Everyday Magic

by Semra Haksever

[Jo]

2.5 Stars.

Everyday Magic by Semra Haksever is not too dissimilar to Witchery above - though in some ways better, and others, worse. Everyday Magic isn't so focused on the witch really digging deep, which I preferred, and there is more information in regards to correspondences - just not enough, in my opinion. I'd have preferred the Crystal Family Tree to be more about crystal correspondences; while it was interesting to see Haksever's take on the crystals, I'm not sure it's as useful as actually telling us their correspondences clearly.

But Everyday Magic is a very quick read - I read it in one day - that's chock full of spells, rituals, potions, teas and baths that are really very quick and easy - and with the herb correspondences at the back, it's easy to understand why you're to use the specific herbs mentioned. This is more of a spell book than anything else; it's purpose is to provide you with spells, etc. for you to try out. Which is fine if that's what you're after, but I thought there might be a little more There is a very heavy focus on herbs and essential oils, though, more so than anything else, so in all there were just two spells that I myself could actually do, what with my fragrance sensitivity - but what is good is that Haksever does say you can use the herb correspondences to adapt any all spells, etc., mentioned in this book if you have allergies or dislike certain scents, so that was pretty good.

However, Everyday Magic does talk about spirit animals and smudging, which comes from Native American spiritual practice, gives instruction on how to use mojo bags and cast a hoodoo spell, and this can be seen as cultural appropriation, so I wasn't quite happy with that.