American witch books have a long and fascinating history that spans centuries. These books of magic and spells have been written by countless authors, each offering their unique perspective and knowledge on the subject. One of the most famous American witch books is "The Witchery of Salem Village" by Shirley Jackson. This book delves into the dark history of the Salem Witch Trials and explores the myths and superstitions surrounding witchcraft in colonial America. Another well-known American witch book is "The Spiral Dance" by Starhawk. This book focuses on witchcraft as a spiritual practice and provides a comprehensive guide to the modern witchcraft movement.
Young American entrepreneurs first forced their way into the Diablo Range in the 1910s to mine for magnesite, then used to help smelt metal. A road was built, Mines Road, a two-day horse-drawn-carriage ride from the nearest town, Livermore; a string of bars and whorehouses were erected between there and what is now the Stone City site. But mining declined steadily after World War II, and by the early eighties, Shannon’s grandfather was able to buy his parcel cheap. The area was still pretty wild then. A biker gang used to set up roadblocks and rob people, and his grandfather was once chased off the property by a group of armed partyers camped where the Stone Circle stands now. Today a lot of the guns and motorcycles in the area belong to wealthy retirees from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (a nuclear research facility)—or the occasional pot grower or meth cook.
Wicca s major spokesperson was a retired civil servant named Gerald Gardner, and the first known Wiccan coven in America was founded by one of his initiates in New York State. Two of the stones in the Stone Circle are capped by a third, and they are perfectly positioned, on the high holiday of Samhain, to frame the full moon a ritual gateway to the other world.
This book focuses on witchcraft as a spiritual practice and provides a comprehensive guide to the modern witchcraft movement. It covers topics such as ritual, spellcasting, and the principles of witchcraft. "The Witch's Book of Shadows" by Phyllis Curott is another influential American witch book.
American Witch by Thea Harrison @TheaHarrison
For months Molly Sullivan endures the inexplicable: electrical surges, car breakdowns, visions. She even wonders if she might be the cause… and wonders if she might be crazy. Then she discovers her husband has cheated on her. Again. Now Molly realizes she is a newly awakening witch and a woman pushed over the edge.
Revenge can shape a person…
Josiah Mason is a Powerful witch and the leader of a secret coven with a shared goal: to destroy an ancient enemy who has ruined many lives. Josiah lost years to this man, and his sole focus is revenge. He’s prepared for every contingency—except encountering a beautiful new witch who understands nothing of the immense Power building within her or the attraction she wields over him.
Danger can bring them together…
When divorcing her husband, Molly uncovers a dangerous secret he’s willing to kill to protect. She turns to Josiah for help, and they discover a connection between Molly’s husband and Josiah’s enemy.
As they work together, a spark ignites between them that threatens to become an inferno. But Molly is done compromising herself for any man, and Josiah’s mission is his top priority. And the enemy is cunning, cruel, and drawing ever closer.
As the danger escalates, so does the tension between them. Is a lasting relationship possible? Will either of them live long enough to try?
I’m a big fan of the Elder Races series. It has many 5 star reads. This new series with witches in the United States is just my kind of thing because magic is my favorite. The world is just beginning and even now, there is much yet to be developed.
Molly is a competent woman who is just coming into power as a witch and as a person. Her personal life implodes and has to be rebuilt from scratch. She is strong and it’s good, because she has so much to handle. However, I do find she was a bit naive about her situation, or a bit TSTL. Being a new witch, she could be hurt or drained easily and there are others to consider besides herself.
Josiah has been focused on revenge for so long but Molly is a hurricane coming into his life. He is attracted to her, but does not need the distraction or imbalance of her new power. Frankly, since she doesn’t understand the witch world, she’s a bit of a loose cannon. To some extent, he needs to protect her from herself as well as others. The romance feels a bit rushed.
Sarah is great as a new friend and mentor for Molly. Somehow, I am unsure of how Molly is able to trust Sarah is a safe choice at the very beginning, as another witch with more knowledge could drain her for her power. It turns out well and her development is wonderful. There is still much for the readers, as well as Molly, to learn about the magical world.
American Witch builds a new world with interesting characters and plenty of action. The final battle feels realistic because things don’t go perfectly and there will be more fights in the future. So I am looking forward to more books in this world.
About Thea Harrison
New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Thea Harrison resides in Colorado. She wrote her first book, a romance, when she was nineteen, and had sixteen romances published under the name Amanda Carpenter. She took a break from writing to collect a couple of graduate degrees and a grown child.
Thea writes in a variety of genres, including the award-winning paranormal Elder Races series and the Game of Shadows novels, and is currently at work on various new projects in sci-fi fantasy, paranormal and contemporary romance.
She adores animals and currently resides with two small dogs that have very large personalities.
They spill out onto the highways, then fan out, leaving behind their tech ventures and professorships, their accounting firms and bio labs, their yoga studios and bookshops, heading toward covens in so many counties. Some go even farther, east into the hills, until their earth-worshipping caravan clears the electrical grid and finally comes to stop in a red clay clearing. Here, they start to unpack: all across the landscape, out come the coolers and sleeping bags, the exotic fabrics, the amulets, the baggies of herbs, the idols and carefully bundled wands. People are slipping into velvet, or black leather kilts. A priestess stands brushing out her long hair, uncut for twenty years. Another wraps a belt around her waist, heavy with stones and metalwork, then swings a cloak over her shoulders, so long it drags across the dirt.
It is a personal memoir and a guide to witchcraft, introducing readers to the author's own spiritual journey and experiences with magic. In recent years, there has been a surge in popularity for young adult American witch books, such as "Practical Magic" by Alice Hoffman. This novel tells the story of two witch sisters as they navigate love, family, and their magical powers. It was also adapted into a successful film. Overall, American witch books have played a significant role in the documentation and preservation of magical practices throughout history. They continue to captivate readers with their mystical themes and provide a deeper understanding of witchcraft in America..
Reviews for "The Resurgence of American Witchcraft in Pop Culture"
- John Smith - 2 stars - I found "American Witch" to be lacking in depth and substance. The characters were underdeveloped and the plot felt disjointed. Additionally, the writing style was confusing and hard to follow. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
- Sarah Thompson - 1 star - "American Witch" was a complete letdown for me. The story seemed promising at first, but quickly dissolved into a jumbled mess of confusing subplots and unnecessary characters. The pacing was all over the place, and I found myself bored and uninterested for the majority of the book. The concept had potential, but the execution fell flat.
- Michael Johnson - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "American Witch", but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The writing was mediocre at best, with cliched dialogue and lackluster descriptions. The characters lacked depth and their motivations were never fully explored. Overall, I found this book to be forgettable and disappointing.
- Emily Brown - 2 stars - I was excited to read "American Witch" as a fan of the fantasy genre, but I was left feeling underwhelmed. The world-building was weak and the magic system felt unoriginal. The protagonist was hard to connect with and I found myself struggling to care about her journey. The plot lacked tension and the resolution was predictable. Overall, this book fell short for me.