I’m an immigrant witch. Starting from scratch. Tight on cash. And then I see a book about how to be a Witch without spending all my hard-earned money? Yes please. Hell yes, even. As soon as I saw this book, I knew I had to ask for it, and was it worth the wait!
I’m going to start this review with praise and say do yourself a favor and get a copy of Witchcraft on a Shoestring: Practicing the Craft without Breaking your Budget, by Deborah Blake.
Cover to the 2024 edition of Witchcraft on a Shoestring by Deborah Blake [Crossed Crow]
- Publisher: Crossed Crow Books
- Publication Date: March 5, 2024 (new edition)
- Print Length: 180 pages
- Tags: Budgeting, spirituality, Witchcraft, planning, nonfiction
Witchcraft on a Shoestring takes the reader through a fun and engaging journey of magical practices that don’t require expensive tools or materials. Readers will have a magical time creating spells, divinations, and even recipes that cost little to no money, which reminds us that we don’t need fancy items to practice the Craft; all we need is a little imagination!
Witchcraft Without Worry
We’ve always believed that Witchcraft should be accessible to anyone brave enough to answer the call, and fortunately, Deborah Blake has created a wonderful resource for tapping into the powers of the Craft without the need for excessive investing, making the Craft once again attainable. Contained herein are instructions for making oils, runes, candles, charms, and more using easy-to-obtain materials while showcasing over 50 methods of working magic that cost little to money.
One of the things that constantly frustrates me about being a Witch is that it can be/get so expensive sometimes. Don’t get me wrong – I know it is a craft, an art, and we are all about supporting local artisans and businesses. I shop local every time I can. But when it comes to Witchcraft… My wallet cries like a banshee sometimes.
And don’t get me started on spellbooks! The amount of herbs, colored candles, incenses, stones, and so on, can scare anyone off. Some might instead emphasize making one’s own tools, but some of us do not have that form of artist expression or talent to begin with.
That’s where this books comes in handy!
It is so full of ideas and alternatives that it is truly a lifesaver when a Witch is in a situation where money is challenging. It helps get rid of some ideas that do nothing but harm us regarding our relationship with the Craft. I admit I resented being a Witch sometimes of how costly it can get. In that sense, this was also a healing reading, because it shows the reader Plan B, C, and so forth.
Some of the methods Blake provides did not click with me, personally – for example, she suggests sculpting a set of runes, while I made mine using some coins from Venezuela instead. But that’s exactly what the book’s perspective is all about: finding alternatives and finding new ideas.
Blake is also totally respectful to all the talented, gifted artists out there. It is not that they do not deserve to be compensated for their hard work, but about finding a middle spot so readers stay responsible about their finances.
Deborah Blake has a clear, simple style that goes straight to the point, giving enough explanations whenever they are needed but also leaving open space for the readers to wonder and try new things. There was an earlier edition of this book published in 2010 through Llewellyn Books; I admit that I am not familiar with the original version of this book, so I cannot compare how it has changed. However, I can and will say this edition does feel current, grounded in the present world and the needs of the people.
I can say for sure it is one of those readings I will come back time and time again to refresh because it is a toolkit in written form. It reads like a conversation with a friend who knows what you’re going through. Fresh and honest, it is a good addition to any Witch’s library. Newcomers will get a breath and a break from shopping, and experienced practitioners will remember that simplicity is also good.
If I were to pick my favorite part, it would be the last section. It serves as a list of alternatives to the elaborate and complicated rituals, spells with so many materials, incantations with strange forms and structures. I had a hard time seeing some of the options as Witchcraft, but then I realized that we should not take those things for granted or overlook them as non-important.
It’s so easy to think about Witchcraft in a restrictive, if evocative, way. Witchcraft doesn’t know limits or restrictions. It is not something that can be contained in items and supplies. They help, they get us into the right mindset, and it can be fun to include this and that. However, you don’t need to spend a single coin to be a Witch.
I needed that reminder, and I believe that many of us need it as well sometimes. Being a Witch is not about what you have and get. A Witch is determined by their actions, their feelings, and their principles.
Thanks to Crossed Crow Books for providing a review copy.
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