A true beginner’s book—if you’re looking to dip your toes into folklore magick, this is the perfect choice.
I also have to point out that the illustrations are absolutely stunning! The artwork in this book is lush and beautifully detailed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Leaping Hare/Leaping Hare Press for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Such a wonderful starter guide to herbal folklore and witchcraft! I loved the illustrations that corresponded to each plant and that both medicinal and magickal uses were included. I do wish it went more in depth into the folklore behind each plant, but seeing as this was geared towards beginners, I still think it is a great reference book with some gorgeous illustrations.

My favorite part about this book, by far, were the gorgeous illustrations found on every page. They were so detailed and intricate that, even if I didn't understand completely what the text was saying, I was still able to thoroughly enjoy looking through the pages.

Witches and magic are very interesting topics to me, but I've never really dived in to learn more about it. This book was a great beginner guide for someone like me; interested in the subject, but more on a superficial level.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

A very basic introduction guide to witchcraft aimed at beginners.

The book begins with simple two pages spreads introducing the ideas of things are like 'balms'. This was done in a way that sometimes felt they were trying to fill space as some of the things felt they were obvious, even for a beginner. But maybe not.

Its definitely an aesthetically pleasing book that I can see being popular in a millennial/gen z baby witch crowd but not something that I can see myself revisiting.

This book is so bright and colorful, packed with fascinating info I didn’t even know I needed! I’ve been getting more into holistic medicine, and this is definitely one I’ll keep coming back to as a reference.

As a longtime fan of Lindsay Squire and a proud owner of all her books, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on The Witch of the Forest's Guide to Folklore Magick. Living in South Africa, I made sure to order the hard copy the moment it was released yesterday.

As expected, Lindsay has once again delivered something truly special. The book is beautifully presented, much like her previous works, blending her deep knowledge with stunning illustrations that make every page a joy to explore. Lindsay has an incredible way of sharing information that feels both insightful and digestible, perfect for readers at any level of their magickal journey.

What really stood out to me in this guide is the seamless way Lindsay connects folklore with practical magick. The depth of knowledge she shares, especially about the magickal and medicinal properties of plants, is both informative and inspiring. It's a book I know I’ll return to often, whether for quick references or deeper dives into specific herbs and their folklore. The artwork adds another layer of enchantment, making it not just a guide but a visual treasure as well.

I was also beyond excited to learn that Lindsay's next project involves oracle cards! I've been hoping she'd create a set, and knowing they're on the horizon makes me even more eager for what's next. The Witch of the Forest's Guide to Folklore Magick is a must-have for anyone interested in the magickal world, and it holds a proud place on my bookshelf alongside Lindsay's other works.

This is a great starter guide if you have no other books on the subject. If you want to dip your toes into learning about flora, their history and properties, this book has a wide variety of easily accessible flora covered at a basic level. It even contains a small section of baneful flora which is rare in entry books. The real beauty of this book is the gorgeous illustrations. Not usually something I get in herbalism books and I appreciate its inclusion. There are more advanced books out there, but not everyone wants or is ready to meet every flora in existence all at once.

I would definitely pick up the paperback instead of the ebook version. I hope the version I got for review has been fixed before being launched as an ebook, but it was terribly formatted like no one took the 5 mins to flip through and make sure the pages were the right orientation and whoever decided to do 2 book pages on 1 page please rethink that choice in the future. I will not be removing stars for this in hopes it was fixed but even if it is I would still recommend the paperback anyway for the full beauty of the accompanying illustrations.

E-arc provided by Leaping Hare Press via Netgalley so I could write this honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group Leaping Hare/Leaping Hare Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I was initially drawn to this book because of its beautifully illustrated cover and the fact that it focuses specifically on folklore magick. This book was a really cool introduction to the topic. Lindsay Squire does a great job blending folklore with practical magickal advice, and there’s a definite sense of connection to the natural world that comes through in the writing.

What I really liked about this book is that it’s accessible, even if you're not an expert in magick. It’s got history, rituals, and some cool spells—perfect for anyone looking to dive into these topics in a meaningful way. There were a few parts where I wanted a bit more depth, but overall, it’s a great guide and an enjoyable read.

I think this book is great for anyone who practices and those who are just curious about the history of magickal plants.

The artwork is so beautiful and cozy. This book wouldn’t be the same without it.

I learned a lot and it seems that a lot of research has gone into it.

5 stars

Tons of information. I will be returning to this book a lot. I love that there is detailed information on one page and a beautiful graphic that puts everything into one page on the other. The art uses bright colors which I really liked. It also includes warnings and tells you to see a doctor which isn't always included in books like these. I can't wait until my bookshop gets my copy.

5 stars

I have enjoyed all of The Witch of the Forest’s books to date and this one is no different. Easy to follow for beginners and with little nuggets of information for intermediates and the like. On top of this there are beautiful illustrations and easy to follow.

This is a beautifully illustrated beginner's guide into folklore and magic. Plants are described for their attributes and uses. It would be very useful as a counter book for beginning witches!

Book Review: The Witch of the Forest's Guide to Folklore Magick by Lindsay Squire

Rating: 4 Stars

When I first picked up The Witch of the Forest's Guide to Folklore Magick by Lindsay Squire, I was immediately enchanted by its eye-catching cover. As someone who has dabbled in the world of witchcraft, I found this book to be an insightful and practical resource for connecting with the ancient wisdom of folklore and magick.

Squire's guide draws from the deep well of folkloric knowledge that has been passed down through generations, often by village medicine women and those who lived on the fringes of formal academia. These women, with their profound understanding of nature's healing and magical properties, laid the groundwork for modern-day witchcraft practices. This book is a homage to that tradition, making it accessible to novices and seasoned practitioners alike.

What I particularly appreciated about this guide is its simple structure. Whether you're curious about the magickal legends associated with plants and trees or eager to learn about folk magick charms and spells, each section is clearly defined. This makes it easy to reference key information quickly, allowing you to revisit specific topics as needed. The explanations are detailed yet easy to digest, making it a great tool for anyone looking to expand their knowledge.

In addition to its informative content, the book is also a feast for the eyes. Each page is adorned with beautiful artwork that complements the text. This combination of content and imagery transforms the book into more than just a reference guide; it becomes an inspiring companion for anyone on their magickal journey.

In summary, The Witch of the Forest's Guide to Folklore Magick is an enchanting addition to any witch's library. It bridges the gap between ancient traditions and modern practices, all while being a visual delight. Although I gave it four stars, it's only because I'm always on the lookout for a bit more depth in historical context. Nevertheless, it's a book I will certainly revisit time and again as I continue my own exploration of folklore magick.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

This was a great book! Really interesting to read, and the graphics were beautiful. It was super informative, and I loved the illustrations with each of the herb, flower, and tree that gave a general overview of information. I loved reading about the historical, folkloric, and mythological backgrounds. You'd have one herb and several different cultures and religions may believe different things about it.

Even if you aren't wanting to be a practicing witch (like me), it still had a lot of useful suggestions on how to use certain herbs for ailments or pains. And I also loved the beginning section that taught you how to make oils, balms, tinctures, etc.

“Herbs, flowers and trees played a huge part in the practice of witchcraft over the centuries, just as they do today, and they have rich and ancient folklore associated with them.”

Folklore Magic wasn’t what I expected it would be. I thought it was a graphic novel like the author’s previous book, but it’s more an illustrated herbarium. I read an advance copy, so it was impossible for me to judge their quality, but it didn’t felt like it provided much detail (not enough to be able to recognize the plant in nature), and the text remained pretty superficial too, without enough references to dig in (even though there WAS a bibliography, which is a great point!). On the other hand, the infographics were super nice and gave a few elements of folklore.
In the end, it is a nice book to browse, but if you want something sturdier, it might not be the right one for this use.

Thank you NetGalley and to the author for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

Thanks NetGalley for providing this arch!

I'm really intrigued by the differences and specifics of all the books in this series. I did find it to be somewhat confusing, as I'm not super well versed in the craft but it's geared well toward a beginner. There was an abundance of beautiful images, graphics with a nice clean layout. The first half is rather basic regarding introductory to herbs but it does showcase them individually. Overall, great to add to a collection for starters.

I wish this book had been called Plant Magick instead of Folklore Magick. It's a guide to herbs, flowers, and trees, and how these plants can be used in remedies and spells. Each plant has a short section on its use throughout history, and what various cultures (often the Greeks and/or the Romans) believed about the plants. That's the extent of the "folklore" part of the book. The rest is about how to use these plants as a witch, which can be useful if you're looking for a plant compendium. Given the title, I was expecting something about witchy figures throughout history in different cultures. Stories, myths, etc. from around the world.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this advanced reader's copy and the opportunity to this early. Review has been posted on Waterstones and Amazon.

This was a wonderful and informative compendium. Some parts seemed like it was thrown in there for the ticktok ‘witches’, which was a shame but it was a lovely book on the whole.

This book was really neat! I didn’t know much about witchcraft but I think this book is a good guide to start. The illustrations were also gorgeous! The only think I’d watch out for is that some pages were upside down in the pdf. Just make sure it’s corrected before is goes to print.

I was interested in this book right away!
The drawings were beautiful and eye catching and the book itself was super informative. It had a great amount of information and kept my interest. The format and the way the book was organized as well kept it super easy to follow along.
This is perfect for individuals interested in witchcraft.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the arc!