Pam Grossman is the creator and host of The Witch Wave podcast and the author of What is a Witch. Her writing has appeared in such outlets as The New York Times, The Atlantic, Time, Ms., and her occulture blog, Phantasmaphile. She is cofounder of the Occult Humanities Conference at NYU, and her art exhibitions and magical projects have been featured in such publications as Artforum, Art in America, and The New Yorker. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and their feline familiar. You can find her at PamGrossman.com and @Phantasmaphile.
“A celebration of witches and everyday individuals whose
independence and self-possession fuel their resistance and
rebellion against the long-standing social contract of female
disempowerment…A rich and unique mix of historical events, literary
references, and contemporary popular media inform keen observations
on how we have arrived at a place in which feminism and witchcraft
find a cultural convergence. Reminiscent of Sarah Vowell's
work and equally affecting, this intellectually satisfying,
personally liberating, and remarkably humorous classic is
recommended for readers of women's history, paganism, witchcraft,
and feminism."
*Library Journal (starred review)*
"[A] beguiling exploration of witches across history, myth, art and
pop culture. Part history, part memoir, part effervescent feminist
manifesto, the book takes readers on an exhilarating ride through
witchy archetypes...The book fizzes with an infectious energy and
paints a compelling picture of witches in all their shape-shifting
complexity."
*Times Literary Supplement*
“Pam Grossman has written a flowing history that I
scarfed down like an eclair. She reminds us that witches are
not monsters so much as possibilities. The archetypal,
swirling symbol of ‘Witch’ is a guide to remind us that we are
allowed to act on our desires AND congratulate ourselves
for choosing to. I hope this book makes everyone who reads it
ask themselves ‘What do I deny myself and why?’ I started this book
all in, but when I read the sentence ‘Show me your witches, and
I’ll show you your feelings about women,’ I knew I was done
for."
*Singer-songwriter Neko Case*
“A fun, informative glimpse of witchcraft... Waking the Witch
reflects Grossman’s ability to cast her spell with memoir,
storytelling, journalism, and history. Feminists will
appreciate Grossman’s in-depth, woman-focused history and
analysis. A must-add for public and academic collections.”
*Booklist*
“A fun study… Feminist readers will be pleased by Grossman’s
deconstruction of witch clichés.”
*Publishers Weekly*
“Pam Grossman already hosts the inspiring podcast 'The Witch
Wave,' and has translated her knowledge of witchhood into
relatable, inspiring memoir pages. From personal experience to
intriguing knowledge, Grossman breaks the stigmas of what the
entertainment industry has made witches out to be, and speaks of
the spiritual journey she's discovered within the title.”
*Newsweek*
“Deftly illuminating the past while beckoning us towards the
future, Waking the Witch has all the makings of a feminist
classic. Wise, relatable and real, Pam Grossman is the witch we
need for our times."
*Ami McKay, author of The Witches of New York*
"A masterful and moving meditation on female power and persecution,
Waking the Witch deftly lifts the veil between fact and fiction,
indulging joyfully and critically in the distortions and
delectations that have surrounded magical women for millennia. Pam
Grossman is a beacon in the world of contemporary witchcraft and
neo-paganism, and this comprehensive work grounded in scholarship
and cultural criticism is brought to life through intimate stories
from her own life and spiritual practice. Waking the Witch is an
artful gateway into a history that is both profoundly and painfully
relevant today. Whether you’re intrigued by or deeply committed to
the who, what, when, where, and why of the witch, this book is for
you."
*Kristen J. Sollée, author of Witches, Sluts, Feminists: Conjuring
the Sex Positive*
“Conjuring a contemporary perspective on the witch in both fact and
fiction, Pam Grossman lays the breadcrumbs, connecting the corners
from devilish cohort to bubblegum hero and all the identities
between. Sublime, witty and often deeply personal, she draws you
into her circle, that of the Divine Feminine and her Earthly
practitioners.”
*Nicola Scott, Wonder Woman comics artist and co-creator of Black
Magick*
"My heart thrills in gratitude for this book and for everything Pam
Grossman contributes to the study, practice, and pleasure of
witchcraft. With rare insight and flair for nuance, Waking the
Witch explores ambiguous territories few writers dare to tread. As
only a practicing witch could do, Grossman engages the witch
archetype even in the liminal spaces where she becomes most
difficult. Witches are myths, are monsters, are sisters and sirens,
and witches are REAL. Fearless and brilliant, this book is a
must-read for anyone interested in spirituality with
intelligence."
*Amanda Yates Garcia, Author of Initiated and Co-Host of the
Strange Magic podcast*
"Elegant, grounded, and warm, Pam Grossman is the perfect guide for
initiation into the mysteries of the witch. Pam conjures witches
from their many dwellings in history, feminism, and pop culture
with care and play. Swaying among this coven is Pam herself,
embodying the witch in a tender spiritual memoir woven through the
cultural sense-making. Waking the Witch goes beyond edifying and
enjoyable, casting a spell that might wake your own connection to
magic, beauty, and meaning."
*Taisia Kitaiskaia, author of Literary Witches: A Celebration of
Magical Women Writers and Ask Baba Yaga: Otherworldly Advice for
Everyday Troubles*
“Students and scholars will savor Waking the Witch’s
historicism—which is brilliant—and practitioners will thrill to its
understanding and inspiration. In a world of boundless choices,
this is one of the singularly finest works for understanding modern
witchcraft. It will never leave my bookshelf.”
*Mitch Horowitz, PEN Award-winning author of Occult America and The
Miracle Club*
"Pam Grossman’s brilliant examination of the witch in history,
literature, politics, and contemporary culture provides much-needed
insight into our convoluted and deeply held beliefs about feminine
power. With wit and wisdom, scholarship and sass, Grossman reveals
why witches both frighten and fascinate us, and why witchcraft’s
popularity is growing today as women reclaim their birthright after
centuries of infamy. Waking the Witch is a must-read if you want to
understand gender politics today or seek to enjoy a more fulfilling
relationship with the women in your life. Prepare to be pleasantly
awakened as you meet your own inner witch, reconnect with her
origins, and see how honoring her can transform your
world."
*Skye Alexander, author of The Modern Guide to Witchcraft and The
Modern Witchcraft Spell Book*
“The wonderful Pam Grossman takes us on a whirlwind tour of witches
in history, literature, and the cinematic and visual arts, serving
up much food for thought along the way. Her exploration of
alchemical artists Leonora Carrington and Remedios Varo is no less
than brilliant. But my own favorite parts of Waking the Witch are
Pam’s generously-shared descriptions of her own personal journey to
magic and power. Recommended!”
*Judika Illes, author of Encyclopedia of Witchcraft, Encyclopedia
of 5000 Spells, and other books of magic*
"With this brilliant offering, Pam untangles the web of the witch
and invites us to explore all the aspects of ourselves that linger
in the shadows. Waking the Witch weaves us into the mystery of the
witch, reminding us of her familiarity through stories, symbols and
the subconscious, inviting us into her world with a wink and the
promise of apple. Pam reminds us of the resilience of the witch, of
all we have to learn from her, and of what she has to offer us.
Through both her words and practice, Pam exemplifies that now more
than ever, we need to wake the witch in her magick. This book is an
indispensable addition to anyone’s altar or bookshelf, witch or
not."
*Gabriela Herstik, Author of Inner Witch: A Modern Guide to the
Ancient Craft*
“A must-read for anyone interested in feminism or witchcraft… Part
memoir and part historical survey, this book is jam-packed full of
information, yet a surprisingly quick read. Get ready to be
inspired; this witchy offering might make you want to start casting
spells yourself!”
*Ariel K., Powell's Books Blog*
“Powerful… No one–no one!– has the ability to grab my attention and
my imagination quite that way that Pam does… A beautiful,
brilliant, biblio-treat, I found this is not so much a casual book
for the nightstand so much as a magical grimoire/memoir for my
altar. But whether your interest lies in witches and witchcraft or
feminism, culture, and gender, I believe you’ll find yourself too
ensnared in its spell to leave it lay long in either
place.”
*Haute Macabre*
"In Pam Grossman’s latest book, Waking the Witch, she reflects on
her journey to becoming a witch, creating an alchemical blend of
honesty, sincerity, wisdom, strength, and humor… Waking the Witch
is an inspirational celebration of strength… Even if you are not a
witch, you will take note of Grossman’s brilliant underlying
message that magic lies within us all.”
*Bust.com*
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