Sex Witch: Magical Spells for Love, Lust, and Self-Protection

Journalist and former Vice columnist Saint Thomas (Finding Your Higher Self) presents spiritual and sensual practices in this bold, risqué work. She first covers basic information, such as the classical elements, altars, herbs, tarot, astrology, and moon phases, in often humorous blurbs told in a colloquial style. Saint Thomas’s rituals are workable across a variety of belief systems, whether one’s altar holds depictions of ancient deities such as Aphrodite or pop-cultural figures like Freddie Mercury. The book’s latter half is a playful grimoire organized by intention, including spells for self-love, seduction, and even revenge. For instance, a “Flames for Courage” ritual recommends writing out negative beliefs about oneself and burning them. The rituals are broken down into easy steps, most of which need few specialty supplies, making them approachable for the magical beginner. Throughout, Saint Thomas eschews gender binaries, instead striving for inclusive language and addressing discrimination head-on: “all genders can be witches despite the frequent portrayal of witches as cis women.” Glossaries on identities, sexual orientations, kinks, and relationship formations are both informative and welcoming. Saint Thomas’s sex-positive empowerment manual fills an overlooked niche in modern witchcraft practice. (Sept.)