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Small Magics: Practical Secrets from an Appalachian Village Witch
Your Hands-on, Back-to-Basics Guide to Building a Magical Practice
As if you're having face-to-face lessons on her porch, H. Byron Ballard introduces you to the ways of magic, answering vital questions about what it is, why it matters, and how to do it. She teaches the mechanics and foundational skills of practice, offering no-nonsense techniques that practitioners of any skill level or tradition can use.
Drawing from her many years as a practicing witch, Ballard demonstrates how to engage daily with the energy around you. She encourages you to experience magic with fresh eyes―whether you're a beginner or need to regain a beginner's mind. This book provides grounding exercises, shielding methods, healing magic, insight on witchcraft tools, and more. Ballard offers everything you need to live a full, enchanted life in our deliciously magical world.
As if you're having face-to-face lessons on her porch, H. Byron Ballard introduces you to the ways of magic, answering vital questions about what it is, why it matters, and how to do it. She teaches the mechanics and foundational skills of practice, offering no-nonsense techniques that practitioners of any skill level or tradition can use.
Drawing from her many years as a practicing witch, Ballard demonstrates how to engage daily with the energy around you. She encourages you to experience magic with fresh eyes―whether you're a beginner or need to regain a beginner's mind. This book provides grounding exercises, shielding methods, healing magic, insight on witchcraft tools, and more. Ballard offers everything you need to live a full, enchanted life in our deliciously magical world.
214 pages, Paperback
Published September 8, 2023
94 people are currently reading
259 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 23, 2023
A great first book on beginning magical living, “Small Magics” is a book for new witches or for witches who need to reignite their path. Americans with an Appalachian background or who live in rural areas will resonate most with Ballard’s message, but anyone interested in a grounded magical life would love this book.
I particularly like the focus on what to do in a magical practice. The first thing Ballard does is dismiss the notion that the book is a spiritual one. It is instead a book that focuses on actions. Particularly this is a book that focuses on the transmutation and attention to energy; what energy really is, the different ways it affects us, and how to use it. At the core this is magic, right? But sometimes we get bogged down in the philosophical side of our magical lives. This is a book that is deeply practical.
I also really loved the “advanced” exercises in the back of the book. Glamours and allures are something I hear about but don’t often see in books, so this was a delight to read.
I particularly like the focus on what to do in a magical practice. The first thing Ballard does is dismiss the notion that the book is a spiritual one. It is instead a book that focuses on actions. Particularly this is a book that focuses on the transmutation and attention to energy; what energy really is, the different ways it affects us, and how to use it. At the core this is magic, right? But sometimes we get bogged down in the philosophical side of our magical lives. This is a book that is deeply practical.
I also really loved the “advanced” exercises in the back of the book. Glamours and allures are something I hear about but don’t often see in books, so this was a delight to read.
abandoned
February 7, 2024I usually love Ballard's writing, but this didn't quite hit the spot for me, or maybe I just didn't like the audiobook narrator? This would be a great place for a beginner to start, but I think I'm going to move along.
November 20, 2023
I wasn't sure what to expect when I purchased this latest book from Byron Ballard. I know I will be satisfied, but I don't yet know how. As a seasoned practitioners, with a lot of bricks on the path behind me, and hopefully a lot more ahead of me, I can tell you, I fully enjoyed this book.
Shaping the work from the start as animistic, simple, and powerful, Byron leads us in her own voice through the foundations of magickal practice, while tagging questions, insecurities, and providing interesting pieces of advice from her own path.
It is refreshing to see "the basics" which are the essentials, presented so fresh, simple, and neat. I learned a thing or three!
I adore this book. I have students this coming year, starting their path more consciously as Witches and I'm including this book as a healthy companion in the process.
Love it.
Shaping the work from the start as animistic, simple, and powerful, Byron leads us in her own voice through the foundations of magickal practice, while tagging questions, insecurities, and providing interesting pieces of advice from her own path.
It is refreshing to see "the basics" which are the essentials, presented so fresh, simple, and neat. I learned a thing or three!
I adore this book. I have students this coming year, starting their path more consciously as Witches and I'm including this book as a healthy companion in the process.
Love it.
October 16, 2025
This was a very interesting read and gave a different perspective than the other witchcraft book I read earlier in the month. I liked hearing from someone who publicly practices magic services and acts as a "village witch". It made the practice of witchcraft take on a more realistic tone and I felt like thi author offered more tangible advice than the author of the other book. I have a better idea of what practical magic actually looks like in the modern day.
August 17, 2024
I really like the back to basics approach in this book. The author does a wonderful job of teaching such things as scrying, grounding, and energy centering. This a really good read and a must have for a beginner witch.
June 25, 2025
a keeper!
Well written and easy to understand. This book provides introduction to practical Appalachian education into witch knowledge. From preparing to breathing to applications. Knowledge that has been passed down for generations is shared and encouraged. Loved!
Well written and easy to understand. This book provides introduction to practical Appalachian education into witch knowledge. From preparing to breathing to applications. Knowledge that has been passed down for generations is shared and encouraged. Loved!
January 24, 2025
A basic primer on living a magical life with an Appalachian focus.
perhaps
February 11, 2025I adore this cover art with the sunflowers and raven.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews