Upon completing “Blackthorn’s Protection Magic,” I find myself in a state of contemplation, mixed with a tinge of disappointment. The book, heralded by numerous glowing reviews, seemed to promise an insightful journey into the realms of ‘Protection Magic.’ However, as I turned its pages, I encountered a narrative that lacked the fluidity and magical essence I had eagerly anticipated.
Book Structure: A Disjointed Trio of Mind, Body, and Spirit
- Blackthorn divides her book into three sections: Mind (Psychic Security), Body (Physical Security), and Spirit (Emotional Security). This tripartite structure, while conceptually appealing, manifests in a manner that feels disjointed. The connections between these sections, critical to a comprehensive understanding of ‘Protection Magic,’ seem tenuous, leaving the reader grappling for a cohesive thread.
Repetitive Mantras and Missed Opportunities
- The book often falls into repetitive patterns, particularly with the assertion “we don’t victim shame/blame, ever!” While this is an important stance, its overemphasis detracts from the content’s depth, leading to a sense that it serves more as a page filler than a substantive addition.
- In exploring key concepts like ‘What is Protection?’ and ‘What is Magic?’, the book presents vague definitions, often veering off into tangents. For instance, the discussion about curses, hexes, and jinxes feels misplaced and confusing, especially when it follows a segment meant to define ‘Magic’ in the context of ‘Protection Magic.’
Ethics, Boundaries, and the Personal Touch
- The initial chapters delve into ethics and boundaries, crucial elements in any magical practice. Yet, the way these topics are handled feels less about guiding the reader and more about filling pages with the author’s personal views. This approach, while offering a glimpse into the author’s perspective, does little to empower the reader in their own journey of ‘Protection Magic.’
- Had the author provided more of a walkthrough in discerning personal ethics and gave more content to the reader then sharing their personal response to their own ethics questions wouldn’t have been such a problem.
Navigating Through Mixed Topics: Toxic Positivity and Spiritual Bypassing
- Sections like ‘Toxic Positivity’ and ‘Spiritual Bypassing’ are introduced abruptly, without adequate context or expansion, leaving the reader wanting more. Similarly, the discussion on mental health and therapy, while well-intentioned, overlooks the practical challenges many face in accessing these services. Even with the author stating there are FREE resources, they do not provide information to follow up on these free resources.
Curses and Scam Artists: A Contentious Exploration
- The section on curses and scam artists are particularly contentious. The author’s assertion that curses are rare clashes with the experiences of many practitioners in the wider magical community. The inclusion of a ‘curse threat assessment’ feels underdeveloped and could potentially overlap with non-magical factors like stress or mental health issues. The section on scam artists, while relevant, seems disjointedly placed and lacks a deeper exploration that could have enriched the book’s theme.
Part 2 – Body (Physical Security): A Blend of Practicality and Magic
The second part of Blackthorn’s guide dives into the realm of Physical Security, an area where the practical intersects with the magical, creating a unique blend that forms the essence of ‘Protection Magic.’
Home Protection: A Mixed Bag
- The book starts strong with home protection techniques, including salt sprays, crystal grids, and wards. These methods are staples in the practice of ‘Protection Magic,’ offering tangible ways to safeguard one’s sanctuary. However, the section on Tarot for home protection, while innovative, leaves many questions unanswered, undermining its practicality.
Physical Home Security: Practical Tips with a Magical Touch
- The highlight of this section is the author’s deep knowledge of physical home security. From lock types to safeguarding techniques, the content is rich with practical advice. Yet, the reader can’t help but wish for more magical enhancements to these methods. The opportunity to blend mundane security with elements of ‘Protection Magic’ is somewhat missed, leaving a gap in what could have been a holistic approach to protection.
Gardening and Indoor Plant Magic: Inconsistencies in the Garden of Magic
- The chapters on gardening, both outdoor and indoor, are delightful reads, yet they falter in their consistency. While some plants receive astrological and metaphysical associations, others are left merely as botanical descriptions. This inconsistency is a recurring theme throughout the book that detracts from the book’s potential as a comprehensive guide on ‘Protection Magic.’
Personal Security: Practical, Yet Missing Magical Depth
- In discussing personal security, the book provides invaluable practical tips, from awareness color codes to essential items for on-the-go safety. The author emphasizes the importance of building relationships with divine beings in ‘Protection Magic,’ a crucial aspect often overlooked in other texts. I think the exact quote is ‘Just slapping names on a candle can have disastrous results’ which I loved and appreciated. It’s true.
- However, the application of Cooper’s color code in candle magic seems mismatched. The author’s expertise in physical security shines through, but the magical integration feels forced and somewhat disconnected from the book’s main theme.
Addressing Stalking: A Need for Nuanced Discussion
- In her guide, Blackthorn tackles the sensitive and complex issue of identifying a potential stalker, encapsulating it in a straightforward formula: the first encounter is an accident, the second a coincidence, and the third, enemy action. While this approach aims to provide clear guidance, its simplicity may inadvertently overlook the nuances of real-life situations.
- The author, with her extensive background in security, undoubtedly has valuable insights into this matter. However, the book’s treatment of such a critical topic feels too cursory. In everyday life, repeated encounters, like those at a gym or a grocery store, can be purely coincidental, involving the same individuals due to shared routines or locales. This perspective is notably absent in the book, leading to a presentation that might unintentionally fuel unnecessary paranoia rather than offering a nuanced understanding.
- What would have enhanced this section is a more comprehensive exploration of stalking, acknowledging its varied and situational nature. Such an approach would not only align with the book’s overarching theme of ‘Protection Magic’ but also provide readers with a more practical and realistic framework for identifying and handling potential threats.
Kidnapping: Practical Survival Skills
- The kidnapping section is packed with practical survival skills, from escaping duct-taped hands to evading capture. These tips are invaluable, yet one can’t help but wish for a stronger magical component to align with the book’s title and theme. I think that what is missing is the magical application one can incorporate into the mundane actions.
The Author’s Personal Story: Powerful but Unfinished
- The author shares a harrowing personal story, a testament to their resilience and strength. However, the narrative feels incomplete, leaving the reader with a sense of something left unsaid. While respecting the author’s choice of what to share, the reader yearns for a more finished story that could have added depth to the book’s theme.
Part 3 – Spirit (Emotional Security): A Journey Through Essential Oils and Tarot
The final section of Blackthorn’s guide delves into the spirit aspect of ‘Protection Magic,’ encompassing emotional security through the use of essential oils and Tarot.
Chapter 7: Essential Oils for Protection
- The author begins with a comprehensive look at various carrier oils, an essential component in any magical practice involving essential oils. The practical tips for testing the purity of essential oils at home are particularly noteworthy, offering readers an invaluable skill in their magical toolkit. The detailed list of protection herbs is a useful resource as well.
Chapter 8: Incense Recipes for Protection
Here, Blackthorn offers a list of herbs for psychic protection, purification, and protection. While the inclusion of herbs like sage is appreciated, the lack of metaphysical context for some herbs, notably sage, is a missed opportunity. This inconsistency in content delivery remains a recurring theme, detracting from the book’s potential as a comprehensive guide on ‘Protection Magic.’
Chapter 9: Tarot Spells for Protection
This chapter stands out as a highlight, especially for Tarot enthusiasts. The author’s detailed description of each Major Arcana card and its usage in magic is engaging and informative. However, the inconsistency in how the cards are presented, some with titles of in protection magic vs simply in magic and some with astrological associations and others without, adds to the overall lack of consistency in the book.
Blackthorn’s Protection Magic: A Book with Potential, Yet Falling Short
“Blackthorn’s Protection Magic” concludes with a section on correspondences, rounding off a journey through the realms of Mind, Body, and Spirit. As a reader, I am left with mixed feelings. The book teems with potential, weaving together the author’s expertise in security with magical practices. However, the attempt to merge practical security advice with magical elements often feels disjointed, leaving a gap in what could have been a rich tapestry of ‘Protection Magic.’
The book shines in its practical advice and the wealth of knowledge shared by the author, particularly in physical security and practical tips. However, the magical aspect, the core of ‘Protection Magic,’ seems underdeveloped and inconsistently integrated throughout the text.
In summary, while “Blackthorn’s Protection Magic” offers valuable insights and practical tips, its inconsistent delivery and lack of depth in magical content leave the reader yearning for more. It’s a book that starts a conversation on the intersection of security and magic but doesn’t fully explore the depth and richness that such a topic promises.
As I close my review of “Blackthorn’s Protection Magic,” I’m curious to hear from you, my readers. Your perspectives and experiences are invaluable, and I’d love to engage in a deeper conversation about this intriguing yet complex topic. Here are a few questions to get us started:
- Have you read “Blackthorn’s Protection Magic”? If so, what were your impressions? Did your experience align with mine, or did you have a different takeaway?
- What are your thoughts on the integration of practical security measures with magical practices? Do you have any experiences where such integration has been beneficial or challenging?
- In your practice of ‘Protection Magic,’ what resources have you found most valuable? Are there any books, guides, or personal techniques that you would recommend to others exploring this path?
- How do you navigate the balance between traditional magical practices and modern psychological understandings, such as dealing with topics like stalking or curses?
- What are your views on the importance of consistency and depth in magical literature? How does this influence your learning and practice?
I’m eager to read your responses and insights. Let’s dive into a discussion that not only explores the realms of ‘Protection Magic’ but also enriches our collective understanding and practice.
FULL Table of Contents!
- Introduction
- What is Protection? What is Magic?
- What is Protection
- Saturn Return – The Quarter Life Crisis
- What is Magic?
- Magic
- Curse
- Hex
- Jinx
- Part I: Mind (Psychic Security)
- Practical Considerations (Before You Start)
- Ethics
- The Importance of Good Boundaries
- Examples of Healthy Boundaries
- My Own Views
- Why Hexing is the Answer
- Toxic Positivity
- Coping with a Perceived Threat
- Fight
- Flight
- Freeze
- Farn
- Post-Traumatic-Stress/Complex-Post-Traumatic-Stress
- Affirmations to Fight Toxic Shame
- Some Symptoms of PTSD
- How to Tell if You’re Cursed
- Curse Threat Assessment
- Grading Your Assessment
- A Note on Curse Breaking from Mortellus
- Spotting a Scam Artist
- Curse Threat Assessment
- Crystals for Protection
- Protection Stones
- Amber
- Amethyst
- Black Tourmaline
- Bloodstone
- Citrine
- Clear Quartz
- Hematite
- Howlite
- Jasper
- Labradorite
- Malachite
- Moonstone
- Onyx
- Pyrite
- Ruby
- Selenite
- Shungite
- Smoky Quartz
- Tiger’s Eye
- Beware the Crystal Fakes & Other Cautions
- How to Recognize Faux Stones
- Amber
- Amethyst & Citrine
- Dyed Stones
- Malachite
- Moldavite
- Opals
- Quartz
- Turquoise
- Anything with ‘Aura’ in the name
- Natural Doesn’t Mean Harmless
- Caution
- How to Recognize Faux Stones
- Protection Stones
- Psychic Protection
- Protection Through Breath
- Grounding During Protection Emergencies
- What is an Emergency?
- Grounded & Whole
- Psychic Exercises
- Ward
- Shield
- Projection
- Flex Those Psychic Muscles
- Creating an Egg Shield
- Comfort in the Memory
- The Cat’s Whiskers
- How to be Left Alone
- Where did you Go? (Invisibility)
- The S.E.P. Field (The Lesser Invisibility)
- The Clipboard of Authority
- Part II: Body (Physical Security)
- Protection in the Home
- Spells for Protection of the Home
- Salt Spray
- Water Version
- Oil Version
- Protection Crystal Grid
- Home Mirror Box
- Setting Wards
- Tarot in the Protection of the Home
- Salt Spray
- Physical Protection for the Home
- Spells for Protection of the Home
- Gardening for Protection
- Outdoor Gardening
- Planting for Protection Magic
- Butterfly Weed
- Chaste Tree Berry
- Sweet William
- Clover
- Lavender
- Rose
- Vetiver
- Protecting Your Own Home
- Square
- Triangle
- Rectangle
- Circle
- Wheel
- The Moon
- Triple Moon
- Diamond
- Star
- Hexagon
- Septagon
- Octagon
- Indoor Gardening
- Aloe
- Cacti
- Dracaena, Red-Edged
- Maidenhair Fern
- Pothos, Devil’s Ivy
- Snake Plant
- Succulents
- Practical Considerations (Before You Start)
- Personal Security
- Physical Security Secrets
- Gods and Spirits of Protection
- Simple Rules for Working with Divine Beings
- Situational Awareness
- COL. Jeff Coopers Color Code
- Code White
- Code Yellow
- Code Orange
- Code Red
- Code Black
- Use Cooper’s color code to do some candle magic for your problems
- White
- Yellow
- Orange
- Red
- Black
- Be Prepared with Everyday Carry Gear
- Things That Fit in a Pocket or Purse
- Things You Might Carry in a Laptop Bag
- Binding with Duct Tape
- Things to Have in a Vehicle in Case of Emergency
- Blessing Knives
- Things to Have With You for a Hotel Stay
- Flexible Adhesive Bandages
- Doorstop Alarm
- Portable Door Lock
- Physical Security Secrets
- Personal Security On The Go
- Scenarios
- “Can You Tell Me What Time It Is?”
- Courage Medallion with Athena
- What We Can Learn
- Self-Defense
- Do You Have a Stalker?
- Stalking and Death Magic
- How to Spot Someone Following You
- Walking
- Driving
- Security Precautions in the Event of a Stalker
- Kidnapping
- What to do If You Are Kidnapped
- How to Resist Kidnapping/Unlawful Capture
- How to Escape Duct Tape-Hands Front
- How to Escape Duct Taped Legs-Hands Front
- How to Escape Rope – Method 1 (crossed hands)
- How to Escape Rope – Method 2 (Paracord)
- How to Escape Zip Ties – Hands Front
- How to Escape Zip Ties – Behind Your Back
- How to Escape Handcutts
- Method 1 – The Bobby Pin
- Method 2 – The Shim or Barrette Method
- Method 3 – The Wrist Flex
- How to Escape Chained Hands
- How to Escape Chained Legs
- Defense
- Improvised Weapons
- Pens or Pencils
- Paper clips
- Magazine
- Laptop power pack
- Tape
- Legal pad or notebook
- Phone
- Martial Arts VS. Combat Arts
- Pepper Spray
- Things to Consider When Purchasing Pepper Spray
- What You Need to Know
- Stun Guns VS. Taser
- My Self-Defense Story
- Content Warning
- Making the Choice
- The Aftermath of a Self-Defense Scenario
- Improvised Weapons
- Part III: Spirit (Emotional Security)
- Essential Oils for Protection
- Recommended Carrier Oils for Dilution
- Jojoba
- Fractionated Coconut Oil
- Meadowfoam Seed Oil
- Cautions
- Test The Contents of Your Essential Oils at Home
- Method 1: Watercolor Paper
- Method 2: Water
- The Magical Pen
- Essential Oils in Protection Magic
- Protection Herbs
- Acacia
- Angelica
- Anise
- Basil
- Roman Chamomile
- Orange
- Grapefruit
- Frankincense
- Lavender
- Marjoram
- Black Pepper
- Rosemary
- Bay Laurel
- Recommended Carrier Oils for Dilution
- Incense Recipes for Protection
- Psychic Protection
- Bay Laurel
- Cloves
- Cumin
- Marjoram
- Purification and Protection
- Aniseed
- Sage
- Using Stick Incense
- Psychic Protection
- Tarot Spells for Protection
- Three Cards in a Triangle
- Three Cards in a Line
- Major Arcana Spells
- The Fool
- In protection magic
- The Magician
- In Magic
- The High Priestess
- In protection magic
- The Empress
- In Magic
- The Emperor
- In Magic
- The Hierophant
- In Magic
- The Lovers
- In Magic
- The Chariot
- In Magic
- Strength
- In Magic
- The Hermit
- In Magic
- Wheel of Fortune
- In Magic
- Justice
- In Magic
- The Hanged Man
- In Magic
- Death
- In Magic
- Temperance
- In Magic
- The Devil
- In Magic
- The Tower
- In Magic
- The Star
- In Magic
- The Moon
- In Magic
- The Sun
- In Magic
- Judgement
- In Magic
- The World
- In Magic
- Oracle Decks
- The Fool
- Part IV: Additional Information
- Timing Your Protection with the Stars
- Protection and Days of the Week
- Moon Phases in Protection Magic
- Other Correspondences for Protection
- Colors
- Plants
- General Protection Plants
- Banishing Magic
- Psychic Protection
- Purification Plants
- Release (Situations, Emotions, People)
- Related Actions
- Specific Protection Situations
- Abuse
- Court Cases (Rule in your Favor)
- Acknowledgements
- Further Reading
- Bibliography
- Essential Oils for Protection
