Alive with Spirits: The Path and Practice of Animistic Witchcraft

I'm usually a huge fan of what Sebastiani releases but this book is.... A 2024 political view on something that shouldn't be political to start with. She deals with animism with a typical "woke" american perspective and gives her own definition of "belonging to the land." I understand what she tries to do here but people from Europe can't relate to that for instance. She gives good ideas to work with plants and how to connect with spirits but they aren't groundbreaking either.

This book is a fantastic little tome of knowledge and experience that Althaea outlines for others to experiment and learn with. The structure of the book is helpfully detailed and easy to get into a rhythm with; it's not just a book to read, it is full of things to practice. I appreciate Althaea's clarity in defining terms as they discuss them in the context of animism and witchcraft, with an added glossary in the back. Althaea's experiences in both animism and witchcraft are invaluable, particularly because of their dedication to decolonization within both the worldview of animism and approaches and practices of witchcraft. It is also deeply refreshing to have someone speak so openly and be actually inclusive, while holding the xtian-adjacent (or, let's be real, some that are actually still just xtian) approaches of so many practices within Paganism and witchcraft accountable for the baggage that continues to pile up within and harm our communities. ALIVE WITH SPIRITS is written with an integrity that shines an inspiring light on what can be possible for our communities to actually do the work to be inclusive, to not throw judgment on practices that do not fit some overculture narrative of "unity". We are invited to self-interrogate, dig up the nasty bits of what we think we value and how our actions prove or disprove this, and practice accountability for our actions and ways we connect with others, human and non-human alike. All in all, this book will support anyone who believes that everything has a spirit, and that witchcraft is a way of building relationships with these spirits in nurturing and clarifying practices. I appreciate the opportunity to continue to adjust my worldview by examining my own practices, ensuring that i take responsibility where and how i can and should, and slowing my approaches down to ensure i listen deeply to the voices of those around me. ALIVE WITH SPIRITS is a book to go through periodically, to refresh and remind us just how connected we are.

For new witches or people new to a spiritual path, this book has useful information as well as practical ways to develop your skills with energy work. Love those parts! But beware; there are many strong opinions and UPG that, although are fine to be expressed by the other, are written as if factual when in reality are opinions. Once you read through the book check out other sources as well to obtain a more rounded education on the subject.

As someone who was not brought up in the world of witchcraft or anywhere near Pagan religions, I have read a lot of books looking for a good beginners guide. This is by far the best I've read. Each chapter has practical lessons with exercises to practice. The exercises build on each other as you read through the book. And while i was able to get through the chapters in a week (reading many chapters twice to really digest them), these exercises will keep me busy for a year easily. I imagine this would also be a great book for someone with more experience but looking to inject some spirituality back into their practice. I love the way the author has help me develop a spiritual lens for my every day life. The world is truly alive with spirits and what a transformative experience to start living into that. All in all, this was a very thoughtful book full of heart and real life witchcraft. I would recommend this to anyone and everyone.

Alive With Spirits is a perfect foundational text for anyone wanting to cultivate a deeper relationship with the world around them, and is, in my opinion, an essential read for those interested in the practice of witchcraft. As a witchcraft teacher, it has become required reading for all of my students, and I personally revisit the exercises frequently. A MUST read!