Author: Rachel Patterson
Publisher: Moon Books
Pages: 152
Publication Date: November 4, 2019
In Kitchen Crystal Magic, best-selling author Rachel Patterson looks at some of the more commonly available crystals and presents them in a magical light! Combining an extensive reference section along with topics such as how to work with crystals for magical purpose, connecting with crystal magical energy, which crystals to use for specific magical intent, creating crystal spell grids and using crystals for divination, Crystal Magic is an essential book for the modern Kitchen Witch. Crystal Magic is the third in a series of books that delve into the world of the Kitchen Witch. Each book breaks down the whys and wherefores of the subject and includes practical guides and exercises. Other titles include Spell and Charms, Garden Magic and The Elements.
Hi everyone! Today we have a super full blog post. First up we'll have the review, then the author interview with Rachel Patterson, and you'll find the link to the giveaway down below! Enjoy!
I'd like to give a warm thanks for the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! Enter below for your chance to win your very own copy!
As you might guess, this book is all about crystal magic. The cover features a witchy looking person, with a crown of briars and a crystal ball in her hand! This is the third in the Kitchen Witchcraft series by Rachel Patterson, and the other two are just as helpful! Going into this, you're expecting to learn about crystals and how to use them in magic and I think the book delivers that well.
The writing style is very casual and friendly versus formal/academic, which makes this approachable, but on the flip side, seems a little too casual for my total liking, which brought my review from 5 Triquetras down to 4 (really 4.5). I know that many will like the approachable writing style and casual voice that Patterson uses, but I would like something like this style for a blog post, instead of a traditionally published book, although this is just personal preference and I don't believe fully takes away from the information that the author is presenting.
I feel that this book is very accessible, and tries to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time, at some parts even feeling a bit rushed. It feels like it should be aimed at beginners, although some sections will utilize terms and practices that may be too advanced for someone who has never done any sort of spellwork or crystal work before. Perhaps someone who is new to crystals, but not completely new to witchcraft and Paganism as a whole.
The book briefly goes over what a crystal is, how crystal energy works, the basics of cleansing and upkeep and using them for spells and there is a TON of correspondence provided. About halfway, the book turns into a crystal index that goes over the most common crystals, how to cleanse them, and the divination meaning (which I don't see too often, so that's a huge bonus!)
Overall, I think the book achieved its goal of being a good overview of crystal magic that's presented in a friendly, conversational tone.
I would recommend this title, especially fort hose who are newer to using crystals or for those who would like a brief, informal overview and refresher/ideas on how to use your crystals. Patterson is great at condensing tons of info into useful sections and lists.
I loved the new ideas I got and will definitely be pulling out my crystals and utilizing them in my practice more!
Author Interview
Triquetra: Picture this: You feel uninspired and you’ve sat at the computer for an hour without conquering any words. How do you get your creativity flowing?
Rachel Patterson: I bake. My kitchen is one of my sanctuaries (my garden being the other). Baking cakes and cookies is a therapy for me, it helps me unwind and clear my head. There is something about the alchemy of the ingredients coming together and creating something wonderous and delicious that is so magical, pure witchcraft! It also helps me sort my thoughts as I am going through the process of following the recipe and of course adding my own twists to it. Then of course you get to enjoy the end result, preferably sitting with a cup of tea and looking out at the garden whilst eating a slice of cake – it is a win win.
T: What is your favorite genre to read, and why?
RP: Although I am on the other side of 50, I prefer to read young adult fiction, from the fantasy section. It helps me escape and provides an easy, uncomplicated and entertaining read. I also love the ‘cosy mystery’ novels. My ‘go to’ read though, is anything by Terry Pratchett. I have been a fan of his for over thirty years. He had such a grasp of humanity and how to transport it into a fantasy world with his own unique humour. He also knows exactly how Witches work. My pile of ‘to read’ books is large, but it is always a Pratchett Discworld book that I reach for when I need a comfort read.
T: Do you feel like you’d be a better writer if you wore sparkly socks during your writing sessions?
RP: Obviously the wearing of sparkly socks is essential for any kind of inspirational writing, I wouldn’t beseen at my desk without them. Although I do on occasion wear stripy socks instead, I think they bring a slightly different spin to my writing. No writer should be seen wearing boring socks.
T: What is your favorite word, and why?
RP: My editor often laughs at my use of the English language (I am not sure if that is a good thing or not). I like to introduce him to wild and wacky words. ‘Hinky’ is one of my particular favourites it is one of those words that describes its meaning perfectly just in the sound of the word. Sometimes I discover words that sound fabulous and I find a way to include them in my works. ‘Behove’ was a recent one and‘nefarious’ is also another personal favourite, it sounds so delicious. I do on occasion make up my own words as well.
T: Do you have a song that, when it comes on, you HAVE to stop writing to jam along to it?
RP: Pretty much any 1980’s pop will get me up and dancing or singing along. Particular favourites are anything by Jimmy Somerville, Bronski Beat or Yazz. And of course, if the Time Warp comes on you have no option but to sing and do all the actions. I love the 80’s, in fact I never really left 1985.
About the Author
Rachel is an English witch who has been walking the Pagan pathway for over thirty years.
A working wife and mother who has had over 25 books published (so far), some of them becoming best sellers.
Her passion is to learn, she loves to study and has done so from books, online resources, schools and wonderful mentors over the years and still continues to learn each and every day but has learnt the most from actually getting outside and doing it.
She likes to laugh...and eat cake...
Rachel gives talks to pagan groups and co-runs open rituals and workshops run by the Kitchen Witch Coven.
High Priestess of the Kitchen Witch Coven and an Elder at the online Kitchen Witch School of Natural Witchcraft.
A regular columnist with Fate & Fortune magazine, she also contributes articles to several magazines such as Pagan Dawn and Witchcraft & Wicca. You will find her regular ramblings on her own personal blog and YouTube channel.
Her craft is a combination of old religion witchcraft, Wicca, hedge witchery, kitchen witchery and folk magic.
Her heart is that of an English Kitchen Witch.
Rachel was added to the Watkins '100 spiritually influential List' for 2023.
For more information www.rachelpatterson.co.uk and www.kitchenwitchhearth.net
A working wife and mother who has had over 25 books published (so far), some of them becoming best sellers.
Her passion is to learn, she loves to study and has done so from books, online resources, schools and wonderful mentors over the years and still continues to learn each and every day but has learnt the most from actually getting outside and doing it.
She likes to laugh...and eat cake...
Rachel gives talks to pagan groups and co-runs open rituals and workshops run by the Kitchen Witch Coven.
High Priestess of the Kitchen Witch Coven and an Elder at the online Kitchen Witch School of Natural Witchcraft.
A regular columnist with Fate & Fortune magazine, she also contributes articles to several magazines such as Pagan Dawn and Witchcraft & Wicca. You will find her regular ramblings on her own personal blog and YouTube channel.
Her craft is a combination of old religion witchcraft, Wicca, hedge witchery, kitchen witchery and folk magic.
Her heart is that of an English Kitchen Witch.
Rachel was added to the Watkins '100 spiritually influential List' for 2023.
For more information www.rachelpatterson.co.uk and www.kitchenwitchhearth.net
No comments:
Post a Comment