Book Review: Bones & Honey: A Heathen Prayer Book by Danielle Dulsky

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Over the years, I have had the distinct pleasure of reviewing Danielle Dulsky's books and oracle cards (except for Holy Wild Grimoire) and I come to you today with another Dulsky review. Unlike other authors, Dulsky's works are full of poetic prose, which can make the text difficult for some and a turn-off for others, especially for a non-fiction book. Personally, I enjoy reading her works, not to garner untold mysteries, but instead to act as a balm for my weary soul. Bones & Honey: A Heathen Prayer Book takes this to an entirely new level, offering thirteen ' books' each with thirteen prayers, incantations, poetry, and stories to nourish the soul, awaken the wilds within, empower your practice, and so much more.

Most books/chapters contain at least one story, most of which are folk tales from around the world. These were honestly my favorite parts, as folklore is my area of interest. To accompany each story is a prayer or incantation that incorporates the archetypes found in the folk tales, teaching the reader how to derive meaning from folk tales that apply to our everyday lives and magical practices. This is an excellent tool, for folklore novices and experts alike, as it is incredibly empowering to use folktales to empower and inform our magic. Not only are there engaging folktales, but most of the chapters consist of a series of prayers and incantations that can be used for just about every purpose in your life, including grief, prosperity, empowerment, ancestral connection, healing, astral travel, luck, and so much more. I personally found those in chapter 12 "Book of Shape-Shifters" to be most welcome this time of year, as well as parts of chapter 8 "Book of the Nameless Grandmothers" which includes ancestral magic and healing.

My largest complaint about this book is that many of the prayers, incantations, and poetry have no context other than a non-descriptive and sometimes cryptic title and "to..." statement. While some did contain an explanation as to what the prayer was for, these descriptions were sometimes difficult to decode as well. I would have appreciated more straightforward descriptions of how to use the prayers, incarnations, and poetry in my spiritual practice, instead of being left confused, bewildered, and lost. Maybe you will have an easier time decoding what "See Our Joy: To Giggle-Spit at the False Prophets" or "The Banshee's Wail: To Howl into a Haunted House" are truly meant for.

Despite some difficulties figuring out when the best time to use these prayers and incantations, I will say that they have inspired me to write my own heathen prayers, ones that resonate with my praxis and gnosis. If you have read and enjoyed the rest of Dulsky's work or you are looking to incorporate more prayer into your practice, then you are sure to enjoy Bones & Honey: A Heathen Prayer Book.

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