Welsh Witchcraft: A Guide to the Spirits, Lore, and Magic of Wales (Welsh Witchcraft, 1)

Welsh Witchcraft: A Guide to the Lore, Spirits, and Magic of Wales is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the magical traditions and practices of Wales. The book is written by Mhara Starling, a Welsh native and a practitioner of Welsh witchcraft, who provides readers with a comprehensive guide to the spirits, lore, and magic of Wales. The book begins with a brief history of Welsh witchcraft and its place in Welsh culture and society. Starling then explores the spirits and deities associated with Welsh folklore and mythology, providing an in-depth overview of their stories, attributes, and significance in Welsh witchcraft. She emphasizes the importance of connecting with nature and the land in Welsh witchcraft, and how it is vital to cultivate a deep and meaningful relationship with the natural world. This emphasis on nature and the land is a recurring theme throughout the book and serves as a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all things. The book provides an exploration of various magical techniques and rituals employed in Welsh witchcraft, including the use of herbs and other natural materials. Starling provides detailed information on the properties and uses of these materials, as well as instructions on how to use them in various magical practices. The book also delves into the role of divination and meditation in Welsh witchcraft. Starling provides insights into various divination methods used in Welsh witchcraft, as well as techniques for meditation and visualization. But what truly sets Starling apart is her unwavering passion for the craft, evident in every word she writes. She is an inspiration to all aspiring and practicing witches and a truly amazing person and our community is richer because of her presence within it.I think my favorite part of Welsh Witchcraft is Starling’s discussion of Welsh fairytales and fairies. She does a brilliant job of exploring the role of fairies in Welsh myth, fairytales, and witchcraft, providing a glimpse into the rich and enchanting world of Welsh folklore. Fairies are depicted as nature spirits that inhabit the hills, valleys, and forests of Wales, and the need to respect and honor them is emphasized throughout the book. In Welsh folklore, fairies are often depicted as mischievous and sometimes dangerous, but also as powerful allies in magical workings. Starling provides a detailed overview of specific fairy tales from Welsh folklore, including “The Lady of the Lake” and “The Red Dragon of Wales.” She explores the roles that fairies play in these stories, as well as insights into the deeper meanings and symbolism of the tales. The book also delves into the different types of fairies in Welsh mythology, such as the Tylwyth Teg and the Bendith y Mamau. Starling provides detailed descriptions of these fairies and their attributes, as well as their roles in Welsh witchcraft. One of the key takeaways from Welsh Witchcraft is the importance of respecting and honoring nature spirits, including fairies, in magical workings and also everyday life. Starling emphasizes that fairies can be powerful allies in spells and rituals, but they must be approached with respect and caution. Welsh Witchcraft is an enchanting and informative book that provides a glimpse into the rich and enchanting world of Welsh witchcraft. It is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in exploring the magical traditions of Wales, Welsh mythology, or anyone interested in the lore of fairies. Even if one is not Welsh, reading this book is still an enriching experience, as Welsh culture, mythology, and practices have inspired and influenced many witchcraft traditions in Europe, from Gardner’s Wicca to Cochrane’s Trad Craft. Be sure not to miss this one. I walked away enriched after reading this book and look forward to reading more books by the author in the future.

I have really enjoyed this book it was informative and entertaining. I enjoyed the contents from the beginning to the end. It was very well organized and overall a joy I am looking forward to more books by Mhara Starling this being an all time favorite.

This book is so engaging! I am a few generations removed from my Welsh ancestors, so I appreciate the thorough and approachable guidance. That said, you don't need to have any connection to Wales to enjoy this book. As a language nerd, I LOVE the use and explanations of Welsh language, and I really appreciate the pronunciation guide.

I'm a big fan of this author in general- she absolutely knows what she's talking about, and it's refreshing to see a traditional viewpoint on such a rich and beautiful history. My only qualm is that, while the contents of the book are good, if you took out all the times she restates and repeats an idea, this book would be maybe 1/4 of the length it is. I still would recommend this book though.

Regardless of any reviews, you should buy this book. Mhara Starling is a gift to be treasured; a strong, intelligent, woman who is vocal and proud to be a transgender witch, or "Swynydd." I found her writing style and voice to be captivating enough that I felt her love for Cymru and it's history, it's folklore, and it's people on every page. By purchasing this book, you're supporting a self-made author and her attempts to show the world how cool Wales and it's history/folklore/magic are.All of that being said, I didn't purchase this book as a way for me start practicing welsh witchcraft, but rather to educate myself on the folklore and magical culture of my ancestral homeland (I am an American whose father's maternal line can be traced back to the 1400s in Wales). So I looked at this book as an outsider and newcomer to witchcraft/paganism trying to understand the rituals and traditions as they relate to my ancestral culture. In that context, this book was not exactly what I wanted nor would I recommend reading it for that purpose- HOWEVER, the resources that Mhara provides are EXCELLENT and the information she does directly reference is both accurate and annotated (appreciated!). Her bibliography alone is worth the asking price for the book.If you are looking at this book as a guide to becoming a Welsh Witch, well I can't say I am an authority but Mhara does certainly lay out a path, or at least all of the information you need to forge your own- it isn't so much a step by step set of instructions as it is an introduction and compendium of resources for you to find your own way with. She does include some "exercises" (spells/rituals) throughout the book as well.Either way, like I said, I recommend picking this one up, and if you are looking for more information on Welsh Folklore and pre-christian Welsh culture, I found Gods and Goddesses of Wales by Halo Quin to be quite helpful.

I LOVED this book! I liked how lore and exercises were combined. I have Welsh heritage and am obviously drawn to the Celtic/Druid/Welsh path. I could gush all day about this book. If you like Kristoffer Hughes you will definitely enjoy this one. I’m obsessed!

Mhara Sterling shows a deep insight into Cymraeg witchcraft history, it is an important read for all who follow the Cymraeg Celtic witch path. I can't put it down and read it non stop. This book is slowly becoming one of my favourites in my collection of Pagan and Wiccan books. The book contains lots of information that is very useful to both experienced witches and those just finding their way to the Celtic witchcraft path. Mhara if you ever read this thank you for this book. Blessed be sister of the old ways.

Interested in Welsh Folklore or traditional folk magic/witchcraft, then I would highly recommend Welsh Witchcraft by Mhara Starling - The Welsh Witch - I'm not from Wales or really knowledgeable about Welsh traditions, although I'm English, I thrive on folklore + traditional practices etc Mhara has a way with words, where she introduces the reader to these practices with ease. Explaining on her way, giving little hints and tips, aswell as providing sources and within all this, adds in her journey and knowledge. Welsh Witchcraft was an enjoyable read and is a book I keep returning to, full of excellent lore, practices and stories.I do like that you can feel Mhara's passion, when she's writing. Mhara's approach is informative, straight to the point and she cuts out the white noise, allowing the reader to devle in without distraction. I feel that this is just the beginning for Mhara and I hope we see more books of this nature going forward. Even my 11 year old has read Mhara's book and he absolutely loves it. 10/10 from me.

I bought this book mostly for the cover. The design was just too intricate and beautiful to resist! It is also nice to have a book celebrating the myths and lore of Wales, as I feel that aspect of our country is often underappreciated. I am not an expert in witchcraft, so I cannot attest to the accuracy of anything in the text; but from what I have seen it is highly detailed and goes deeply into many facets of the art. You can tell the book was a labour of love for the author, and that is what makes it so compelling to try despite this being her amateur debut. It is inspiring to see a writer with such passion for her heritage!

I was drawn to this book by a fellow welsh witch. As a baby witch, tapping into my deep sense of connection to welsh magic, this book promised to share ideas and histories is resonate with. As a reader with ADHD who struggles to read non-fiction, the perfect level of attention was kept with Mhara’s personal connection and storytelling. I feel like I’m a part of a practice, rather than reading a detached non-fiction book. Enrapturing.

This is the only book on witchcraft that I’ve wanted to read to the end. It’s very well written, extensively researched, and absolute fount of valuable knowledge and wisdom. If you only get one book on traditional witchcraft this year, it should be this one.