Available for pre-order!

To be released November 3, 2025.

Folk magic exists in every culture—woven into the traditions, beliefs, and daily lives of people across generations. For a long time, its very familiarity made it easy to dismiss, labeled as “superstition” or “low magic.” It was something Grandma did, something old-fashioned, something modern people were expected to outgrow. But times have changed. Folk magic has seen a resurgence, embraced with curiosity and respect. No longer whispered about in secret, it’s now the subject of bestselling books and thriving online communities.

As one of the voices shaping this revival, I wrote Italian Folk Magic (Weiser Books, 2018) to share the traditions I grew up with. In my new book, Living Folk Magic, I take things further, exploring how folk magic is not just a set of rituals but a way of life—a way of moving through the world with purpose and connection. Today, many people are drawn to folk magic but may not have elders to guide them. Instead, they are learning from books, social media, and online videos. But to truly live folk magic, we need more than a collection of spells—we need an understanding of the core practices that make folk magic what it is, so we can carry it forward in meaningful ways.

In Living Folk Magic, I explore the essential functions of folk magic—cleansing, protecting, blessing, and cursing—as well as practical guidance on building altars (whether openly or in secret), practicing divination, communicating with spirits, and more. Folk magic isn’t a relic of the past. It’s alive, dynamic, and deeply relevant to our modern lives. My goal with this book is to help readers not just practice folk magic, but live it—integrating it into daily life as a fulfilling and powerful tradition.

Italian Folk Magic: Rue’s Kitchen Witchery

"The kitchen, my kitchen, is the room where nourishing meals are prepared. It is where afternoon coffee is brewed and stories shared. When someone doesn't feel well, it is where chicken soup simmers and herbal teas for any ailment are brewed. Stored in the cupboards are dishes and cups, some of which once graced my mother's kitchen. It is where my herbs, spices, and oils are stored. It is the room where old friends sit and enjoy a cookie with freshly brewed espresso and share their joys and sorrows. It's where I go to pray. I meditate while I clean and pray while I cook. It is the room where most of my memories live. It is my temple, shrine, and altar." 

—Mary-Grace Fahrun, Italian Folk Magic: Rue’s Kitchen Witchery

Italian Folk Magic is a fascinating journey through the magical, folkloric, and healing traditions of Italy with an emphasis on the practical. The reader learns uniquely Italian methods of magical protection and divination and spells for love, sex, control, and revenge.

The book contains magical and religious rituals and prayers and explores divination techniques, crafting, blessing rituals, witchcraft, and, of course, the evil eye, known as malocchio in Italian―the author explains what it is, where it comes from, and, crucially, how to get rid of it.

This book can help Italians regain their magical heritage, but Italian folk magic is a beautiful, powerful, and effective magical tradition that is accessible to anyone who wants to learn it.