Book Review: Everyday Magic by Dorothy Morrison

 "...magic is not a practice. It is a living, breathing web of energy that, with our permission, can encase our every action."(pg.2)

In her book "Everyday Magic," Dorothy Morrison presents the idea that magic is not merely a practice but a vibrant and interconnected web of energy that influences our every action. She emphasizes that our ancestors lived magic as an integral part of their daily lives, celebrating all outcomes as divine acts. Addressing our technology-driven society, Morrison explores how we can incorporate magic into our modern routines by harnessing the four elements, suggesting that electricity itself is a form of energy that has always existed and can be embraced in our practices. She poses a thought-provoking question: "The issue becomes, instead, whether we really have the time not to incorporate it into our lives." As a busy mom, business owner, and teacher, I sought a way to weave magic into my everyday routine, feeling overwhelmed by the demands on my time. I purchased this book in hopes of finding tools to integrate my magical practice seamlessly into my life, as it had begun to feel more like a chore than a joy, and I wanted to discover spells and rituals that could easily blend with my modern existence. 

The book is structured into three parts: the Introduction, Part One: Ancient Arts, Modern Solutions, and Part Two: Modern Magic for Busy Folks a Grimoire. I initially skipped the introduction, but reading it truly enhanced my understanding of the author's tone, perspective, and goals.

Part One, which contains four chapters, seems more geared towards inexperienced practitioners, yet I still found valuable insights. Chapter One covers sacred spaces, altars, moon phases, and various correspondences in a concise twenty-page format. Chapter Two provides an easy-to-navigate list of popular crystals, herbs, flowers, and trees, including their meanings and uses. The most helpful chapter for me was Chapter Three, which explores how to incorporate contemporary tools into spiritual practice. I appreciated the author's notion that "Magic equals creativity," highlighting that magic exists in everything, even mundane items like a coffee maker. This chapter also includes simple recipes for magical powders, sachets, bath salts, and other creations. Lastly, Chapter Four, titled "Living the Charmed Life," conveys the wisdom that magical success requires more than just following instructions; it emphasizes the importance of concentration, focus, and desire, while also discussing concepts like Karmic Law, Ripple Theory, and personal power.

Part Two of the book serves as a comprehensive grimoire, featuring a collection of easy-to-follow spells organized around both modern and traditional issues. Spanning 191 pages, it includes a wide range of topics such as charms, candle magic, daily rituals, tea recipes, baths, and more, making it a valuable reference for practitioners of all levels. At the end of this section, there are three appendices: Appendix A covers the magical uses of herbs, plants, and flowers, Appendix B focuses on the magical uses of stones, and Appendix C details deity associations, all alphabetized by their uses for easy navigation. Additionally, a glossary of magical words and their definitions is provided, enhancing the organizational consistency throughout the text and making it user-friendly.

Several parts of the text really resonate with me, particularly the ease with which the author describes performing spells and rituals. I appreciate the lack of specific amounts for ingredients, emphasizing instead the importance of intent and focus over physical items. I believe that the core of magic lies within oneself; without the individual, nothing exists, making these other components merely 'boosters.' Overall, I find this book to be a valuable addition to any spiritual or magical library, serving as an excellent reference for everything from bath salts to rituals. Its ease of navigation, along with the wisdom and insights drawn from the author’s experiences, enhances its appeal. I would recommend this book to anyone seeking a contemporary perspective on the craft, as it offers a wide range of knowledge that would benefit any practitioner of magic.

*Everyday Magic*, authored by Dorothy Morrison, is a spiritual genre book published by Llewellyn Publications, a division of Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd., in 1998. With a total of 320 pages, this book invites readers to explore the wonders of everyday life through a magical lens. It is available from the publisher's address at PO Box 64383 Dept. K469-3, St. Paul, MN 55164-0383.