Black Witch Coven Easy Hoodoo Money Spell

Open Preview

See a Problem?

We'd love your help. Let us know what's wrong with this preview of The Modern Guide to Witchcraft by Skye Alexander.

Thanks for telling us about the problem.

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

Community Reviews

· 2,262 ratings · 226 reviews

Start your review of The Modern Guide to Witchcraft: Your Complete Guide to Witches, Covens, and Spells

May 22, 2018 Maggie Gordon rated it did not like it

Short Review: Any book that cites "The Secret" in a positive manner is not a book you should waste your time on.

Long Review: While The Modern Guide to Witchcraft offers a lot of overviews of basic magical areas that some may find useful, I have a really hard time giving any credit to a book that starts beginners off with some really harmful ideas about witchcraft and magick. Witchcraft is largely about intent and one's purposeful relationships with the world around us. Unfortunately, this book (as well as several others) seem to suggest we have more control over the universe than is reasonable to expect. Sure, set your intentions and work for something, but a desire and wish, even when mixed with work, does not mean you get what you want because you thought about it really hard. If so, the world would suck far far less (for example, I can't intention my way out of multiple sclerosis). The best witchcraft spells use intention as a way of focusing our movements and actions. I accept that I am applying my own definitions of witchcraft and spirituality to this and not all may agree, but my own flavour of magick is really not down for this type witchery. Save your money for other books that make you look further into yourself.

...more

I will not support this book or this Author. I didn't even get into the book before she actually compared witch persecution to racism! I was disgusted. I do not think she takes witches of color serious and is very bigoted in that regard. I can't believe in this day and age she thought it would be OK to write such a thing. Keep your bigotry out of Witchcraft! I will not support this book or this Author. I didn't even get into the book before she actually compared witch persecution to racism! I was disgusted. I do not think she takes witches of color serious and is very bigoted in that regard. I can't believe in this day and age she thought it would be OK to write such a thing. Keep your bigotry out of Witchcraft! ...more

It's Just Okay

This is a very Wicca-centric book, despite the title. The cover is beautiful and that's actually what compelled me purchase it.

I wish the author had cited references.

It's Just Okay

This is a very Wicca-centric book, despite the title. The cover is beautiful and that's actually what compelled me purchase it.

I wish the author had cited references.

Two corrections: Hedge Witchery is actually more akin to Shamanism as the witch "walks the hedge" between our world and the Otherworld. It actually has nothing to do with the home. Also, Vodou (the correct Haitian spelling) does not incorporate anything dealing with zombification or the "things horror movies are made of". Notions of that nature only reinforce the Hollywood stereotype which is completely untrue. New Orleans Voodoo is a mixture of an appropriation of Vodou and folk magic.

Otherwise, I'd say this book is probably a decent primer for those interested in Wicca (which unfortunately I'm not).

...more

As I said in one of my reading status: this does have some helpful info, but there are also a lot of concepts and/or history bits thrown around without being properly sourced. Some of the practices also seem wasteful.

I also noticed that, overall, there seems to be a lot of focus on money? Which is... fine, I suppose, but rubbed me the wrong way. So this did give me a bit of insight into witchcraft and what things to read more about but, personally, it wasn't that illuminating.

...more

I don't rate books if they're below a 4 star. This book is ableist, sexist, racists and has so much cultural appropriation. I think it does more harm than good and won't recommend it to anyone. I don't rate books if they're below a 4 star. This book is ableist, sexist, racists and has so much cultural appropriation. I think it does more harm than good and won't recommend it to anyone. ...more

Aug 16, 2020 Alexia rated it liked it

So even though I have a couple of years of practice on my back, I always like to read books for beginners so I can have an idea of what's out on the market and what new books I can recommend!

This book wasn't too bad compared to some others that I've been reading. Here are the main takes that I collected throughout my readings. Besides what I say below, it's not a bad beginner's books. Wish it had a bibliography at the end with more recommendations, which also doesn't. That's a point I did not l

So even though I have a couple of years of practice on my back, I always like to read books for beginners so I can have an idea of what's out on the market and what new books I can recommend!

Pros:
- Love the fact that she talks about Personal Ethics and a Personal Code and all. Not many books talk about that and it's such an important part of our practice, to know what we're comfortable with and not comfortable.
- Gives great advice for solitary practices and for the solitary path.
- Gives very good advice for searching and looking up for a coven. The last chapter is fantastic.
- Gives simple and not too complex information about several themes.
- Gives a wide range of spells and magical workings that can be used in personal practice.

Cons:
- A bit too focused on Wicca. Even though the author tries to separate Wicca from Witchcraft it always goes back to Wicca whether in Ethics or in Festivals.
- Focus a lot on self-development and talks about "The Secret", Law of Attraction and other coaching techniques which I think wouldn't be needed in this type of book.
- In the "Omens" chapter the author should have said that not everything is a divine sign. Sometimes life just sucks or stuff just happens, doesn't mean it's a sign.
- Talks that Magic is a way to avoid problems and bring blessings and it's not just that. You can't avoid all problems in life, you gotta face them. Magic might help, but it's not a holy grail solution.
-Talks that "everyone has done magic" because everyone has thoughts. Magic isn't just thoughts. You don't think of being rich and suddenly have a truck of money at your door. Magic is intent and action towards that intent. It's not just thinking about it.
- I didn't like that she said that gods were made up imagination from people back in the days, but I kinda get the message she was passing. She could've worded it better tho.
- Talks A LOT about Angels. From circle casting to elementals, to cardinal points, the woman goes on and on about Angels and Archangels. I hate seeing Christian entities mixed with Witchcraft, especially a book so focused on Wiccan-based Witchcraft.
- The author talks about the Pagan paths like they're a magical buffet you can just come and pick. Doesn't mentioned closed practices, even though it mentions Hoodoo and Santeria.
- Doesn't give information on taking care of crystals. Some crystals cannot be subjected to water or salt or even solar light/heat due to the chemical composition and hardness and people need to know that, the author doesn't mention and just tells people to "pass it through running water" or "put it in the sun".
- No bibliography or additional recommendations and sources.

...more

Jun 01, 2021 Danielle marked it as did-not-finish

Sometimes I like to skim-read books on witchcraft. I started this one because it came up on Kindle Unlimited. But I was only 3% into this book when I read:

"At least for the time being, you'll have to live with being constantly offended by the ignorance of people who would never think of insulting blacks, Jews, or other folks so outrageously as they do witches."

Yeah, my jaw dropped. I immediately removed the book from KU since I know those KU authors get paid per page read.

Sometimes I like to skim-read books on witchcraft. I started this one because it came up on Kindle Unlimited. But I was only 3% into this book when I read:

Yeah, my jaw dropped. I immediately removed the book from KU since I know those KU authors get paid per page read.

...more

Oct 30, 2020 Liselotte rated it did not like it

At least for the time being, you'll have to live with being constantly offended by the ignorance of people who would never think of insulting blacks, Jews or other folks so outrageously as they do witches. (page 16 - 17)

I should've known by just that one quote that this book would be a MESS.
Just before it she says:

Witches don't engage in rivalries and conflicts with other magickal practitioners. (page 16)

Then why compare witches to blacks (which I personally find pretty offensive s

I should've known by just that one quote that this book would be a MESS.
Just before it she says:

Witches don't engage in rivalries and conflicts with other magickal practitioners. (page 16)

Then why compare witches to blacks (which I personally find pretty offensive sounding but that might just be me) and Jews? Especially as Judaism is one of the reasons we have our current beliefs? Qabalah anyone?

I tend to read a lot of witchy books, as they align quite a bit with my own personal beliefs. But this has been by FAR the worst one I've read. It really rivals Witch for worst one. Not only is there a lot of missinformation, but it's incredibly white centered. There has been said you can use spirit animals (which, in my very European brain, is a closed practice?). There are love spells (which is a bad idea to my knowledge for beginners??). And there are "spells" that will only work because the herbs used in fact, have medicinal properties (yes, peppermint and mint in general will help you with digestive issues, these are facts and just writing down on a little paper won't make it better?)

Honestly, I should've known after the utter mess that is Skye Alexander's Vampire book. Do yourself a favor, please read other books.

...more

Alright for a beginner who's new to the craft, like I am. But the fact that the author doesn't recognize India as part of Asia had me rolling. (Sis, that's embarrassing) Alright for a beginner who's new to the craft, like I am. But the fact that the author doesn't recognize India as part of Asia had me rolling. (Sis, that's embarrassing) ...more

Summer 2020 (Cozy Book Club);

This was ... not great. That might be the only way I can put it. I was instantly put off by the singular references to Black people and Muslims in the early chapters, each once and not in great light. I was very unhappy to see the authors' only answer to people not liking your religion was to hide it.

But what really cemented it for me was the whole chapter on history, wherein there is not a single citation in those paragraphs, the bottoms of the pages, or the back

Summer 2020 (Cozy Book Club);

But what really cemented it for me was the whole chapter on history, wherein there is not a single citation in those paragraphs, the bottoms of the pages, or the back of the book.

...more

Mar 21, 2021 Natali rated it really liked it

Not sure what these bad reviews are for. This is not so much a spell book as a history of neopaganism and its current place in the world. The author is not trying to really teach you anything as much as encourage you to learn. She does offer ritual guidance but it is not the major part of the book.

More, it's a history and anthropology book. There are so many pieces of pagan ritual still circulating in our world and it is worth knowing about them. I found this book fascinating, well researched,

More, it's a history and anthropology book. There are so many pieces of pagan ritual still circulating in our world and it is worth knowing about them. I found this book fascinating, well researched, and encouraging.

...more

I did enjoy this book. And as a beginner to witchcraft I found it informative. HOWEVER, mentioning The Secret in any book gives me the heebie jeebies. You can't intention away everything (ie sickness and mental health). There were a few ideas in here that made me cringe. But, witchcraft is a very individualized practice, so I'll take what I need (information on how to cast circles, for beginners) and leave what I don't need (The Secret).

This was a re-read, but I guess I first read it that one year that I literally didn't use Goodreads.

Three stars, is a good base knowledge for witchcraft but definitely doesn't delve in depth.

This was a re-read, but I guess I first read it that one year that I literally didn't use Goodreads.

Three stars, is a good base knowledge for witchcraft but definitely doesn't delve in depth.

...more

I picked this up out of pure curiosity when I saw it on display at the library. So what do I think? Well, some of the attitudes and ideals that witches strive for resonated with me. I love the idea of sending positivity into the world to get positive things back. I love the use of herbs and oils for certain ailments or for aromatherapy. I love being in tune with nature and try to respect our Earth. But when she told me the garden gnome statue in my neighbors yard is real...she lost me a bit. How I picked this up out of pure curiosity when I saw it on display at the library. So what do I think? Well, some of the attitudes and ideals that witches strive for resonated with me. I love the idea of sending positivity into the world to get positive things back. I love the use of herbs and oils for certain ailments or for aromatherapy. I love being in tune with nature and try to respect our Earth. But when she told me the garden gnome statue in my neighbors yard is real...she lost me a bit. However, it was interesting to learn more about witchcraft, which I really knew about only from Hollywood. There are also some great grounding and goal setting exercises in the book, which I intend to complete and use. Perhaps this book is better as a self-help book than anything else. ...more

Sep 27, 2016 Renee rated it really liked it

This was a well put together book with a lot of information for beginners or people who are just interested in learning about witchcraft. I quite enjoyed this book. At the end of the book are quite a few spells as well as chapters on gemstones etc... It is easy to understand without going into too much details, yet gives enough detail to be very helpful.

Helpful in some places. In others, it seems to be capitalizing on the current trendiness of witchcraft. Beware indigenous cultural appropriation, too.

The Modern Guide to Cultural Appropriation, Misinformation, and Wicca.

Not witchcraft, which is not synonymous with Wicca. Sigh. DNF @70%, I've read enough to rate, I think.

The Modern Guide to Cultural Appropriation, Misinformation, and Wicca.

Not witchcraft, which is not synonymous with Wicca. Sigh. DNF @70%, I've read enough to rate, I think.

...more

Jan 09, 2021 Kathryn Fisher rated it did not like it

The audacity to imply that witches have been more persecuted than blacks, or Jews. This book is literary garbage.

Dec 09, 2021 Lilith rated it did not like it

Big yikes. Noped out of this book after reading a comparison of the struggles of Black people and jews to those of witches.

Aug 19, 2020 Kiko rated it it was ok

~2,5 ☆

"Your Complete Guide to Witchcraft : witches covens and spells" that is the furthest thing I've read from "complete". This barely scratched the surface ! "Introduction to the World of Witchcraft" would've been more accurate. Not to mentions how one dimensional the book felt. How it flew through too many topics with so little information given at times that it felt like a dictionary listing various spiritual terms.

I had realised how Wiccan it is at the very beginning, though I wasn't oppo

~2,5 ☆

I had realised how Wiccan it is at the very beginning, though I wasn't opposed to gleaning some new information here and there. But then I started noticing the rather subjective phrases and even jibes at multiple practices and ideologies that made me grit my theeth. A guide that is supposedly suited for beginners should offer information to the reader as objectively as possible to refrain from influencing the person's view on practices before even reading more about them or trying them out -especially since the author does nothing more than tease about those-

The spells were rather unoriginal but maybe that was the author's intention ?

Last but not least, the author's insistence on following the rituals/spells to the letter at their first try is in contradiction with the core element of Witchcraft : intention is the most important tool and the practitioner is always better off working with what HE vibes with !

In short, I am glad I didn't read this when I was only starting on my journey.

...more

Feb 14, 2022 Ashlyn rated it did not like it

One star, not for the information provided (it's a simple overview, but I agree with others: It reads lazy), but I'm pretty sure this lady is a quack. You can tell by her website built from the 1990s and she's been documented multiple times on Rip Off Report by providing in-person services and overcharging them. She's hiding because she has nothing valuable to contribute, and who knows what else. Please re-consider supporting this author. One star, not for the information provided (it's a simple overview, but I agree with others: It reads lazy), but I'm pretty sure this lady is a quack. You can tell by her website built from the 1990s and she's been documented multiple times on Rip Off Report by providing in-person services and overcharging them. She's hiding because she has nothing valuable to contribute, and who knows what else. Please re-consider supporting this author. ...more

Sep 29, 2021 Mary Hope rated it did not like it

I agree with the former reviewers about the tone-deafness, cultural appropriation, sciolism and in-your-face-Wiccan and like to add very dangerous advice, even more so for beginners such as putting crystals in water since lots of them will break or could poison you and polluting (pouring perfume into natural bodies of water, buring whatever wherever...)

A really wonderful, comprehensive introduction to the many forms of witchcraft and pagan spiritualism from a modern perspective, while also including extensive historical context with each topic covered. This is a great book if you're looking to learn about paganism from a broader perspective, even if you have already chosen your path. Alexander covers topics I rarely see mentioned in informative pagan literature while maintaining a sense of objective openness in the information provided, allowi A really wonderful, comprehensive introduction to the many forms of witchcraft and pagan spiritualism from a modern perspective, while also including extensive historical context with each topic covered. This is a great book if you're looking to learn about paganism from a broader perspective, even if you have already chosen your path. Alexander covers topics I rarely see mentioned in informative pagan literature while maintaining a sense of objective openness in the information provided, allowing readers to absorb the information without feeling pigeonholed. I will definitely be looking into more of Alexander's work in the future. ...more

Cozy Book Club - Summer 2020

Unless you're Agrippa or from Ancient Egypt with the papyrus to prove it then you must cite your sources! Poorly written whistle-stop tour of an extremely high-level view of something the author calls Witchcraft. They reference books of their own which is concerning, and glorify members of magical practice of the past that people need to take some time to look at more critically.

The idea the world is flat is a very modern view and is not something you use to say our a

Cozy Book Club - Summer 2020

The idea the world is flat is a very modern view and is not something you use to say our ancestors were dumb. Theories of a sphere were built on from the 6th century BC, then in 330 BC mathematical evidence of such was provided. From this point on the world was believed to be a sphere and it was the terror of not knowing what was on the other side that concerned many people. Any research done into just the aspect of herbs shows that the people-who-came-before knew their stuff. In many of the cases science has refined these points.

The author also constantly confuses the terms Pagan, Witchcraft, Witch, Wicca, and Magician! There is also a throw away comment about how witches of specific focuses don't belong in covens. They also completely misunderstand one of the more famous quotes from Macbeth (Macbeth (IV, i, 14-15). The 'tongue of dog' is likely Hound's Tongue (Cynoglossum Officinale) and others are likely historical names for herbs.

My advice to anyone who is starting this journey into Witchcraft SPECIFICALLY is to research and constantly ask why. And only read authors who provide extensive sources so you can bolster your reading with your own research and understanding. Your Witchcraft is local to you; your local plants, your local spirits, your local earth.

Read Agrippas three books on philosophy of the Occult, and embrace the correspondence tables within David Conway's Magic: An Occult Primer. For those in the British Isles (and similar climates) I recommend Culpeper's Complete Herbal.

...more

Feb 18, 2021 Becca Ferguson rated it really liked it

My sister got me this book as a gift and I really enjoyed it. It's very positive and pushes you to think more positively about yourself and what you want. I have a difficult time with being self conscious and self shaming but I am trying to reverse these thoughts and this book has been helpful with that. I think the journey of life is just to be happy and and this book seems to push for that. I appreciate the positivity and self awareness this book brought.

Jan 25, 2022 nidoss rated it it was ok

nothing amazing. nothing super important. mid. i guess good for beginners tho. spells were too complicated and extra. if id decided to be a witch before i read this, id have given up because of that and all the other things that it says "you should have" to be a witch. although it was good for learning the history of witches and witchcraft. probably could've learned everything and more from witchtok, but wanted to make sure if what i learned was true or not. nothing amazing. nothing super important. mid. i guess good for beginners tho. spells were too complicated and extra. if id decided to be a witch before i read this, id have given up because of that and all the other things that it says "you should have" to be a witch. although it was good for learning the history of witches and witchcraft. probably could've learned everything and more from witchtok, but wanted to make sure if what i learned was true or not. ...more

Apr 12, 2018 Anastasiia rated it really liked it

For a beginner, it is a wonderful set of facts and interesting ideas. It is relatively general, I wouldn't call it Wicca-centric, or at least it's not centered on some particular Wiccan belief, which is great as an introduction to the topic.
I found it very interesting to read and make notes, and I love the fact that there are many names and additional literature featured in the text. Bibliography would be a nice addition. For a beginner, it is a wonderful set of facts and interesting ideas. It is relatively general, I wouldn't call it Wicca-centric, or at least it's not centered on some particular Wiccan belief, which is great as an introduction to the topic.
I found it very interesting to read and make notes, and I love the fact that there are many names and additional literature featured in the text. Bibliography would be a nice addition. ...more

Dec 02, 2021 Anukriti rated it did not like it

I have no idea why I read this or why I found this but it is absolute bs. It feels like all the bs of the world was meticulously combined, compacted and converted into this legendary piece of shit-work.
No shade on witches. I wish I was one. But seriously this book doesn't do justice to the miraculous image of witches. Just my opinion! I have no idea why I read this or why I found this but it is absolute bs. It feels like all the bs of the world was meticulously combined, compacted and converted into this legendary piece of shit-work.
No shade on witches. I wish I was one. But seriously this book doesn't do justice to the miraculous image of witches. Just my opinion! ...more

News & Interviews

The college campus has been a popular setting for books since the days of ancient Greece. In fact, Aristotle once wrote a dark academic...

"Go for a walk outdoors. Reconnect with the feeling of the wind blowing through your hair. Listen to the birds that live in a tree in your yard. Watch the sunset. Take time to smell the flowers that bloom in the park during the summer. The natural world is just as natural as it ever was, except there's less of it than there was twenty-five years ago - and most of us don't make a point of enjoying it often enough." — 10 likes

"A belief system usually evolves over time. It's something that we grow into, as our needs and goals develop and change. Even when we find a system of beliefs that works for us, we hone and fine-tune it, working our way deeper and deeper into its essential truth. Everything we experience, every thought we have, every desire, need, action, and reaction - everything we perceive with our senses goes into our personal databank and helps to create the belief systems that we hold now. Nothing is lost or forgotten in our lives.
You don't have to remain a victim of your conditioning, however. You can choose for yourself what you believe or don't believe, what you desire and don't desire. You can define your own parameters. Once you do that, you can start consciously creating your destiny according to your own vision." — 4 likes

More quotes…

Welcome back. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account.

lennonnoureciand.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20590759-the-modern-guide-to-witchcraft

Lennon Noureciand

Black Witch Coven Easy Hoodoo Money Spell

See a Problem?

Friend Reviews

Reader Q&A

Community Reviews

News & Interviews

Menu Halaman Statis