'Every witch uses her magic differently. I use mine to heal people, while others ...'
'What do the others do!? Are there many different types of witches!?'
'Oh yes! Many ...'
The Blurb
Join Lindsay, a young and curious 19th-century lass, as she meets Biddy Early, the famous 'wise woman of County Clare', and learns all about the magickal arts – from which plants can be used to make healing poultices and potions, to how people dealt with the social and political stigma of practising witchcraft.
Biddy Early, who lived from 1798–1874 in Ireland, was by no means the first-ever witch, but she was the first to appear on the historical record. Before her, fears and superstitions surrounding practitioners of 'the nameless art' were too strong. It is said that Biddy took an apprenticeship with the 'good folk', sidhe or faeries, when she was very young, and it was from them that she learnt her skill as a healer.
Never one to accept monetary payment for the help she offered, Biddy would often swap home-brewed alcohol for her services, which in turn made her ramshackle cottage in Feakle a hub for the local community. When her little corner of the county drew the attention of the Catholic Church and the local authorities, things became very difficult for this unusual woman…
Encompassing self-empowerment, feminism, dealing with stigma and eco-spirituality, as well as plant magic, traditions, and green wisdom, Witchcraft: A Graphic History is a fresh take on an endlessly fascinating subject.
***
My Review
I read a graphic novel for the first time in 2022 and surprised myself by how much I enjoyed the format. I am more of a words person and have always enjoyed reading prose. I stepped out of my comfort zone and tried something a little different. At the time I wanted to read more graphic novels, but I had not found anything that sufficiently caught my attention until now.
This book has much to commend it. It tells the story of Biddy Early, a well known witch in the west of Ireland who was born in County Clare in 1798. The book does a great job of chronicling her life through words and illustrations and I could hardly put it down.
Not only does it focus on Biddy's life but also explains about the origins and history of witchcraft and its connection to nature and the world around us. Through Biddy we learn about the patriarchal society in which she lived and the stigma attached to those who used plants to heal others. We read of the rituals associated with Biddy's craft along with the persecution of the wise and cunning folk.
The book has been beautifully illustrated by Lisa Sausi in a lovely base colour palette of greens and orange.
This would make a fantastic introduction to the history of witchcraft for both adults and young people who want to learn more of its history through the story of Biddy Early. I enjoyed reading this very much and highly recommend it.
If you are wondering which graphic novel it was that I was referring to reading in 2022 it was The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman. You can read my review by clicking on the title.
Book Details
ISBN: 978 0711295254
Publisher: Leaping Hare Press
Formats: e-book and hardback
No. of Pages: 128 (hardback)
Purchase Links
About the Author:
Lindsay Squire is a practitioner of eclectic Witchcraft and is the Witch behind the popular Instagram account, @thewitchoftheforest. She has been walking her own spiritual path for over a decade, and is passionate about helping and empowering Witches at the beginning of their Witchcraft journeys.
She is the author of The Witch of the Forest's Guide to... series: Natural Magick, Astrology Magick, Natural Magick, Earth Magick, Tarot Magick, and Folklore Magick; The Witch’s Book of Spells; and two magickal decks including The Witch of the Forest’s Tarot Magick Deck.
Lindsay lives in her home county of Yorkshire, UK with her mischievous cats, Luna and Merlin.
Lindsay can also be found at TikTok: thewitchoftheforest1
The Illustrator Lisa Salsi, can be found at Instagram: Lisa Salsi
(author photo courtesy of Tik Tok)
(all other media courtesy of Quarto)
(all opinions are my own)
(bookshop.com affiliate)
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