Sister Karol's Book of Spells, Blessings & Folk Magic - Softcover

Karol Jackowski's life as a nun began in 1964, when she joined the Sisters of the Holy Cross in South Bend, Indiana. She graduated from Saint Mary's College in South Bend in 1969 with a BA in sociology and then from the University of Notre Dame in 1974 with an MA in theology. Karol spent half of her life as a nun at Saint Mary's College, first as a student and then as an administrator in various capacities. In 1990, she moved to New York City to finish her PhD at New York University. During this time, she was also the chief operating officer of an East Village novelty store called Alphabets. In 1995, Karol left the Sisters of the Holy Cross and became part of the Sisters for Christian Community, an independent, self-governing sisterhood. She is the author of numerous books and an acclaimed artist, whose work is in private collections and displayed in the Veselka restaurant in New York's East Village.

"Here are spiritual recipes, complete with instructions to conjure the best in any situation life throws at you, whether you need the magic of belief, the antidote for snark, or blessings for abundance, Sister Karol has the cure. Witty and wise, this is magic for all folks, great and small, and anyone knows a Godwink when they see one." --Adriana Trigiani, bestselling author of Tony's Wife (Adriana Trigiani)

"Sister Karol's Book of Spells, Blessings and Folk Magic is a wonderful little book that looks at prayer, belief and miracles through a new lens. Sister Karol, a Roman Catholic nun embraces all religions and spiritualities, without judgment, by giving us the tools to find the “magic” in our lives through prayer and ritual. In this way, she takes down the boundaries between us and she makes it fun! As she interchanges words to reach all people, we are meant to see the similarities between belief systems. She implores us to be positive and believe in the magic that comes from knowing that “wishes” really do come true. Sister Karol shows us that prayer is not just articulation of words but also includes living and following with creating rituals and alters that bring God into our lives constantly. Our life is a prayer. Abracadabra ...Amen." --Anna Raimondi, author of Conversations with Mary: Messages of Healing, Hope, and Unity for Everyone (Anna Raimondi)

"Whether you are a novice or, like me, have been a life-long practitioner of folk magic, Sister Karol’s Book of Spells, Blessings & Folk Magic by Karol Jackowski will feed your heart and soul in a way and in places you didn’t even know were starving. It is the book I have been craving and searching for forever and I am so grateful that she wrote it. In the first part of her divine, inspired book, you will feel Sister Karol’s spirit with you as she gently calls you back to the God within us all. In our busy mundane lives, it is so easy to place our spirituality on the back burner. Novices will be gently introduced to straightforward practical ways on how to approach and create their own spirituality, and how to incorporate it into their daily lives. As a more experienced practitioner, the first part of Sister Karol’s book helped me to call back all the scattered pieces of myself and refocus my spiritual practice. The real gift her book gave me however is confirmation that there are other people like me, a sense of belonging to a solitary practitioner. The second part of her book contains beautiful spells, blessings, prayers and folk magic from numerous religious traditions. Many I already know and felt like coming home, but so many were new and exciting to me and felt like a new adventure! This is a beautiful, sacred, and important book that I look forward to sharing with everyone I know." --Mary-Grace Fahrun, author of Italian Folk Magic: Rue's Kitchen Witchery (Mary-Grace Fahrun)

"If you are a witch who calls on the saints like I do, you will fall in love with Sister Karol’s Book of Spells, Blessings, and Folk Magic. It is a book of magic, yes, but written by a woman steeped in the ritual and lore of Catholicism. Sister Karol shows us what a life of prayer can look like, gives the reader practical magical advice, and reminds us that spirits want to visit us, too. It’s not just us reaching out to them, but them reaching in. You can read the book straight through or read it as needed, like many spell books. She's giving us more than mere instruction though. Sister Karol writes from a mystical heart. It’s a grimoire of love. After finishing it, I couldn’t wait to get home to my altar." --Aliza Einhorn, author of The Little Book of Saturn (Aliza Einhorn)

"For those who believe that a Catholic nun would have no idea or concept regarding the intricacies of magical spellwork, think again! From setting up magical altars to dressing candles, working with incense, and reciting magical prayers, Sister Karol has captured and presented what I believe to be the Catholic version of Hoodoo. Based on religious beliefs, many people avoid practicing magic because they fear spiritual consequences, convinced that it is “sinful” to to do so. Well, fear no more! Sister Karol’s Book of Spells, Blessings, and Folk Magic provides numerous spells including those for gambling; money drawing; love drawing; ancestor work, and even binding your enemies--all in a context that is not only untainted from iniquities, but also teaches us to work them alongside God and the Holy Deities. Prayers are basically magical incantations, and Sister Karol teaches us how to implement these incantations, provided to us in the Holy Bible, alongside our altar work. I’m so excited and can’t wait to incorporate many of Sister’s Karol’s spells into my own practice! This book is phenomenal!" --Miss Aida, author, psychic, Hoodoo practitioner, and Catholic Spiritualist. www.MissAida.com (Miss Aida)

"Sister Karol’s Book of Spells, Blessings & Folk Magic is a luminous source of wisdom and inspiration. There is something for everyone and every occasion: from baby blessings to wedding ceremonies, spells for real estate, true love, and safe travel as well as timeless prayers. Keep it close by; for like a beloved companion, you will return to it often." --Virginia Bell, astrologer and author of Midlife Is Not A Crisis: Using Astrology To Thrive In The Second Half Of Life (Virgina Bell)

"This gift of Karol Jackowski’s wisdom, spirit, energy and hope arrives with perfect timing in a world that desperately needs these recipes for creation of holy magic in our hearts, homes, and beyond. I also greatly cheer the added bonus of the chance to sink into yet another rich work by this fascinating writer and woman. Those with ---or even without---a crumb of religiosity or spirituality are sure to find a new guru, and best friend." –Suzanne Strempek Shea, award-winning author of Sundays in America, Make a Wish But Not for Money, and other books (Suzanne Strempek Shea)

"Sister Karol’s Book of Spells, Blessings, and Folk Magic, by Karol Jackowski, is a pleasant surprise. Having been raised Roman Catholic myself, I recognized immediately how Sister Karol has crafted a blend of workings loosely based on the order of Catholic ritual and the use of Catholic sacramentals with her own creativity drawn from other sources of inspiration. If the magical side of the Christian faith is appealing to you, you will find a very workable system here with everything needed. Sister Karol has written her Book of Spells in such a manner that, even if you are new to magical work, you will have no problem getting positive results. The secret is your intention and application of what Sister Karol teaches you within these pages." --C.R. Bilardi, author of The Red Church or the Art of Pennsylvania German Braucherei and Wapallopen Luzerne County: A forgotten Pennsylvania Dutch Enclave (C. R. Bilardi)

"Open Sister Karol’s Book of Spells, Blessings and Folk Magic, and you will open your heart to possibility and connection. You’ll also be prepared to welcome new babies, bless your pets, and celebrate your birthday with your spirit guides. Sister Karol delivers holiness with a smile and a wink, offering practical magic with a divine assist. Warning to readers: This book will cast a joyful spell on you." --Kate Whouley, author of Remembering the Music, Forgetting the Words (Kate Whouley)

"There are many who have written about magic and folklore, but not many of these books have been written by a nun. Karol Jackowski has created a way to unearth a familiar, ancient sense of true esoteric faith, reminiscent of a way of life once lived before the modern world took hold. Karol's knowledge of saints and diverse traditions is impeccable and her practice of magic powerful. With each page, you can almost taste the essence of sacred light flowing out from within her words.

The perception of a nun's monastic life leads one to conjure thoughts of hermetic days enclosed in strict confinement of spiritual views, but Karol breaks all the misconceptions and barriers and illuminates a path we have all longed for deep inside ourselves. This book is a revelation, as Sister Karol's Book of Spells, Blessings & Folk Magic is an invitation to re-embrace our world as a sacred form of magic in itself. Weaving between blessings for babies, sacred prayers, purifications, and altar work, there is something for everyone to draw upon and immerse into their daily life. This is a powerful companion for inner mystics to steer their heart's compass to the divine in life." –Andrés Engracia, author of Saints and Mystics Reading Cards

(Andrés Engracia)