My first thought on receiving Jenny C. Bell’s Divergent Witchcraft was, “This looks like it won’t overwhelm my brain with too much information all at once.” Which, as a neurodivergent person myself, I really appreciate when a book teaching me something new gets down to teaching the basics without a lot of fuss.
In Part 1, that Bell’s states clearly that her intent is to build a solid “…foundation of understanding and practices so the feeling of overwhelm is minimized.” I love a book where the intent is clear, stated, and even obvious just from picking up the book!
Bell jumps right in with some foundational information in the first three chapters: meditation, journalling, and altar creation.
As someone who once had a very narrow concept of what meditation was and looked like (uncomfortable sitting positions, forced “correct” posture, and feeling like I was doing it all wrong), this chapter was a delight and met me where I am: in my body, as it is, doing its best.
Bell encourages the reader to actually be comfortable, to embrace the fidgety hands or feet with motion because motion can be meditative! Walking, dancing, background music, comfortable setting, mandala beads, knitting… whatever you need to do that allows you to breathe, be present in your body with your self, and grow your self-trust.
Journalling can be another sticking point for some folks; a chore that feels awkward and pointless. Bell gives the reader, including this reader, a new way to think of it: your “…future self and your spirit guide team.” are your audience for your journal. And this bit in particular resonated with me: “You matter….You’re a multidimensional being having a linear experience. As you honor your own healing through writing your experiences down, you honor both your past and future at the same time.”
The altar creating chapter is just fun – finding the things that matter to you; the things that you wish to put focus on; that you wish to honour and then: indulging your playful and creative side without any list of expensive tools to buy. Bell offers many suggestions, most of which use things you likely already have, could get second hand, create, or even find outside for free. Forget the Pinterest boards of carefully curated stuff (all with monetized links), and take a walk and bring home some cool pinecones or rocks!
The remainder of the book focuses on growing your practice (elements, circle casting, moon cycles), and making magic (spellcrafting, plants, crystals, animals…) and, because this book is aimed at us neurospicy folk, a chapter on overcoming overwhelm because, let’s face it, most of us are quite familiar with feelings of imposter syndrome, fear of doing it wrong, being overwhelmed by too much choice… you know how it is! Bell offers a few pages to help keep the reader grounded when overwhelm pops up: questions to ask, things to consider…
This is a great book. Even the most practiced witch will find this to be a valuable resource, and for those new to witchcraft, maybe just looking to begin their own practice, this book is an invaluable resource.
~review by Mara McTavish
Author: Jenny C. Bell
Red Wheel / Weiser, 2026
Pp.: 149, Price: $16.95 USD
