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Book Review - The Magical Art of Crafting Charm Bags



Title: The Magical Art of Crafting Charm Bags - 100 Mystical Formulas for Success, Love, Wealth, and Wellbeing.

Author: Elhoim Leafar

Copyright: 2017

Publisher: Weiser Books


I have been on a soapbox for the last three years that a vast majority of occult literature is nothing more than simple information that could be Googled and regurgitated by anyone. Rarely have I gleaned anything new or felt enlightened from the bookstore shelves. I understand why publishing houses tend towards these topics; new readers will purchase the most books to 'learn all the things' and quickly amass a full library. Advanced practitioners know that magic is within and will conduct their own experiments and learn through trial and error. Therefore, introductory books are where the money is.


However, my book review of Elhoim Leafar's 'The Magical Art of Crafting Charm Bags' opened my eyes. This guide was a welcome breath of fresh air. MACCB is a deeper dive into the common idea of a charm bag with different cultural viewpoints than I had been exposed to. The first part of his book touches on some witchy basics (such as casting a circle and using incense) but only ensures the reader is up to speed.


Two things are worth mentioning in this section. The first is Elhoim's recommended work with closed religion deities (God Eleggua, p.10). While I am aware that this deity is not available to me, a newer or less informed witch may not. However, this book was published in 2017, which was just before the great awakening in the pagan communities about appropriation in witchcraft. I go into more depth about that subject in this post. I'm sure Leafar would mention this if a newer version were published.


The second is Mr. Leafar's use of the term 'white magic.' It is finally coming to light that the terms white/black magic are terms made up by Gerald Gardner's Wicca that have racist undertones. There is no such thing as black/white magic. Magic is neutral. It's the user that decides its purpose and intent. In order to make witchcraft more mainstream and palatable, Gardner coined the term 'white witch' for Wiccans, and Black Magic was generally used when referencing African Diaspora traditions such as Hoodoo. I could make an entire post about this unpleasantness, but instead, I'll leave a few links below for further reading. However, I noticed a pattern. Leafar only used the terms 'white magic' and 'white witch' when referencing practitioners of Wicca. This context would make sense since Wiccans are the ones who created the term. Still, since Leafar is a person of color, I hope the author's future books omit these terms. Once again, I'm letting this slide since it was published back in 2017.


Part two of MACCB is a more meaty section, and that is where I really fell in love with this book. Leafar deeply looks at every detail that goes into making the charm bags. From the date, time, astrological sign, and lunar position, it is clear that this art is more of a science than I had originally thought. He gives wonderful advice on structuring a consecration as well as providing lists of colors, herbs, gems, oils, and their magical correspondences.


Finally, the third part of MACCB is a vast collection of charm bag recipes for the reader. I love that Leafar gives you both a list of items to make your own bags as well as tried and true preplanned recipes. It helps the reader take baby steps if you feel a bit overwhelmed.


In conclusion, Elhoim Leafar's 'The Magical Art of Crafting Charm Bags' (MACCB) challenges my skepticism toward most occult literature. Leafar's refreshing perspective offers a deeper exploration of charm bags, surpassing the surface-level content typical of introductory texts. While some aspects, such as his recommendations regarding closed religious deities and his use of potentially outdated terminology, warrant consideration, the depth of insight and practical guidance provided in MACCB outweigh these concerns. Leafar's meticulous attention to detail transforms charm bag crafting into a precise art, from astrological alignments to magical correspondences. Moreover, his inclusion of both DIY instructions and preplanned recipes caters to a diverse range of practitioners, making this book a valuable resource for intermediate witches seeking to expand their craft. MACCB is a definitive guide authored by an expert, earning its place as an indispensable reference on my bookshelf.




Additional Reading for Black Magic vs White Magic:




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