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A Westerly Wind Brings Witches: A Cornish Odyssey a Novel

Walker, Sally
Reader rating
4.8
(1 reviews) 23 sold
In stock

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📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Escape the mundane and dance with ancient magic on Cornwall's wild shores.

Moira Box, feeling adrift in her life, journeys to the mystical landscape of Cornwall, where she stumbles upon a vibrant coven of spirited women. This unexpected sisterhood pulls her into an odyssey that transcends time, reaching back to the historical 'Burning Times,' when female wisdom faced persecution. It's a whimsical and empowering narrative of rediscovery, celebrating the enduring legacy of pagan roots and defiant female spirituality, blending historical echoes with contemporary magical realism for an uplifting experience.

Key themes
Reclaiming Female Power Echoes of Ancient Cornwall Modern Magical Realism
Historical context

This novel sits firmly within the contemporary neo-pagan and feminist spiritual fiction tradition, weaving modern magical realism with historical pagan heritage. It reflects the enduring legacy of female spirituality and the reclamation of wisdom traditions often marginalized during the persecution of witches.

Difficulty
● Easy
Fans will love it
Doreen Valiente · Starhawk · Sally Owens · The Witch's Book of Self-Care
🌙 Witchcraft & Wicca
🏛 Moon Books 📅 2024 📖 336 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781803414584
Fun fact
This novel is a vibrant, heartwarming embrace of female power and ancient magic. Its strength lies in its joyful spirit and imaginative blend of history with modern-day witchery, offering a much-needed dose of comfort and defiance. Readers seeking gritty realism or strictly historical fiction might find its whimsical tone too light. However, for those who love uplifting magical realism and stories of spirited, non-compliant sisterhood, it's a delightful, effervescent escape that shines brightly in the contemporary occult fiction landscape.

📝 Description: A Westerly Wind Brings Witches: A Cornish Odyssey a Novel

Moira Box, with not a lot going for her, legs it down to Cornwall to join a cantankerous coven of stroppy women. Shapeshifting poor Mogs back to The Burning Times, when women's role in the lingering rural folkways was disappearing from Merrie England. But today, wild women wrapped in cloaks pop up amongst the Cornish standing stones on a full moon basis! Wriggling out of the closet woodwork, giggling and garnished with glitzy-witchy fashion accessories, still stubbornly non-compliant and undoubtedly up to mischief... Witches and Wisewomen, reclaiming female spirituality, unearthing our buried pagan roots. An outside-the-box book, a feel-good tale, a pick-me-up for the perpetually put-down, a bag of comforts for the comfort eater. Sweep away the acceptable respectable and jump on your broomstick! Fly past perimeters, transcend our taken-for-granted reality and hang on tight for a bumpy ride!

💎 Expert review

💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
This whimsical narrative offers a delightful immersion into Cornwall’s mystical landscape, celebrating the vibrant energy of a spirited coven. While it succeeds beautifully as an empowering tale of female solidarity and pagan rediscovery, it may not suit readers seeking gritty realism or complex political intrigue. Those preferring hard magic systems with rigid rules might find its magical realism too soft or abstract. The focus on emotional resonance over plot density could frustrate fans of fast-paced thrillers. However, for those valuing atmosphere, historical echoes, and spiritual upliftment, it provides a necessary counterpoint to mundane life. It is a gentle, inviting story that prioritizes connection and legacy, making it less suitable for skeptics or readers who demand rigorous factual historical accuracy in their fiction.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking an uplifting escape into the mystical will find profound joy in Moira Box’s journey through Cornwall’s wild shores. This book is ideal for those feeling adrift who crave a narrative of rediscovery and empowerment through the lens of ancient magic. It appeals to anyone drawn to the bond of spirited sisterhood and the celebration of pagan roots. The whimsical blend of historical echoes with contemporary life offers a refreshing perspective on defiant female spirituality. Those longing for a story that transcends time and honors the enduring legacy of wisdom will feel deeply connected to this odyssey. It is a perfect companion for those ready to dance with magic and embrace their own spiritual awakening in a landscape rich with enchantment.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.8/5
★★★★
If you crave stories of female empowerment, ancient magic, and a touch of playful rebellion, this novel is for you. It's a perfect pick-me-up for anyone seeking comfort, inspiration, and a vibrant reminder to embrace their inner wildness and defiant spirit.

Reader rating

4.8
Based on 1 reviews
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Esoterica Books editorial team

This whimsical narrative offers a delightful immersion into Cornwall’s mystical landscape, celebrating the vibrant energy of a spirited coven. While it succeeds beautifully as an empowering tale of female solidarity and pagan rediscovery, it may not suit readers seeking gritty realism or complex political intrigue. Those preferring hard magic systems with rigid rules might find its magical realism too soft or abstract. The focus on emotional resonance over plot density could frustrate fans of fast-paced thrillers. However, for those valuing atmosphere, historical echoes, and spiritual upliftment, it provides a necessary counterpoint to mundane life. It is a gentle, inviting story that prioritizes connection and legacy, making it less suitable for skeptics or readers who demand rigorous factual historical accuracy in their fiction.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Not at all! This is a joyful, uplifting journey of self-discovery and sisterhood, focusing on positive reclamation, empowerment, and a sense of whimsical mischief rather than dark magic or malevolence.
While rooted in historical themes like the 'Burning Times' and ancient folkways, the narrative primarily employs magical realism to explore these eras, blending historical inspiration with imaginative, fantastical elements for a unique and enchanting experience.

📖 Who should read this

If you crave stories of female empowerment, ancient magic, and a touch of playful rebellion, this novel is for you. It's a perfect pick-me-up for anyone seeking comfort, inspiration, and a vibrant reminder to embrace their inner wildness and defiant spirit.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Reclaiming Female Power

This novel delves into how women, historically marginalized and suppressed, rediscover their innate strength and spiritual connection. It emphasizes the power of communal support and defiant self-expression against societal constraints, celebrating the enduring legacy of wise women who refuse to be silenced. It’s a call to embrace one’s authentic, wild self.

Echoes of Ancient Cornwall

The narrative is deeply rooted in the mystical history of Cornwall, where ancient folkways and standing stones hum with forgotten energy. The landscape itself becomes a vibrant character, anchoring the story in a rich tapestry of pagan tradition and timeless magic. It beautifully connects the past to the present through the land's enduring spirit.

Modern Magical Realism

The book seamlessly blends the everyday with the overtly supernatural, where cloaked witches gather under moonlit skies and historical visions intertwine with contemporary life. This playful yet profound approach invites readers to perceive magic within their own reality, offering a spirited escape that challenges the boundaries of perceived normalcy.

💬 Quotes from the book

“The wind whispered secrets through the ancient standing stones, and Moira felt an insistent hum beneath her feet, a laughter bubbling up from centuries past, refusing to be silenced.”

“Forget the broom closet; we're dancing on the rooftops in glitzy cloaks, a coven of mischief-makers proving that wild women never truly went out of style.”

📜 Historical context

Situated within the burgeoning genre of feminist magical realism, this novel taps into a rich vein of literature that re-examines historical witch hunts and pagan traditions from a contemporary perspective. It aligns with works that seek to reclaim and celebrate marginalized spiritualities, offering a refreshing, affirming narrative in the tradition of modern witchcraft and goddess-centered literature.

📚 Glossary

Burning Times
Coven
Pagan Roots

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. How might reconnecting with your own 'pagan roots' or ancestral wisdom empower your present-day life and sense of self?
  2. Consider a time you felt 'put down' or marginalized. What steps did you take to reclaim your voice or inner strength, much like the women in this story?
  3. What does 'non-compliance' mean to you in a positive, empowering sense, and how can you embody that spirit in your own life for personal growth or joy?

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