Pagan Portals: Moon Magic by Rachel Patterson.
Pagan Portals: Moon Magic by Rachel Patterson is a short read that covers the phases of the moon, moon names, deities, symbols, cords, astrology, the Celtic tree calendar, planting with the moon, moon creatures and moon tarot. It is a good introduction into the topic, containing a wide range of topics which are lightly discussed, and also contains some activities that the reader can follow or alter to suit their own needs. It’s a light and easy read and contains a very brief bibliography.
There are some points in this book that I personally dislike or disagree with. There are a few sections of the book that talks about menstruation, stating “this is for the ladies” and “only women get periods”, this is trans-exclusionary and dismisses the experiences of many trans people worldwide.
There are no explanations as to why the correspondences are the way they are, and therefore feels like information without context is just thrown at the reader. Rachel also mentions to sprinkle salt on crystals in some of the rituals included, however this should only be done to crystals that are higher on the Mohs scale of hardness, as salt is abrasive and can scratch minerals. This should be avoided in porous and hydrated minerals. Rachel also includes a section talking about symbols, however no symbol illustrations are included. I feel adding simple symbol art here would really aid in the explanation, rather than the reader having to imagine what they look like.
Overall, this book would be okay for someone looking for a beginner 101 book, however if you’re searching for something with a bit more depth or explanation, this book may not be for you.
Last reviewed: 14/03/23.
Disclaimer: Anything stated within these book reviews are based on the writer’s opinions, beliefs, and life experiences and should not be taken as universal truth. The writer’s opinion of said books are subject to change over time and reviews may be amended in future to reflect their most up-to-date opinion. It is generally recommended for you to read these books for yourself so you can form your own personal opinion.