Lisa Lister is a well-known witchcraft practitioner and author who has gained popularity for her empowering message for women. She celebrates the ancient feminine power and aims to help women reconnect with their own intuition and body wisdom. Lister believes that every woman has a deep connection to the Earth and the cycles of nature, and by embracing their witchy side, they can tap into their full potential. One of Lister's most notable works is her book "Witch: Unleashed. Untamed. Unapologetic.
Lisa also shares her own journey to reclaiming the word ‘witch’, along with personal, hands-on rituals and spells from her family lineage of gypsy witch magic.
In this book, third generation hereditary witch Lisa Lister explains the history behind witchcraft, why in past centuries the word witch has led women to be tortured, drowned and burned at the stake, and why the witch is now waking once again in women across the world today. If you are a woman who does not have usual female biology and or monthly bleeds or if those years are behind you now then you may not enjoy some of the ideas and language in this book as it is very much an embodied practice Lisa describes here.
Unapologetic.", which encourages women to embrace their inner witch and reject societal expectations that limit their power. She challenges the idea that being a witch is something to fear or be ashamed of, highlighting instead the strength and wisdom that comes with embracing this identity.
Witchcraft practitioner Lisa Lister
I’ve been following Lisa’s work for a while now. Her first two books, Code Red and Love Your Lady Landscape are really good reads and I’ve recommended them a number of times to people feeling out of tune with their bodies and menstrual cycles. So I was keen to read Witch.
The fact that Hay House had picked up the book (and they sought Lisa out) piqued my interest even more. This was kicking things up a notch or ten. In Lisa’s earlier books she definitely had an embodied, kind of magical/ holistic take on things, but this is the first book where she’s properly come out of the broom closet and declared herself Witch.
“The witch represents the part of each of us that has been censored, ignored, punished and demonised. And it’s a part that wants – no, needs – to be accessed and fully expressed.”
Witch, Lisa Lister
What’s in the Book?
Witch is divided into 13 (of course) chapters.
The first seven cover history, herstory, different witchcraft practices, plus some autobiographical stuff, but the main thrust of this first part of the book is making the case for women (and I’ll get onto how woman is defined by the author later) to remember who they are and take back their power. Lisa wants to #wakethewitches.
The second half of the book goes through the five main goddess archetypes, as Lisa sees them, alongside a kind of witchy 101 of information about practices, spells and correspondences. The final chapter is a rousing call to brooms – The Witch Has Woken!
Overall this structure works, but it does feel like the chapter titles came first and then some of the content was shoe-horned in afterwards.
The book has sold a LOT of copies, it’s been consistently top of the Amazon charts in pagan/ wicca/ spirituality etc since it’s release) people are buying it in numbers. But if you read the reviews it does seem to be dividing opinion, and I think that’s because it is intended for a very specific audience – and if that’s not you, then you probably won’t like it.
So, who is this book for?
The ideal reader of this book is a natal female, still in her bleeding years, who has an interest in witchcraft, but not a great deal of knowledge or experience. Even better if she’s at a place in her life where she’s had enough of patriarchal bullshit and is ready to step fully into her power and start taking steps to fully realise her life as she wants to live it. If this is you, you will likely LOVE this book.
Who is it not for?
*If you are following a specific pagan or witch path then you probably won’t jive with the pick and mix approach taken here. It’s more suited to an eclectic, and solitary, style of practice.
*If you’re easily offended by crass language and swearing (why are you reading books on witchcraft?) you’ll probably struggle to see past the language used here.
*If you are a woman who does not have usual female biology and/or monthly bleeds (or if those years are behind you now) then you may not enjoy some of the ideas and language in this book as it is very much an embodied practice Lisa describes here. This has led the book to be criticised for it’s narrow definition of woman – and I’ve seen Lisa being called a TERF (trans exclusionary radical feminist) by some. I’m not totally sure how I feel about this. As an intersectional feminist I do feel very strongly that all marginalised groups need recognition and support to eradicate discrimination. But does that automatically mean that every writer need to address every person’s experience in their work? Some will say, yes of course, but I don’t think so (or even believe that it is possible to do this). I am aware that could lead to me also being “called-out” as a TERF, so be it. In Witch, Lisa is addressing a history and a present which keeps women in a position lesser than men, and she’s calling time’s up on that. I feel that is a positive message.
Summary
Overall the book is a quick and interesting read, which some have found to be incredibly inspiring and powerful, but is not for everyone.
If you connect with the ideal reader definition above you’ll likely get a lot out of it, and even if you’ve been a practising witch for a long time you may still connect with the message and some of the practices shared here. I enjoyed it, and I’ve been walking a witchy path for almost three decades now.
There were a few things that niggled me in the book (some of which I wonder may have been due to a little but of push/ pull between Lisa and Hay House) that I won’t go into here. But I’ve also made a video review of the book where I talk about this in more detail.
Have you read Witch? Let me know in the comments.
*If you are following a specific pagan or witch path then you probably won’t jive with the pick and mix approach taken here. It’s more suited to an eclectic, and solitary, style of practice.
Lister argues that being a witch doesn't mean practicing magic or casting spells, but rather it's about reclaiming the power that society often tries to suppress in women. In her book, Lister also emphasizes the importance of honoring the natural cycles of a woman's body, particularly menstruation. She encourages women to embrace their periods as a time of power and magic, rejecting the notion that menstruation is something to be ashamed or embarrassed about. Lister believes that by connecting with their menstrual cycle, women can tap into their intuition and harness the power that comes with being in tune with their bodies. Lister's message resonates with many women who are seeking to reclaim their power and embrace their true selves. She provides a path for women to explore their own spirituality and connect with their inner witch, allowing them to tap into their feminine power and live authentically and unapologetically. Overall, Lisa Lister is a prominent figure in the world of witchcraft and empowerment for women. Through her writing and teachings, she encourages women to embrace their inner witch and embrace their innate power and wisdom. By rejecting societal expectations and honoring their own intuition, Lister empowers women to step into their own magic and embrace their true selves..
Reviews for "The Witch's Bookshelf: Recommendations from Lisa Lister"
- Jane - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Witchcraft Practitioner Lisa Lister". The book seemed to lack depth and substance, and I found myself questioning the author's credibility. The ideas presented were too vague and loosely connected, making it difficult to follow the main message. Overall, I expected more from this book and would not recommend it to others seeking a genuine exploration of witchcraft.
- Michael - 1 star - I cannot believe the positive reviews I've seen for "Witchcraft Practitioner Lisa Lister". This book was a complete waste of time. Lister's writing style is repetitive and shallow, offering no new insights or useful information. The anecdotes shared throughout the book were meaningless and failed to contribute to a cohesive narrative. I was left feeling frustrated and unfulfilled after reading this book. Save yourself the trouble and look for a different resource on witchcraft.
- Sarah - 3 stars - While I didn't hate "Witchcraft Practitioner Lisa Lister", I found it to be underwhelming. The author's writing style was inconsistent and at times, overly flowery. The book lacked structure and failed to provide a clear direction or purpose. Additionally, I had hoped for a more practical approach to witchcraft, but found the content to be too focused on personal anecdotes and subjective experiences. It may resonate with some readers, but it wasn't what I was expecting.