A Witch Is: 13 Keys to Witchcraft — Witchcraft Wicca

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A Witch Is: 13 Keys to Witchcraft

Name: A Witch Is: 13 Keys to Witchcraft
Price: 17.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780738781259

✍️ Henderson, Raechel

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$17.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Raechel Henderson outlines thirteen core personal traits for building a self-reliant, individual witchcraft practice.

This guide frames magic as an internal development process rather than a collection of bought items. Author Raechel Henderson examines how traits like patience, honesty, curiosity, and resilience alter spellcasting results. Readers learn to assemble everyday carry kits, establish relationships with spirits and ancestors, and evaluate source materials critically. Chapter exercises address practical issues such as navigating magical setbacks, respecting other cultures, managing intent, and deciding when to hide the truth. Henderson uses personal anecdotes and hands-on activities to help practitioners build a structured, thoughtful practice.

Key Themes

building magical self reliance ethics and practical spellcasting developing internal witch traits

Literary Context

Published by Llewellyn Publications, this modern paperback reflects eclectic and independent Pagan practice. It responds to contemporary modern witchcraft's commercial trends by emphasizing internal skill development, resourcefulness, and personal ethics over purchased aesthetic items.

Henderson, Raechel

📚 all books by this author (5) →

Difficulty

● Easy

Recommended For Fans Of

Starhawk · Raven Grimassi · Scott Cunningham

🌙

Witchcraft & Wicca

Praise for this book

“In a landscape of modern witchcraft that encourages the pursue of a consumerist aesthetic, Raechel's book reminds witches of every level, beginners and advanced alike, that witchcraft is a practice we can build ourselves, every day, and the only building blocks necessary are these 13 keys we can all learn and access within us.”

— Ysha, the Activist Witch

🏛 Llewellyn Publications 📅 2026 📖 256 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780738781259

Fun Fact

Raechel Henderson's "A Witch Is" offers a refreshing, much-needed perspective, grounding witchcraft in personal integrity and inner strength. It excels at guiding readers toward a deeply authentic practice. Those seeking a traditional spellbook or rigid dogma might find it less prescriptive than desired. This work firmly establishes itself as a thoughtful cornerstone in the contemporary self-empowerment and spiritual development subgenre of witchcraft literature.

📝 Description: A Witch Is: 13 Keys to Witchcraft

In A Witch Is: 13 Keys to Witchcraft, Raechel Henderson presents thirteen core traits meant to shape an individual magical practice. The author, an eclectic Pagan practitioner who works with Hestia and Turtle, draws on decades of personal experience to explore how internal qualities inform spellwork. Organised around these central concepts, the book includes chapters on being resourceful, resilient, kind, patient, intuitive, knowledgeable, purposeful, honest, respectful, and curious. Specific topics covered include making a magical EDC kit, foraging, ancestral altars, dream interpretation, pre-spellcasting rituals, protection magic, and constructing an astral residence. The text also offers guidance on vetting resources, handling setbacks when magic fails, and navigating the ethics of hexing. Henderson, who has written Sew Witchy and contributed to Llewellyn almanacs, pairs practical exercises with stories from her life to build foundational skills. Activist witch Ysha notes that the book offers a path away from consumerist aesthetics by focusing on internal tools. This title suits beginners and experienced practitioners looking to construct a self-reliant, goal-oriented practice grounded in problem-solving and personal ethics. It is less suited for readers seeking a traditional spellbook of pre-made formulas or a single historic tradition.

📑 What's inside

Introduction
Chapter 1: A Witch Is Resourceful ... 9 Thinking Differently 13 Foraging 16 Making Your Own Magical Tools 19 The Magical EDC Kit 21 Exercises 23
Chapter 2: A Witch Is Resilient ... 27 The Survival of Witchcraft 28 When There Are Setbacks 30 When the Magic Isn't Working 34 Exercises 38
Chapter 4: A Witch Is Kind ... 59 Kind Does Not Equal Nice 61 The Place of Compassion in Witchcraft 65 The Interconnectedness of the World 67 Protection Magic 68 Exercises 74
Chapter 5: A Witch Is Patient ... 79 Magic Takes Time 80 Magical Timing for Better Spellcasting 82 Write It All Down 85 While You Are Waiting 88 Exercises 91
Chapter 6: A Witch Is Intuitive ... 95 Trusting Your Gut 96 Sharpening Your Intuition 99 Pay Attention to Your Dreams 101 Divination 104 Exercises 108
Chapter 8: A Witch Is Knowledgeable ... 133 Being a Problem-Solver 134 Cultivate Relationships 137 Ways to Learn 141 Vet Your Sources 144 Exercises 148
Chapter 9: A Witch Is Purposeful ... 151 Goal-Orientated Magic 152 Pre-Spellcasting Rituals 156 The Ritual and the Witch 159 Putting the Purpose in Your Practice 162 Exercises 166
Chapter 10: A Witch Is Honest ... 171 Your Intentions 172 When You Have to Hide the Truth 175 Exercises 177
Chapter 11: A Witch Is Respectful ... 183 Of the Land and Spirits 184 Of Other Cultures and Magical Practices 187 Of Themselves 191 Of Their Power 194 Exercises 198
Chapter 12: A Witch Is Curious ... 201 Don't Accept the World as It Is 202 Curiosity and the Cat 204 Safety 206 Build Your Own Cabinet of Curiosities 213 Exercises 215
Conclusion
Acknowledgments
Recommended Reading
Bibliography

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

While Henderson’s approach is inviting, it may not suit readers seeking strict adherence to historical Wiccan dogma or complex ceremonial mechanics. The book prioritizes personal embodiment over technical instruction, which might disappoint those looking for detailed spell recipes or rigid theological frameworks. However, for the modern eclectic practitioner, it is a refreshing and necessary exploration of identity. The anecdotes ground the theory in reality, making the abstract concepts of intuition and resilience tangible. It serves as a mirror rather than a map, requiring active self-reflection from the reader.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who feel disconnected from traditional, rigid structures of magic will find immense value in this guide. Raechel Henderson offers a compassionate pathway for those wishing to move beyond performative spellwork and instead cultivate the internal qualities that define true witchcraft. If you are seeking to deepen your self-awareness, build resilience, and trust your intuition, this book provides the necessary framework. It is ideal for practitioners looking to personalize their craft, making magic feel less like a set of rules and more like an authentic expression of the self. The focus on transformative traits ensures that you gain practical tools for living a magical life, regardless of your specific lineage or background.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you're seeking to deepen your understanding of witchcraft beyond mere spells, or if you're a new practitioner building a foundation rooted in personal character, this book is for you. It's ideal for anyone looking to integrate self-development with a magical worldview.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

While Henderson’s approach is inviting, it may not suit readers seeking strict adherence to historical Wiccan dogma or complex ceremonial mechanics. The book prioritizes personal embodiment over technical instruction, which might disappoint those looking for detailed spell recipes or rigid theological frameworks. However, for the modern eclectic practitioner, it is a refreshing and necessary exploration of identity. The anecdotes ground the theory in reality, making the abstract concepts of intuition and resilience tangible. It serves as a mirror rather than a map, requiring active self-reflection from the reader.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Absolutely. While it offers depth for experienced practitioners, its focus on foundational traits and self-discovery makes it an excellent resource for newcomers to build a strong, personal understanding of their path.

Not in the traditional sense. It emphasizes developing the *qualities* that make magic potent, rather than providing a spellbook. You'll learn to create your own correspondences and practices, rooted in personal understanding.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

The Essence of Witchcraft

This book shifts the focus from external rituals to internal qualities, presenting witchcraft not just as a set of actions, but as a way of being. It encourages readers to explore thirteen fundamental traits, guiding them to forge a personal and meaningful understanding of what it truly signifies to be a witch in the modern world.

Cultivating Personal Power

Henderson emphasizes that true magic stems from within. The text provides tools and insights for self-reflection, helping practitioners develop crucial qualities like self-awareness, confidence, and intuition. By integrating these traits, readers are empowered to craft a unique magical path that resonates deeply with their individual spirit and personal truth.

Practical Magical Development

Beyond theoretical concepts, the book offers actionable advice and exercises. From creating personal correspondences and building astral spaces to establishing ancestor altars and vetting resources, it equips readers with concrete methods to integrate magical principles into daily life, fostering resilience and purposeful practice.

📜 Historical context

In an era where witchcraft is increasingly embraced as a path of self-discovery and empowerment, this work stands as a thoughtful contribution. It moves beyond prescriptive ritual, aligning with contemporary trends that prioritize personal experience and internal development within the broader tradition of modern magical practice, offering a fresh perspective on ancient archetypes.

📚 Glossary

Correspondences
Astral Residence
Ancestor Altar

📔 Questions to reflect on

Which of the thirteen traits explored in this book do you feel is strongest within you, and how does it already inform your magical practice?
Reflect on a past obstacle in your magical or personal journey. How might cultivating resilience or resourcefulness, as discussed, have altered your approach or outcome?
How would you personally define "witchcraft" in a single sentence, integrating both external practices and internal qualities?