Honoring the Wild: Reclaiming Witchcraft and Environmental Activism

Moon (Practically Pagan) collects meditations on the Reclaiming Witchcraft tradition in this brief, inspiring anthology. Founded in the late 1970s, the Reclaiming tradition is based in “deep, spiritual commitment to the earth, to healing and to linking of magic with political action,” Moon writes. Short accounts from Reclamation witches weave a “tapestry of many different threads,” including tried-and-true advice for being environmentally conscious (buying secondhand clothes, using public transportation), discussions of “magical activism” (which takes the form of writing, storytelling, and organizing protests), and accounts of individuals’ experiences (using directed energy to help protect the California redwood forests during protests). Suggested rituals include an “Extinction Rebellion Ritual” (which involves speaking one’s demands into being in a group setting), while an annotated timeline highlights major moments in Reclamation history, from anti-nuclear demonstrations in 1976 New Hampshire to 2017’s Dakota Access Pipeline protests. Though the takes on activism will be familiar, the personal narratives evoke a raw earnestness and urgency that will encourage readers to do their part to protect the earth. Reclamation witches and those curious about the tradition will find value here. (Feb.)