Magic for the Resistance: Rituals and Spells for Change
"Inspires socially conscious magical practitioners to harness the power of our imaginations and collective will, reminding us where true power really resides: in the hands of the people."―Amanda Yates Garcia, the Oracle of Los Angeles
Use Magic to Make the World a Better Place Today
From the creator of the Spell to Bind Donald Trump and All Those Who Abet Him
The resistance is growing, and it needs your help. This book provides spells and rituals designed to help you put your magical will to work to create a more just and equitable world. These magical workings can be used by activists of any spiritual or religious background. With ideas for altars, meditations, community organizing, self-care, and more, Magic for the Resistance offers a toolkit for magical people or first-time spellcasters who want to manifest social justice, equality, and peace.
If you've ever felt disillusioned or burned out because of the slow progress of social change, this magical work can nurture and support you, sharpening your focus and resolve for more sustained, long-term activism. In addition to influencing the outside world, these rituals bring you in closer alignment with your higher spiritual consciousness―because transforming your society begins with transforming yourself.
Includes spells for:
- Racial justice
- Women's rights
- LGBTQ+ rights
- Antifascism
- Environmentalism
- Immigration
- Refugee support
- Nonviolence
Praise:
"Readers interested in the power of magic and dismayed by the tumultuous current political moment will want to give this enticing guide a look."―Publishers Weekly
"Magic for the Resistance is a rabble-rousing battle cry for magical thinkers everywhere."―Amanda Yates Garcia, the Oracle of Los Angeles
"This wonderfully engaging guide―one part history, one part grimoire―demonstrates how and why to combine spell work and activism to heal our society and get rid of our heel."―Mitch Horowitz, PEN Award–winning author of Occult America
"This is rare combination of a how-to book that also gives a solid historical and cultural perspective on the uses of magic to resist political oppression. Sound and well-grounded both factually and magically, it's also well written and well informed."―Sabina Magliocco, Professor of Anthropology, University of British Columbia
"Vote. Organize. March. Protest. Boycott. Resist. Be an activist for your beliefs. Then...put your magic where your mouth is! You might want to start by reading Magic for the Resistance."―Lon Milo DuQuette, author of Low Magick
"Magic for the Resistance is a fascinating look at how the occult arts can be used to promote progressive politics and social change."―Gary Lachman, author of Dark Star Rising: Magick and Power in the Age of Trump
"An eminently necessary guidebook for the magic-workers of our time."―David Salisbury, author of A Mystic Guide to Cleansing & Clearing
"This book empowers the reader to liberate stagnancy and facilitate positive change, to feel/be heard, and to learn from obstacles and challenges that are encountered."―Fiona Horne, author of Witch
"Michael Hughes has drawn on his erudition as well as his quarter-century of experience as a practicing magician to offer a complete manual of 'Warrior Magic' in the service of justice."―Leonard George, PhD, author of Crimes of Perception
Reviews (123)
A Must Have.
To those who post dire warnings. Umm, no. Stop and read the book first, not just speculate on the premise and contents. Is it ethical to stop a crime? Yes. Is it ethical to turn your back on crimes against the earth and its sentient inhabitants? No. The book is a must have for any socially aware occultist. It's well written, easy to follow, and thoroughly researched. The book is a keeper. Thank you, Michael M Hughes.
Must have for Magical Resister
You don't have to be a Witch to resist. However if you decide to do it magically Michael tells you how in this boldly written book with all bases covered. The first two chapters are devoted to the history of Magical Resistance! Against Hitler/Nazis. He has much info that was new to me. Like I said this book covers all bases. He explains why any body of any religion can do Magical Resistance. He explains "toolkit" for Magical Activism , the difference between Offensive & Defensive magic. He has prep rituals & breath work and other things to take care of yourself mentally & Psychically . He explains how to make a personal mojo bag and a "power oil" for your rituals. He has all the basics in here as well as Anti-Fascist spell, anti NRA spell etc. He ends with a full appendix! Wow! As others have said "this book is a keeper" Its also printed on good stock with a good font I read it in a day. Very good book highly recommended.
If ever a book needed writing, this is it.
First, I want to thank Michael Hughes, not only for this book, but for being instrumental in organizing a movement. What is happening in our world and country today is without precedent, in terms of pure evil being unleashed on our land. And the fact that millions don't even see it, when it is so blatant and so unquestionably evil has had me wondering for some time if dark forces have been at work, and have been using this Administration to rain down destruction: on our country, on the international community, and on the earth herself. And that if these dark forces are not using a very potent form of glamour magick to make everything that is so obviously wrong appear so utterly right to so many. For some time, I have felt this, but what could I do? I am only one small person. The urgency of working to save our country and save our planet has certainly been at the forefront of my mind...but somehow, just going to vote didn't seem like enough. Didn't seem to address the urgency of the situation. Which make no mistake, is dire. People are dying. Sea life is dying. The Great Barrier Reef is dying. Arctic mammals are dying. The ocean itself is dying. And if it dies, we all die. There is just no getting around that fundamental fact. Our country is committing utterly reprehensible acts every single day. Treating our fellow human beings as if they were garbage. Making it more difficult for those in need to receive help. Suggesting that those who sacrificed greatly should be forgotten now that they need us to step up for them. Insulting longtime loyal allies while bromancing some of the most despicable and cruel world leaders currently on this planet. Allowing our children to be mowed down by assault weapons at school, all to preserve some wacko's right to own whatever lethal weapon he chooses, without constraint of any kind...even if he is mentally ill and unstable. Everything seems like it is upside down. What used to be right is now wrong. What used to be wrong is now right. None of it makes any sense. But there were many of us out there who wanted desperately to DO something. To stop sitting around waiting to vote and start doing something proactive. Now. Today. To take a stand against great evil. To join our power together with others to become a force. A force that could make a real difference. Michael's Bind Trump movement has done that. It has created a safe place for those of us who not only 'want' to oppose this evil, but who have found that we MUST oppose it. It has created a place for us to join our power. It has created a place to become fearless. It has created a place for encouragement and for hope. It has created a place to learn and to teach. For we all must become productive members of the resistance very quickly as there is much work to do. This book has grown out of that resistance. Not only the resistance to Trump...but to ALL of the dark forces that currently imperil our country and our planet. It is a practical book, for we have no time for niceties. We must all get to work NOW....and this book gives us the tools we need to do that. If you are a witch (or even if you are not!) who is sitting out there, burning up inside with the urgency of this situation, knowing that you are called to do something NOW. Today. Not in November of 2020, but today...this book is your first stop. It will get you oriented into the resistance. It will give you the tools you need to get started. It will even tell you were to go to find the rest of us so that you can share knowledge and support with others. Remember, we need you - if you are reading this and nodding, we need you. You don't need to reinvent the wheel and go it alone. There is no time for that nonsense, and you know there's not. So just buy the book and save yourself a ton of time and energy that could be used toward actually making a difference, rather than searching and researching and spellcrafting all the other stuff that we witches love to do. This is too important and time is too short. Evil must be opposed.
My wife is a witch...
And this helped me understand what she's been doing. Some of her books are very flaky. This one is right on target. Interesting stories from the hippie days and other good times. We've fought this before, and we can do it again.
A Book To Bring Like-Minded People Together
If you are struggling with the current political climate and feel you are drowning in helplessness this book (and movement) is a port in the storm. It gives you tools for resistance in a way that also help you become self aware and part of the natural earth energy towards unity. While some may not believe in magic, there is magic in bringing people together for a common good. That's what this book/movement does.
The Best Magic Book I Ever Read
I bought this ebook right after listening to a podcast with Michael Hughes about the BindTrump Protests. It was a fascinating interview. I am thrilled with the way the book is organized and written. Lots of magical information presented in a modern relatable fashion along with wonderful personal stories from Michael Hughes about the BindTrump movement. I highly recommend purchasing this book and joining in to make the world a better place for everyone!
#resist
Found this group at its inception, so was happy to support the author and founder. Book is clearly laid out and easy to follow: it's nice to have back story and foundation material for what we've been doing since Mad King 45 has soiled the honorable office. But more importantly, connects us intent on stopping the terror that has overtaken American democracy and restraining all those willfully engaged in harming not just USA, but all the world. So Mote It Be!
Fantastic
This is a super helpful and crucial resource for modern witches who are also politically active. This is definitely a favorite that I will be using again and again. Recommended HIGHLY.
Great resource for beginners.
Michael M. Hughes covers the basics, plus some history, and offers practical advice for binding spells. I enjoyed this book and want to see it become part of the cannon. In this case cannonball to derail some really wicked people. But that's just me.
Great resource for magic activism
First Glance: In light of the social and political turmoil following George Floyd’s death, I mentioned to my wife that I had a list of witchy books related to activism and magic resistance. I had originally started a wishlist based on several Patheos posts. When she asked me why I hadn’t purchased any of them yet, I didn’t have a good reason. Half a dozen books were ordered immediately, and this was the first to arrive. Positive Bits: To start, I appreciate the author’s choice to include a large section on the history of magic and activism before touching the magic itself. I think context is key to understanding magical workings, and the added knowledge gives additional strength to your magic. It was also interesting to note that he was the creator of the “Bind Trump” ritual that went around in 2017 and hit the major news networks. I had no idea! The histories presented are done so in an entertaining and informative way, and I appreciate that sources are listed as footnotes. Some of the events are familiar, if only in a word-of-mouth kind of way; however, I like to look up details on events, particularly if they sound outlandish and have no specific sources. In the section that includes spells and rituals for your magical activism, the variety provided allows for a “different strokes, different folks” approach. In fact, more of the rituals lean toward what I would call generally pagan or Wiccan-flavored than I expected, considering the author’s description of his own spiritual path and history. However, I found the less delicate options (like the spells “Calling Bull” and “Hex the NRA”) fit the more offense-vs-defense attitude the book seems to suggest. There’s a good balance. I’ve personally set aside notes on a couple of projects for upcoming moon workings, so I definitely gained some ideas from this book that I didn’t have before. I’m glad this book was written to be so approachable, even from a non-witch perspective. Less Enjoyable Bits: No book is perfect. I’ll admit that part of my issues stem from differences in paths. The author made it clear that he’s not a witch or pagan, but rather a magician with a relaxed attitude toward methods of magic. In some cases, you can see the ceremonial magician leanings, particularly when he tells you to do a thing, but then tells you “it just works, not sure why”. When my previous training covered some basic ceremonial magic, we were told the same thing: if you follow the instructions, with or without belief, you will get the results. Actions matter more than intent. That never really worked for me, considering how often we’re told that intent matters more than tools, herbs, and stones – because we’re the source of magic, and they’re just a focus. Unfortunately, the author gets a little preachy in the middle as he discusses “Self-Care and Resilience” and “On the Casting of Circles”. I don’t mind someone suggesting a no-kill fast for magical purposes, but implying that your magic will be negatively impacted by eating animals is a step too far. (To be fair, he does say to “trust your intuition and what your body tells you”.) When we get to the section on casting circles, he dismisses the entire process without discussing the benefits of a circle; clearly, he has a hard preference for no circles in magic. He then immediately follows that dismissal with a watered-down ceremonial magic circle that takes up several pages of instruction, rather than anything familiar from witchcraft and circle casting methods in general. I feel as though the pages of complaint against circle casting are a product of the author’s experience in ceremonial magic and its structures. To each their own? Is it worth the coin? Yes – I think this is a good place to start, if you’re wanting to use your magic as part of our activism. The overall accessibility of the spells and rituals makes it ideal for a beginner in this kind of work.
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