Delve Into Our Book Nook

Welcome to A Crones Moonlit Musings' Book Nook, your portal to enchanting reads! Explore our curated selection of spiritual and witch-related books, perfect for expanding your knowledge and inspiring your practice.

Read our latest news

Here’s a balanced, informative book review of The Cunning Folk’s Book of Cottage Witchcraft by Danu Forest — perfect for your blog or book recommendations section:

**Book Review: The Cunning Folk’s Book of Cottage Witchcraft by Danu Forest**

The Cunning Folk’s Book of Cottage Witchcraft is a modern grimoire rooted in Celtic and British folk magic traditions, written for practitioners who want to weave magic into everyday life, whether you live in a rural cottage or a city home.

Overview

In this book, Danu Forest guides readers through a journey of connection with land, home spirits, ancestors, and the natural world, drawing on the long tradition of cunning folk — wise women and men whose magic was rooted in folk practice and lived experience. The book blends both historical perspective and practical instruction, offering more than 100 spells, charms, recipes, and practices that range from candle scrying and tea leaf readings to house cleansing and creating charm bags.

Forest includes a rich variety of magical work, such as:

Candle scrying and trance work
Tea leaf reading and divination
Herbal charm bags and dream spells
Prosperity simmer pots and healing potions
Ancestral honoring oils and protection rituals

Strengths

One of the book’s greatest assets is its accessibility and versatility. Whether you are new to witchcraft or have experience under your belt, the writing feels engaging and grounded, blending lore with hands-on practice. It doesn’t assume you live in a secluded countryside — you can apply much of the material in urban settings too.

Many readers appreciate how the book connects folk tradition with contemporary practice, helping to bridge the past and present rather than presenting magic as either purely historical or purely trendy. Community reviewers describe it as practical and inspiring, noting that Forest’s own voice and lived experience come through clearly.

Where It Might Not Be for Everyone

While many readers find the book accessible, a few in online communities have suggested that for some, the presentation can feel like a collection of spells grouped without deeper context — meaning that if you prefer very detailed explanations of underlying theory or structure, you might seek supplementary resources.

That said, this perspective varies widely among readers, and many find the emphasis on practical, everyday folk magic exactly what makes the book special.

Who Will Enjoy This Book

New and seasoned witches alike who enjoy practical folk magic
Anyone interested in land and household spirits
Readers who appreciate Celtic-influenced magical traditions
Those who want a book that is both informative and cozy rather than strictly academic

Final Thoughts

The Cunning Folk’s Book of Cottage Witchcraft is a heartfelt, hands-on grimoire that invites you to explore the magic of home, land, and lived experience. If you’re drawn to folk traditions and magical practices that feel rooted in everyday life, it’s a valuable addition to your magical library.

The Teens Witches Guide To Palm Reading

I just finished reading A Teen’s Witches Guide to Palm Reading, and I have to say, it completely changed the way I look at my hands—and myself! This book isn’t just a guide; it’s like having a friendly teacher sitting next to you, showing you how to read the lines, shapes, and mounts of a palm step by step.

What I loved most is how clear and easy it is to follow. The illustrations are amazing and make everything so simple to understand. I was able to start practicing right away, reading my own palm and even sharing with friends. The book also explains what each line and mark means in real life, which makes it feel personal and fun, not just like a textbook.

It’s the perfect mix of practical exercises, fun facts, and guidance for someone like me who’s just starting out in palmistry. By the end, I felt confident enough to actually try readings and even understand a little about personality, strengths, and life patterns—just by looking at hands! If you’re curious, creative, or just want a new way to explore yourself, this book is such a cool start

A Guide To Shadow Work

"I just finished A Guide to Shadow Work: A Workbook to Find Your Hidden Self, and honestly, it felt like a journey I didn’t know I needed. The workbook guides you gently but deeply into exploring parts of yourself that usually stay hidden—the fears, patterns, and emotions we push aside.

What I love is how practical it is. It’s not just theory—you actually get to do exercises, prompts, and reflections that make you stop and think. Some of the questions really surprised me, but in a good way, helping me understand myself on a deeper level. By the end, I felt lighter, more aware, and even more confident in facing my inner world.

This workbook is perfect if you want to connect with yourself honestly and start transforming old habits and thoughts into growth and self-understanding."*

Kitchen Witch

Discover the magic of the hearth with 'Kitchen Witch.' This book is your guide to incorporating witchcraft into your daily cooking and creating delicious, enchanted meals. Transform your kitchen into a sacred space and nourish your body and soul.

A Book I Often Recommend: The Modern Guide to Witchcraft by Skye Alexander

There are some books that feel less like instruction manuals and more like gentle companions on your path. The Modern Guide to Witchcraft by Skye Alexander is one of those books.

This is a book I often suggest when someone is feeling called back to their practice—or stepping into it for the first time after years of curiosity. It doesn’t demand perfection, lineage, or rigid structure. Instead, it invites you to explore witchcraft as something living, adaptable, and deeply personal.

What I appreciate most is how approachable it feels. Skye Alexander speaks to modern witches who balance magic with everyday life. The rituals, spells, and practices offered are easy to understand and flexible enough to grow with you. Whether you are lighting your first candle with intention or revisiting old ways you’ve set aside, this book meets you where you are.

It’s especially helpful if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by “doing it right.” This guide reminds us that witchcraft is not about strict rules—it’s about awareness, intention, and connection. It encourages curiosity, experimentation, and trust in your own instincts.

If you’re looking for a book that feels grounding, supportive, and quietly empowering, this is one worth adding to your shelf—or keeping close by your altar.

Sometimes the right book doesn’t teach you something new—it reminds you of what you already know.

**Book Review: Witch: Unleashed, Untamed, Unapologetic by Lisa Lister**

Witch by Lisa Lister is a modern spiritual work aimed at reclaiming the identity and power of the witch — particularly through the lens of feminine energy and personal sovereignty. The book blends memoir, feminist perspective, and witchcraft themes, and has become a notable talking point within contemporary magical communities.

What the Book Offers

At its core, Witch encourages readers to reclaim the word “witch” from historical fear and shame, and to reconnect with innate power and intuition. Lister traces the history of witchcraft, discussing how the label of “witch” was weaponized against women in the past, and why it’s now being reclaimed in modern times. The narrative includes:

Insight into the Wheel of the Year, sabbats, and lunar cycles
Discussion of divination tools like oracle cards and scrying
Guidance on creating altars, sacred space, and basic rituals
Exploration of elemental work, herbs, and crystals
Reflections on personal spiritual awakening and intuitive development
Identification of five symbolic aspects of witchhood (Force of Nature, Creatrix, Healer, Oracle, Sorceress)
Practical rituals and spells drawn from Lister’s family lineage of “gypsy witch magic”

These elements make the book appealing for readers who enjoy narrative-style spiritual writing and those seeking a personal exploration of reclaiming feminine power.

Where It Resonates

Many readers find this book compelling because:

It is accessible and conversational, not overly academic.
Lister shares personal experience alongside spiritual teachings.
It offers inspiration and empowerment for those feeling disconnected from tradition or spiritual identity.
It addresses historical marginalization and reframes witchcraft as a source of wisdom and resilience.

For someone drawn to individual, intuition-led spiritual reflection, this framing can be enlivening and motivational.

Points of Critique and Caution

While Witch has inspired many, it has also garnered significant criticism within parts of the modern Pagan and witchcraft communities:

Some readers feel the book places excessive focus on cis-female reproductive anatomy as the source of magical power, which can feel exclusionary or limiting.
Several reviewers have noted that the writing leans more toward feminist manifesto and personal belief than structured magical instruction, making it less practical for foundational spellwork or diverse traditions.
There is criticism about the book’s lack of inclusion for trans people, non-binary readers, and those who do not identify with biological gendered experiences.
Some readers describe the tone as repetitive or preachy, rather than a structured guide to technique.

Because of these aspects, many experienced practitioners caution readers to approach the book with discernment and an awareness of its specific perspective rather than as a universal guide.

Who Might Enjoy This Book

This book may be especially meaningful for:

Individuals seeking personal empowerment and spiritual reflection
Those interested in exploring witchcraft through a feminist lens
Readers drawn to spiritual memoir mixed with practical ritual concepts

Who Might Not Connect With It

It may be less helpful for:

Beginners looking for a clear, structured introduction to magical practice
Readers seeking inclusive language around gender and identity
Those wanting historical witchcraft presented in depth rather than through personal narrative

Final Thoughts

Witch by Lisa Lister is a passionate and evocative work that offers a perspective on reclaiming spiritual identity and feminine power. For some, it will act as a spark — a reminder of inner wisdom and intuitive strength. For others, its focus and tone may feel narrow or less inclusive than expected.

Like any spiritual text, its value depends on the reader’s own path and what they seek from their study of witchcraft — whether that is emotional inspiration, personal reclamation, or technique and tradition.

Our history

**Book Review: Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland**

Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft (often called the Big Blue Book) is one of the most referenced books in modern Wicca and witchcraft literature — a classic from one of the figures who helped establish Wicca in North America.

What the Book Is

Raymond Buckland’s work is structured as a comprehensive guide and workbook to Wiccan witchcraft. It mixes historical overview, explanations of Wiccan practices, sabbats, rituals, tools, exercises, and even review questions at the end of chapters. The goal is to offer a step‑by‑step immersion into a specific Wiccan tradition and approach to craft.

Strengths

Comprehensive Scope: The book covers a wide range of topics — from ritual structure and sabbat observances to divination, altar work, and deity concepts — making it a deep dive into Wiccan practice.
Structured Learning: Its workbook elements (exercises and self‑tests) can help keep readers engaged and encourage active learning. This format can be appealing to those who want a curriculum‑like experience.
Historical Influence: Buckland was a key figure in bringing Wicca to the United States and creating accessible material when fewer books existed. Many modern authors build on or respond to his work.

For readers interested in the history of Wicca and a traditional, structured presentation, this book remains a notable reference.

Criticisms and Limitations

Despite its reputation, the book has drawn mixed reactions, especially from modern practitioners:

1. Dated Content:
Some material reflects the era in which Buckland wrote, and parts of it feel outdated compared with contemporary understandings of witchcraft. Reviewers note that the tone and examples sometimes don’t align well with modern practice.

2. Wicca‑Centered and Dogmatic:
Buckland often treats Wicca and witchcraft interchangeably and presents his interpretation as definitive. This can feel rigid to readers who practice witchcraft outside a strictly Wiccan context or who prefer a more flexible, inclusive viewpoint.

3. Tone and Inclusivity Concerns:
Some reviewers have expressed that the book leans heavily on older cultural assumptions — including a gender binary emphasis — and that parts of the tone can come across as authoritarian or not reflective of diverse contemporary perspectives.

4. Ritual Descriptions and Style:
Because the rituals are detailed and rooted in Buckland’s specific tradition, they can feel overly prescriptive or intimidating to solitary practitioners or those new to the craft.

Who Might Enjoy This Book

Beginners who specifically want an in‑depth guide to Wiccan ritual and structure
Readers curious about the history of modern Wicca and its development in North America
Those who appreciate workbook‑style learning with practice questions

Many still consider it a reference book worth having in a broader witchcraft library, particularly if you enjoy comparing different traditions or want historical context alongside practice.

Who Might Not Connect With It

Readers seeking inclusive, contemporary witchcraft resources
Those outside a strictly Wiccan path
Beginners who prefer spiritual guidance with less ritual formalism

Some practitioners recommend pairing this book with more recent titles that reflect current perspectives on inclusivity and modern magical practice.

Final Summary

Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft is a significant historical work in Wicca and witchcraft literature, offering detailed instruction and tradition‑based ritual work. Its strengths are in scope and structure, but the style and assumptions can feel dated or overly specific to Buckland’s view. It is valuable for study and reference, but best approached with discernment and in conversation with other voices in modern witchcraft.