If you're a practitioner of the Craft, you'll already know how personal the path is to each of us, there's no one size fits all and if you're anything like me then that's part of what you love about being a Witch.
So when I heard about Laura Tempest Zakroff having a new book published called Anatomy of a Witch a Map to the Magical Body, I was intrigued to say the least! Little did I know what was in store upon receiving it to review.
It weaves references to her earlier work of Sigil Witchery and Weaving The Liminal beautifully, inspiring you to personalise your workings further. While giving you a tangible way of working with the Elements that are a part of our physical bodies, rather than viewing them as something separate from our physical form. And although this work is written with the practices of a Witch in mind, they can be used by anyone looking to form a closer relationship with there bodies and how we embody the elements of Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit.
Starting with the Witches Lungs, Laura walks us through how to use breathwork to connect with the element of Air and our very real and physical interaction with this element. With incantations and sigils for each element, and a suggested practice to work with each element in turn, each chapter building on the last to create a guide and framework you can easily use.
Below I've included one of the journal prompts for working with the element of Air, as can be found on page 37 of the Anatomy of a Witch
Journal Prompt
Sensing Scent
Consciously considering what associations certain smells have for you can be very useful in applying them in ritual and spellcraft. Consider what aromas are pleasing or repugnant to you, and see if you can determine why you feel that way about that smell.
What scent is calming or soothing for you?
What scent invigorates you or makes you feel powerful?
What scent do you associate with cleaning, cleansing, and purification?
Is there a certain incense or scent that you associate with a spirit, deity, or ancestor that you might work with?
The journal prompts that you can find in each chapter are just as thought provoking and insightful, which are a great addition to the books overall theme and practicality.
You can also follow my YouTube series on working with the elements which is based off of this book, offering a taste of what the book has to offer.
Once you've worked with each element, or Witch Lungs, Witch Heart, The Serpent, Witch Bones and The Weaver we then come to Loving the Magical Body. Which contains ways of reconnecting with the body, a section on familiars, magical maintenance and practical love, helping us to heal our body image issues and connect with the amazing things our bodies do for us each and every day without much conscious thought. Laura has very kindly included a sigil for this exact thing, which to me taps into something that is very much a part of the human experience with many experiencing insecurities and body image related struggles. This is the first time I've come across a magical text relating to this, and it's been done in a beautifully mindful and touching way that highlights how although we are all unique at a deeper level we are all so similar, no matter our experiences or origins.
In chapter seven there's a particular practice I've grown to love, called Kissing the Earth. Although it's a very practical practice that makes us mindful of how we walk and the impact this has on the physical body, it also draws attention to the larger impact we have on the world around us and that part of pagan living is to tread lightly, referring to the impact we have on nature and the environment, whether it's single plastic use or our mode of transport we use, Mother Gaia (Earth) is our home and gives us life and for me this really resonated and has rippled out into my daily life just from doing this one practice around my home.
There's also a section on tending the cauldrons, which was particularly interesting...As a Reiki practitioner I'm accustomed to working with the seven main Chakras as energy centres in the body, and hadn't realised there were three main energy centres in pagan practices, embodying Warming, Motion and Wisdom. There are visualisations to help cleanse and balance each of these in turn, which you can use on a regular basis to maintain a balanced and harmonious overall energy.
"One cauldron in the belly below,
Warming the body so life can flow.
One cauldron in the chest tends the flame,
Sets heart in motion, eyes on the game.
One cauldron a crown over the head,
Guiding god-spirit holding the thread."
These cauldrons help to unify the mind, body and spirit, which help to maintain the magical body. Each cauldron is located in a place on the body that you can physically touch, making them easier to connect with.
At the end of the book you'll also find the Witches Anatomy Sigil, which combines the individual sigils, this enables you to use a targeted sigil or something that will connect all of the elements of the Witches Anatomy.
This, as Laura suggests can be carved onto an alter candle or applied to the body using oil, and although applying the sigil to your body is a little more difficult, it's proven to be a very powerful practice.
This book has been on my wish list since it was released, as I knew deep down there was more linking the practices I've been drawn to over the years and the more I follow the path of a witch, the more sense it all makes.
If you are new to the path or a seasoned practitioner you're sure to find something within these pages to expand and deepen your magical practices, I can't recommend this book enough and give my sincere thanks to Laura Tempest Zakroff and Llewellyn Publishers for this body of work. I've enjoyed Laura's work for a while now, not only because it's helped me to grow as a witch but also the growth and healing it has prompted along the way, maybe incorporating the journal prompts as you mindfully colour your way through the elements...
Physically the book is well thought out and of good quality print as you would expect from Llewellyn, for me part of the reading experience is the feel of the book and the pages, and this doesn't disappoint. The cover is quite soft to the touch and the paper of the pages are soft and flexible, making it a very comfortable read to hold. The print is clear and the illustrations are a beautiful grey scale that add to the magical vibe throughout.
I personally love the colour representation of the sigil on the front cover, it would be lovely to be able to purchase this as a print to use as wall art or above an altar.
I'm trying to think of any negatives that should be included, but I honestly can't find anything in my opinion. Other than wishing the artwork from the cover was available to purchase and maybe a colouring book that could be used in conjunction with this in some way.
I would also like to thank Llewellyn Publications for the opportunity to review this oracle deck, if you would like to purchase a copy you can do so by clicking the link above, which will take you directly to their website or it can be purchased from most reputable bookshops and online retailers.
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You can read more of my reviews on titles such as The Everyday Witch Oracle, The Soul's Twins and other informative pieces in my back catalogue.
Until next time..
Love & Light
Georgie
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