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Dorothy Morrison's Everyday... SeriesI first "met" Dorothy Morrison by way of her contribution to the Llewellyn Sabbat Series, "Yule." Her extensive study of the holiday, recipes, lore and homespun, casual style of writing immediate won my attention AND my affection, sparking an interest in reading more of her writing. Llewellyn did not disappoint (and neither did Morrison), delivering up three wonderful volumes of her work.
Everyday Moon Magic: Spells & Rituals for Abundant Living ISBN 0-7387-0249-8 I have read many books on the subject of moon magic, but few as concise and absolutely usable as this one. Like her other two books below, Morrison fills the pages with a plethora of wonderful and informative information, from spell work to incense recipes, to full rituals for different moon phases. Called "Lunar Enchantments," the chapter of spells is divided into moon phases and as is Morrison's style, addresses common goals (none of this "how to reattach a severed limb with Mentholatum and spit) and offers simple, yet effective and eloquent spells using items found in most kitchens or easily acquired at the corner grocery store. The author's writing style is tremendously friendly and inviting, bringing a warmth and simplicity to the Craft in a world where many are eager to put stern, frowning, dogmatic constraints on it. For this, she'll always hold a special place in my heart and on my bookshelf. An exploration of each of the 13 moon cycles of the year is offered, ("Wolf Moon," "Corn Moon" etc) as well as lore, suggested magical efforts and party ideas. Additionally, Morrison goes into the impact of the moon in each of the 12 signs, providing a wonderful reference tool for future magical work. For any coven or solitary practitioner who works the full moons, this book would be a necessary tool. I give it:
Everyday Tarot Magic: Meditation & Spells ISBN 0-7387-0175-0 Taking her gentle writing style to the subject of the Tarot, Morrison scores once again. I was first taken by the fact that she agrees with my opinion on the reading of reversed cards, an unpopular train of thought being that regardless of whether reversals are read, the heart of the reading will be the same. The experiments in reading reversals or not reading reversals that she describes are ones I've done myself, with both of us coming to the same conclusion: it just doesn't matter one way or another. She definitely gets points for saying it out loud, among the horrified gasps of traditional Tarot readers. I particularly enjoyed her rendition of a common theme, that being the journey of the Fool through the Major Arcana, as well as her discussion of the Tarot as a self discovery process. Her collection of Tarot spells at the end rivals Janina Renee's Tarot Spells. Again, her spells are simple to enact and use items commonly available. I also quite enjoyed her appendix of sympathetic items (herbs, stones) to accentuate the magic from the spell work. I give it:
ISBN 1-56718-469-3 (Two reviews) In more mainstream traditions, they’re called “Chreasters” – those folks who attend church only at Christmas and Easter. I’m sure there’s an equivalent – if not, there should be – for people who consider themselves pagan, yet only “practice” at Beltane and Samhain or maybe only with elaborate ritual in a special group. Or maybe you’re one of those folks who can produce a perfectly good love potion or money draw, but still can’t ever find a parking place at the mall. This is the book for you. Morrison rarely disappoints, and this book is no exception. After a brief review of magical basics and correspondences for sun and moon phases, days of the week, colors, symbols, plants and stones, she suggests spells and rituals that are as simple or as elaborate as you wish to make them. Morrison covers a whole range of topics, from modern plagues like computer and peripherals problems, PMS, dieting, traffic snarls and, yes, parking places to more abstract issues, such as eloquence, imagination, and wisdom. Everyday Magic suggests ways to use the tools we have at hand in our modern lives – our blenders, crockpots and coffeepots. Recipes for magic powders, sachets, bath salts, potpourris, incenses and oils follow, and all are simple to follow. Included also are appendices with lists of associations of plants, stones and deities.
This review by Karen Albeck
There is a reason why the cover of this book boasts of over 100,000 copies sold. Of interest to me is that in this book, she tells the exact story (in context of controlling one's thoughts lest they take on magic of their own) as she did in Everyday Moon Magic, in which she inadvertently brings revenge onto a malicious dog trainer. In this book, however, she tells the story as though it happened to a friend. The duplicity gave me a bit of an uncomfortable nudge, but since this book is in its twelfth printing and Moon Magic is in its first, I'm going to assume that perhaps some anonymity was needed prior to the present time for whatever reason. The book is timeless, offering keen magical wisdom interwoven with practical spells and gentle teachings. There is no "cast a circle like this" or "you must walk this way" or "you must put your candles out like this" in this book. In fact, this is more of a Witch's companion than a Wiccan "How To" book and that intrigues me even more so. It's about doing magic as a way of life and of being in the world rather than with any ceremonial aspect. I very much love and appreciate that approach and know I'd love to work magic with Ms Morrison. She's a lovely and gentle Witch who doesn't seem hesitant to get her hands dirty when necessary. She's what I want to be... the Aunties in "Practical Magic." I love you, Ms Morrison.
Come to Sacramento and be my buddy. I give it:
Other reviews by Katrina Rasbold |
