Review: Fated NOT to Meet, Volume 2

Hello hello. I come with more manga, more boys' love, more romance and drama in a volume that surprised me in all the right ways. After I read the first one, I gave Fated NOT to Meet, Volume 2, by Ei Eijo, a chance, and I'm so glad for doing it because this one was so much better! I mean it when I say that this was a more mature approach that's easier to enjoy. As always, many thanks to the publisher for the review copy!

• Print Length: 232 pages.
  
• Publisher: TokyoPop.
• Publication Date: March 31, 2026.
• Genres: Contemporary, Drama, Gay, Manga, Romance.
• Rating: 4/5 stars.

Izumi, the sales ace with excellent grades, good looks and great communication skills, has someone he absolutely cannot lose to.

His name is Sendo, the most unlikable man who took the top spot from Izumi.

After a fateful app encounter, Izumi and Sendo fell hard for each other—now they’re next-door neighbors, savoring the honeymoon phase from opposite sides of a shared wall!

But when Izumi is tasked with mentoring an ambitious new hire, the newcomer’s rapid rise triggers his competitive streak—and his anxiety. As Izumi pushes himself harder and harder to reclaim the #1 spot, he starts to buckle under the pressure… just as his enigmatic older brother, Hayato, unexpectedly returns to Japan.

So why isn’t Izumi happy to see him? And how did he wind up working himself to the point of collapse? Determined to help, Sendo seeks out Hayato in hopes of understanding the "baggage" Izumi has been carrying. Whatever the weight of his burden, Izumi doesn’t have to bear it alone—if he’ll let Sendo in.

The story picks up pretty much where things were left at the end of vol. 1. We're not missing anything essential. However, this volume comes with two new characters, shows us that there's more to Izumi's competitiveness, his self-worth, how Sendo perceives everything from the outside... Boy oh boy did I like this! There's so much drama in this one that I had to force myself to take it slowly.

Something that I also liked was the character development. Fated NOT to Meet, Volume 2 was much more mature, as I mentioned, and not only because Ei Eijo touches on heavy subjects such as family trauma, work, social expectations, but also because the narration is generally more balanced. There's also more tension between Sendo and Izumi, which the art reflects with a precision that surprised me. Hayato was a great addition as well, leading the characters into important scenes that shaped them.

While there were moments much more balanced, I felt the pace slowed more than necessary at some points. This, along with the heavier topics I mentioned earlier, made me want to take my time with this volume, so I'd suggest you do the same when you get a copy. That's my only real complaint, so big improvement by comparison with the previous volume.

In general lines, a much, much better result, so I feel confident when I tell you to give this series a chance. Fated NOT to Meet, Volume 2 is a significant improvement in tone, style, and script. Even though the reading might take you longer, you will enjoy it much more, especially if you like genuinely troubled characters and family dynamics. Here goes to hoping Ei Eijo decides to do a third volume!

Connect with me on Instagram and Twitter!

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.

Connect with me on Instagram and Twitter!

Review: Aradia A Modern Guide (Expanded Edition)

How about a new review to end the week? How about we talk about Aradia, Diana, and the Italian witches that threaten deities? If this sounds interesting to you, then you might want to give this book a try. It's Aradia: A Modern Guide to Charles Godfrey Leland's Gospel of the Witches (Expanded Edition), by Craig Spencer. As always, many thanks to the publisher for the review copy!

• Print Length: 200 pages.
• Publisher: Crossed Crow Books.
• Publication Date: November 18, 2025.
• Genres: History, Italian, Folklore, Non-Fiction, Paganism.
• Rating: 5/5 stars.

A fresh approach to the classic text.

Craig Spencer presents vital cultural context and updated translations of Charles Godfrey Leland’s classic book in Aradia: A Modern Guide to Charles Godfrey Leland’s Gospel of the Witches (Expanded Edition). Passed to Charles Godfrey Leland through supposedly hereditary witches from Italy in the late 1890s, Aradia was one of the building blocks for British Witchcraft as we know it today. Through Spencer’s in-depth commentary and analysis of the original work, contemporary value and rich historical narratives are revealed to anyone with a penchant for British Witchcraft’s most formative texts.

Spencer presents Leland’s original English manuscript with new interpretations, translations, and the restoration of forty lines of text that were left out of the original publication. This exploration of one of the world’s most fascinating and enduring pieces of magical literature is sure to inspire and enrich your own journey along the spiritually profound path of witchcraft.

I previously read the first edition of this book, which I enjoyed a lot. This edition presents additional spells at the end, while maintaining the in-depth analysis that I liked a lot from the beginning. Revisiting the Gospel once again, now as a more experienced practitioner, however, made me understand many more things than before.

Although I still disagree with some of the ideas, I can see the reasoning behind them much better now and understand where they come from. As I said in the first review, that's what I look for in a discussion: maybe not agree on everything, but have a clear understanding of where those arguments come from. Craig did a wonderful job at that in Aradia: A Modern Guide to Charles Godfrey Leland's Gospel of the Witches (Expanded Edition), so this is something I respect a lot.

I do wish there had been some updates in the material, however. The original book was published six years ago, so I feel there were opportunities to expand on the arguments, include new ideas, to enrich an already good book. While I respect the decision to present it as it has been, I still feel there could have been more to it.

All in all, I loved it. It felt like a discussion from the beginning, a nice class with a professor that knows what questions you will have ahead of time and has done his research. The original Gospel has been a source of much controversy through the years, so it shall come to no surprise that Craig addresses that as well as we progress with the reading. A book that enriches your practice and understanding, Aradia: A Modern Guide to Charles Godfrey Leland's Gospel of the Witches (Expanded Edition) is a must have for everyone!

PS: While we're at it, make sure to also read Craig Spencer's Witchcraft Unchained as well. You won't be disappointed!

Connect with me on Instagram and Twitter!

Review: We're Not Cut Out to Be Lovers, Volume 2

Hello hello! After I finished the first volume, I wanted to take a look at We're Not Cut Out to Be Lovers, Volume 2, by Kou Hirokawa. While it wasn't my favorite reading, I still enjoyed some of it, and I wanted to let you guys know what I think. Hopefully you will like it! As always, many thanks to the publisher for the review copy!

• Print Length: 208 pages.
• Publisher: TokyoPop.
• Publication Date: March 10, 2026.
• Genres: Contemporary, Drama, Gay, Manga, Romance.
• Rating: 3/5 stars.

It's been six months since broody auto mechanic Kumazawa moved in with his boyfriend, Koichi, a streamer who once claimed to be an expert on love. Now Koichi’s ready to share their relationship with all 400,000 of his followers, but Kumazawa? Not so much.

As Kumazawa struggles with the idea of coming out, Koichi does his best to respect his wishes… even when his new video editor turns out to be Kumazawa’s estranged brother—and an old classmate with a not-so-subtle crush starts sniffing around...!

Between secrets, surprises, and steamy interludes, can these two learn to open up to each other without risking everything they’ve built? Because the real challenge isn’t sharing a home… it’s sharing their hearts.

There's already a good deal happening in the synopsis, so I was very excited for this volume. The characters had some development, indeed, after the events in the first one, having a more solid relationship, and things look much better. However, things get more and more complicated as you progress, so it's easy to see how some of their mistakes could come to happen.

Some people have complained about the art, but I didn't notice anything different, honestly. For me, it was just the same clean style that I like, so I might be biased but We're Not Cut Out to Be Lovers, Volume 2 still looks pretty good if you ask me. However, the script felt more convoluted than before, especially towards the middle. Many things were happening, and while the art style reflected the characters' emotions, it wasn't enough space for everything to work out as it could.

I also had problems with those scenes, one which I wasn't sure if it was abusive, but then the second one was much more explicit in that regard. It was another turn off for me, especially because both Kumazawa and Koichi had several tender moments in between, so I'm confused why the creator would try to include things like that in a manga that could be so sweet.

All in all, and considering this is Kou Hirokawa's first serial, I still think readers can enjoy it if they are mindful about that. We're Not Cut Out to Be Lovers, Volume 2 is not a perfect result, but it is still a good one. It shows how complicated things can get in a relationship when there's a disagreement about visibility, about being public, and how this can affect the relationship. If you want a balance between reality and humor, this might be a good pick for you.

Connect with me on Instagram and Twitter!

Review: Fated NOT to Meet, Volume 1

Another week, another manga I want to tell you about. This was more bittersweet in the end for me, but I still enjoyed a good deal of the story, so if you're interested in plots that are really different, realistic, and intense, you might want to check Fated NOT to Meet, Volume 1, by Ei Eijou. Thanks to the publisher for the copy to review!

• Print Length: 224 pages.
  
• Publisher: TokyoPop.
• Publication Date: April 22, 2025.
• Genres: Contemporary, Drama, Gay, Manga, Romance.
• Rating: 3/5 stars.

Izumi, the sales ace with excellent grades, good looks and great communication skills, has someone he absolutely cannot lose to.

His name is Sendo, the most unlikable man who took the top spot from Izumi.

Izumi was the top salesman and fan favorite amongst the girls in the office... that is, until Sendo came along.

When a friend recruits him to be a plant for a gay dating app, Izumi agrees, so long as he never has to meet anyone in person. But when he makes a connection with "Kei", the temptation to meet his new friend becomes irresistible. After all, even if they meet, it's not like they actually have to start dating... right?!

Well, turns out "Kei" is none other than Izumi's rival, Sendo! Moreover, what Sendo has in mind for Izumi isn't exactly "dating," and the intense pleasure that awaits them both might just be worth defying fate.

This was a story I liked a lot. The characters lived up to my expectations just as the plot did. It had a nice pace from beginning to end, playing a lot with the reader about what you could expect and what might happen, so kudos to Ei Eijou for doing it right for Fated NOT to Meet, Volume 1. I ended up sympathizing with Izumi a lot because I understand his insecurities, so that was another good point for the manga.

Sendo was more of an acquired taste. He seems to be a typical character in yaoi stories, the bad boy, to be more specific, so I didn't get my hopes too high about him. But later you see there's more that meets the eye. However, it does take time, and while the wait is worth it, it did influence how I look at him. As a couple, these two work together very well.

My only real issue with this story is a scene closer to the ending, which seems to downplay a lack of consent. It was a big turn off because the story had been so wholesome, so fascinating, but that scene at the end was unacceptable, it didn't fit the narrative at all. Even if it was all "okay" at the end, this is not how a good, healthy sexual encounter works, so big disappointment on that side.

I am still interested in reading the second volume and see what happens next because the chemistry between Sendo and Izumi was real for a long time. I enjoyed Ei Eijou's style so far, so I still want to insist on it and see what happens next. If you like stories that explore unconventional relationships and power dynamics, then Fated NOT to Meet, Volume 1 might be a good pick for you as long as you're mindful of that scene at the end.

Connect with me on Instagram and Twitter!

Review: We're Not Cut Out to Be Lovers, Volume 1

Hello hello. Anyone in the mood for a silly romance manga? This was a first for me, so I did my best to keep an open mind and enjoy We're Not Cut Out to Be Lovers, Volume 1, by Kou Hirokawa, and translated by Dylan Jekels. If you like grumpy x sunshine relationships, but still with a dose of reality, make sure you grab a copy. Thanks to the publisher for the copy to review!

• Print Length: 176 pages.
• Publisher: TokyoPop.
• Publication Date: April 22, 2025.
• Genres: Contemporary, Drama, Gay, Manga, Romance.
• Rating: 4/5 stars.

A large, animal-like mechanic x a Shiba Inu-like streamer!

Introducing the noisy neighbor of your nightmares: a Youtuber.

It's been six months since broody auto-mechanic Kumazawa moved in next door to Koichi, a streamer who claims to be an expert on love. After one too many loud recordings, Kumazawa finally snaps and shows up at Koichi's door... only to shut him up with a passionate kiss!

Kumazawa has no interest in pursuing a straight guy, but Koichi stops by night after night and won't leave until he's "satisfied." Coming off the heels of a traumatic breakup in which his partner cheated, Kumazawa is convinced he and Koichi won't work out, but Koichi is determined to persuade him otherwise. Can a physical relationship between two people who are totally NOT "meant to be" turn into something real...?

This was a different read for me because I don't usually get grumpy x sunshine pairings, so this one took me a while. However, it presents the reality of streamers and content creators: not everything is real, not even the persona you see on the screen. There was a dose of reality with Koichi when he started a sort of confessional live with his followers that I enjoyed a lot because of this.

In any case, the dynamic is what you would expect from this type of pairing. It wasn't the best for me, but I still liked how funny some of the scenes were along with the push and pull between them. There was some real chemistry between them, not to mention that the ending was fitting; it had some dark romance, a new side of Kumazawa that I liked a lot.

Now, because I'm not familiar with the trope, I didn't enjoy some of the scenes. There were times when Koichi seemed to be too pushy, sometimes even tone deaf of abusive towards his then-neighbor. This took me out of the reading time and time again, so it was a push and pull between the story and me as well. I'm not sure if that's how it's supposed to work with this trope, so that's just my impression as someone not familiar with it. Take it with a grain of salt if you like those stories.

All in all, We're Not Cut Out to Be Lovers, Volume 1 is a cute manga that made me smile more than once. I liked how the characters evolved while still remaining themselves, a good portrait of growing together and that no couple starts perfect. There is a new volume, so I will definitely take a look at it to see how things go for these two because they've grown on me. Grab a copy, smile, enjoy, and tell me what you think.

Connect with me on Instagram and Twitter!

Midnight Thoughts: About Classics and Pagan Elders

Hey everyone. I recently abandoned a book, which made me think a lot about how we, as readers, should be critical, especially when it comes to Pagan classics and elders. In short, I think we need to do better at times.

This is a book that has been fundamental to a lot of people, a classic, one I was excited about, but it fell flat for me. I couldn't finish it after almost a quarter of it, and I insisted on it for long. However:

• 

  Photo by UMUT 🆁🅰🆆 from Pexels.

  It was disorganized: included rituals before explaining what a ritual is; started talking about important and fundamental people within Wicca and witchcraft, when talking about the Wheel of the Year;
• It was socially irresponsible: assured the reader that all illnesses come from spiritual causes;
• Had wrong information: said that Warlock was completely dropped by the 2000s, when now there's a resurgence of the term;
• And was culturally appropriative: it talked about animal totems, which are not part of Wicca or witchcraft, but Native American spirituality.

These are just some of the problems I had with this book, because there were more. And while it's true this one made Wicca and witchcraft available for many, it was a light when there were few options, I had better expectations about it.

Some time ago, I started reading another book, this time about queer witchcraft, from another author who I love and who is an instant buy for me. If I see that name on a cover, I get it. Period. I admire the work this person has done, and had high expectations for this book, but this was a first for me. There were mistakes about mythology, lack of sources about historical events and explanations, to the point of leaving me frustrated.

When I talked with a friend about this book, they told me "if an elder says X happened, and in reality it didn't, then it happened. That's the power of an elder" (I'm paraphrasing here; this was some time ago). No, that's not power. It's a mistake, plain and simple. People make mistakes, young and old alike. Sometimes it seems like we cast elders under this magnificent light because of the tremendous work they have done. The merit is there, the respect is there, as it must. But this doesn't mean they can do no wrong. Again, people make mistakes, it's part of our nature.

Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay.

Also recently, I started frequenting a group of Wicca and witchcraft on Discord, but I started noticing a lot of AI images in there. When I asked about it, one of the moderators, a high priestess, told me she was fine with AI and others were not. Even though she said she was going from AI to Canva, that it was a slow process, her stance bothered me a lot, so I'm out of there.

Just because someone has had so much experience doesn't mean we shouldn't be critical. In fact, we should be much more than with others. These are the people who paved the way and continue to inspire a lot of us, they have done a lot of firsts in their careers, yet they are also human. If we want to learn from them, that means doing better, not because this is a competition or out of spite, but because that's how progress happens.

As extreme examples, Gerald Gardner was homophobic, Scott Cunningham was culturally appropriative, and Zsuzsanna Budapest was transphobic. Their work is still important, what they did before matters, and because it matters we see it for what it was: imperfect, human, product of their times. We learned from this, we do better now, and we need to keep doing so.

There are two proverbs that I like:

“Ask the experienced rather than the learned.” — Arabic.

“When an old man dies, a library burns to the ground.” — African.

The knowledge we get from this people is incomparable, they have done a lot of work for us, so I think it's only fair we do also a lot of work so the legacy can keep going. People do what they can with what they have, with what they know, and they do their best. As readers, we should do as well.

Kinky regards, K!

Connect with me on Instagram and Twitter!

Remember this blog lusts after your comments and shares to grow healthy!

Review: Fairy: The Otherworld by Many Names

It's been long enough without talking about the fae, so shall we? More specifically, let's talk about the land of the fae, usually called Fairy, Elfhame, Elf-land, and so on, because a lot can be said about its inhabitants, but people usually don't think about the place itself; I know I haven't until now. So, let me tell you everything about why you must read Fairy: The Otherworld by Many Names, by Morgan Daimler.

• 
  Print Length: 128 pages.
• Publisher: Moon Books.
• Publication Date: April 1, 2024.
• Genres: Fae, Folklore, Non-Fiction, Paganism.
• Rating: 5/5 stars.

The world of Fairy has intrigued humanity across folklore and literature for as long as we have written records and into the modern period. This book seeks to detangle the convoluted history of the world of Fairy by looking at the various cultural beliefs that form the basis of the wider view and explore how those beliefs interact and impact each other. We will explore the Irish Soal Eile, Scottish Elfland, English Fairy, and Welsh Annwn before delving into modern and popcultural understandings of this Otherworld so intrinsically bound to our own.

The author explores not only what different authors have to say about the Otherworld, but also groups each of these ideas by country of origin, which makes it easier to follow along and compare ideas. Defining Fairy is not easy, however, so don't expect a straight-up definition when you read Fairy: The Otherworld by Many Names. Like its inhabitants, the Otherworld defies all definitions.

For witches and other spiritual practitioners interested in the topic, this book explores in depth what you might expect when exploring the Otherworld. Morgan Daimler is already one of my favorite authors, so I'm happy to read anything and everything they write. This book was another confirmation of their expertise on the topic, keeping with the detailed yet easy-to-follow structure that has characterized their writing since I first read them.

However, don't expect exercises of pathworking in this book. This is only the theory that will enhance your future practice. It's a required reading if you're interested in getting in more in touch with the fae, know what to expect, and better understand what you're getting involved with (and who!) Morgan has included a lot of exercises and pathworking examples in other of their books; I liked Pagan Portals - Fairy Queens very much, but there might be better options in earlier books.

Short enough to be an addition to the Pagan Portals collection, Fairy: The Otherworld by Many Names is a book that shines a light in one of the most confusing and contradictory aspects of the Fae world, which is the world itself. Don't expect straight answers, as with anything that has to do with the Fae, but enough food for thought to make your own conclusions about it. Excellent, as you would expect from Morgan Daimler.

Connect with me on Instagram and Twitter!

Review: A Witch's Guide to Fetch Work

Hello hello! Fetch work has been an elusive topic for me for a long time. It's a topic I was very confused about because of the lack of material regarding it, along with the fact that many materials that I read contradicted each other. Enter A Witch's Guide to Fetch Work: Rituals, Spells, & Practices, by Blake Malliway, to change this once and for all. Thanks to the publisher for the copy to review!

• Print Length: 200 pages.
• Publisher: Crossed Crow Books.
• Publication Date: February 25, 2025.
• Genres: Folklore, Non-Fiction, Paganism, Psychic Development.
• Rating: 5/5 stars.

The witch’s fetch is the etheric spirit helper often found to manifest within the framework of old witch lore. Despite its popularity in myth, however, very little has been written about actively working with one’s fetch in magical practice. A Witch's Guide to Fetch Work seeks to bridge the gap between myth and lore and authentic magical practice. Part 1 of this book explores the mythological and folkloric origins of the fetch, while Part 2 presents a new grimoire of active and intense magical practice designed to help you weave a web of magic in partnership with your fetch.

This book delves into the heart of the witch’s fetch, encouraging readers to explore their relationship with their fetch to reveal the potent magic that resides therein. Through a blend of history, folklore, and personal narrative, A Witch's Guide to Fetch Work reveals the art of forging an intimate and fulfilling bond with one’s fetch, a relationship built on mutual respect, empowerment, and the sharing of ancient knowledge. Accessible to witches just starting on their path but serious enough to cater to the more seasoned practitioner, A Witch's Guide to Fetch Work will prove to be a fantastic and engaging resource.

Blake Malliway has a clear, concise style throughout the three parts of the book, even when explaining the contradictory ideas regarding the fetch. He kept a tone perfectly balanced between friendly and professional while going through all the details concerning this topic, making A Witch's Guide to Fetch Work an accessible addition to everyone's bookshelves.

What I liked the most was the humor with which he explained it all, even when it came to difficult topics that he treated seriously, but still added appropriate jokes here and there to lighten up the reading. Just kidding. While that is a huge bonus for me, the initial meditations and exercises are top-notch, full of ideas, recommendations, and grounded in many of the myths and beliefs explored earlier.

The stories included also give you a lot of ideas about what to do and explore when it comes to fetch work, not to mention the grimoire that serves as the third, final part of the book. Full of spells and rituals, it provides a breath of fresh air by showing new techniques, new ideas, and different points of view that enrich your practice. I'm struggling to be critical here because, quite honestly, there's nothing to be critical about.

A Witch's Guide to Fetch Work is straight-up one of my favorite books of this year because of its simple, approachable style, how well researched it is, and the huge amount of exercises, spells, and rituals that give the final touch. Excellent from beginning to end, whoever reads this review is required to read the book as well to have their witchcraft membership renewed. I don't make the rules, I just enforce them.

Kinky regards, K!

Connect with me on Instagram and Twitter!

Remember this blog lusts after your comments and shares to grow healthy!

Witchcraft and Politics

Hello everyone. Paganism is being tied to politics again and again lately, and there has been some debate about witchcraft and politics. Although everyone is entitled to their opinion, I believe informed opinions are the ones that weigh the most, so I wanted to add my grain of sand to the conversation.

"Witchcraft is about balance, living in peace, authentically. (...) But there are times when you need to fight for those things". Image by Edward Lich from Pixabay.

Short version: witchcraft is political, it has always been, and it will always be. End of the discussion.

Why? Because politics dictate what we can and must do, whether we are witches or not, and so our actions are political. Being part of a society demands we follow a set of rules, so our actions are political again. Furthermore, our identity is a political statement. Are you a person of color? Are you queer? Are you neurodivergent? An immigrant? A single parent? A survivor of abuse? All those words carry political connotations. Being a witch is no different.

The history of witchcraft is full of and has been shaped by politics, as Mat Auryn reminded us all the way back in 2019. But things change over time, right? So the fact that politics shaped witchcraft before doesn't mean that it is shaping it now, does it? Wrong answer:

Almost a year after a visit from the borough police chief over tarot readings, [Beck Lawrence] the owner of Serpent's Key in Hanover has filed a federal lawsuit alleging civil rights violations against the police department and borough over an obscure 163-year-old state statute, which the suit asserts is unconstitutional. (...) Title 18, Section 7104, Fortune Telling, which makes it a third-degree misdemeanor in the event that someone is found guilty of "pretending for gain or lucre, to tell fortunes or predict future events, by cards, tokens, the inspection of the head or hands of any person, or by the age of anyone, or by consulting the movements of the heavenly bodies, or in any other manner." The rarely prosecuted statue is punishable with up to a year in jail or up to a $2,500 fine.

In short, charging for fortune-telling is illegal in Pennsylvania, so the whole situation has developed into a legal battle that questions the separation of church and state here in the USA. So politics do affect witchcraft, which is nothing new.

"But hey, things change!" Do they, really? Or, for the sake of a better phrasing, have they in this particular topic? It's something worth considering.

I am no stranger to magic regarding politics. I am part of many underrepresented, marginalized populations, for heaven's sake. My very existence is a challenge to many. So when my identity is questioned, when my safety is compromised, I take out my tools and materials, I summon those I work with, and I get down to business.

Witchcraft is about balance, living in peace, authentically, and many would add "in perfect love and perfect trust." I am all up for it. But there are times when you need to fight for those things. Witchcraft is also about evening the scales, about what is fair and just, about being a better person, but also getting back your power.

Witchcraft was, is, and will always be political.

Kinky regards, K!

Connect with me on Instagram and Twitter!

Remember this blog lusts after your comments and shares to grow healthy!

Review: Ukiyo Tarot

Any anime fans here? I have a tarot deck for you, especially if you're a sucker for all things mythology and folklore like I am: Ukiyo Tarot, by Pietro Turino, combines the beauty of old-timey Asian art with the wisdom of the cards to create a unique deck. It is beautiful, it is direct, it is a must for most! Thanks to the publisher for the copy to review!

• Publication Date: September 8, 2025.
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications.
• Page Count: 128 pages.
• Dimensions: 3 x 0.69 x 5.06 inches.
• Rating: 5/5 stars.

Pietro Turino combines the subtle beauty of 17th century ukiyo culture with modern, anime-style illustrations in this gorgeous tarot deck.

The Japanese term ukiyo (the floating world) came to prominence in the 17th century to describe the pleasure-seeking culture of urban lifestyle in cities like Edo, Kyoto, and Osaka. From it stemmed an art movement that dealt with notions of transience, impermanence, and the ephemeral. This tarot deck recalls these fascinating concepts and combines them with a modern anime-like style to bring the subtle beauty of the floating world into the new millennium.

The cards themselves are nice to the touch, maybe a bit softer than I'd prefer, but I say this goes along with the theme of the floating world. The Ukiyo Tarot is easy to shuffle, work with, and the cards bend nicely. I expect most people to have a nice experience with them because of this, especially because the simplicity of the frame lets the art shine.

Speaking of the art, you guys are not prepared for how gorgeous each card is! Death, 4 of Wands, 7 of Cups, 7 of Swords, Judgement, and 3 of Swords are the most beautiful in my humble opinion, but the whole deck is evocative. As if it were visual poetry, Pietro Turino invites you with each card to focus on it first, inviting introspection and personal associations.

Reading with the Ukiyo Tarot is fairly easy, also, because it follows the Rider–Waite–Smith imagery. Some cards deviate more than the others, like Judgement, but others, like the 3 of Swords, are easily recognizable. This makes the interpretation much easier and allows for faster readings. The little booklet also enlightens you about the changes and folklore surrounding the deck.

All in all, Pietro Turino created a gorgeous piece of art with this deck. Each card is a delight for the eyes, but it is also a portal to a fantasy world that feels foreign and familiar at the same time. While I recommend everyone to be extra careful with the cards, I wasn't disappointed with my experience: simple, pretty, and accurate. It might take some time to get used to some of the changes, but then it's easy to understand them.

Kinky regards, K!

Connect with me on Instagram and Twitter!

Remember this blog lusts after your comments and shares to grow healthy!

Review: Before You Do Magic

Another week, another review. This time it is about a book from a big-name author: Before You Do Magic: Train Your Mind to Awaken Occult Skills, by Donald Tyson. With chapters full of exercises, this book is taking me to a new level as a witch, so I cannot recommend it enough. Thanks to the publisher for the copy to review!

• Print Length: 264 pages.
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications.
• Publication Date: December 8, 2025.
• Genres: Psychic Development, Non-Fiction, Paganism.
• Rating: 5/5 stars.

Countless Books Teach the Mechanics of Magic

This One Develops Your Occult Mental Skills

Before you perform spells and rituals, you need to develop your innate abilities. Otherwise, you'll just find yourself going through the motions without achieving any practical results. Regardless of your experience or traditions, this book’s 120 exercises will help you gain the energetic focus needed to make your magic more effective.

Donald Tyson provides twelve chapters that each cover a different topic and why it is necessary for better magic.

• Occult Sympathies • Controlled Breathing • Meditation • Visualization • Concentration • Dramatization • Incantation • Realization • The Aura • Scrying • Channeling • Astral Projection.

Within each chapter are ten exercises to choose from that will help you strengthen the corresponding topic or skill. Find the exercises that most resonate within you and apply them multiple times to build up your esoteric abilities and open yourself to the realm of magic within your heart and mind.

I was excited about this book because I knew Donald Tyson is a big name in the Pagan/Witchcraft/Occultism world, so it was hard not to have high expectations. However, it met them with ease as soon as I started reading. The style, the organization, the ease with which everything can be performed, and more, were all great.

Each chapter comes with a short introduction to the topic at hand, some recommendations, and always clarifies that you must take things easy and slowly. As someone who didn't do this when he was learning about witchcraft, I can attest that this is a much-needed disclaimer. As you read Before You Do Magic, you discover that even though the exercises are fairly easy most of the time, you need to take your time with one before getting to the other.

The best part is that this is not a collection of random exercises. Instead, each chapter builds on what the previous explored. However, you don't need to make all of them: Donald Tyson is very explicit when he says that some people will have better results with this method, and some will have them with the other. There are many options, 10 options, to be precise, so it's easy to find something that works for you.

Of the 12 chapters, the one about scrying was my favorite. Full of insight, of ideas, working with the elements, and fun facts, it made Before You Do Magic shine. As a preamble to magical working, this book has a lot of useful information and practices that can enhance your Craft, along with the fact that it requires very few materials to work with, mostly your senses, some privacy, and time.

Kinky regards, K!

Connect with me on Instagram and Twitter!

Remember this blog lusts after your comments and shares to grow healthy!

My Ethics in Divination

Hello everyone. I've been going back to the basics of much of my practice, so I wanted to share something I have kept with me for some time: my ethics regarding divination. It is written mostly regarding cartomancy, which is my main method, but I keep the same ideas when using other tools.

This obviously doesn't mean to be the ethics you or anyone else should be following, but the ones I do because they make sense to me. If they resonate with you, great, but the idea is to ensure we all have a standard that ensures our self-respect, the respect for our practice, and the people who ask for help.

• Just because you can, doesn't mean you must: This is paramount for me. Being able to see something beyond what my eyes can see doesn't give me the right to see it. Do I have the right to know this? I ask myself.
• Don't read for people who are not there: When someone asks me about a reading about someone else, I politely decline. Instead, I offer "how about how you can help this person better, or understand them better?" If someone is not in there, I will not read about them to respect their privacy.
• Read for free for family and friends: I am lucky enough to have a lot of people who love me and that I love back, so I don't see why they should pay anything after years of love, kindness, and support.
• Offer free readings (sparingly): Even though I have done business and charged for readings, there is always someone who needs it but cannot pay for it. When I see someone like this, I make an exception because I know how it feels when you need help but don't have the resources. I still do, honestly.
• Call for spiritual help as needed: Although I have my guardians and guides, I don't call them all the time for clarity. I take responsibility to try first, knowing they will come if I need them. For protection and wisdom, yes, anytime, but if I can't understand something, I make an effort first before asking for help.
• Don't read for people who are afraid or don't believe: My sessions are aimed at helping people. If they are not peaceful, they are too scared of it to even try it, then I politely decline out of respect to them and their comfort. If they do not believe in it, to the point of saying, "Sure, let's go, but I don't care about this," then I decline as well out of respect to myself and my practice. Some nerve and some skepticism at first is good, healthy, even, but that's it.
• Don't make readings about love for myself: Similar to the first and second, I don't look into what's happening in my relationships unless they are there with me. I will and do read about how I feel, how to heal, how to best support our love, and so on, but not about "do they love me?" because I believe real love is based on honest, open communication, so this feels like going behind someone else's back.

There have been times when I had to make exceptions to each and every guideline, different case-by-case situations that made me more flexible, but that's what guidelines are for. They give me a structure, keep me grounded most of the time, but know I can and will do otherwise if needed.

Kinky regards, K!

Connect with me on Instagram and Twitter!

Remember this blog lusts after your comments and shares to grow healthy!

Review: Tarot & Oracle Card Reading For Dummies

Is anyone in the mood to get back to the basics? I hope so, because today's book is all about tarot and oracle cards 101. It's been a while since I got an introductory book, but after reading his book for the Incubus Tarot, I simply had to read Tarot & Oracle Card Reading For Dummies, by Charles Harrington. Thanks to the publisher for the copy to review!

• Print Length: 304 pages.
• Publisher: For Dummies.
• Publication Date: June 3, 2025.
• Genres: Folklore, Mythology, Non-Fiction, Paganism.
• Rating: 5/5 stars.

A beginner’s guide to tarot and oracle card reading.

Looking for a fun, in-depth guide to tarot and oracle card reading? In this book, you’ll find the tools you need to give yourself and others in-depth and impactful readings with the cards. You’ll learn about the origins of card readings, how to pick and work with decks from various traditions, and gain insights into developing your unique style as a reader. From learning card meanings to activating your intuition with interactive techniques and exercises, and exploring more than a dozen spreads, Tarot & Oracle Card Reading For Dummies is the book you’ve been waiting for.

Inside…

• Explore the history of tarot.
• Understand intention-based readings.
• Pick the right card deck for you.
• Learn the Rider-Waite-Smith® card meanings.
• Explore oracle card themes.
• Work with tarot and oracle spreads.
• Conduct readings for you and others.
• Perfect your reading technique.

As a history nerd, Charles Harrington started just right for me with a concise yet detailed history of tarot cards, how they evolved, how they went from simple entertainment to divination, and more. My favorite part was the answer about where reversals came from! It's been a mystery for a long time for me as a reader, so finally uncovering the reason why has been life-changing.

I'm always skeptical about books that promise things like "the book you’ve been waiting for," but Tarot & Oracle Card Reading For Dummies gets very close. And I'm absolutely in love with it! The research is very thorough, the explanations are simple (not in vain, it is intended for dummies), and the fun facts along the way were the cherry on top. What could have made it better? Not mentioning so often "more about this in chapter X Y Z". It seems to be a constant in this "for Dummies" series, and as much as it can be useful sometimes, it took me out of the reading after a while because of how many times this happened; this is out of the author's control, obviously, so shame on you, editors!

Obviously, all parts of it are valuable, but if I should pick one, it would be the fifth and last part of the book, compromised of chapters 14 and 15. They go straight to the point about several details you'd better keep in mind when using your cards, something that I always welcome when it comes from a seasoned reader like Charles Harrington.

In short, Tarot & Oracle Card Reading For Dummies is a book that can add something to witches of different levels. Newcomers can get a solid foundation about the two most popular methods of cartomancy, while experienced readers get a great refresher while also exploring new ideas. Casual readers can also benefit from it, but the target here is people who are more serious about it.

Kinky regards, K!

Connect with me on Instagram and Twitter!

Remember this blog lusts after your comments and shares to grow healthy!

Review: Wild Eden Tarot

Hello, hello. Today I want to tell you about a tarot deck that blends nature and femininity with a simple aesthetic. Although it wasn't my favorite, I'm confident many of you will appreciate the Wild Eden Tarot, written by Alice Mastroleo and with art by Gloria Pizzilli. Thanks to the publisher for the copy to review!

• Publication Date: October 8, 2025.
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications.
• Page Count: 128 pages.
• Dimensions: 3.19 x 2.19 x 5 inches.
• Rating: 3/5 stars.

Enter a lush paradise brimming with animals and people living in harmony through this elegant deck and guidebook set.

Each card, a glimpse of heaven on earth. Each scene, a moment of pure bliss and perfection. Wild Eden Tarot takes you to a lush paradise brimming with animals and people of all kinds, living together in a state of untainted, primordial harmony. The elegant nudity of the bodies interweaves with the sinuous shapes of beasts and vegetation, creating a synthesis of eroticism and nature that highlights a sense of communion among all things that breathe, live, and love.

First of all, I am a fan of the concept, even if we have seen it before. Presenting a balance between humanity and the natural world, plants and animals especially, is always something I can appreciate because of the divide modern society has installed in all of us. I also like the idea of a Pagan-oriented Garden of Eden (besides Lady Gaga's, mind you.) The cards hit a good middle spot between thick and thin, along with a standard size, making it easy to work with them.

Now, it is with the execution that I have mostly problems because Wild Eden Tarot feels too Eurocentric despite the fact that the creators included a few people of color. Most of the time, the delivery fell short of what it could have been due to the color palette, with so many European-looking women and just a sprinkle of men. Again, the idea is great, but the execution wasn't my favorite because I wasn't expecting a deck with mostly European, cisgender women.

I believe a reformulation of the deck would be the best option. The innocence in all the cards, the freedom they show, and the message of living in balance with the natural elements are all beautiful aspects of the proposal. Yet the execution wasn't my favorite. A more balanced result would have changed my perception of the deck.

With a beautiful concept and nice coloring that reflects the serenity of the world in the cards, Wild Eden Tarot is a good addition to those who are looking for a natural and feminine approach. However, despite the artwork being evocative from beginning to end, it fails to deliver the diversity one would expect, making it an aesthetically pleasing starting point, but not more than that.

Kinky regards, K!

Connect with me on Instagram and Twitter!

Remember this blog lusts after your comments and shares to grow healthy!