Reviewed By Katrina Rasbold
Enid Baxter Ryce’s Ancient Spells and Incantations is a captivating journey into the heart of humanity’s magical heritage. This beautifully crafted grimoire serves as both a historical preservation and a poetic re-envisioning of the words our ancestors used to shape their world.
Ryce has meticulously unearthed fragments of magic from across the centuries and around the globe. This comprehensive collection includes:
- Healing Rituals: From 11th-century Anglo-Saxon herbal “wort” spells to Navajo oral traditions and Coptic healing papyri.
- Love and Passion: Poetic interpretations of Roman curse tablets, Egyptian shell charms, and Traditional British Romani root-growing spells.
- Protection and Shielding: Ancient Sumerian incantations against malevolent spirits, 17th-century English night spells to guard against thieves, and traditional Scottish “Runes of the Well”.
- Manifestation and Prophecy: Invocations to celestial bodies like Saturn and the new moon, alongside traditional Chinese oracle bone prayers for rain.
What sets this work apart is Ryce’s unique background. As a tenured professor and a descendant of three Salem witches, she brings both academic depth and a deep personal connection to the material. The book is not a literal word-for-word translation but rather a “word witchcraft”— original poetic interpretations that reflect the themes and structures of the original ancient texts to make them resonate with today’s audience.
Beyond the spells, the book offers beautiful original artwork with lovely ink wash illustrations inspired by historical artifacts and objects.
Ancient Spells and Incantations is an essential resource for modern practitioners, poets, and history enthusiasts alike. It successfully thins the “veils of time,” allowing the magical echoes of the past to ring clearly in the present.
Katrina Rasbold is a professional Witch, published author, priestess, and editor of Green Egg Magazine. She and her husband, Eric, are the creators of the CUSP spiritual path and owners of Crossroads Occult. You can reach her and access her Patreon with deeper classes and mentorship through www.katrinarasbold.com.
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