Italian Folk Magic: Rue's Kitchen Witchery

It’s taken me a long time to figure out how to write a review for this book, this book is an absolute treasure and I wanted to do it justice. Turns out, my opinion isn’t the one that I think people will want to hear. I sat down and shared this book with my 88 year old grandma, Italian-American through and through. We looked through the book together, and as she read through it she became completely animated, telling stories, remembering so many things that my great grandparents, and great great grandparents had used to say, things they believed, and practices they did. She loved the section on proverbs, saying several times “My mother used to say something JUST like that!” or “My father did this all the time!” She got to the section that discussed omens and dreams and was shocked to found out, that my great grandmother’s “funny little ideas” about dreams and lottery numbers, weren’t just her own ideas she made up, but were actually something she had learned from her own family that was passed down from Italy. She looked at the section on Saints, and was so happy to see the ones mentioned, saying “look! That’s the Saint from where we’re from in Italy!” And of course she had to check out the recipe section saying that the recipes were “wonderfully put together! Beautiful! This girl knows what she’s doing!” This book is a treasure, read it, share it, pass it on and keep this tradition alive.

Wow! I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS BOOK! From the inviting cover which makes you feel in the presence of an old world Italian kitchen to the numerous pages of love and lore... this book is an absolute must have! I couldn’t put it down! I made one of the “gut medicine” recipes the very first day! As stated in her book, Mary-Grace has accomplished her task of recording the old traditions, recipes and lore in an organized and easy to read manner! While reading this book I felt comforted as if I were in the midst of my very own Italian family ... not many books can create such a “magical loving atmosphere” when you read them! This book ensures that the old ways will remain alive and well!

I read this book in a single night, unable to tear myself away from the treasured memories it brought back of my own Italian-American upbringing. On almost every page, I found myself saying "Yes! Yes! It was that way for me too!". As in all Italian-American households, the kitchen is the hearth, the pulsing nerve center of the family, where food is lovingly prepared and consumed, where the important business of the family - including communication with spirits and ancestors - is carried out. Like the author's family, mine would have been appalled to be called anything but devout Catholics, but they observed the same saints and holidays with the same sense of reverence. She emphasizes the vital role that food plays in our culture, each herb, ingredient and method of preparing holding a special significance. I felt like I was conversing with the author at her kitchen table over her fresh espresso and biscotti. If you grew up Italian-American, treat yourself to this precious collection of memories of our ancient traditions. She reminds us that magic resides everywhere, in the ordinary kitchen tools, ingredients and nurturing of the all-important unit: family and friends.

Finally! A book on Italian Folk Magick which understands from the start that our families didn't use the word "witches" (in English or Italian), or refer to what we did as witchcraft. None of this 20th century "let's pretend Italian witchcraft was a religion", or trying to pass off as a legitimate old world practice what amounts to nothing more than Wicca with Italian seasonings.No, instead, Mary-Grace Fahrun presents a clear, cogent and practical guide to what folk-magick is in our culture. She's a brilliant storyteller as well, so the book reads like a comfortable old "coperta" passed down from our nonna and nonno.My only regret was that I didn't read this book before writing my own, because I could refer and recommend it in my book as one of the best practical resources for those looking for some beautiful everyday practices to incorporate into their lives, connect with their "antenati", and ultimately understand the difference between Italian folk-magick and the ancient Italian religious cults of Diana and Dianus -- which were never the same thing.

Rue’s kitchen Witchery helped to bring me back to myself. It brought me back to my childhood, growing up as a first generation American on my mothers side, born in Sicily but raised in the US, and hearing about her stories and practices from SicilySo far away. Food, family, and kitchen have always been important to me. Rue helped me to see how vital they are to my cultural identity and most importantly to my spiritual identity. I wasn’t sure I had an authentic spiritual lineage, not quite fitting into American culture but being so far removed from Sicilian culture. Not belonging to practices from other countries. Now I connect these parts of my childhood and adult life, (like how important grocery shopping, keeping a tidy house, and connecting with family are to me. It’s not just weird habits unique to me and my mom- Now I see exactly where it comes from!). I have a resource to reference for deepening this spiritual study. Thank you.

I wish I could give this book a hundred stars! This book is a gift and a treasure that has given me more insight into my culture and my family that I missed out on due to many of them dying when I was young. I talked to my living relatives about what I read in this book and it was like taking a trip back in time with them. I appreciate the way this book is set up as well, its not steeped in purple prose or exoticism or the fog of fancy esoteric jargon, it is all very plain and written in a soothing first person stream of consciousness that lends itself to making the reader feel at home with the author.In fact, I love this book so much that even though I've finished reading it, I keep it in my purse for reference and sometimes I just flip through the pages for comfort.

Great book about Italian cuisine and folklore.Writing about good common sense and Italian customs.

Loved this book! Very authentically Italian. I couldn’t help but be brought back to my childhood when reading this. I’m hoping for a sequel.

Love this book thanks Grace

It’s a good book so far

It's more like a "hoodoo like pseudo italian" than true italian folk magick ...

Great content, concise and perfect delivery. Pleased to have it.