Magic is intertwined in every culture, every country, continent, and corner of our world. The methods and traditions, beliefs and practices vary of course, and are as exquisitely diverse as the people who practice them.

While many focus on studying their ‘own’ path, more and more mystical souls are seeking knowledge and understanding of the magical ways of other cultures besides their own. This has created a demand, and therefore supply of books on numerous paths of magic. The market is now fairly flooded with such books, and while this may sound like a plethora of knowledge and wisdom has been offered to the public, in truth many such books are written by those who have studied – but not lived – in the cultures and magical traditions that they write about. Fortunately, many are upfront about that in their personal introductions, stating their credentials of study and years in practice, but sadly some create pseudo-identities as if they are born, raised, and lived these practices, which they have not.

To be an expert in a culture, one must have lived it and experienced it, not merely studied, or even just practiced it.

This is one of the many reasons why ‘Mexican Sorcery – A Practical Guide to Brujeria De Rancho’ is such a treasure!

Written by Laura Davila aka Daphne la Hechicera, who is a fifth generation Mexican witch, this book ushers us into a nearly sensory journey of Mexican magical culture and tradition. The author shares authentic magic of her practice, and anecdotal examples from her personal experience actually living it.

Such books, reliable in their accuracy about a given culture’s magic, is a treasure for those of such lineage who do not have relatives who have been able to pass down the details of their traditions.

It is also a wondrous gift to the rest of us, making us more knowledgeable in the magic that is in our world, being conjured and manifesting, as we do the same within our own paths. While some may take practical inspiration from spells or details of a given tradition, others, like myself, will be inspired, a new perspective sparked as to how others see, feel, create, and experience magic.

We all have different local botanicals and resources – natural and human-made – within our local reach and proximity. It is within this realm that we get creative on how to cast our magic, finding new methods, and forming new traditions as we go along. To learn of how others do this, living as magical folks in their regions, gets us thinking creatively, inspired by their creations, choices, and adaptations.

This book provides very clear and practical how-to’s for magical workings of many kinds, and a true ‘feel’ for Mexican Sorcery in its true form.

I highly recommend this book – to read, to own, to add to your personal magical library, and if you can, to donate a copy to your local free public library so more folks can have access to this authentic and textured work.

*A personal note – I was blessed with receiving this book as an advance copy, even before it was released on February 1, 2023. It arrived right before life took a chaotic turn, with severe health issues within the family needing – and taking – my full focus, energy, and time. My apologies for the extreme delay in sharing my review of this wonderful book. I have read it twice by now and can attest to the fact that each time through you will gain more and more.

I would like to thank author Laura Davila, and publisher Weiser Books for sending me this book to review. I very much look forward to reading future works from this wonderful author – and promise my usual, more timely turnaround time in future blogs and reviews.