🌙 Witchcraft & Wicca −17%

Hexing the Patriarchy: 26 Potions, Spells, and Magical Elixirs to Embolden the Resistance

✍️ Gore, Ariel
Reader Score
4.6
(1 review)
$28.00 $34.00 Save $6.00 (17%)
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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Drawing on Wicca, feminist theory, and magick studies, this hardcover guide presents active magic as an explicit tool of social resistance. Ariel Gore structures the volume around twenty-six distinct entries that pair traditional magical mechanisms with direct political action. The book focuses on practical applications, using everyday ingredients alongside spiritual forces like astrology and ancestral spirits to resist male authority and protect women.

🌙
Witchcraft & Wicca

Praise for this book

“This alphabetized witch primer had me at 'B: binding spells for grabby assholes'!”
— Jennifer Baumgardner, author of Manifesta and F 'Em
🏛 Seal Press (CA) 📅 2019 📖 288 pages 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9781580058742
Fun Fact
Ariel Gore delivers a much-needed jolt to the contemporary magical scene. This book excels in its unapologetic, practical application of witchcraft for social justice, offering tangible spells that resonate with the frustrations of our time. It might disappoint those seeking a purely theoretical or less politically charged exploration of magic. However, for anyone eager to infuse their activism with potent, hands-on esoteric power, 'Hexing the Patriarchy' stands as a vital and empowering contribution to modern feminist spellcraft.

📝 Description: Hexing the Patriarchy: 26 Potions, Spells, and Magical Elixirs to Embolden the Resistance

Magic provides a historical weapon for disenfranchised people, and Ariel Gore outlines twenty-six spells designed to confront misogyny and protect women. Organized alphabetically, the handbook covers incantations, potions, enchantments, and rituals aimed at dismantling patriarchal structures. The entries detail recipes for salt scrubs to clear away patriarchal toxicity, concoctions to drive out abusive liars, physical techniques to counter bro culture, and rituals to summon dead relatives to aid the cause. The text incorporates Ancestors and the Zodiac to build these practices. Author Ariel Gore brings established background as a journalist, writer, and teacher to this work. She previously founded Hip Mama, an Alternative Press Award winning publication on the politics of motherhood, created the Fascism Fatigue Coloring Book, and wrote the novel We Were Witches, which gained recognition in Booklist for its examination of modern womanhood. Her background in feminist media and creative writing directly informs this practical guide. This title suits readers seeking feminist political action combined with witchy practices, particularly those looking for a modern alphabetized primer on magic. Writer Jennifer Baumgardner praised the entry B: binding spells for grabby assholes. The work does not suit readers looking for traditional, non-political Wiccan manuals or historical academic texts.

💎 Expert review

“
💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
Gore offers a compelling, accessible entry point for those interested in politically charged magic. The twenty-six alphabetically-inspired rituals are practical and clearly explained, making high-concept ideas like 'systemic disruption' feel manageable for the average practitioner. However, this volume may not suit readers seeking deep historical Wiccan tradition or complex theological debates. It is also likely too simplistic for advanced magicians looking for nuanced metaphysical theory rather than actionable spells. Ultimately, it serves as a spirited manifesto and practical handbook for beginners eager to combine activism with altar work.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking to bridge the gap between spiritual practice and political engagement will find this book invaluable. It is perfect for those who feel a call to dismantle oppressive systems but desire accessible, tangible methods to channel their energy. The guide empowers individuals to view their magical work as a form of resistance, offering practical rituals that are both personally emboldening and socially impactful. If you believe in the power of intention to effect real-world change and wish to explore witchcraft through a distinctly feminist lens, this collection provides the necessary tools and inspiration for your journey.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5
★★★★★
For the modern witch, activist, or anyone seeking to merge spiritual practice with social justice, this book is an essential read. If you’re ready to channel your outrage into potent magical action and challenge oppressive systems, Ariel Gore offers the blueprints.

Reader rating

4.6
Based on 1 reviews
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Esoterica Books editorial team

Gore offers a compelling, accessible entry point for those interested in politically charged magic. The twenty-six alphabetically-inspired rituals are practical and clearly explained, making high-concept ideas like 'systemic disruption' feel manageable for the average practitioner. However, this volume may not suit readers seeking deep historical Wiccan tradition or complex theological debates. It is also likely too simplistic for advanced magicians looking for nuanced metaphysical theory rather than actionable spells. Ultimately, it serves as a spirited manifesto and practical handbook for beginners eager to combine activism with altar work.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Absolutely. The spells are presented with clarity and approachability, making them accessible even for those new to magical practice, focusing on practical application rather than intricate, complex theory.
These practices are unequivocally designed for literal engagement. While symbolic meaning is present, the intention is for readers to actively perform the rituals and spells to effect change in their lives and the world around them.

📖 Who should read this

For the modern witch, activist, or anyone seeking to merge spiritual practice with social justice, this book is an essential read. If you’re ready to channel your outrage into potent magical action and challenge oppressive systems, Ariel Gore offers the blueprints.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Feminist Magical Resistance

This book positions witchcraft as an inherent tool for feminist activism. It explores how ancient magical practices can be adapted and wielded by those feeling marginalized, transforming personal grievances into collective power against societal inequalities, offering a spiritual dimension to the fight for gender liberation.

Practical Spellcraft & Empowerment

Gore delivers a hands-on approach to spellcasting, moving beyond abstract theory to provide actionable rituals. Each entry is designed to be accessible, enabling readers to immediately engage with their magical power, fostering a sense of personal agency and collective strength through tangible magical acts.

Subverting Patriarchal Systems

The core of this work lies in its explicit aim to challenge and undermine patriarchal norms and institutions. It offers magical strategies specifically targeting the structures and attitudes that perpetuate inequality, encouraging practitioners to use their craft to create meaningful shifts in their personal lives and wider society.

📜 Historical context

Drawing upon the historical lineage of witchcraft as a refuge and weapon for the disempowered, this book situates itself firmly within the resurgence of activist-oriented magical practice. It echoes traditions where the marginalized found strength and agency through esoteric means, updated for contemporary feminist discourse and social uprising.

📚 Glossary

Patriarchy
Hexing
Disenfranchised

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. Reflect on a specific instance where you felt disempowered by patriarchal structures. How might a magical intervention have shifted that situation, or how can you use magic to address similar future challenges?
  2. Consider the concept of 'magical outrage.' How can harnessing strong emotions like anger or frustration be transmuted into potent, constructive magical energy for social change?
  3. If you could conjure assistance from any ancestral or collective spirit to aid in a modern resistance effort, who or what would you call upon and for what specific purpose?

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