The Green Witch Illustrated by Arin Murphy-Hiscock & Sara Richard

subtitled An Enchanting Immersion Into The Magic Of Natural Witchcraft.

When I was a young teenager first interested in learning more about witchcraft, I pestered my poor dad into getting me books on the subject whenever he traveled overseas — heaven knows, you weren’t about to find anything accessible on the topic in Malaysia back in the 20th century. My dad did his best but, in fairness to Malaysian bookshops, books about learning witchcraft weren’t that easy to find in your average Waterstones or Waldenbooks back then either.

So it’s a delight that books like The Green Witch Illustrated are nowadays readily available for anyone with an interest in learning more about the practice. Keep in mind tho that this book and many like it are very much centered on temperate climates: there’s some mention of different seasonal variations but the tradition is clearly sourced from the ancient European. And that’s fine! This is a book marketed to North Americans, referencing both natural and commercial items most readily sourced from the USA and Canada. Arin Murphy-Hiscock is based in Canada herself, and is part of a druidic tradition informed by both Celtic and German witchcraft, according to her website. It makes sense that her advice comes from that, as that’s what she knows. Younger me would have been disappointed and frustrated at how inaccessible some of these components are — even the turning of the seasons is completely different down by the equator — but present day me recognizes how practices like these aren’t universal and also aren’t the center of all knowledge.

That said, this book is a pretty good way to get started on what’s essentially a fairly personalized practice. In keeping with that philosophy, TGWI It isn’t at all prescriptive about what beliefs you need to have in order to be a Green Witch. In fact, the only requirement to being a (North American) Green Witch is a firm grounding in place and nature, understanding that those who practice this craft are doing so in order to be in harmony with the entire natural world, including the humanity, around them. Thus, the spells and rituals listed inside are meant primarily to bring people back in equilibrium with the earth, regardless of whether they live in a rural, suburban or urban area. At its most magical, the book seeks to concentrate positive energy, good health and abundance around the witch and the recipients of her creations. While it is decidedly neutral on ethical concerns, it’s very clear that there is a difference between positive and negative energies, and that positivity is to be encouraged, without losing sight of the natural cycle of things.

The spells and rituals inside are reflective of this, covering the many but primarily most common uses of plants and stones most readily available to North American Green Witches. There are some very useful instructions for preparing salves, tinctures and other mixes, as well as how to make and use herbal incense and other Green Witch tools. As with much other witchcraft tho, the power lies just as much in the intent as it does in the crafting.

Sara Richard’s wonderful illustrations make this volume more than just a handbook, turning it into a gorgeous reference that draws the eye and heart as much as the words do. With a luxe cover and lovely interior paper, this is a phenomenal introduction to the practice of Green Witch magic that serves as a beautiful gift for anyone, including yourself, wanting to learn more.

The Green Witch Illustrated by Arin Murphy-Hiscock & Sara Richard was published November 26 2024 by Adams Media and is available from all good booksellers, including