Book Review: Welsh Witchcraft: A Guide to the Spirits, Lore, and Magic of Wales by Mhara Starling

I recently finished reading “Welsh Witchcraft: A Guide to the Spirits, Lore, and Magic of Wales” by Mhara Starling and felt compelled to share my thoughts while they’re still fresh in my mind.

First, let me introduce the book and its author. Published by Llewellyn Books, a well-known publisher, this 288-page work offers plenty of value and entertainment. Mhara, a native Welsh witch born in North Wales and raised on the Isle of Ynys Mon (Anglesey), has been practicing witchcraft from a young age. For the sake of transparency and credibility, I should mention that I know Mhara personally, but this won’t influence my review. After all, the UK pagan scene is relatively small, and it’s more surprising when you don’t know someone.

With a growing interest in Welsh myth and legend, I eagerly anticipated reading this book. The synopsis on the back promised coverage of a wide range of topics, from fairy folklore to healing and cursing, and I was not disappointed. This book is vital for shedding light on a lesser-known part of the Celtic world. It is thoroughly researched, with citations throughout. Mhara’s writing style is very accessible, and the book maintains a pleasant flow. You can certainly feel her passion for her culture and the work of a Synwynraig. I appreciate how Mhara provides the foundational elements to create your own practice and emphasizes that this is an experiential path. This resonates with me, as I believe that doing is more important than simply owning and reading occult books.

My only critique is that the rituals and workings provided didn’t quite capture my imagination. I’m not sure why, but they just didn’t resonate with me. That said, this is still an excellent book, and I have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone interested in the folklore or magic of Cymru.

You can catch Mhara at the upcoming North Wales Paganfest, which will be held at Halkyn Castle Woods from the 6th to 8th of June 2025. The theme this year is Dragons, which is perfect for a Welsh festival, i’m sure you will agree. Weekend camping tickets are on sale now, and a limited number of day tickets can be purchased too by scanning the QR code below. Grab one before they go! (This isnt sponsored by the way, i just think its an amazing event and we need to support grass roots festivals like this).