Hexing the Patriarchy: 26 Potions, Spells, and Magical Elixirs to Embolden the Resistance

Description

As our newsfeeds become more and more glutted by stories of harassment and assault, it's no surprise women are turning to every power in their arsenal to fight back--even the magical ones. As Lindy West put it in her New York Times op-ed, "Yes, this is a witch hunt. I'm a witch, and I'm hunting you." HEXING THE PATRIARCHY: MAGICAL RESISTANCE FROM A TO Z is a book for women for women who want to join the resistance. Upbeat and inviting, without making light of anyone's oppression or spirituality, it offers fed-up women a primer of enchantment in the form of 26 spells for undermining modern-day oppression, all gathered from authentic witches from various magical traditions. Readers will learn how to . . . make salt scrubs to "wash away patriarchal bullshit" place spells on misogynist leadershipmix potions to boost their strength against harassment . . . and more. Individually and cumulatively, the spells are designed to topple the patriarchy with a dangerous, they-never-saw-it-coming power.

Ariel Gore is a journalist, writer and teacher. Her novel We Were Witches was celebrated for its "piercing and wise" (Booklist) examination of modern womanhood. Gore is the founder of Hip Mama, an Alternative Press Award-winning publication covering the culture and politics of motherhood and the creator of the Fascism Fatigue Coloring Book. She lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Ariel Gore has given us . . . the tools and the nerve to be magic. Her cauldron is for every stepped-on and marginalized being to add to and shine on. Gore knows that in the collective we are free from our masters--while one can be free in their mind, those who actualize their potential as a tribe might save what's left of our world. Hexing the Patriarchy is an anti-fascism tool that belongs in our feminist libraries and medicine chests to aid what ails you through this fight.--Sophia Shalmiyev, author of Mother Winter Employing fierce metaphysics, creativity, humor, and pure badass conjuring, Ariel Gore's magical, majestic Hexing the Patriarchy is a practical field guide to fixing what's wrong the world, one earth-loving, mama-empowering, patriarchy-squashing hex at a time. Just holding this book in my hands makes me feel giddy with hope.--Karen Karbo, author of In Praise of Difficult Women I endorse Ariel Gore's book, which covers everything from wholesome light witchcraft for health to what you gotta do to punch your enemy in the throat. The spell I most needed, and used, was 'Be Your Own Muse.' If you've ever been a muse to an m-a-n, especially a certain bass player, you know what fresh hell it was. Thank you, Ariel Gore.--Jennifer Blowdryer, journalist and punk music artist It's time to conjure. Ariel Gore's Hexing the Patriarchy is a call to arms--if by 'arms' we mean hearts and guts and brains and twinkle parts against brutality. This book is about the spells, incantations, and storytelling we need to bring ourselves back to life. This book is a magical field guide that will set the crap that needs to burn on fire, and compost the living shit out of the wrong world toward revolution, revelation, reformation, and release. I'm all in.--Lidia Yuknavitch, bestselling author of The Misfit's Manifesto, The Book of Joan, The Chronology of Water, and more This alphabetized witch primer had me at 'B: binding spells for grabby assholes'! --Jennifer Baumgardner, author of Manifesta and F 'Em We have needed this book for centuries! Ariel Gore, in all her witchy-smart goodness, will inspire you, bolster you, lift you up, remind you who you are, and show you how to find your power in a world that is constantly trying to keep you from having it. And, she does so in a way that is good-natured and endlessly fun to read. I expect to pick up this book and practice the spells throughout the rest of my life -- unless all of you buy this book and do the spells with me, and we collectively do away with patriarchy for good.--Kerry Cohen, author of Lush: A Memoir and Loose Girl: A Memoir of Promiscuity