Daily Magic

Judika Illes, author of the Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells, offers a year-long guide to witchcraft that arranges its spells and rituals around the calendar. Her premise is that certain days carry special magical energy, and that readers who learn these dates in advance and prepare for them can draw on that energy to shape their lives.

The book covers all 365 days of the year and notes the spiritual or magical significance of each one. Some days suit spellwork particularly well. April 30, for instance, is ideal for spells for love, romance, fertility, and prosperity. The most powerful dates are Midsummer's Eve, Halloween (Samhain), and New Year's, but chances to work toward the most common goals of love, prosperity, fertility, healing, and protection come up every week.

Illes explains how to design rituals and cast spells, and she includes recipes for potions and advice on preparing feasts to honor sacred beings. She also helps readers decide whether a working is best performed right away or saved for a stronger date later in the year. Her approach blends older traditions with present-day practice, and it ranges from simple daily observances to more elaborate ceremonies.