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Waking the Witch
Waking the Witch: Reflections on Women, Magic, and Power | Pam Grossman
31 posts | 22 read | 32 to read
A whip-smart and illuminating exploration of the worlds fascination with witches from podcast host and practicing witch Pam Grossman (The Witch Wave), who delves deeply into why witches have intrigued us for centuries and why theyre more relevant now than ever. When you think of a witch, what do you picture? Pointy black hat, maybe a broomstick. But witches in various guises have been with us for millennia. In Waking the Witch, Pam Grossman explores the cultural and historical impact of the worlds most magical icon. From the idea of the femme fatale in league with the devil in early modern Europe and Salem, to the bewitching pop culture archetypes in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and Harry Potter; from the spooky ladies in fairy tales and horror films to the rise of feminist covens and contemporary witchcraft, witches reflect the power and potential of women. In this fascinating read that is part cultural analysis, part memoir, Pam opens up about her own journey on the path to witchcraft, and how her personal embrace of the witch helped her find strength, self-empowerment, and a deeper purpose. A comprehensive meditation on one of the most mysterious and captivating figures of all time, Waking the Witch celebrates witches past, present, and future, and reveals the critical role they have playedand will continue to playin shaping the world as we know it.
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cant_i'm_booked
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Mehso-so

Fun book to read: a broad look-through of witch history and witch symbolism (though mind, it keeps mainly to the European-North American sphere). The author discusses the early persecution of “witches,” witch depictions within various visual arts, and adoption of the witch as a fierce feminist brand (a beloved symbol for Wiccans, pagans, or ppl who plain don‘t want to be part of the mainstream) battling commodification and a patriarchal system.

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Darklunarose
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Pickpick

A wonderful book both on the history of the witch and taking back feminine power

64 likes2 stack adds
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Darklunarose
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Rains here but so far no lightning 😔 if we have to suffer this humidity that‘s driving everyone to distraction then at least we could get lightning.

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Darklunarose
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It‘s hot, it‘s humid, the left over of cyclone Tiffany is headed down my state right now with rain and storms so I‘m planning a Saturday in front of the window enjoying the rain and grey. (This humidity however can go back north)

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Darklunarose
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To begin to read tomorrow:)

68 likes4 stack adds
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jenniferw88
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Thank you @sprainedbrain but you really didn't have to! #basicwitchswap

sprainedbrain I know, but I wanted to! I just wish everything could have been delivered together with cute wrapping and some candy, but I wanted to get stuff to you fast. 😉 I LOVE The Once and Future Witches... ❤️❤️❤️ (edited) 4y
76 likes1 stack add1 comment
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sdbruening
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sdbruening
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Pickpick

While I thought there was too much personal review of fictional witches in literature, film, and TV, I was blown away and majorly enlightened by the archetype of the witch representing sexism throughout history. I was also disgusted by how the accusation of “witch” and associated images continues to be thrown at women with whom society (mostly men) aren‘t comfortable with.

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sdbruening
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Jen2
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Pickpick

Enjoyed it!

Prairiegirl_reading Cool! I‘ve never heard of this. I just downloaded a podcast to check out. 😄 5y
83 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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MegCaldwell
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Pickpick

Absolutely loved this one! Pam Grossman is a super cool witch and critical thinker!

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JSW
Pickpick

Super fun quick and easy read for the witchy woman in your life. Would have greatly benefited from illustrations/pictures/photos.

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KimHM
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Pickpick

Because Grossman is covering such an enormous subject, this book is necessarily an overview and skims over many topics and does not delve deeply into any. But she is generous with memoir-type anecdotes and both approaches contribute to her goal of taking reader-witches by the hand and showing them one journey along the path. 🧙‍♀️🧙‍♀️🧙‍♀️🧙‍♀️and a half 🧙‍♀️.

📚❤️📚💙📚💚📚💛📚💜📚🤎📚🖤📚🧡📚

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KimHM
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“People under seventy and over seven are very unreliable if they are not cats.” 🧙‍♀️🐈🧙‍♀️🐈🧙‍♀️🐈

This is actually a quoted quote. See, according to Grossman, Leonora Carrington‘s The Hearing Trumpet. (Which is def going on my TBR!)

📚💙📚❤️📚💚📚💙📚❤️📚💚

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KimHM
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Holiday book from my daughter (who lives within driving distance of Salem, Mass 🧙‍♀️)❤️📚💚📚💙📚Happy Whatever You Celebrate at winter‘s beginning 💙💙💙!

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rsteve388
Pickpick

This was an excellent book that discusses witchcraft as both a faith and as a symbol for women to own their own power and find their voice. It discusses important witch history and the ways in which women have been branded with the word witch as a way to scrape goat them.

Great book to end my #NFNov! This has been so much fun!!

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rsteve388
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#NFNov So I started this book today and read the first 5 chapters! Excellent book so far.

I'll count points and wrap up tomorrow night and make an announcement on Sunday about who are our winners are.

The image is one of my bookshelves in my living room.
#Holidays

erzascarletbookgasm Festive looking shelf 👍 5y
34 likes1 comment
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rsteve388

Started reading this book as my last #NFNov book It may take me sometime to finish it though.

But the coolest thing happened in the introduction!! The author is from my hometown... Well close anyway. In the introduction she mentions that her Aunt was a librarian at West Long Branch Library... West Long Branch is one town over from my hometown Long Branch! Wild!

LauraJ That is cool! 5y
26 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

I do not believe witchcraft is real, though I enjoy reading about fictional witches. Here, Grossman explores the history of the witch and the “witch” in society, pop culture, politics and more, revealing that feelings about witches are often code for society‘s attitude toward women. I thought this was well done and interesting with a minimum of “the spell worked” (which would not have worked for me).

53 likes2 stack adds
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RiaWritten
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Today's library snag. I'm hoping I can get my act together schoolwise so I can make some time for this one.

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amyrohn
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Happy spooky season!! 🧛🏻‍♀️💀🎃👻 I have so many spooky reads on my list for this month and I‘m starting off strong with Waking the Witch: part memoir, part historical deep-dive, and part pop culture exploration. I‘m fascinated so far and it‘s extremely well written.

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Craftylikefox
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Pickpick

Finished and really enjoyed. Pam takes a look at witches throughout history and what the word witch means. It is also about her experience being a witch and how she came to it. It doesn‘t dive super deep but it definitely makes me wantY to find out so more. I have also started listening to her podcast The Witch Wave. She has a super soothing voice.

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Craftylikefox
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Finishing up some coffee and having a quiet Saturday morning reading. A great start 😊 I hope everyone has a great day.

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Clare-Dragonfly
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If you loved last year‘s #witchpleaseswap and were, like me, hoping that someone else would take on the swap, your hopes have been fulfilled! Check out @sprainedbrain or @Meaw_catlady to sign up for the #basicwitchswap!

sprainedbrain Thank you for sharing! 🖤 5y
Meaw_catlady Thanks for joining! And sharing ! 🖤 5y
RaimeyGallant Super fun! 5y
19 likes3 comments
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Brooke_H
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Pickpick

A mix of memoir, historical deep dives, and pop culture dissections, this book parses what exactly is a "witch." We have our surface-level (or are they?) green-skinned, pointy-hatted baddies along with female creatives like Remedios Varo next to literary figures like Tituba...I could go on and on. I found this book so fascinating, and I will never think of the word "witch" in exactly the same way.

12 likes3 stack adds
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KoriBReadin
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“In exchange, she will receive prosperity, a long life, and, presumably, a steady supply of red-hot devil dick.” Pg 81 😂

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strandbookstore
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July literary horoscopes are here! We have just the books you need to cozy up on the couch, avoid other people, and process your emotions. Don't forget to read about signs other than your own to get a variety of book choices, ranging from the mystical to the humorous.

⭐https://buff.ly/2XlEtU6

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Shel.f
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Additions to my witchy library. I read an excerpt of “Waking the Witch“ and was spellbound, so I had to order it. I've run into Briana Saussy online in several of my groups, so I had to have that, too. Next order will be Amy Blackthorne's herb book.

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DeeLew
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This arrived today. The cover is gorgeous and I can‘t wait to read it!

readordierachel 😍😍 5y
32 likes1 stack add1 comment
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rather_be_reading
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Pickpick

Book 60 of 2019
Ive been loving these witchy reads especially when they tie it to the modern life. This is definitely one that i will be referencing alot.
#ebook #netgalley #arc

MoonWitch94 Cool!! 6y
68 likes4 stack adds1 comment