Wellness Witch: Healing Potions, Soothing Spells, and Empowering Rituals for Magical Self-Care by Nikki Van De Car

Wellness Witch: Healing Potions, Soothing Spells, and Empowering Rituals for Magical Self-Care Reviews

• 
  Juniper Karlsson

  It always irks me when books have sentences like “every wellness witch must have an altar...” or “the wellness witch is someone who...”. Like, can we just skip the identity labels?
  This book had some really good recipes and diys but it was also a bit all over the place and sometimes balancing on the edge of appropriation. For example talking about smudgeing without nuancing its origin when it could have been so easy to write about smoke cleansing instead which isn’t bound to one particular culture/group of people who has been used and oppressed.
  There’s probably no I’ll intent but I felt like more research could have gone into several of the disciplines/practices the author brings up.
  
• 
  Sosanna Olson

  Today I'm reviewing Wellness Witch by Nikki Van De Car.
  
  Generally I like to start out with a disclaimer. I am an contemporary witch. I look for the connection between magic and science without the need to search for a creator. I receive no compensation for these reviews and all my links are standard Amazon links and not affiliate links. I am a practicing photo reader and have spent the last 16 years honing my craft. I offer personal readings by request and have a strong online history that boasts over 412,000 views.
  
  As usual I'll start with a review of the physical book. This book was colorful and presented with lovely illustrations by Anisa Makhoul. Its a good sized book to toss in a backpack or gym bag and includes a hefty three page index front and back. The pages are not textured as some books do and the font is easy on the eyes.
  
  I have reviewed several books by this author and you can find a few of them on my blog.
  
  This book is divided into sections called The Internal, The External and The Home. Each section has individual chapters for Healing, Soothing and Empowering that particular area. For example, the soothing chapters for each section include entries for healing bath rituals, charms for restful sleep and a recipe for lavender chamomile cupcakes. The author takes us on a journey of self healing by explaining that often the most powerful form of witchcraft is that which we do for ourselves. Self care is something that many overlook in the magical realm. Recently I attended a panel discussion on separating yourself from your magical communities as a part of self preservation, or healing if you will. Each of the speakers had their own personal situations that led to a separation and a time period specific to each when they could return to the groups they left and one even was still apart from it. Self care is imperative to a healthy life. Work/Live balance is key. Even if that work is magical work.
  
  The introduction of this covers our basic magical garden and our magical cupboard. Plants, crystals as well as essential oils are covered at a very high level with only 12 herbs, 7 crystals and 8 essential oils being included for their healing and soothing qualities. As one would expect lavender oil, amethyst crystal and rosemary hold a prominent role in healing and soothing the body and mind.
  
  As we move into the Internal section of the book, the author takes us through the healing, soothing and empowering exercises. From growing Kombucha to creating a psychic power tincture the others provides a step by step guide to creating a sense of balance in those internal areas of our lives. My personal favorite begins on page 46 and covers the instructions on a divination tea recipe and a guide on Tasseography or Tea Leaf Reading. I have not attempted this form of divination and frankly have never seen it covered in a Witch 101 style book, so this was a new experience for me.
  
  The External section offers suggestions to tap into the strength required to deal with those things outside our own bodies. Massage oils, massage instruction and even a fire ritual. My favorite part of this section is the "Finding Your Voice Lip Balm". Just from the title, without a spell included I could see myself stirring the ingredients together, sealing my intention in the mixture. Then when applying before I leave my home for a meeting or before engaging in any speaking engagement, reinforcing my intention to strengthen my voice. Carry my message to the masses. By far, in my opinion one of the best pieces of this book.
  
  The final section is dedicate to the home. It offers an array of wellness practices to help transform the home into a sacred place. A place that the author promises will protect, recharge and purify you. I recognized many of these practices from my own home. They mention on page 100 about adding bells for your door, which as many witches have practiced across the decades, offers tones and vibrations to invite near energy into the space. Making your own with clay, as the author suggests is a great way to bring your own energy directly into the bell or maybe take a bell from a second hand store and paint, write or draw sigils to set your intention.
  
  Wind chimes on page 110, the author tells us is a way to cleanse the energy. I have several sets around my home as well as out in the property to hear the spirit of air as it moves through my space.
  
  Finally, incense! What would a witch be without this powerful and moving ingredient. I have several types of incense for different occasions. I personally love Nag Champa and Quan Am for daily use and a beautiful cone called Song of India for ritual. The author however, provides a recipe for a different type of incense. This is a way to invite visions or prophecy. Basically you take the herbs and sprinkle them over an open flame after taking the necessary preparations and welcome any visions that come about. The author provides a list of herbs that are safe, and please remember not to use anything poisonous. When in doubt, leave it out.
  
  Overall, this is a great book on getting started into self care. So many witches (and mundanes for that matter) fail to take care of themselves before trying to help others. You cannot pour from an empty vessel so be sure to take the time you need to heal yourself. I found this book to be full of great tips that I had not heard of, as well as some affirmations of some of the changes I have implemented over the last few years to protect myself, my space and my magic from the ill effects of negativity and energy drains. I absolutely recommend this book for the beginner and the seasoned witch alike.
• 
  Cari

  Brief, but beautiful book. The artwork was amazing and the recipes and rituals are all very practical and easy enough that I will definitely start incorporating things from this book in my self care routine!
• 
  Callie Gonsalves

  the art in this book is beautiful, and I'm really excited to try the different recipes and potions and such!
• 
  Emma Beyer

  Light that candle baby girl, we’re gonna do some self care. Wellness witch is the perfect book for those interested in self care and discovering their inner witch. Nikki Van De Car sets us up for success with tinctures, intentions, teas and more, she even has a cupcake recipe, y’all! We’ll take a walk through our garden and get to know our plants, then we’ll browse our cupboard and learn how to use those herbs that have been hiding in plain sight (hi, clove). Nikki gives us the tools to heal our body and to connect our mind and soul, and spoiler alert, you don’t even have to be a witch! Wellness witch is a must have for us tree dwellers, star gazers, magic seekers, and wanderers.
• 
  Jessie

  I very much appreciated the DIY theme of this book. It’s filled with recipes for food, teas, tinctures, skin care, hair care, and balms. It also features other kinds of DIY projects such as candle making and creating your own wind chimes and bells.
  
  I did also enjoy how unique this book was with the information it provided. I’ve read a lot of books about wellness and self care and after awhile they all begin to feel repetitive. This thankfully didn’t feel that way even though it does contain some of the basic elements of witchy wellness like yoga, crystals, and meditation.
  
  However, this book is def not going to be for everyone. While I appreciated it, it’s a book I’m happy I got from the library because it didn’t really offer me anything I’d truly use. But that doesn’t mean others might not find it incredibly useful. I just recommend checking it out from the library or reading a sample first.
• 
  Lisa

  Liked it better than I expected to. I found several recipes in the book that I would like to try and kept copies of.
• 
  Eleriel

  Non so cosa mi aspettassi da un libro con un titolo di questo genere, ma magari qualcosa di più originale di un mix di nozioni super-basic. Un pizzico di erbe qui, una spruzzatina di cristalloterapia là, un paio di asana e così via... Ci sono anche diverse ricette ma per lo più non mi hanno fatto impazzire (e no, impiastricciarti i capelli di olio di cocco non mi sembra una buona alternativa al balsamo... voglio vederti poi a lavarlo via). Sì, insomma... è carino per chi non ha la più pallida idea e parte dallo zero assoluto.
  Carina la grafica...
• 
  Catherine Philhower

  What a wonderful book! The perfect go-to for all things health-and-wellness, and the sort of gem that a reader returns to again and again. The magic within these pages is completely attainable and is set forth in simple, readable recipes, healing herbs and mantras. Van De Car draws on ancient ritual as well as plant knowledge and good common sense to present the reader with soothing meditations and yoga practices, a salve for bee stings and a sore muscles poultice - and so much more! Sections include The Internal, The External, and The Home - each with several chapters - and the emphasis, as the title suggests, is on self-care. Not always an easy topic, in our busy world, but so needed. I was completely charmed! Thoroughly enjoyed.
• 
  livresdelaura

  What I loved about ”Wellness Witch: Healing Potions, Soothing Spirits, and Empowering Rituals for Magical Self-Care” by Nikki Van De Car and Anisa Makhoul :⁣⁣⁣⁣
  ⁣⁣⁣⁣
  1) This is the cutest book for self-care! Such great ideas to embrace your inner witch during this spooky time of year.⁣
  ⁣⁣⁣⁣
  2) The illustrations are gorgeous! ⁣⁣⁣⁣
  ⁣
  3) This book would make the perfect gift for anyone looking to add some more to their self care rituals!⁣
• 
  Lois

  At first glance I thought this book would include more natural remedies than it does. I would also have appreciated a Resource Lisr for the herbs and essential oils mentioned. Even if you would like to grow them yourself the seeds and plants can be hard to find. This is a cute gift book but you’re better off with a book on essential oils, aromatherapy, or herbology.
• 
  Hannah

  Really unimpressed with this book as a whole. The artwork was beautiful and atheist the author mentioned not to ingest essential oils, but in the section before that mentioned cleansing crystals with water. Not all crystals should be put under water!! Fairly disappointed and not a book I'm going to keep.
• 
  Annie

  Inspiring and empowering! This book not only gives you permission to treat yourself with love and compassion, but it gives you real practical knowledge and creative ideas for how to give yourself the care we all need. It's like having a friend on your shelf waiting with a cozy cup of tea and some sage advice. I know I'll return to these spells and recipes again and again and again. This book is now an integral part of my self-care rituals.
• 
  Liam

  Another one of my favourites, going in keep in mind it uses alot of Eastern/Asian practices but its an amazing book for anyone who likes using magic to enhance self care or interested in healing magic.
• 
  Katt

  Okay, good snapshot
  
  This book is like a snap shot of many different parts of magick. The chapters are very short and there is some useful recipes etc. That you could use in your practise.
• 
  Denielle

  This book was an introduction to self care. Very basic and a good start. Beautiful cover and artwork throughout.
• 
  BookishMunchkin

  Beautiful illustrations and some awesome recipes, tinctures, and crafts. I enjoyed this book, simply put!
• 
  Valerie

  Great overview. Lots of good ideas to expand upon.
• 
  The Reading Hammock | Erin

  I enjoyed the read and the introduction to many aspects of the craft. Excited to try a few of the recipes and incorporate a bit more intention and spell work into daily life.
• 
  Joanne

  2.5 Stars. Review to come.
• 
  Jessica

  Found this book a little preachy and no help.
• 
  Dodie

  This book was simple with basic information, recipes and rituals. I personally was looking for more.
• 
  Katie McAlear

  This was a Christmas present and every page made me want to do that activity!
  
  A great, self-care, easy read to start off the New Year!
  
  Editing to add: the illustrations in this book are beautiful!!! Honestly could be the best part
• 
  Sue Gabianelli-danneker

  A great starter guide for self healing.
• 
  Margot Nightngale

  i loved this book, had really great diy projects in it and gave really detailed ways on exploring the steps your magical journey will take you on!
• 
  Kae

  I thought this was going to be more of a guide book than a recipe book. It's not very well organized, which makes it a bit impractical. It was an interesting book to peruse but I can't say I learned anything.
• 
  Sarah

  This is a really good book for a spectrum of brief ideas, which was exactly what I was looking for. Some things I blew by quickly and some I highlighted for future use, so it's a little bit for everyone.