Review: Witch: Unleashed. Untamed. Unapologetic

Just a few weeks ago I met Lisa Lister, the author of Witch: Unleashed. Untamed. Unapologetic, at a bloggers' party being run by the book's publisher, Hay House UK. In fact, the party was partly to launch this new book aimed at women wanting to learn how witchcraft can empower their lives.

I like Lisa a lot - she is friendly, fun and  passionate about all things witchy. Her passion is even more obvious in her book.

Witch: Unleashed is a beginner's book, but it is far from a run-of-the-mill Wicca 101 offering. Lisa is a hereditary gypsy witch who believes that all women are witches when they are truly in their power. Her book is as much a call to women to stop being tame and to stop apologising as it is a grimoire of witchy spells and rituals. As publisher Hay House UK says:

A witch is a woman in her power. She's wise, a healer, someone who is aligned with the cycles of Mother Nature and the phases of the Moon. Yet for so long, the word 'witch' has had negative connotations. In this book, third generation hereditary witch Lisa Lister explains the history behind witchcraft, why in past centuries the word 'witch' has led women to be tortured, drowned and burned at the stake, and why the witch is now waking once again in women across the world today. This book will help women to remember, reconnect and reclaim the word 'witch' and its power.

For quite some time I've been noticing that more and more young women are attracted to witchcraft because it is empowering, but are less interested in old-school Wicca because they see it as being too restrictive and hierarchical. They want something they can do their own way - on their own or in covens - but without being tied to a rigid ritual structure. Witch: Unleashed is the kind of book likely to appeal to them.

But I'm going to be honest, I think Witch: Unleashed is a Marmite book. Some will adore it, others will feel it is not inclusive enough. Quite specifically, it is aimed at cisgender women. It is not aimed at men, or at transwomen. That's a controversial area at the moment and I have to say I would put myself in the inclusive witchcraft camp.

However, Lisa recognises that her book won't appeal to everyone. She is bold and doesn't mind speaking her mind - and that is something I respect and admire in a woman, even if I don't agree with their perspective. The world needs more women who are happy to speak their minds. It is absolutely okay to disagree, not be apologetic about it, and still be friends. That is the most powerful message that Witch: Unleashed teaches.

The photo at the top shows Lisa Lister at the Hay House UK bloggers' party.


Links and previous related posts
Witch: Unleashed. Untamed. Unapologetic
http://www.hayhouse.co.uk/
www.thesassyshe.com
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/04/pagan-eye-witch-blogger-party-cocktail.html