Protection Spells: Clear Negative Energy, Banish Unhealthy Influences and Embrace Your Power - A Review

Today I'm reviewing Protection Spells - Clear Negative Energy, Banish Unhealthy Influences and Embrace your Power by Arin Murphy-Hiscock

Simon and Schuster Author Page
Amazon Book Page 
Author -  Good Reads - Page
Book - Good Reads  - Page
My - Good Reads - Page
Release Date - August 7, 2018



About the Author  from Good Reads

Photo Source and Credit - Good Reads

Currently a resident of Montreal, Canada, Arin works as a freelance writer and editor. She is the author of Power Spellcraft for Life: The Art of Crafting and Casting for Positive Change (2005), Solitary Wicca for Life: A Complete Guide to Mastering the Craft on Your Own(2005), The Way of the Green Witch (2006), The Way of the Hedge Witch (2009), and Pagan Pregnancy: The Journey From Maiden to Mother (TBA). She is also the editor of the anthology Out of the Broom Closet (2009).

Arin is a third-degree Wiccan High Priestess in the Black Forest Clan, a tradition linked both by lineage and practice to several other branches of Wiccan thought and philosophy including the Caledonii Tradition, Druidism, Gardnerian practice, Seax-Wicca, general Celtic Wicca, and German witchcraft. She works as a priestess in her community performing rites of passage and giving occasional workshops, and leads a private coven.



Generally I like to start out with a disclaimer. I am an atheist witch.  I look for the connection between magic and science without the need for a deity. 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 13 years honing my craft.  I offer personal readings by request and have a strong online history that boasts nearly 400,000 views.



Like many spell books, this author starts this book with the the ins and outs of spell work. I really like the section on how spells work.  The author tells us, "... if you're looking to use spells to avoid work, you're in for a rude awakening."   Ain't it the truth!!  Time, patience and more patience are key to working with magic. It is refreshing to see a book confess this at the very beginning. There's no easy way to get what you want in life.  In order to succeed, you must work for it.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Image Source - Protection Spells by Arin Murphy-Hiscock

The section on ethics is also very good. On page 17 the author tells the reader, "You don't get to do magic on or for people without their permission."   So many new witches jump right into binding magic, curses or even healing spells without first consulting with your client or perspective client. Sometimes a client may be working against the very magic you're casting. Sometimes consent to cast isn't enough. An example of this is when I was working a binding spell for an abusive partner and the client was actively calling the target of the spell. They were following them from work, and driving by the abusive partner's house. This is directly counter productive for a binding spell.  Once I found out, I quickly cut the cord with this client. So consent is indeed critical in spell work but so is the responsibility of the client to follow the path the adviser has laid out for them.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Image Source - Protection Spells by Arin Murphy-Hiscock

Circle basics, casting and altars are at the very beginning of the text. Something I find that many spell books are lacking. The author fails to add "Wards" in the Types of spells section on page 25. I was a bit surprised by this; as wards are the most common type of protection spells out there.  We only hear about binding more due to Hollywood, but wards are super simple and work well to return magic back to its origin either in reverse or directly as the sender intended.  For me, I see this come to fruition in many of my day to day activities. Wards only work on those sending magic to you.  If they're sending good magic, they get good magic back.  If they send bad magic - well, you know how that goes.

The books is divided up on spells related to  Body and Spirit, House and Home and Rituals and Protective Objects. On page 166, the author gives us a spell for protecting oneself on public transport. This spell pulls in the Raidho and Eihwaz runes and gives the reader direction on how to apply the runes to a transit pass (bus pass/ticket) for a trouble free journey.  The spell is extremely easy and could even be preformed at the bus stop while you wait.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Image Source - Protection Spells by Arin Murphy-Hiscock

As with many of the books I review, my favorite part is the reference section. The key to any good spell book is to be able to find exactly what I'm looking for quickly.  The author makes it easy for me to find purification spells, cord magic and much more with the full index in the back. I believe many authors skip this important step. We're witches on the go, we have shit to do, please let me find the spells a bit more easily.  

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Image Source - Protection Spells by Arin Murphy-Hiscock

Over all I would say this is a great book for those not interested in writing their own spells. They are simply written, easy to use and well thought out.  The Purifying Spray on page 88 for example is extremely easy to use and for the most part, made up of ingredients that most witches would have on hand.

Photo Credit - Renee Sosanna Olson
Image Source - Protection Spells by Arin Murphy-Hiscock

I would highly recommend adding this book to your standard witchy library. I believe you won't be disappointed.