Gentle Spells & Kind Magic

By Sam McKechnie

Magic can take many forms, whether it be a desire, a wish, or a spell. It can even be a simple act of kindness for friends and family, and importantly for yourself too – like a lovingly hand-made object, a comforting meal or a home-cooked gift.

Many people are turning to alternative ways to find connection and meaning. Something as simple as, ‘Are you ok?’ has great strength, power and empathy. Thoughtfulness is key and this book has kindness at the heart of its magic to create a more forgiving and considerate community.

Curated into colour chapters, Sam takes a look at each colour and what it represents. The book brims full of magical spells, poems, charms, rituals, recipes, makes and wishes to create a helpful guide – a comfort, a tonic – something that is available to everyone, whether you feel like you are a witch or not.

Chapters are:

White, Yellow & Orange, Red, Pink, Violet, Blue, Green, Brown, Black & Grey, Silver & Gold

Projects include:

Orange blossom spell, Clay incense holder, Lucky red wrist ribbon, Hanging crystal grotto, Witch’s knots, Friendship jar spell, Crescent moon and amethyst make, Making a wand, Secret message jewellery, Moon biscuits.

This will be a beautiful and inspirational guide to colour and its magic.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins UK
• Release date: Oct 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9780008601614

Sam McKechnie

Sam McKechnie is an artist, doll-maker, jewel and fashion-accessories crafter, workshop-leader and writer. Sam created The Magpie and the Wardrobe in 2002 as an extension of her artwork, which is primarily influenced by magic, folklore and fairy tales. She runs fairy and doll making, wand crafting,and fairy furniture workshops country wide. Sam’s collections are sold through her stockists in London and Japan and can be found on Instagram and Pinterest. Sam is the co-author of The Magpie and the Wardrobe and author of Miss Violet’s Doll’s House, both published by Pavilion. @themagpieandthewardrobe.

Book preview

No image description

WHITE

salt – innocence – pure – doilies – vanilla ice cream – rice – handkerchiefs – doves – fresh – tablecloths – roses – swans – pigeon’s eggs – ice – ghosts – pillows – new notebooks – cats – ectoplasm – milk – cauliflower – brides – chocolate – sugar – marshmallows – lightning – meringues – cream – protection – flaked almonds – daisies – jasmine – lace – lambs – blossom – magic – snowdrops – grey horses – lily of the valley – Elizabethan ruffs – clean sheets of paper – Milky Way – daisy chains – flour – pampas grass – pebbles – sugared mice – moonlight – chalk – clouds – coconut – porcelain – magnolia – camellias – marble – alabaster – pearls – smoke – polar bears – unicorns – teeth – Arctic foxes – ermine – incense – cockatoos

No image description

WHITE

White is a colour of simplicity and quiet, and is the best colour to help you focus on intentions and rituals that concern protection or encouragement.

White is also considered to be the colour of innocence. During the Renaissance, white unicorns were revered as a symbol of chastity. These wild, mysterious and elusive creatures were believed to have a horn of such magic and purity that famous hunts were organized to capture these beautiful beasts. (These hunts were immortalized in exquisite woven tapestries.)

White can also help you to restore a sense of order and efficiency in your life. It can declutter or cleanse a space, encouraging you to let go of negative energy and emotions to leave you feeling ‘lighter’ and hopeful. The colour can also soothe and calm – imagine the feeling of crisp white bedsheets and clean white night clothes before a restful night’s