Review: A Witch Is

Hello hello, and happy Monday. How about a book about witchcraft? This is a different type of introductory book, however. Based on values and characteristics rather than on rituals and spells, A Witch Is: 13 Keys to Witchcraft, by Raechel Henderson, shares many ideas on how to build a path that is yours and only yours. As always, many thanks to the publisher for the review copy!

• Print Length: 256 pages.
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications.
• Publication Date: January 8, 2026.
• Genres: Non-Fiction, Paganism, Shadow Work, Spellcasting, Witchcraft.
• Rating: 5/5 stars.

A Witch Is...

Resourceful. Resilient. Creative. Confident.

A witch is all these and so much more.

This innovative book presents a new perspective on witchcraft, one that will help you make richer and more meaningful magic. Sharing thirteen hallmark traits, Raechel Henderson guides you in creating your personal vision of what it means to be a witch.

A witch is kind, patient, and intuitive. A witch is self-aware, knowledgeable, and purposeful. A witch is honest, respectful, and curious. Each of these traits is explored in its own chapter, complete with practical exercises, engaging stories from Raechel's life, and inspiring advice on building skills that embody that trait.

Create your own correspondences, build an astral residence, and establish an ancestor altar. Discover if it's okay to hex, what to do when obstacles make you want to give up, and how to vet your resources. With these profound lessons that were hard-won over decades of practice, you will better understand not only witchcraft but also yourself.

After some time, many introductory books feel the same to you. You start wondering what's changing other than maybe some updated language and some personal stories. As needed as they are, reading can even become tedious, repetitive. But sometimes you find one that is different, that takes the risk of innovating by presenting a different perspective. Raechel Henderson did just that with A Witch Is.

Instead of telling the reader what to do and what to belief, what's wrong and what's right, it's a book that encourages you to develop a completely new practice from the beginning, question what you know already, and get out of your comfort zone. You start with what you have in your pantry, quite literally, and some notes. It all builds up from there so you can as critical as you are mindful about it.

Now, this comes with the fact that there are just a handful of spells and meditations. A lot of the exercises are journaling-based, which I highly recommend, but I want you to know beforehand because it was a surprise for me to see so many after each section. When it comes to that, I always recommend to do them by hand instead of digitally. I've had much better results that way.

Regardless of how much or how little experience you could have, A Witch Is will help you gain a lot of insight. Raechel Henderson has a beautifully simple style that guides you like a friendly had from beginning to end. She knows what worries and concerns one might have while reading, so she's quick to address them. Make sure you grab a copy next time you visit your favorite bookstore.

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