Several weeks ago I received an e-mail from a wonderful gal named Natalie. Ms. Zaman asked if I'd be willing to review her book entitled, Magical Destinations of the Northeast: Sacred Sites, Occult Oddities, and Magical Monuments.
Now, let me make one thing clear—I love books. Like, I'm the dork who will wax poetic about the smell of libraries. I adore books.
But I also love the Northeast. Being stuck Currently living in the Southwest has yet to stifle my melancholia for my beloved New England roots. Somehow, dust and spindly bushes that wield deadly thorns as long as my pinky finger have yet to warm my soul the way the briny scent of the Atlantic and the musical rustle of autumn leaves has.
Don't believe me on the thorns? Oh, I have proof, my friend.
 |
....a leather shoe. The desert is trying to kill me, guys.
*calming breath*
Now, I'm not sure if Natalie realized how well-suited I was for her book. The mere fact that it involves the Northeast and is, well, a book is enough to interest me. But what she didn't know, what no one knew until this very moment, is that my husband and I have spent the last year planning an extensive RV trip to commence mid 2018. Once his contract is up and we leave the desert in—quite literally—a trail of dust, we will spend the following nine months or so traveling the country, nourishing the soul with anything green, rainy, or green and rainy.
Side note, I can't FLIPPING wait for Oregon. I'm half convinced I will refuse to leave, gripping a moss-covered tree with all my life as my husband ties my feet to the RV bumper and begins to drive. Which, in case you were wondering, he's totally bluffing. I mean, how far can you get before a cop pulls you over for having half a person trailing behind your rig? Surely there are laws against dismembered bodies and vehicular travel...
The day I got Magical Destinations of the Northeast I immediately began reading. Natalie did a fantastic job of opening the book with a personal experience, one that conjured vivid images of a young, pregnant Natalie seeking solace in a long-sought-after metaphysical bookstore. It's clear this kismet experience had a profound influence on her life, inspiring her to write this wonderful book.
I was also genuinely impressed by the amount of information packed into this sucker. I'm not going to lie, there's a LOT of information, certainly more than I could absorb in one sitting. Fortunately, it doesn't read like a text book. Her manner of writing yields a fluid, easy prose that makes for an enjoyable travel guide for witches, Pagans, Wiccans, and those interested in the myth and legend of one of the most breathtaking parts of America.
...Not that I'm biased or anything. ;)
What I enjoyed most were the simple, regional-appropriate spells sprinkled throughout the chapters that incorporated elements of local plants, trees, and area-specific folk tales. It's a really cool detail that I think the nature lovers among us will very much enjoy.
My favorite part was reading about the White Mountains and Polar Caves located in New Hampshire, mostly because this was the area my family camped for one week every summer during my childhood. It's a truly magical part of New Hampshire that always spoke to my soul, even as a shy young girl. Reading Natalie's almost lyrical description of this sacred place made me sigh with longing and get excited about visiting again!
If you're piqued by the intrigue that is the Northeast, a place rich with history and lore, I highly recommend Magical Destinations of the Northeast for your next road trip. Just be sure to leave some room in the car for yours truly. It's okay, I'll totally ride in the trunk. Just toss me a water bottle and an occasional potty break, and you won't even know I'm in there.
...Until I smell the briny siren call that is the Atlantic. Then all bets are off. =D
I was also genuinely impressed by the amount of information packed into this sucker. I'm not going to lie, there's a LOT of information, certainly more than I could absorb in one sitting. Fortunately, it doesn't read like a text book. Her manner of writing yields a fluid, easy prose that makes for an enjoyable travel guide for witches, Pagans, Wiccans, and those interested in the myth and legend of one of the most breathtaking parts of America.
...Not that I'm biased or anything. ;)
What I enjoyed most were the simple, regional-appropriate spells sprinkled throughout the chapters that incorporated elements of local plants, trees, and area-specific folk tales. It's a really cool detail that I think the nature lovers among us will very much enjoy.
My favorite part was reading about the White Mountains and Polar Caves located in New Hampshire, mostly because this was the area my family camped for one week every summer during my childhood. It's a truly magical part of New Hampshire that always spoke to my soul, even as a shy young girl. Reading Natalie's almost lyrical description of this sacred place made me sigh with longing and get excited about visiting again!
If you're piqued by the intrigue that is the Northeast, a place rich with history and lore, I highly recommend Magical Destinations of the Northeast for your next road trip. Just be sure to leave some room in the car for yours truly. It's okay, I'll totally ride in the trunk. Just toss me a water bottle and an occasional potty break, and you won't even know I'm in there.
...Until I smell the briny siren call that is the Atlantic. Then all bets are off. =D
Have you ever visited a spiritual location you discovered in a book? What's your favorite local legend?
Magical Destinations of the Northeast was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review. Please note I do not review or recommend products I do not personally appreciate and endorse!
NOTE: As with any recommendation found on this blog, consult your doctor or naturopath before use.
