Last night, curled up in my favourite reading chair with a cup of chamomile tea, I finished reading “The House Witch” by Arin Murphy-Hiscock. Having previously devoured her bestseller “The Green Witch” with its wonderful guidance on connecting to nature’s magic, I was keen to explore her wisdom on domestic spirituality. The book has been a constant companion over recent weeks, its pages gradually collecting the subtle imprint of my evening reading ritual – a tea stain here, a dog-eared corner there.
One of the first practices I tried from the House Witch was the room blessing ritual, and its beautiful simplicity took me by surprise. This simple ritual requires few ingredients and not much time, but I felt a tangible shift in the energy of the room afterwards. There was something profoundly centring about the practice, and I’ve returned to it several times since, particularly when a room feels like it needs refreshing. It’s exactly the kind of practical, effective ritual that makes this book so valuable – straightforward enough to fit into a busy life, yet meaningful enough to create real change.
What particularly struck me about The House Witch, compared to her earlier work “The Green Witch”, was how Murphy-Hiscock addresses the challenges of maintaining a spiritual practice in an urban setting. Not everyone has access to wild spaces or herb gardens, but we all have a home that can become a sacred space. Her practical suggestions for working with whatever space you have – be it a tiny flat or a sprawling house – are invaluable. I especially appreciated her ideas for creating altars in small spaces and working with the energy of different rooms regardless of their size or location.
The recipes and crafts scattered throughout the House Witch add another layer of practical magic to everyday life. I’ve already tried her recipe for a protective floor wash (surprisingly effective with ingredients from my kitchen cupboard) and her guidance on creating protection sachets for doorways. Her explanation of how to choose and work with common kitchen ingredients and herbs is simple and practical.
The House Witch concludes with a section on troubleshooting common household energy problems – something I haven’t seen addressed so thoroughly in other books on household magic. From dealing with persistent negative energy to managing the aftermath of arguments or illness in the home, her suggestions are both practical and spiritually grounded. As someone who’s particularly sensitive to the energy of spaces, I found her techniques for energetic house clearing particularly useful, especially her simple but effective method of using sound cleansing when smudging isn’t practical.
The scholarly depth of the book surprised me, especially the fascinating exploration of cauldrons in mythology. From the Celtic goddess Cerridwen‘s cauldron of inspiration to the Greek tripod of Apollo’s oracle at Delphi, these vessels have bubbled through our ancestral stories as symbols of transformation and wisdom. I found myself jotting down references, eager to learn more about these ancient tales.
The section on hearth and home deities opened up whole new pathways of understanding. Each culture’s guardians of the domestic sphere – from Roman Vesta to Norse Frigga, Slavic Domovoi to Greek Hestia – reflected something profound about how different societies viewed the sanctity of home. I particularly appreciated how Murphy-Hiscock drew connections between these ancient beliefs and modern practices of making a home feel sacred.
Throughout the House Witch, the author maintains a practical, grounded approach whilst honouring the deeper spiritual aspects of home-centred practice. She acknowledges that modern life doesn’t always allow for elaborate rituals, offering adaptable suggestions that can fit into busy schedules without losing their meaning.
As I placed the House Witch back on my shelf, I noticed how my home felt different – not dramatically transformed, but somehow more intentionally inhabited. Perhaps that’s the true gift of “The House Witch” – it reminds us that our homes are more than just spaces we occupy; they’re sacred vessels for our lives, deserving of our attention and blessing.
I know I’ll return to this book often, particularly as the seasons change and my home needs refreshing. For now, though, I’m content to let its wisdom settle into my daily practices, like herbs steeping in warm water, releasing their magic gradually.
What are your favourite Witchcraft Books. Let me know in the comments below 🙂
Blessed be
Eva x