.



PT: Tenho o prazer de partilhar a minha opinião sobre "Witchcraft Discovered", um livro que mergulha no intrigante mundo da bruxaria, com um enfoque particular na perspetiva da Wicca, já que a autora faz parte da Wicca tradicional.

Este livro tem vários pontos positivos, especialmente para quem está a dar os primeiros passos:

Prós:
- Fiquei impressionada com a quantidade de exercícios práticos que oferece, tornando-o ideal para iniciantes. - Esses exercícios gradualmente capacitam o praticante, promovendo a sua independência.
- A inclusão de inúmeros exemplos para cada tópico foi um aspecto que valorizei muito. Isso tornou o conteúdo mais acessível, já que muitas vezes pude identificar-me com pelo menos um dos exemplos.
- A abrangência deste livro é notável. Ele cobre uma ampla gama de temas e inclui listas úteis de correspondências e significados, tornando-o uma ferramenta valiosa para consulta.

Contudo, há algumas menos positivas a ter em conta:

Contras:
- O livro pode gerar alguma confusão ao abordar os conceitos de ser bruxo, wiccano, pagão e druida. A mistura do significado desses conceitos podem baralhar e induzir em erro quem procura clareza.
- É importante salientar mais uma vez que este livro é mais direcionado para iniciantes. Leitores mais experientes podem não encontrar um valor significativo nele.

Resumindo, gostei bastante da leitura de "Witchcraft Discovered". Identifiquei-me com a personalidade e a escrita informal da autora. No entanto, gostaria de recomendar este livro principalmente a quem está a dar os primeiros passos no mundo da bruxaria e da Wicca. É uma ferramenta útil para quem deseja iniciar a sua jornada nesses temas, mas pode não atender às necessidades de praticantes mais experientes.
Quero expressar a minha gratidão à Llewellyn Publications e ao site NetGalley por disponibilizarem este eBook. A oportunidade foi verdadeiramente apreciada.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is absolutely perfect for beginners! It goes through all the important, beginner friendly topics, not too briefly, and if a certain thing interests you, the author gives suggested reading on each element discussed.
Even though the author herself is Wiccan, she emphasizes that witchcraft is not a religion, and that everyone's path is different so you should do what feels right to you.
I appreciate that topics important in today's world, such as closed practices and cultural appropriation are brought up and discussed as well.

Great Book of Information

The author discusses various practices of witchcraft, expanding upon the fact that she was initiated into Alexandrian Wicca, which has specific rites and practices that are done within the context of a coven.

Josephine Winter points out the difference between operative versus ritual witchcraft by stating that some of today’s witches and pagans tend to do both of these types of witchcraft in different amounts. She states that operative witchcraft refers to rituals and workings done with the intention of altering the external universe in some way using :
• Spells and Charms
• Self-Work or Self-Care
• Curses and Banishing
• Blessings
• Divination

On the other hand, she states that ritual witchcraft refers to the rituals and workings done to bring us closer to deity, to benefit deity, or to alter the relationship between human and deity (or spirits) in some way through:
• Prayers and Devotionals
• Rituals and Celebrations
• Meditation and Pathworking

The author discusses the traditions and practices of various types of witchcraft. She provides practical exercises and basic skill entries to get you actually doing the thing rather than just reading about. Additionally, she has included journal prompts as suggestions to get you writing and reflecting on your thinking about witchcraft, your research, and your practice.

She discusses many aspects of the moon, the sun, and the planets in great detail as they relate to Wicca and witchcraft.

She provides exercises for self-awareness, self-enrichment, and for spiritual enhancement purposes. To top it out, she includes several recipes, examples of amulets and talismans, and information on basically mant aspects of witchcraft. This is a very indepth book containing information for not only beginners, but as well for advance practitioners. Great library addition. Highly recommend.

There is something for everyone in this informative and rather fun book. Lots of exercises and little 'projects' to do that will certainly appeal to the beginner, and practical theory for witches, pagans, and Wiccans.

Thanks to NetGalley for my review copy.

3 and a half stars, rounded up.