(Very pleased this time I remembered to take the book photo BEFORE I have read it and made the cover curl up!)
I first became aware of Althaea’s work in 2020 I think it was. I joined her Discord server which is an amazing and vibrant community, and I took several of her email workshops. It was nice to be part of such a diverse community that were all animists and believed that Paganism should be approached in a non-materialistic way. The server does require a membership through her Patreon. For myself, due to some not-so-great financial changes over the last year, I became unable to support creators and thusly, for now, I'm not a member there any longer. But I will link the Patreon below and I highly recommend the wonderful community she has built. They have a lot of fun and there are many events, including once I even attended a party!
I adore Althaea’s approach with witchcraft because it is so similar to my own practices that are land-based, spirit-led, and animistic. While I don't identify as a witch myself, I always find a lot to complement my practice within her work.
Now to the book!
It consists of eight lessons with exercises after each lesson. In the first chapter “Witchcraft and Worldview” she explains what witchcraft is, it’s history, and she describes animism, what she means by ‘the Land’, and practices such as divination, ritual and spirit work. She also explains the important skills of; awareness, discernment, energy work, focus, strength of Will, and visualisation. Each lesson with its exercises build upon the last, and help the reader to build respectful relationships with the Land spirits around them, including; spirits attached to place or natural objects, to natural processes, to buildings, and even to man-made objects. After the eight lessons she presents some ongoing exercises and continuing practice suggestions. There is also a glossary at the end of the book to help with understanding any terms mentioned.
This book will absolutely be the one I will recommend to anyone interested in working with Land spirits, whether they are new to it or more experienced. It gives you everything you need to know to start your relationships, or to deepen your relationships with Land spirits.
I was amazed to read mention of the spirits of man-made objects, the first I have ever seen in print! My entire life I have felt these spirits, I think we all do as children, and then we are taught they are not ‘real’. Even though as kids we know they are! I remember when my children were growing up and it was time to let go of toys and stuffies, that I would have a terrible time with it! Each item felt like their own person, they had given so much joy to my kids, they had been friends, comfort, a part of our home, and they all had distinct personalities. I would always feel the need, as did my kids, to have to pass those items directly to other families so we could be sure they would be cared for. And in the past there have been times when things were being thrown out, I would sometimes feel literally sick doing it. And then chastise myself for being so silly. So, to say I feel justified now with how I have felt about these items,would be an understatement. And I will continue, no longer feeling silly, to thank the spirit of these items when they are being passed on, recycled, or discarded. Thank you Althaea!
And thank you for sending me this wonderful book Weiser!
You can purchase it here, or at at many of the usual places you buy books: Alive with Spirits Book by Althaea Sebastiani | Red Wheel/Weiser (redwheelweiser.com) Althaea’s Patreon ( I really recommend her Discord server!) https://www.patreon.com/Althaea Althaea's website (you can purchase courses from her site and receive access to discussion channels in the Discord) https://www.ladyalthaea.com
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