Just before Samhain I was approached by the folks over at Enchanted Living magazine (formerly Faerie Magazine) to ask if I would consider reviewing their 2019 Witch Issue. I had sort of heard of Enchanted Living before but only in passing so I decided to do a little research to see if this was something I was interested in. I scoured their websites www.enchantedliving.com and www.enchantedlivingmag.com and checked out their Facebook page and Instagram profile, perused a copy of the digital magazine file, and graciously accepted their offer.
From Enchanted Living:
"Enchanted Living (formerly Faerie Magazine) is a quarterly print magazine that celebrates all things enchanted—from a scattering of mushrooms in an ancient forest to a sweet, scented gown made only of roses. Founded by artist and visionary Kim Cross in 2005 and helmed by novelist Carolyn Turgeon since 2013, Enchanted Living is a feast for the senses. Every issue features exquisite photography, recipes, original fiction and poetry, travel pieces, artist profiles, home decor, otherworldly beauty tips, craft tutorials, and much more—with a dash of faerie magic sprinkled throughout. Regular contributors include best-selling novelist Alice Hoffman and legendary artists Wendy and Brian Froud and Charles Vess; the magazine has also featured new work by Gregory Maguire, Joanne Harris, Charles de Lint, Sarah Addison Allen, and Aimee Bender, among others. Enchanted Living is published four times a year—in Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter—and is available in Barnes & Noble and other bookstores in the U.S. as well as through the Enchanted Living website, which ships to readers all over the world."
On top of the magazine being something I fell in love with and stand behind, the editor has offered a 10% discount to those who read this blog and purchase a subscription by entering the code WITCH10 at checkout. I mean, how awesome is that?! A 12 month print subscription will put you out $32.00 USD but you can get 24 months for an extra $18.00 USD. I did not see an option to purchase a digital subscription but they do offer single back issues in digital format for $3.95 USD each. Enchanted Living also allows for gift subscription purchases, has a witchy product shop, and an awesome blog.
Full disclosure: I am not receiving any monetary compensation for this review.
As I dove into Enchanted Living magazine's The Witch Issue, magick effortlessly began to spring forth from the pages. The first thing I noticed was the feel of the pages and the beautiful photographs. The cover of the magazine is matte with a velvety feel to the touch. The cover photo successfully sucked me into the contents of the magazine and hooked me from the start. Enchanted Living is a quarterly magazine and their witch issue is loaded with autumn based enchantments, spells, articles, art, tutorials, and more! I'm going to give you a preview of the types of articles in the magazine that I found to be appealing and hope it inspires you to check out the magazine for yourself.
I have also taken this review a step further and have recorded a video review which goes even further in depth about the contents of the magazine and the articles included in the Enchanted Living's 2019 The Witch Issue so please be on the lookout Wednesday when that goes live.
Feature Articles
Baltimore's Old School Bruja
The cover story, titled Baltimore's Old School Bruja, follows Linnet Williams - an initiated practitioner in the traditions of Ifa and Palo who has followed her families legacy as well as studied witchcraft systems of the modern neo-pagan world. Linnet tells the story of learning from her mother in childhood and then branching out to Wicca. Currently she practices in Baltimore aiding people on their spiritual path and focusing on building a healing community. Linnet also provides "The Abundant Gourd Spell" to Enchanted Living which demonstrates her fusion of old world witchcraft with modern practices.
Why I loved it:
What I loved about this article is it shows that witch's aren't destined to be locked into a particular practice and that you can abstain from practicing for long periods of time and it will still be there when your ready. Eclecticism provides different perspectives, new methods of magickal practice, and a wider focus on the community as a whole rather than just those within a tradition.
Historical Witchcraft Articles
Menageries of Magick by Jill Gleeson
Witch's exist infinitely throughout time and space. Jill Gleeson brings readers a directory of witchcraft museums from across the world. Most witches I know are aware of the museums in Cornwall, England and Salem, Massachusetts due to prolific stories of the Pendle Witch and Salem Witch Trials. But there are way more museums dedicated to keeping record of our history that I never knew existed until I read this article. From Spain to Iceland and from Germany to Switzerland witchcraft history abounds. The article gives the names and locations of these historical repositories along with what exactly can be found among their collections. All the listed museums in the article give the web address where you can find out more if you are so inclined.
Why I loved it:
If you don't know by now, I am a HUGE history nerd. I mean, I loved it so much I got a degree in it. Combine witchcraft with history and I am there, like yesterday. The more history that's presented, displayed, and exposed only aids modern witches in understanding their history to create change in our modern world. And it's not limited to modern ideals of witchcraft. As modern witches, we have built our practices upon the backs of our ancestors ancient rites, remedies, and rituals. To know and understand our history is to know and understand our ancestral heritage. Exposure of this knowledge also helps to dispel myths and legends which paint modern witchcraft in a negative light to gain greater understanding throughout the world.
Celebrity Witch Articles
Talking Tarot with Rachel True by Grace Nuth
Most modern witches have heard of The Craft, If you're from my generation and discovered witchcraft in the 90s, odds are you spend many a weekend with your friends enamored by the cast of this pop-culture sensation and the magick depicted within the plot of the movie. Rachel True famously played Rochelle who gets revenge on the racist mean girl by making her blonde hair fall out as a consequence for bullying Rochelle about her hair. In real life, Rachel began reading tarot to get her into the role of her character and hasn't looked back since. Today she continues to practice tarot divination, teaches tarot on Patreon, and even identifies herself as someone who practices an alternate spiritual path filled with magick.
Why I loved it:
Rachel True was an icon for young witches in the 90s and to see that she still maintains her practices goes to show that real witchcraft and magickal practice in pop-culture exists and makes a difference. Rachel also discusses how tarot has affected her career and the positive repercussions of continuing her practice. As with witch history, the more public figures come forward about their spiritual paths and practices, the more untruths can be dispelled and the further we get on the path of societal acceptance. Everyone has celebrities who champion important causes they care about, including modern witches!
Social Media Witch Articles
One:Eleven Pottery by Jill Gleeson
One:Eleven Pottery is run by the magickal pottery artist, Rachael Platt. In the article, Rachael describes her artistic process, where she draws inspiration from, how she became an artist, and how the power of the Goddess is ever present as she works to create intention infused pieces of magickal pottery. The article is written much in the style of a biographic interview with accompanying photography. Rachael has gained over twenty-two thousand followers on Instagram a self-proclaimed clay mistress.
Why I loved it:
I myself am part of the spiritual online community. Though I love seeing real witches in Hollywood, I often become just as interested, if not more, in witches who have achieved success by climbing their way from the bottom to the top thanks to social media. I have followed Rachael myself for years and her Instagram is full of aesthetically pleasing photos of her magickal creations. Her creations are unique and there's always something new to ogle over. She shows aspiring witches that it is possible to succeed in business the old fashioned way - through hard work and grass roots efforts.
Tutorial Articles
Brooms and Besoms: History and Lore/Mini Besom Tutorial by Charlotte Baker
Broom and Besoms/Mini Besom Tutorial is a history lesson and a How-To on crafting your very own witch's besom. The article gives an evolutionary timeline of the besom, its materials, the difference between a besom and a broom, and superstitions/magickal correspondences concerning the use of the besom. The tutorial is lists all necessary materials, step-by-step detailed numerical instructions, and is accompanied by 14 photos - one for each written step. Charlotte also has a shop on Etsy where you can purchase her creations as well as a blooming Instagram account.
Why I loved it:
This is just one of several tutorials within the covers of Enchanted Living. It's great to read about theory and history but it's even better when you there are instructions for practical application. In the 2019 witch issue, there are tutorials for besoms, incense, and acrylic/watercolor art. I love to learn and I never turn down an opportunity to learn how to create things or to learn how to do things differently. Witchcraft is a lifetime of learning and the tutorial articles feed the natural desire witches posses to learn how to create items for use in their personal practice.
My Findings Overall
Being a practitioner that has been around for at least a decade, not counting my on and off history with witchcraft, I can tell the amount of energy and effort put into a magickal creation. It is no secret that the more that is put into something, the greater the return. I was slightly skeptical about this magazine at first because there are so many currently being generated that I thought, "I'll give it a shot, but will it inspire me and my practice, teach me something I didn't know, and show diversity in the craft?" The answer to that question, after having been joyfully pulled into Enchanted Living in such a way that I read it cover to cover, is a zealous YAAAAAAS WITCHES!
Witches, both traditional and neo-pagan, will garner fascinating and useful information from this magazine.
I loved that I could read about Ifa, Traditional British, and Modern Wiccan magickal practices all in the same magazine.
The photographs are stunning and the sturdiness of the magazine itself is stellar. I thought the magazine did a fantastic job in its diversity but, I would like to see the diversity expand even more in future issues. The content is rich and informative while the photography is dreamy and mysterious. There are also a plethora of recipes, stories, rituals and spells included - and the advertisements are even enchanting and relevant!
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Enchanted Living and look forward to the new magick put out in their winter issue. It's blatantly obvious that this magazine, and more specifically The Witch Issue, seeks to help practitioners personally and collectively. It shows that the whole of witchcraft results in positive life influences such as fostering self-development, expanding one's knowledge, and engaging in a supportive community with like-minded individuals.
I hope y'all have enjoyed this review and I can't wait to chat again with you next Monday!
