Book Review

The Witch in Every Woman
by Laurie Cabot with Jean Mills
Delta, 1997

Why did I wait so long to read Laurie Cabot? What a pleasant surprise to read such an intelligent and inspiring book. Cabot's subtitle is "Reawakening the Magical Nature of the Feminine to Heal, Protect, Create, and Empower." This sets the tone of a work focussed on the feminine energy and its special abilities. The use of the word reawakening suggests there is something already in existence within us, just waiting to be reclaimed.

Cabot explains in her introduction that the word 'witch' is used in archetypal terms, to denote a woman's magical side of her nature. Each chapter introduces a specific concept or issue, and is then followed by a Celtic myth to illustrate the theme. Commentary follows each tale in order to interpret the story and to apply it to daily modern life. At the end of each chaper, Cabot provides a section entitled "Witch's Legend Exercises." This is a wrap-up section consisting of a fable written by Cabot, followed by a spell or suggested activity. The fables may be used as guided meditation, or as inspiration for the reader to create her own story.

My favorite chapter is "Inspiring the Cauldron: Nurturing your Creativity." It is reassuring to read that 'creative' does not necessarily mean artistic. We are told that a woman's creative experience can be expressed anywhere and in any milieu. The Celtic tale included in this chapter is "Cerridwen and Taliesin," in which Gwion 'accidently' partakes of the cauldron of knowledge, intended for Cerridwen's son Morfran. Gwion, through pursuit and shape-shifting, is eventually swallowed by Cerridwen; she gives birth to him, as Taliesin, 9 months later. Sounds like the concept of creativity knows no limits.

As a result of discovering this book, I went on to read The Power of the Witch . The Witch in Every Woman, however, is still my favorite Cabot book.

Book review by ghostmoon June 1998

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