Small Magics
Practical Secrets from an Appalachian Village Witch
Published on 8. September 2023
Book
Paperback/Softback
214 pages
978-0-7387-7370-4 (ISBN)
Description
Your Hands-on, Back-to-Basics Guide to Building a Magical Practice
As if you're having face-to-face lessons on her porch, H. Byron Ballard introduces you to the ways of magic, answering vital questions about what it is, why it matters, and how to do it. She teaches the mechanics and foundational skills of practice, offering no-nonsense techniques that practitioners of any skill level or tradition can use.
Drawing from her many years as a practicing witch, Ballard demonstrates how to engage daily with the energy around you. She encourages you to experience magic with fresh eyes-whether you're a beginner or need to regain a beginner's mind. This book provides grounding exercises, shielding methods, healing magic, insight on witchcraft tools, and more. Ballard offers everything you need to live a full, enchanted life in our deliciously magical world.
As if you're having face-to-face lessons on her porch, H. Byron Ballard introduces you to the ways of magic, answering vital questions about what it is, why it matters, and how to do it. She teaches the mechanics and foundational skills of practice, offering no-nonsense techniques that practitioners of any skill level or tradition can use.
Drawing from her many years as a practicing witch, Ballard demonstrates how to engage daily with the energy around you. She encourages you to experience magic with fresh eyes-whether you're a beginner or need to regain a beginner's mind. This book provides grounding exercises, shielding methods, healing magic, insight on witchcraft tools, and more. Ballard offers everything you need to live a full, enchanted life in our deliciously magical world.
Reviews / Votes
"Ballard lays out so much information pertaining to many things we have read about and never got the real lowdown on how to actually do."-Tish Owen, author of Spell It Correctly"A down to earth, easy to read instruction manual filled with practical magical solutions all of which can be performed with items you already have on hand."-Dorothy Morrison, author of Everyday Magic
"Common-sense folk wisdom, remedies, and practices...and a welcome perspective that the magical world all around is not only accessible to us, it is part of us."-Miles Batty, author of Teaching Witchcraft
"Each chapter is filled with truth, common sense, practicality, and uncomplicated lessons in the learning and unlearning of being magical beings."-Angie Buchanan, senior minister of Earth Traditions and founder of The Death Midwife
"Byron challenges us to recognize and harness the power of simplicity and small magics."-Patricia Ballentine, Temple of the CreativeFlame
"A look at the ways traditional spiritual activities can be blended with modern tools and techniques."-Patti Wigington, author of Badass Ancestors
"It has the no fluff, to the point, do the work kind of stuff that you will want to refer back to time and time again."-Sam 'Bo' Thompson, author of Metal Never Lies
"Byron has a beautiful, non-judgmental cadence to her writing that helps the reader understand concepts that many in our work complicate with esoteric high witchcraft language. Byron brings truth to the table."-Tanja Bara, teacher at Tanja's Natural Magick?
"Ballard gifts the reader with useful magic, sound ethics, and timeless psychological advice."-Ellen Evert Hopman, author of The Sacred Herbs of Samhain
"Byron's work gives you options, a place to start, and ways to think about your practice that are invaluable."-Christine Cunningham Ashworth, USA Today bestselling author
"Ballard guides the readers through the enchanted world of earth and spirit. She encourages us to notice and appreciate the primal energy sources that are everywhere in nature and in ourselves."-Denise Alvarado, author of Witch Queens, Voodoo Spirits, and Hoodoo Saints
"With her customary wit, warmth, and candor, Ballard...deftly lays out a clear and central witchcraft practice without pretense that anyone from any region may find a home in."-Tara-Love Maguire, coauthor of Besom, Stang, and Sword
"An indispensable opportunity to walk alongside the village witch herself as she shows us what it takes for us to run."-Christopher Orapello, coauthor of Besom, Stang, and Sword
"Simple Magics lays out the essentials of magic....Ballard also points to the future of magic, encouraging us to take our enchantments out into our communities."-Diotima Mantineia, author of Kiss the Earth, Touch the Sky
"Small Magics is that tool you've longed for since you first heard the word magic....Held within these pages is a wealth of simple and straightforward suggestions for both beginner and adept."-Arlene Bailey, creator of The Sacred Wild, Re-Membering the Wild Soul Woman
"Whether you are new to witchcraft or just want to see things from the perspective of a folk magic witch, this will be a great addition to your witchy bookshelves."-Roxanne Rhoads, author of Haunted Flint, Council Chair for the Michigan Black Hat Society, High Council Member of the National Black Hat Society
"There is nothing small about Small Magics....It provides a unique and inspiring view of the magickal foundations from a true expert....Really dig in and you'll find gold."-Christopher Penczak, co-founder of the Temple of Witchcraft and author of The Temple of Witchcraft series
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Minnesota
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 200 mm
Width: 132 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
234 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7387-7370-4 (9780738773704)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
11/2024
Llewellyn Publications
€19.25
Available for download
Person
H. Byron Ballard, BA, MFA (Asheville, NC) is a western NC native, teacher, folklorist, and writer. She has served as a featured speaker and teacher at several festivals and conferences, including the Sacred Space Conference, Pagan Spirit Gathering, Starwood, Hexfest and many others. She serves as senior priestess and co-founder of Mother Grove Goddess Temple and the Coalition of Earth Religions/CERES, both in Asheville, NC. She podcasts about Appalachian folkways on "Wyrd Mountain Gals." Her essays are featured in several anthologies and she writes a regular column for SageWoman Magazine. Find her online at www.myvillagewitch.com.
Content
Contents
Acknowledgments xiii
Introduction 1
Chapter 1: To Do the Work 5
Chapter 2: That's Why It's Called "Practicing" Witchcraft 17
Chapter 3: Tools and Definitions 29
Chapter 4: Natural Born 39
Chapter 5: Preparation Techniques 67
Chapter 6: Grounding 81
Chapter 7: Energy and Execution 105
Chapter 8: Protection and Pushback 123
Chapter 9: Living as a Witch 147
Chapter 10: Some Simple Workings 167
Conclusion: A Permission Slip You Don't Need 187
Bibliography 195
Acknowledgments xiii
Introduction 1
Chapter 1: To Do the Work 5
Chapter 2: That's Why It's Called "Practicing" Witchcraft 17
Chapter 3: Tools and Definitions 29
Chapter 4: Natural Born 39
Chapter 5: Preparation Techniques 67
Chapter 6: Grounding 81
Chapter 7: Energy and Execution 105
Chapter 8: Protection and Pushback 123
Chapter 9: Living as a Witch 147
Chapter 10: Some Simple Workings 167
Conclusion: A Permission Slip You Don't Need 187
Bibliography 195