The Witches’ Book of the Dead by Christian Day ⭐⭐

 Let me start by saying that I wanted to love The Witches’ Book of the Dead. It has a fascinating premise and offers a lot of historical and ritualistic information about necromancy and working with spirits. Christian Day clearly has deep knowledge of the topic, but the book didn’t deliver in the way I’d hoped. While it’s an intriguing read for those passionate about witchcraft, it often felt bogged down by unnecessary tangents and repetitive points, making it hard to stay engaged.

🚨 Spoiler Alert 🚨
The book opens with a detailed explanation of witches' historical connections to the dead, which is actually quite captivating. Day weaves in the lore of figures like the Witch of Endor and Circe, grounding the text in myth and legend. One of the standout sections explains how ancient cultures revered skulls as tools for communication with the dead, which tied beautifully into Day’s instructions for crafting your own necromantic rituals.

However, things start to drag when the focus shifts to Day’s personal beliefs and practices. For example, the extensive detail about setting up an altar to the dead felt more like a drawn-out checklist than an inspiring guide. The chapter on tools, which includes items like skulls, spirit powder, and graveyard dirt, while informative, becomes repetitive and overly prescriptive.

One of the book’s strengths is its unapologetic approach to the darker aspects of witchcraft. Day’s ritual for “making a pact with the dead” is intense, involving blood offerings and burning parchment to seal your commitment. While some might find this thrilling and empowering, I found it overly theatrical and lacking nuance.

The writing style also detracts from the experience. It’s heavy on self-aggrandizing anecdotes and leans into a tone that feels more defensive than inviting. For instance, Day’s constant emphasis on his self-identification as a "Warlock" and his critiques of modern Wicca felt unnecessary and distracted from the main topic.

On the positive side, nuggets of practical advice are sprinkled throughout the book. The section on banishing unwanted spirits was particularly useful, offering clear, actionable steps for dealing with malevolent energies. Similarly, the appendix, which includes necromantic incense and spirit powder recipes, adds a nice touch of practicality.

Ultimately, while The Witches’ Book of the Dead has its moments, it wasn’t quite the spellbinding read I was hoping for. It’s a book for those deeply entrenched in the craft, but it might feel overwhelming or off-putting for casual readers or those looking for a more balanced exploration of necromancy.

#Witchcraft #Necromancy #ChristianDay #SpiritWork #OccultReads 🕯️💀