Book Review: Moon Magick by Julia Halina Hadas

A Witch’s Companion Beneath the Moon’s Gaze

In a world saturated with moon books that wax poetic but wane in practicality, Julia Halina Hadas delivers a lunar grimoire that both enchants and empowers. The Modern Witchcraft Book of Moon Magick is less a passive read and more a magickal directive—an invitation to walk hand-in-hand with the moon across her many phases, armed with intention, intuition, and incense.

Julia’s voice throughout is crisp and informed, blending witchcraft, astrology, and ritual in a way that feels accessible without ever being simplistic. Whether you’re a seasoned moon devotee or a newly-minted night whisperer, there’s something in here that will catch your eye and stir your altar.

The Architecture of Lunar Power

Split into two primary sections, the book opens with foundational teachings on lunar influence—astronomical, astrological, and esoteric. This isn’t just a list of phases and what to do during them. Julia carefully constructs a cosmology, helping you feel the moon not as a concept but as a living, breathing force that pulses through your practice. Her approach respects the old ways while staying rooted in a modern context—a difficult balance, and one she holds with grace.

The second half of the book is where the real spellwork begins. Over 50 spells and rituals are included, tailored to each phase of the moon, with correspondences and adaptive guidance that helps you mold the magic to your needs. From waning introspections to waxing invocations, the book is a full-cycle spellcraft toolkit.

What Sets This Apart: The Hidden Gems

1. Masculine Moon Deities:
So many books ignore this entirely, but Julia makes room for the moon’s association with male divine energy. It’s a refreshing expansion that opens the door for more gender-inclusive understandings of lunar power—a subtle, but essential shift in the discourse.

2. Celestial Phenomena Made Practical:
Eclipses, supermoons, blue moons, black moons—these aren’t just astrological buzzwords here. Julia explains them through three lenses: scientific, calendrical, and astrological. The result? You don’t just know when they’re happening—you know what to do with them.

3. The Lunar Grimoire:
This section alone makes the book worth it. Julia treats the act of record-keeping not as homework but as sacred documentation—a living testimony of your witchcraft. She encourages reflection, observation, and pattern-tracking as acts of devotion. For the witch who wants more than fleeting results, this will feel like gold.

A Candle for Clarity

One of the book’s standout features is Julia’s straightforward approach to spellcasting. She demystifies the process without dumbing it down, walking the reader through everything from setting intention to release. It’s clear, grounded, and real—a boon for newer witches, and a welcome reset for those who may have become disconnected from the basics.

And Yet… A Witch Craves Fire

As powerful and comprehensive as this book is, there’s a faint ache beneath its polished surface—a longing for Julia’s unmistakable fire. Those familiar with her previous works (WitchCraft Cocktails, Moon, Magic, Mixology) know the delicious bite of her voice when she’s fully unfiltered. Here, there’s a gentle restraint. Less anecdote, less personality, more academic elegance.

That’s not a flaw per se, but a missed opportunity. The content is so strong, the framework so solid—it’s simply that a few more personal stories, even a dash of magickal vulnerability, would have transformed this from a textbook to a talisman.

A Worthy Grimoire

This isn’t just another moon book—it’s a moon manual. It’s thorough, it’s thoughtful, and it’s beautifully structured. For witches who crave structure, who want rituals that align with the skies and spells that echo the tides, The Modern Witchcraft Book of Moon Magick is a must.

Even if you’ve read dozens of lunar texts, this one will surprise you with its depth and coherence. And if you’re just beginning to court the moon? Julia will be a generous, grounded guide.

We’re left wanting more of her voice, but that’s a good thing. It means the work is stirring. And when the moon next rises full over your windowsill, you might just find yourself flipping back through these pages—talisman in hand, grimoire open, spell whispering on your lips.

Highly recommended.