Book Review: Magic for the Resistance

Michael M. Hughes, Magic for the Resistance: Rituals and Spells for Change. Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn, 2018. ISBN: 978-0-7387-5996-8.

Genre: nonfiction
Subgenre: spirituality, paganism, witchcraft, magic, politics, activism, resistance
Format: paperback
Source: Berea branch of the Madison County (KY) Public Library 

I picked this up from the public library mostly out of curiosity. In the current Hard Times we live in, many people feel a need to do something and engage in some form of activism. After the 2016 election, a resistance movement began to grow, and it included pagans, witches, and other heathens. In fact, the book's author is also the author of "The spell to bind Donald Trump and those who abet him." This book is for those activists who also work magic and spells and want to use their magic as part of their activism. If you are a magic practitioner with a social conscience, this may be a book for you.

The book is arranged as follows:

• Preface.
• Ten chapters.
• Conclusion.
• Appendix.
• Bibliography.

The book combines history and rationale of using magic in resistance movements with information and the tools for doing that magic. Hughes book is very accessible for beginners. If you've never cast a spell or done magic as part of your spiritual practice, Hughes gives you what you need and guides you in a clear, basic, and accessible way. For those who are well versed in using magic, this book offers plenty of inspiration and ideas as well.

Personally, as a reader and librarian, I found the historical narratives interesting. Hughes shows that there is plenty of precedent for oppressed peoples using magic for comfort, defense, and resistance. Hughes is also very open about using any and all resources available; after all, magic does have a strong history of syncretism. So if you are one of those uptight practitioners who preach staying in your lane and obsessed with gate keeping, you may want to skip this book. On this, Hughes makes a full note and explanation on appropriation in the book's preface. Here is part of it, but reading the full passage in the book is worth it. It is the kind of thing you want to keep handy and whip out when some overzealous activist witch or other mage wants to yell at you about "OMG appropriation! How dare you?" so you can tell them to STFU so they can do their thing and you do yours. So Hughes writes (notice emphasis in original text):

"My ethical rule is simple: if I learn something from a tradition, I do my best to acknowledge it and honor it, without claiming to be of it. I encourage you to do the same. Magic is our birthright, so go read and experiment, and when you learn something, give thanks and respect your teachers" (xvii).

In terms of magical practice, Hughes provides a broad range of options. Some topics include, but are not limited to:

• Offensive and defensive magic. Because "resistance magic is not always nice" (85).
• Toolkits including details such as tools and building your own altar. 
• Guerrilla magic.
• Rituals.
• Working in groups and covens (if you so choose). 
• Self care.

Hughes instructions are easy and clear. Many of the spells and rituals he describes can be done with  care and often with materials that are accessible and widely available. You can practice as simply or as ornately as you feel moved. If you've never done this before, Hughes walks you through it. Naturally, keep what works, experiment, leave aide what does not work. His tone is open and fairly easy going making readers feel they can do this with confidence. Heck, I felt I could try a thing or two, and I've never cast a spell or anything in my life. A strength of the book is in Hughes' openness and the clear and easy instructions.

Overall, I really liked this book. It is a book I will definitely add to my small but growing shelf of esoteric materials. For my pagan and witchy friends, this is a book I highly recommend. Also, for anyone needing something more active in their spiritual practice in these Hard Times, this book may help them try something new or different. I will also be ordering a copy for our library's collection of pagan materials.

5 out of 5 stars.

* * * * * 

Additional reading notes:

Defining magic resistance:

"Magic resistance is a term for the use of magic-- spells, rituals, prayer, divination, and other techniques-- to resist or impede dangerous or oppressive political movements, politicians, and actions, including authoritarianism, white supremacy, racism, misogyny, xenophobia, environmental destruction, attacks on marginalized populations, and other toxic and regressive ideologies" (4). 

Part of why magic is used by the oppressed and powerless:

"Magic is anarchic, wild, and antistructural. It is no wonder it has always terrified those in power, and easy to see why it has so often been employed by the powerless against the dominator culture" (11). 

On modern feminist witchcraft, one of the many groups and movements Hughes highlights:

"Indeed few other religions or spiritual traditions (with the possible exception of Quakers or Unitarians) can claim to be as broadly inclusive, egalitarian, pluralistic, and politically engaged as modern feminist witchcraft" (40). 

On offensive and defensive magic:

"While many popular books on witchcraft claim that magic should only be used for healing and 'positive' ends, I strongly disagree. Magic has always been used for self-defense and in defense of others. The idea that it should not be used defensively or to inhibit the actions of others is a twentieth-century invention, and the entirety of the historical record, from ancient times through the present makes that abundantly clear" (85).

And,

"Witchcraft and magic are tools. When you, someone you love, or a place of great beauty and spiritual power is threatened, why would you not use all the tools at  your disposal? " (88).

On magic as a tool of the oppressed:

"Magic has always been the tool of the oppressed, the downtrodden, and the persecuted. African American Hoodoo, Rootwork, and Conjure are prime examples. They grew from enslaved people who had little agency in their daily lives and  no recourse to justice. Their magic required curses, jinxing, and tying (binding) to fight injustice in their communities and to resist the oppressive slaver class. It arose from necessity" (89). 

On the spells in the book:

"The following spells have been created to be easy to follow and understand, and they utilize common or readily acquired components. That does not mean they are 'beginner' magic or in any way 'dumbed down.' This is the real deal. Approach these spells with respect and perform them responsibly.
With minor modifications, all of them can plug into a wide variety  of traditions, so adjust and tweak accordingly" (175).