Praise for Ellen Dugan
Practical Protection Magick "St. Louis’ famous “Garden Witch,” Ellen Dugan, has kicked it up a notch with this latest addition to her successful books. This time she’s writing about negative thoughts and/or energy deliberately sent from one person to another. She tells us these psychic attacks are real, then tells us how to recognize them, disperse them ethically, and protect against their return. She stresses that protection magick is a necessary part of practicing the craft and a powerful way to deepen magical skills and enhance one’s magical life. She encourages us to bring our inner “warrior witch” out of the closet. The book is dense with practical information about a wide range of topics: psychic strengths and weaknesses, curses and hexes, psychic and emotional vampires, magickal strength, and ghosts. The book is written in her usual direct and lively style and contains those garden touches we love. This just might be my favorite Ellen Dugan to date." —Anna Jedrziewski, Spirit Connection New York, New York, N.Y. (New Age Retailer Magazine)
Book of Witchery "This treasury of enchantments and spells will keep you conjuring seven days a week!"—Prediction Magazine
Garden Witch's Herbal 2010 COVR Award First Runner Up "Best Wiccan/ Paganism Category"
"The conversational tone of Garden Witch’s Herbal is a refreshing change from other garden-variety horticulture books and makes Dugan’s herbal entertaining as well as informative." —New Age Retailer
Natural Witchery 2008 COVR Award Winner "Best Book Wicca/ Paganism Category"
"Interspersed throughout the text are lively anecdotes from Dugan's own Samantha Stephens-esque household. The value of this book lies in the warm personal touch Dugan uses in both her writing and in her craft." -- Publishers Weekly
"This book is eminently useful, providing tools and suggestions for spellcrafting and ritual observances in a lively format. Dugan's voice is engaging and her work is practical and fun." --PanGaia Magazine
"Her primer for 'green witchcraft'--i.e., witchcraft in tune with seasonal elements-- is a gold mine of concepts and resources for the novice to intermediate practitoner. Chock-full of relevant wisdom and lively humor, this is a valuable addition to any avid pagan's personal reference library."--Library Journal
The Enchanted Cat 2007 COVR Award Winner "Best Book Magick/ Shamanism Category"
"To read any Ellen Dugan book is a treat, and The Enchanted Cat is one more fine nonfiction book from her creative mind! The Enchanted Cat is a book that will have a wide appeal to readers of all interests.
The Enchanted Cat is about the magickal cat. Spells, magick, and other topics are developed and covered concisely in this enjoyable book. There are numerous facts to hold your interest. Whether or not you are a cat lover is incidental to the good reading experience you will encounter with this collection of facts.
Many associate the cat with ancient Egypt, and the cat-headed goddess Bast. Three-thousand years later, the cat has come to mean many things to many people. One of the attributes of this fine book is the entertaining manner in which the author has included quotes from famous cat lovers throughout the ages, such as Cole Porter's "You Do Something to me, something that simply mystifies me" (page 20), and Charles Dickens's "What greater gift than the love of a cat?" (page 95).
The book is divided into topics that cover various aspects of the cat. Such topics include: the Witch's cat, the enchanted cat, Bast, deities, elemental feline folklore and divination, astrology of cats, candle spells, feline power animals, magick journal, among others.
The spells are detailed and clearly explained. How each spell works, and what is to be expected from the working of cat spells, is discussed. This book will fascinate you!"-- Lee Prosser, Ghostvilliage.com review
How to Enchant a Man "Ellen Dugan is the first author (to my knowledge) to write a book of love magick that is 100% free of manipulation.”
—newWitch reviewer Lisa McSherry, Summer 2008
"'You have bewitched me', said Mr. Darcy to Miss Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice. Ellen Dugan gives us so many ways to bewitch! The very book a women needs to enhance her birth given charms."
--Rev. Laurie Cabot H.Ps.
Cottage Witchery "This is the perfect book to have around if you want to make every area of your home magical."-- NewWitch Magazine
Herb Magic for Beginners "A delightful little book."--Herb Quarterly
"Entertaining as well as informative."--New Age Retailer
Garden Witchery 2004 COVR Award Runner Up "Best Magic Book"
From School Library Journal
"With good-humored flair, Dugan offers a practical introduction to gardening that incorporates an eclectic blend of Wiccan and magical traditions. The author encourages readers to work hard to make the garden "a place where both our metaphysical and ordinary lives begin to thrive together." Outlining basic principles such as working with the directions and the elements, moon phases, and color, the author shows how this lore, rooted in a respect for nature, also forms the basis of good gardening practice. She offers succinct and useful information on a great variety of topics such as astrology, fairies, herbal spells and charms, crafts, and journaling, and on dealing with an equal variety of garden situations and types. Throughout, she suggests excellent sources for further information, including the Extension Service, the Poison Control Center, and the public library, and she offers an extensive bibliography (mostly of magic literature). The good advice and sound horticultural practice found here can help novices and/or budding garden witches to discover their own style and get off to a solid start, and can also enrich the experience of those who are already knowledgeable."
Christine C. Menefee, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Elements of Witchcraft
From Booklist
"Hello, Teen Witch," begins this enthusiastic, in-depth guide to witchcraft. The author, a practicing witch and a Master Gardener, emphasizes spells based on the earth's elements and plants, and includes general information, such as an overview of major dates in a "magickal year," as well as a chapter giving practical advice about choosing a wand, and so on. Teens looking for a juicy revenge or romance spells will be disappointed; Dugan has a full chapter on ethics in which she states that it's unethical to perform a love spell on another person. In the section "Dabbling--Don't Go There," she warns: "Effective spell casting hinges on . . . knowing the difference between right and wrong and harming no one." As one of the more comprehensive, teen-friendly guides available, this will have great appeal among readers with esoteric interests, particularly the fantasy crowd. Nervous adults may be relieved by Dugan's cautions: Don't cast any ill-intended spells and "be a wise teen witch . . . work safely with the dragons and candle magick." Gillian Engberg Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
From Publishers Weekly
Dugan (Garden Witchery: Magick from the Ground Up) has been practicing witchcraft for 17 years and has three teenagers. Her experience in both these undertakings shines in this solid, forthright primer. Most notable and praiseworthy are her many cautions to impressionable young people: "Love spells that target a specific person are a really bad idea. Now, you may magick yourself to seem more appealing and attractive.... Spells that call for you to have more confidence and poise are great too." Dugan stresses that clothes, jewelry and gear are not essential to magick. She prefers to emphasize ethics, accentuating that the Craft centers around positive personal power that is enhanced and harnessed by working with the forces of the natural world. The book is filled with real-life stories that teens can relate to, and the tone is friendly but not condescending. Dugan covers necessary points such as the four elements, explained in part by explicit guided meditations. There are also useful chapters on yearly observances and circlecasting. Dugan's gardening expertise comes into play in a thorough chapter on flowers and trees, more than is found in other similar works. In the chapter on tools she provides teens many affordable and safe alternatives to traditional supplies (e.g., a staff instead of the athame, a short double-sided blade). Interested teens will enjoy this primer, and involved parents should feel at ease with the overall tone and treatment.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Grade 8 Up-An introductory overview for those interested in making a connection between the natural world and the world of witchcraft. Readers are led through a study of the four elements-earth, air, fire, and water-and will learn many different forms of real magick, including crystal, herb, stone, color, and candle magick. Dugan sets the record straight about the Hollywood-hype and actual witchcraft. She cautions readers that it is not the gothic, mysterious experience of an episode of Charmed, but an age-old religion that requires disciplined study and hard work. Her wise-woman tone and gentle guidance will help nurture budding natural witches, and her well-written text will guide novices in their discoveries as well. The chapter "Lessons Learned in Living a Magick Life" is particularly interesting. Although the appeal is limited, this is a well-done book that discusses witchcraft in the context of day-to-day living. Elaine Baran Black, Gwinnett County Public Library, Lawrenceville, GA Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Magic doesn’t have to be just for holy days and Sabbats, says Dugan, a self-described "garden witch" who has practiced witchcraft for 15 years. Magic can also bring energy to everyday life, and can punctuate the rhythm of days and weeks. This well-designed book features seven chapters, one for each day of the week, and (you guessed it) seven divisions within each chapter, as Dugan highlights aspects of each day: accessories; applications and attributes; deities; plants and flowers; colors, candles and crystals; tarot associations; and foods and spices. Pagan readers will appreciate the step-by-step approach and the detailed information about the history and lore of the days of the week (all hail Woden and Thor!). Friday, which is named after the Norse goddess of love, turns out to be a special time for romance, so Dugan offers the expected passion and fertility spells. This book will be useful to novice practitioners, who may find it a winsome invitation to incorporating magic into daily life, and to women who are interested in Wicca. There’s little here that is original, but the book’s layout is attractive and Dugan’s writing style is hip and on-target for her audience (Lilith, for instance, is described as "the original bad-ass chick"). -Publishers Weekly
The latest offering from Llewellyn in their “Sabat Series” is the Autumn Equinox. Ellen Dugan is well known for “Garden Witchery” and “Elements of Witchcraft”. She is a “Master Gardener” and a psychic-clairvoyant.
The book takes the tone from the expertise of the author. There is a lot here about gardening. While Mabon is one of the “Harvest Festivals”, the flavor of the book is written by a gardener and she expresses her interests fully in this book.
There is much talk about the Harvest in this book. From different forms of “Harvest Festivals” celebrated around the world, to American traditional holidays, the topic is explored and discussed. There is even a small notation about “Harvest Down Under” noting that it is a reversed calendar but also noting some traditional rites from native people from New Zealand. A nice touch.
There is a section which discusses the sun and star signs. Virgo and Libra heavily influence this time of year, and the influences are noted along with some spells to work with these energies.
The book goes into suggest activities for this time of year, harvest dances, magics to practice at Full Moon, a ritual for Full Moon for a solitary and group. There is discussion on Goddess who are associated with the Harvest, citing Demeter and Persephone, Elen of the Ways and Pomona of the Apples. The focus switches to “The Gods of Vegetation and Vine” and we are introduced to Dionysys, The Green Man, and Herne the Hunter.
The focus turns to the garden, fall flowers and foliage. This is where the gardener in Ms. Dugan really shines. Planting suggestions, zone charts, flowers of the Fall, spells for planting and growth, color magic by planting trees noted for their specific fall foliage, all suggestions from a “Master Gardener” who gives you the help you need to make your property or garden an Autumn Spectacular.
She also discusses use of special plants at this time of year. The history of “ornamental corn”, grape vines, pumpkins and squashes, cornucopias, grains, even the scarecrow, it is all here for you to explore. Ms. Dugan has researched this book well, taking into account that folks want more than crafts and recipes for their holidays. But fear not, for those who want crafts and recipes, those are included as well.
There is a Solitary Equinox Ritual for those who want to celebrate their holiday with ritual. This is a nice, short, and pretty ritual which I think you will enjoy.
But back to the recipes. There is a good section on “Seasonal Recipes” which includes roasting a turkey as well as all the trimmings. There are also some vegetarian dishes included for the “no meat” crowd and a “sugarless” apple pie filling. I especially liked the “Baking Tips, Kitchen Hints, and Fun Facts” section. A couple of “Gee, I didn’t know that” are included here. And there is, and why was I not surprised, a section on “Natural Floral Centerpieces” which I thought added a touch of class to this book.
Then there are the spells and crafts. None of these books would be complete without a section on this. From making grape vine wreaths, garlands for protection, nighttime luminaries to recipes for herbal soaps, whatever your skill level you will find something fun to make here. There are correspondence charts for “Autumn Enchantments”, crystals and stones for the Fall, magical herbs, plants and food. There is even a worksheet to help you keep track of your spells and how you are doing with them.
The closing of the book is more of a wish that you make an effort to enjoy the season, and use the book to help you get more out of the Autumn. It ends with a “Harvest Witch Blessing” that is delightful and very “enchanting”.
Then there is a bibliography for further reading and an index.
Yes, this book is better researched than previous volumes, but the focus is more on the season and how nature takes on a new face at this time of year. There is more about enjoying what we have, celebrating in a way familiar to our culture, and enjoying nature in it’s last stage before it sleeps for the winter.
This is a good look at the way we celebrate today, and how we can incorporate the season into our home, our garden and our lives. I think this is one of the better books in the Sabat Series that Llewellyn offers and one which I think many folks will enjoy and use for many years to come. --Boudica