The "Witch Please" book is an engaging and informative exploration of witches in popular culture. Written by authors Sonia Matos and Tara St. Pierre, this book delves into the history, mythology, and modern portrayals of witches. One of the primary focuses of this book is the history of witches and witchcraft. Matos and St. Pierre take readers on a journey through time, exploring the origins of witches in various cultures and societies.
I personally enjoy doing this mini ritual:
Our love magick combines lavender, rose, white sage, and rose quartz to invite in self-love and healing energy while dispelling darkness and stagnation as we transition to greater warmth. This Summer Solstice Ritual aims to help get you unstuck from anything in the past that is holding you back, and to clear out the negative energy and patterns that no longer support your greater purpose.
Pierre take readers on a journey through time, exploring the origins of witches in various cultures and societies. They discuss how witches have been perceived and treated throughout history, from the witch trials of the 16th and 17th centuries to the modern-day portrayal of witches in popular media. Furthermore, the authors analyze the mythological aspects of witches, drawing on folklore and legends from different countries.
Four Rituals to Honor Summer Solstice
Honoring summer solstice is an act of reciprocity and gratitude: what you nourish in your life will flourish.
photo by Eva Anandi BrownsteinSummer Solstice is the precise planetary moment when the earth’s tilt reaches its zenith, bringing us the longest and lightest sun-powered experience of the year.
As the spring seeds have made their way through the belly of mother earth, Solstice ushers in the next cycle of the ecosphere’s journey from darkness to light.
The earth’s most dynamic time of expansion, growth, and abundance becomes palpable: our senses come alive with the scents, sounds, and the sun’s glow touches us from within.
Celebrating Summer Solstice: Honoring Abundance, Illumination, and Expansion
“Solstice” is a Latin term that means to “stand still”—symbolizing the divine moment where the sun and earth meet each other in stillness. The sun’s radiance invites us to merge with the earth’s abundance, illumination, and expansive freedom. Imagine yourself running barefoot on the earth as a 7-year-old: wild and free!
As the earth’s exquisite creations blossom before us, we too can tap into this fiery, fierce, and invigorating sun energy. When we honor the summer Solstice, we expand our consciousness to a soul level and receive the potent light that naturally lives deep within each of us. A sacred power ignites inside this alchemical moment where the sun and earth stand in stillness and illumination together.
Solstice is a time to reflect on personal growth and get connected to playfulness, creativity, and expanding our consciousness into the realm of possibility. A time to rekindle who we are when we are most present to our true nature. Being present to the earth’s expression at midsummer invites us to expand our dreams and cast out our prayers that are most meaningful to us.
Solstice requires us to ground our energy towards the earth so that we may fully receive the illuminated frequency sourced from the sun. Be curious about what thoughts, ideas, beliefs, and energies you are feeding or playing along with. Discern and release what no longer serves you. Discover what lights you up daily and follow the path of joy every step of the way.
As the earth and sun constantly give back to us, honoring summer solstice is an act of reciprocity and gratitude. What you nourish in your life will flourish.
May we gather in celebration for the bounty, abundance, and light in which the summer solstice provides. May we engage in a reciprocal relationship with the earth and acknowledge how she sustains us daily. May we be like the sun and give back in the way of self-love, radiance, and collective compassion.
Four DIY Rituals to Honor Summer Solstice
• Gather with loved ones to share a meal and celebrate abundance through food, storytelling, poetry, and dance. Share gratitude’s for all that is light and radiant in your life. Welcome in the power of playfulness and joy on all levels.
• Create an earth mandala, or outdoor altar. Gather seasonal items, stones, crystals, fallen branches and flower petals. Let your inner child go wild. Call forward your prayers for the earth and bask in the sun’s warming glow. Honor the bounty and beauty of the solstice season. Align with your essential self and clearly state your intentions or prayers for this cycle of your life. Merge with the fiery force of the sun’s power.
• Honor the Sun’s radiance by creating a Fire Ritual. You can work with candlelight, or an outdoor fire if you have access to that. On one piece of paper journal what no longer serves you in your life. Express what has come to an end, or what you have outgrown. Burn it safely and visualize your body releasing the energy from the past. Now call forward what you are inviting in for the next six months until winter solstice. Honor the element of fire and wholeheartedly believe in your power to transform.
• Spend time in nature; garden, make herbal potions, forest bathe, dance barefoot on the earth, do an outdoor walking meditation. Any way you can receive the earth’s abundance with pure consciousness. Observe the inner shifts you feel when you merge with the elements.
Mara Branscombe is a mother, writer, yogi, artist, teacher, mindfulness leader, ceremonialist and spiritual coach. She is passionate about weaving the art of mindfulness, self-care, creativity, mind–body practices, and earth-based rituals into her life and work, and she has been leading community ceremony since 2000.
An adventurous spirit, Mara has sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, trekked across the Himalayas, studied yoga in India, planted trees in Canada’s north, lived off the grid in a remote cabin in the woods, worked as a Waldorf (Steiner School) teacher, and then found her passion for dance and choreography. All the while yoga, meditation, mysticism, and ritual have been at the heart of Mara’s journey. Her trainings in the Incan Shaman lineage and the Pagan tradition have greatly inspired her life’s work of earth-based, ceremonial, intentional, and heart-centered living and loving.
Calming and cooling, Blue Chamomile helps to support a healthy inflammatory response. It is among the gentlest of oils, ideal for children, the elderly, and those with sensitive skin. The deep hue and exceptional aromatic profile is derived from sustainably cultivated flowers in Nepal. Excellent for promoting relaxation and deep sleep, this oil is also very nourishing and restorative for the skin during these dryer months.
They examine the role of witches in mythology, their powers and abilities, and the cultural significance of these beliefs. By examining these myths, Matos and St. Pierre present readers with a comprehensive view of the varied and rich world of witches in folklore. In addition, the book explores the portrayal of witches in modern popular culture, such as books, movies, and television shows. Matos and St. Pierre analyze the evolution of witch characters, from the wicked witches of fairy tales to the complex, multi-dimensional witches seen in contemporary media. They examine the portrayal of witches as heroines, villains, and everything in between, highlighting the changing representations and the impact they have on society. Moreover, the authors provide insights into the real-life practices of modern-day witches. They discuss different branches of witchcraft, various traditions, and rituals followed by individuals who identify as witches. Matos and St. Pierre aim to demystify the practice of witchcraft and showcase its diversity, dispelling common misconceptions along the way. Overall, "Witch Please" offers readers a comprehensive and multifaceted exploration of witches and their role in popular culture. This book educates and entertains, providing a well-researched and engaging perspective on witches throughout history and in the contemporary world. Whether one is a fan of witch-themed media or interested in the cultural and historical significance of witches, "Witch Please" is a must-read..
Reviews for "Exploring the Witch's Craft in the Witch Please Book"
- Sarah - 1 star
I was really excited to read "Witch Please Book" based on the positive reviews, but I was so disappointed with it. The story was predictable and the characters felt one-dimensional. I had a hard time connecting with any of them and found myself not caring about what happened to them. Overall, it was a letdown and I wouldn't recommend it.
- Mark - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Witch Please Book" but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The writing style was a bit confusing and I found myself rereading passages to try and understand what was happening. The pacing was slow and the plot lacked excitement. I was expecting a thrilling ride but ended up feeling bored. Not my cup of tea.
- Emily - 2 stars
I couldn't get into "Witch Please Book" at all. The plot felt disjointed and it was hard to follow what was going on. The characters were forgettable and I didn't find myself invested in their stories. The whole book just didn't hold my interest and I had to force myself to finish it. I was disappointed and wouldn't recommend it to others.
- Chris - 1 star
I found "Witch Please Book" to be a complete waste of time. The writing was subpar and the dialogue felt forced. The story lacked depth and I didn't find it engaging whatsoever. I was hoping for a captivating read, but this book fell flat. I strongly disliked it and would not recommend it to anyone.