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Posted Under Paganism & Witchcraft

Everyday Witchcraft

domestic kitchen

I've written a number of books for Llewellyn over the years—believe it or not, my upcoming release is number eight—but far and away the most popular one was my third, The Goddess Is in the Details. And I have to confess, it was my favorite too. (Shhh…don't tell the other books. They'll cry, and I'll have to give them each a cookie.)

I've gotten the most letters and emails about The Goddess Is in the Details, and it recently went back for a sixth printing, which is pretty unusual. So what was it about this book that made so many people love it, and why am I talking about it now, many years later?

The idea behind the book was a simple one: because most of the witches and Pagans I knew complained about how hard it can be to find the time and energy to really practice their Craft, I wanted to write a book that made it easier to do so. The Goddess Is in the Details was all about simple, easy ways to integrate our magickal lives with our mundane, everyday world.

Who wouldn't like to do that?

Fast-forward about five years, and another four books, and one day it suddenly occurred to me that I had more to say on this particular subject. It was time to write another book; something of a follow-up to the first book, although you wouldn't have to read one in order to enjoy the other. Why, you ask? Good question.

In part, I wanted to do the new book because in the ensuing years I'd learned more through my own personal practice, and some of my approaches to things had changed. In part, it was because I kept getting questions from readers that hadn't been addressed in the first book, or in any of my others. Also, let's face it, this issue—of how to live our lives as witches all day every day, walking our talk, if you will—is the focus of much of my writing because I think it is important. For me, at least, Witchcraft isn't just a spiritual practice. It is a way of life.

So that's how Everyday Witchcraft: Making Time for Spirit in a Too-Busy World was born. I tackled some topics I hadn't covered in The Goddess Is in the Details, and added new approaches to some that I had. As an added bonus, I reached out to some of my fellow witchy writers and asked them if they would be willing to share snippets of their own approaches to living the Craft, and was rewarded with wonderful words of wisdom (and fun) to share with my readers from people like Christopher Penczak, Raven Digitalis, Melanie Marquis, Z. Budapest, Ashleen O’Gaea, Kris Bradley, and more. I love being able to offer the viewpoints of other folks, since everyone tackles this issue a little differently.

I had a lot of fun writing Everyday Witchcraft. Some of the new additions include "five-minute rituals" (after all, we should all be able to find at least five minutes a day to add in something to feed our spirits, and with a number of different options, everyone will hopefully find something that works for their particular needs). There are suggestions for easy forms of daily divination, and something I like to call a "hibernation vacation" (hint: you don't have to leave your house).

There are also suggestions for fast, simple daily practices, as well as ways to connect with deity and add a magickal touch to your everyday activities. As always, there are also ways to bring nature into your life and go with the flow of the Wheel of the Year. In short, I hope that there is a little something for everyone, especially those who liked The Goddess Is in the Details so much.

I'm no different from anyone else. My life is a constant balancing act, trying to juggle the demands of a hectic schedule as a shop manager/jewelry maker/nonfiction and fiction author/cat servant with my desire to live my best possible life and be the best Witch (and human being) that I can be. I often fall short of my own goals, but that doesn't mean I don't keep trying.

Every day when I wake up, I greet the gods and ask them to help me to do my best for myself and for others. Every night when I go to bed, I thank them for all the gifts and challenges of the day. Even these simple practices are a way to integrate my spiritual life with my everyday life.

Many of the suggestions in this book come from my own life. They are either things I do myself, or things my friends or coven-mates do. Some I picked up from reading the many wonderful books others have written (and yes, there is a suggested reading list at the back of the book to help you find the ones I think are the most helpful and/or fun to read), and others are things that I came up with on my own. Either way, I hope that you find some of them helpful in your own journey towards becoming an everyday witch.

It is my belief that there is no way to separate our spiritual practice from our everyday lives—nor would we want to. Part of the goal of following a spiritual path, whatever it might be, is to add depth and meaning and richness to our everyday existence. It is my fervent hope that, in some small way, Everyday Witchcraft will make that goal more attainable for those who read it. If it does, then I get a cookie, right? Right?

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About Deborah Blake

Deborah Blake is the author of over a dozen books on modern Witchcraft, including The Eclectic Witch’s Book of Shadows, The Little Book of Cat Magic and The Everyday Witch's Coven, as well as the acclaimed Everyday ...

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