A Review of Ellen Dugan's "Natural Witchery"

Weeks ago I came across a book on witchcraft: "Natural Witchery: Intuitive, Personal & Practical Magick" by Ellen Dugan.
It's a great book, rooted in tradition but flexible and dealing with newer subject matter. In this book, she teaches the basics of witchcraft, the more advanced practices, and recommendations for day-to-day life.
For example, she has a chapter on Wicca in the workplace. It talks about whether or not you should come out of the broom closet to co-workers, how to deal with anxiety using covert magickal methods, and using protective psychic armor.
She even talks about raising children in a Wiccan household, something that surprisingly few people talk about.
The information is valuable in the modern day yet probably timeless, her writing style is humorous and friendly but not corny, and her methods and recommendations are easily integrated into one's life. I heartily recommend it. =)

PS: She has a blog: ellendugan.blogspot.com
A lot of it is announcements, but there is some useful information and how-to's on there. Check it out!

"Words Make Up Our World," Said the Wizard

Terry Pratchett is a wizard with words. I'm serious. Although his books tend to lean on the silly side (luckily, I love silliness), they hold quite a bit of truth. I love the way he relishes words, reveres stories, and reveals parts of the universe from a very different (and yet decidedly straightforward) point of view. Yes, his books are indeed silly- at the same time though, they may well be the most contemplative and meaningful books that you will ever come across. At least that's my take on them.

"There should be a word for words that sound like things would sound like if they made a noise, he thought. The word 'glisten' does indeed gleam oilily, and if there ever was a word for that sounded exactly the way sparks look as they creep across burned paper, or the way the lights of cities would creep across the world if the whole of human civilization was crammed into one night, then you couldn't do better then 'coruscate.'"  -Terry Pratchett, Equal Rites, page 207.