I just had the greatest book enter my life – “Workplace Spells – Everyday Magick on the Job” (Marla Brooks, Schiffer Books, 2009). Some people hear the word “spells”, and they think black candles and negative energy. Who wants that in the workplace! Other people will realize that spell work can be done by anyone, that it is positive in nature, and helps us to be a bit proactive about maintaining control in our lives, and doing so in a win/win manner.

In “Workplace Spells”, Brooks presents 51 ready to go spells that will help us get ahead in the workplace, instructions for creating your own workplace spells (this is super – we can fine tune spell work to our individual needs!), and a basic understanding of the things that can be used in spell work (herbs, amulets, divination, gemstones, and incense).

In her introduction Brooks talks about the basics of witchcraft, amongst which is the tenet “An Ye Harm None” (meaning that no work done by a Wiccan practitioner should be harmful to anyone). Backing this up is another tenet, the Law of Three, stating that whatever energy we send out into the world – positive or negative - comes back to us times three! Good incentive to stay on the path of the positive!

In the beginning of the book Brooks discusses how to create and cast your own spell, how to perform the Lesser Banishing Ritual, an introduction to ritual tools, and how to raise energy.

I loved the variety of spells included in this book, addressing very real situations – anxiety, attracting customers, banishing obstacles, productivity, communication, computers, confidence, difficult phone calls, difficult tasks, getting to work on time, gossip, parking, safe travel, sleep, and finding the job of your dreams.

Each spell is presented with the tools that you will need (i.e. candles, anointing oil), incantations to be used, and how to perform the ceremony. (Note – this work is done at home, not at work!) Each spell is easy to set up and perform, and would be comfortable for any individual from any cultural or religious background to work with.

This is a gentle book, presenting spell work in a non-intimidating manner. At the end of the book are sections on Candle Magick, Magickal Herbs, Magickal Amulets, Animals and Insects, Birds, Magickal Divination, Magickal Gemstones, the Magickal Properties of Incense and Oil, Pagan Deities, and Spirit Guides.

If you are looking for some “extra help” in conection with your career, this is the book for y ou!