Book Review: Samhain Traditions: 13 Spells & Rituals for the Witches’ New Year

Samhain Traditions: 13 Simple & Affordable Halloween Spells & Rituals for the Witches’ New Year by [Pagan, Penniless]

Available on Amazon here

I’ve been inspired by the Penniless Pagan for a while now. I like her simple way of working her magick and the fact that it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg to create a ritual, a ceremony, or a spell. She makes that point abundantly clear in the name she has taken, and she always lives up to her name.

She also has a great sense of humor which is a really nice feature of this book.

That might be enough of a review about Samhain Traditions, but there really is a lot more to tell.

I mentioned getting an early start on Halloween goodies during Moon in Scorpio time in the free printable Libra monthly planner. Halloween/Samhain is a Scorpio holiday, after all. This was my Moon in Scorpio treat and I relished every word. (I purchased the Kindle edition for $7.99. Instant download! Instant joy!)

First, there is nothing complicated about any of the 13 spells and rituals in the book. Heck, most people wouldn’t even be aware that you were conjuring up some seasonal magic (let alone magick) with these spells and rituals. You could be sitting at your kitchen table with the women’s group from the Baptist church, working your magick, and they’d never be the wiser while you went about your seasonal conjuring. Honestly, they’d probably enjoy it. That, to me, is what making seasonal magick is all about ~ a celebration of nature’s changing face and enjoying all the colors, scents, and tastes.

Michaela, the Penniless Pagan, offers up some fantastic recipes for teas, essential oil blends, edible treats, and other goodies. I’m especially anxious to whip up some of her Aura-Cleansing Spirit Spray. If you’re an empath or someone who is sensitive to bad juju in public spaces, you’ll want to keep a spritzer of this within easy reach all year long.

She covers the colors of the season and their meanings, herbs and spices, and reconciling the fun and silliness of Halloween with the seriousness of Samhain. Can you do both? Yes, and at the same time!

I was especially touched by the Candle in the Window Ritual. In a world where Halloween has become the number 1 candy buying time of year, it’s really nice to reflect on Samhain as a time of great love and remembrance.

I could go on and on, but in a few words: Buy this book!! I highly recommend it for anyone (witch or not) who wants some simple but meaningful ways to enjoy the holiday, to remember and honor loved ones who have passed on, or just to have some fun. This is a charming book for solitaries, families, or groups to enjoy.

The Penniless Part

You can get all the supplies you need from what you already have on hand or a quick trip to the dollar store. Oh, how I love the dollar stores!

There’s nothing much to special order, though Michaela does offer up her recommendations on where to get herbs. (Spoiler: Mountain Rose or Starwest Botanicals) If you live in a small town like me, you might have to go online for an essential oil but you can also make a substitution. A nice substitution list is included.

Here’s a look at the Table of Contents

Samhain Traditions
Grab a Pumpkin, It’s Samhain!
A Note about Remembrance
Simple Ways to Honor Transcended Loved Ones
Magickal Aromatic Autumnal Blends
The Way of the Witch: Celebrating Samhain in a Halloween World
A Note on Successful Casting
So You Gave an Offering… Now What?
Candles, Fire, and Your Inner Pyro
Season of the Witch Herbal Substitution Guide
Color Me Magickal: New Year Blessings Light Catcher
Aura-Cleansing Spirit Spray
Candle in the Window Ritual
Lost Souls Lighted Garland
Samhain Seed Spell
Samhain Blessing Log
Spiced Hot Chocolate Money Spell
Sacred Souls Altar Paper Pumpkins
Tumbled Tarot Stones
Mind’s Eye Divination Tea & 4 Elements Tarot Spread
Light of Their Soul Pumpkin
Samhain Protection Salt
Bonus: Samhain Sunset Ritual

Who is this Penniless Pagan?

A quote from Michaela ~

I believe in a simple, natural, and (most importantly) intuitive approach to spirituality. Worshipping nature shouldn’t cost you a dime, and I intend to show you exactly how to do that with a practical approach to rituals, Sabbats, herbal medicine, and natural living.

Visit Penniless Pagan online here.

Samhain Traditions is available in these stores:

Amazon (Ebook AND Paperback!)
iTunes
Barnes and Noble

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