light Magic For Dark Times is an amazing book that explains how to do rituals, what to use and why. It is not a book on politics, thank goodness as many are. This book is about you and how to help yourself using different techniques. It has everything you need to write spells, cleanse yourself prior to rituals, loving yourself and working with candles, crystals, essential oils and so much more. Too many ways to write about them all. I brought so much away with me that I am so excited to try them all. I received this book from Net Galley and Fair Winds Press for a honest review and no other compensation.

My review has been posted to my blog & Goodreads.

Review has also been tweeted as usual.

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Not realizing the true focus of this book when I requested it, I feel a bit out to sea in terms of doing a review in my own words. So I will quote the Publisher’s Note here, while granting LIGHT MAGIC FOR DARK DAYS a 5/5.

Light Magic for Dark Times offers inspired, easy-to-do spells to be cast when your world is descending into chaos and darkness, or to help prevent it.

Having a hard time finding that light? Need to manifest strength or conviction in the face of trauma and division? Want to send healing vibes to a friend—or a group of people who need it? Luna Luna Magazine’s Lisa Marie Basile shares inspired spells to be cast during a crisis or to help prevent one.

“Spells and practices in this book include:A binding spell to combat social burnoutA seashell spell to protect a loved one or a groupA lunar light ritual to welcome new beginningsA bathing ritual to heal from griefA three-candle spell to find strength in the face of trauma
Accompanying the spells are informative sidebars about the cultural and historical background of witchcraft and spellcraft.

Thanks to Quarto Publishing Group – Fair Winds Press and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are fully mine.

#LightMagicForDarkTimes #NetGalley

The self-loving ritual is worth the purchase by itself.

This book has a specific audience and that's okay. The way Basile expresses herself through her guidance and suggestions will soothe the mind, body and spirit. This is not some teenage girl wanting to mimic The Craft asking you to call on the elements with your coven to summon the Devil, this author is grounded and practical offering advice on how to use certain materials to process, heal, and transform your trauma into positive energy.

Light Magic for Dark Times by Lisa Maria Basile is the modern-day witch’s guide on magic. No there aren’t any spells for winning the lottery or making someone fall in love with you, but there are spells on how to empower yourself…in a confident and feminist way. What I most loved about this grimoire was that the spells all featured ways to alchemize negative emotions and states of mind into positive healthy vibes. I have never actually read a spell book that emphasized personal growth so this book was a lavender breath of fresh air. The spells and rituals featured help you to cast a shining light upon those parts of yourself that you have hidden away, much like the woman healers of the past (whom we call witches), who had to hide themselves away to avoid persecution. Society today can often times feel as though we are being burned at the stake, and Light Magic for Dark Times will help you realize that a little self-care is the magical potion you need so you can brew some positive changes in your life.

If the point of witchcraft is to bring about practical change, this book is revolutionary. Modern day grimoires focus heavily on traditional magick such as creating love potions, protective amulets, and so forth. What’s missing from those spells are a modern and relatable context. In Light Magic for Dark Times there are spells for saying no to labels, to end loneliness, to recharge after doing social justice work, and rituals for going with the flow, to celebrate yourself after you’ve lost confidence, releasing parental resentment etc. I was particularly drawn to the lunar rituals being the moon-child I am, and I plan on performing the new moon rituals this month. The spells and rituals are categorized under Love, Grief and Trauma, Negativity, Regeneration and Recharge, Identity and Body, Shadow Work, Writing Magic, Last-Minute Light, and Finding Your Craft.

The beauty of magic is that it doesn’t require a lot of tools or objects. What is required is self-awareness and a willingness to grow, which are the key tools needed in this grimoire if you expect the spells to work. Sure a piece of rose quartz is recommended, along with some basic candles, but the essential materials required for the spells are a few moments of silence, a comfy chair, and a paper and pen. Basile’s writing background comes across strongly throughout this book as the majority of the spells and rituals require journaling. This book is the perfect companion to Basile’s Luna Luna Magazine which is of the same essence.

The luminous thread that bound this book together was self-care and personal empowerment. Being a modern-day witch is less about pentagram necklaces and black cats and more about honouring thyself through meaningful intentions and sacred work that makes a difference in a time when it’s becoming harder and harder to find the light. Even if you don’t identify as a witch or spell caster, read this book anyways, because if you are a woman trying to navigate her way through the murky waters of 2018 and beyond, Light Magic for Dark Times will become a very handy paper familiar.