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maregred's review against another edition
dark
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
donmartin's review against another edition
5.0
Practitioners of magic are often drawn to practices and cultures separated by oceans and centuries. Cory Hutcheson accomplishes a feat rarely found in Pagan publishing with his exquisite book New World Witchery. In a voice that is equal parts kind, funny, and scholarly, he sits the reader down, points to a forested horizon, and says that there is magic in the hills and creeks in your own backyard and that he will help you find it.
Hutcheson guides the reader through folklore and traditions from a number of cultures in what he dubs the “New World” in a way that invites the reader to learn from but never take, to appreciate but not appropriate. His gentle, magical voice takes the reader through one of the most expansive and thorough examinations of North American folk magic I’ve ever seen. It is a masterwork and a worthy inclusion in any witchy library.
Hutcheson guides the reader through folklore and traditions from a number of cultures in what he dubs the “New World” in a way that invites the reader to learn from but never take, to appreciate but not appropriate. His gentle, magical voice takes the reader through one of the most expansive and thorough examinations of North American folk magic I’ve ever seen. It is a masterwork and a worthy inclusion in any witchy library.
apollolibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
I was initiated into the world of podcasts last spring and summer when I, like so many, found myself at home quite a bit more under quarantine and lockdown. New World Witchery was among the first that I started listening to while I cleaned my apartment and prepared my meals, and when I heard that Cory would be publishing a book on just this topic, I was ecstatic to get my hands on it. And I was not disappointed.
One of the things I appreciate most about Cory's style and approach to folk magic is the way that he points to your immediate surroundings and says, There's already magic all around you. There's magic in your home, there's magic in your family, there's magic in the place where you live, there's magic in your community. And there's also magic in your picking up those practices and putting them to good use, making them your own. This book helped give me a new perspective on what folk magic is and can be: new eyes to see where folk magic already is in my life, and new ways of seeing and engaging with my immediate surroundings to create even more magic.
This book is incredibly readable, hefty in volume without being dense. I managed to breeze through it in a matter of weeks, but am already looking forward to revisiting parts of it more slowly, to ingest his words and try out a few of the handy exercises and recipes on for size.
Folk magic is magic of the people. If you're reading this, you're very likely a person who has a people that you're part of, and therefore you have and can have magic. It is up to us to find it, and where it's lacking, create it and share it with one another.
One of the things I appreciate most about Cory's style and approach to folk magic is the way that he points to your immediate surroundings and says, There's already magic all around you. There's magic in your home, there's magic in your family, there's magic in the place where you live, there's magic in your community. And there's also magic in your picking up those practices and putting them to good use, making them your own. This book helped give me a new perspective on what folk magic is and can be: new eyes to see where folk magic already is in my life, and new ways of seeing and engaging with my immediate surroundings to create even more magic.
This book is incredibly readable, hefty in volume without being dense. I managed to breeze through it in a matter of weeks, but am already looking forward to revisiting parts of it more slowly, to ingest his words and try out a few of the handy exercises and recipes on for size.
Folk magic is magic of the people. If you're reading this, you're very likely a person who has a people that you're part of, and therefore you have and can have magic. It is up to us to find it, and where it's lacking, create it and share it with one another.
thesassybookworm's review against another edition
4.0
⭐⭐⭐⭐
First up, I LOVE the cover of this one. On to my review...I enjoyed this one a lot! It was super interesting, full of magical folklore stories. It also had spells and rituals sprinkled throughout. That said, this isn't a sit down and read cover to cover type of book. More the type of book you pick and savour in bits and pieces.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
First up, I LOVE the cover of this one. On to my review...I enjoyed this one a lot! It was super interesting, full of magical folklore stories. It also had spells and rituals sprinkled throughout. That said, this isn't a sit down and read cover to cover type of book. More the type of book you pick and savour in bits and pieces.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
skelleycat's review against another edition
5.0
Holy snap! New World Witchery is the kind of book my teen self would have devoured, back when I really started wanting to learn more about witchcraft and lore. Recently I've been especially interested in North American witchcraft folklore, so this book appeared at the perfect time. I was delighted to discover the wealth of history, story, and knowledge Hutcheson packed into this book! I appreciated the focus on North American craft, while still hearkening back to the roots of various practices -- ranging from Mountain Witchcraft to Hoodoo and so many others! I loved the way this book highlighted so many common themes and practices surrounding witches, lore, and the craft that have woven their way throughout our lives from cultures all around the world. Incidentally, I've been recognizing some of these themes within my own witchy path in recent years, so the familiarity and recognition was a nice surprise. I think my favorite part of New World Witchery is the sections at the end of each chapter, "Dirt Under the Nails" and "The Work", which provide a wealth of ideas for integrating some of these things into your own practice (if/when appropriate) and recognizing how they may already be surfacing in your own life. This is one book I definitely want to keep on my shelves and pass down to whomever I have the honor to mentor in the future (whether that is my own children or fellow witchy folks). Just a treasure trove of discovery here. Definitely recommended for anyone interested in witchy folklore beyond the more well-known European varieties.
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
It's an informative, well researched and interesting book. I learned a lot about this type of folk magic and made me wish to learn more.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine