It has been a long time since I read an introductory book to Witchcraft. Let’s be honest, how many of them can you read in a row without getting tired? There was a time when I forgot all about them because I was exhausted and focused on specialized books. However, I’m at a point in my life where I want to go back to the basics.
I began thinking of which book I could start with, and I must admit, I fell in love with this one because of the cover. (Whether we admit it or not, we all judge the cover first.) The content solidified that love, being worthy of praise and admiration; thus today I am reviewing Awakening the Witchblood: Embodying the Arte Magical by Nathan King.
Awakening the Witchblood by Nathan King [Crossed Crow Books]
- Publisher: Crossed Crow Books
- Publication Date: June 28, 2024
- Print Length: 265 pages
- Tags: history, introductory, nonfiction, planning, psychic development, spirituality, Witchcraft
Drawing on the myriad of beliefs from European Witchcraft traditions, Nathan King has created an impressive guidebook, combining mythology and folklore with operative rituals designed to enliven and quicken the metaphorical Witchblood that courses through our veins. Learn the mysterious and often convoluted origins of the Witch’s power and dive deep into practice. Learn the secrets of magical trance work, techniques to raise magical power, and a plethora of unique spoken charms and spells. Instructions for honoring the old Witch Gods accompany rituals of ancestral healing and methods of inducing Witch flight.
“Ascend! Ascend! Ascend! Ascend!
To the Sabbat, I attend!
I fly ‘round the crooked bend
Until, at waking, is its end.”
While most of the books I’ve read start with the history and origins, or sometimes “so-called” origins, of Witchcraft, Nathan King starts with a personal reflection that we all need to have present at the beginning of this journey: “Know thyself.” This sets the tone of a more approachable, conversational book than others.
He explores different aspects of Witchcraft and provides guidance to those who are not as familiar with it. I admit that some obscure terms, such as “Book of the Arte” or “Arte Magical,” disoriented me a little bit, but the quality of the content is such that it’s just a mater of personal preference, not an actual flaw.
Nathan also gives enough room for interpretation and is clear when saying if something is historically based or just his preference or interaction. The first part, compromised of the first eight chapters, was a total delight: from ancestors to deities to Aradia to Lucifer! It was a dream come true for my academic brain that always wants to know where the information comes from, but also for my creative self that loves to look for new ideas and points of view. From it, I didn’t enjoy the chapter about angels as much as the others, but it is just as fascinating.
The second part is more grimoire-like, offering guidance about the basic magical and spiritual works a Witch can develop with in-depth explorations of location, trancework, power raising, divination, incantations, and ritual work.
However, having thought about it, I think this is a more of an intermediate book. Maybe because it is influenced by or inspired by traditional Witchcraft, there were some standard ideas that I didn’t see, like correspondences or the four elements, and more specialized areas, like the chapter on angels, that I’m not sure would be fundamental for starting a practice.
I don’t think this is a flaw, but for me an introductory book should give as much basic grounding as possible, so it allows the reader to choose what to pick and what not to. Awakening the Witchblood gives room for choices and interpretations, for personal preferences and different ideas to flourish, but I didn’t find topics that I would usually expect coming from an introductory book, and more focused, detailed chapters in other topics. We could say it redefines what introduction should be about.
In the end, it is worthy of praise for its writing style, its solid foundation on old and new ideas, the freedom that imbues every page, and the guidance that offers to those seeking more. I found what I wanted and then some! Nathan King has created a beautifully written grimoire that helps both new and experienced practitioners at the same time, making it a valuable addition for many witches, especially those interested in working with spirits, entities, ancestors, and deities, but also in questioning ideas we may have already accepted or that haven’t explored in detail before.
Thanks to Crossed Crow Books for providing a review copy.
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