This book combines Witchcraft, Welsh history, mythology and personal experience all intone enjoyable and easy read.
I first came across Mhara Starling on Tiktock, where she puts a fun new spin on Welsh history, folk law and witchcraft. As a history dork from North Wales I was instantly hooked on her informative yet funny take on my home region. So when her latest book became available to preorder I was there with my debit card ready. So last week it finally dropped through the letterbox and I spent the next 2 days ploughing through it.
Why I ordered this book?
Before lockdown I had been exploring witchcraft a little bit. I had been reading up about it after my Reiki practitioner said she got a Witch vibe from me (maybe I heard her wrong and it was a bitch vibe but anyway...). After some exploring I decided witchcraft wasn't quite for me, I would stick to herbs and runes and went on my merry way. Fast forward a few months and it's lockdown 1, I finally had the time and the weather to get my garden into some sort of order. And so I stocked up on reading material and immediately I was struck by the similarities between traditional gardening practices and plant based witchcraft practices. Cycles on the moon, seasonality, cultivation, preservation etc. were all apart of both practices. However most of the witchcraft books, podcasts and articles i read tended to be from America. So, I was really excited to read Mharas take on being a Welsh witch, practicing in the same environment as me.
Why read this book?
What I like about this book is that is not an instruction manual on how to be a Welsh Witch. Mhara points out that witchcraft is a highly personal and individual journey and I appreciate that this book offers experience, information and advice over a prescriptive do's and don'ts. She expertly weaves her personal experiences with the historical and cultural influences of her craft. Mhara encourages the reader to take a look at their local environment to understand their own personal craft and practice and by extension taking time to understand themselves, their origins to be able to be the most authentic practitioner they can be.
Rosemary, Rose, lavendar, Bay and sage for the Historoo garden
An example Mhara discusses is when she was young and while talking to an older Witch she says she needs to go to the supermarket to pick up the herbs she requires. The older witch is flabbergasted and tells her to go for a walk and see what is available in nature instead. I really related to this story. Last year I wanted to grow sage to dry and burn for purification (very witchy I know lol) so I looked online at which sage to use.... Californian sage. Ok so how do I grow it? It needs a super hot, dry environment. I live in WALES. My garden is a clay bog in the winter and it gets warm but not California hot. As I was trying to work out how to grow this plant it hit me, why am I bothering? I have sage and loads of other herbs, many that were in the garden when we arrived and had grown wild. Why on earth am I dragging a plant half way across the world to live in an environment it doesn't like and then expect it to be happy? From then on I have tried to use what I had and it has worked so well. Most of the herbs I use were here before me and will remain here after me. That has meaning. And it is that meaning and connection that Mhara discusses. She also talks about crystals and how most are unethically sourced so that is something I will definitely take away with me. She says;
"A stone you find on the beach or at the shores of a lake or whilst hiking up a mountain will be far more powerful and useful that a stone you buy in a store... you will have a deeper, stronger connection with that stone"
What I found most inciteful was her look into Welsh identity and outside perceptions of what it is to be Welsh. I have had the same conversations with non welsh people who have no idea what Wales is, that we have our own language and history and culture. I especially appreciated how Mhara concisely pointed out the differences between Celtic cultures and nations with Celtic origins. Wales is a nation that has been won, lost, invaded, occupied, repressed, regained over and over for millennia so no wonder Welsh identity is sometimes misunderstood. I really enjoyed how Mhara explored that identity and focussed on the individuality and beauty of what it is to be Welsh, exploring the language in detail as well as the deities and traditions attached to her practices.
Criticisms of the book
As I said above, I really enjoyed this book however it is a little repetitive in places however I feel that these small issues are due to editing rather that writing. I heave read in other reviews that there is too much Welshness in it... um hello? The book is called Welsh Witchcraft but I can understand what they mean. However, as Mhara points out, Welsh identity, history culture is not publicised or understood by other cultures enough and needs to be showcased. That is what this book does, showcases what it is to be North Walean and I'm sorry but if you are not into that, then maybe try a different book. It is not a how to book but a personal journey that tackles identity, belonging, ancestry and culture as well as Witchcraft.
In Conclusion...
This book is a lovely, easy read for anyone who wants to expand their witchcraft practices but also for anyone interested in Welsh culture and history.
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