The Magical Household: Spells & Rituals for the Home by Scott Cunningham and David Harrington is a charming, practical, and deeply insightful guide to infusing everyday life with magic. Unlike books that focus on ceremonial magic or complex rituals, this book emphasizes simple, natural, and intuitive magical techniques for creating a sacred, protective, and prosperous home.
First published in 1983, this book remains a staple for witches, Pagans, and magical practitioners who want to turn their living space into a place of spiritual power and protection. Whether you live in a house, an apartment, or a small room, Cunningham and Harrington show that every home has a spirit, and every space can be enchanted.
Overview of the Book
This book is a comprehensive guide to household magic, covering topics such as protection, prosperity, harmony, and spiritual cleansing. It is structured around practical ways to make every aspect of your home magical.
1. The Home as a Sacred Space
Cunningham and Harrington introduce the idea that a home is not just a physical space but a spiritual entity. They discuss:
- The spiritual energy of a home and how it affects its inhabitants
- The importance of blessing and protecting a home
- How to build a relationship with the “spirit” of your house
They write:
“A home should not simply be a shelter; it should be a place of magic, energy, and spiritual comfort.”
2. Protection Magic for the Home
This section is filled with simple, effective ways to keep negative energy out of your home. It includes:
- Protective charms and talismans (horseshoes, iron nails, witch bottles)
- Doorway and threshold magic to keep harm from entering
- Using salt, herbs, and stones for protection
- Household wards and spiritual barriers
One of the book’s best protection techniques involves hanging a protective amulet near the front door and saying:
“May only love and light cross this threshold.”
3. Cleansing and Purifying the Home
The authors emphasize the importance of removing stagnant or negative energy, offering techniques such as:
- Burning herbs like sage, rosemary, and cedar for smoke cleansing
- Sprinkling salt water or using bells to break up negative energy
- Opening windows to invite fresh, vibrant energy into the home
- Placing bowls of vinegar or lemon water to absorb negativity
They remind us:
“Just as we cleanse our bodies, we must cleanse our homes to ensure spiritual balance.”
4. Bringing Prosperity and Luck into the Home
This section focuses on attracting abundance, luck, and financial stability through home-based magic. It includes:
- Kitchen witchery and food-based prosperity spells
- Money-drawing charms for the home
- Keeping a lucky broom by the door to “sweep in” wealth
- Using green candles and cinnamon for financial blessings
One simple prosperity spell they suggest is:
“Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar at the entrance of your home while envisioning prosperity flowing in.”
5. Household Spirits and Guardians
The authors explore the folklore of house spirits, including:
- Brownies, kobolds, and domovoi – spirits that help maintain a home’s well-being
- How to invite and honor friendly household spirits
- Offerings and rituals to keep spirits happy
They note:
“A house with a happy spirit is a house filled with love, laughter, and protection.”
6. Seasonal and Everyday Household Magic
The book also covers seasonal magic and everyday rituals, including:
- Celebrating the Wheel of the Year in the home
- Decorating with magical intent (flowers, colors, and symbols)
- Using fire, water, and light to balance a home’s energy
- Setting up a home altar for daily blessings
Cunningham and Harrington emphasize:
“Magic does not belong only in temples and sacred groves—it belongs in every kitchen, every bedroom, and every corner of the home.”
Strengths of the Book
1. Practical and Easy to Follow
Unlike books that focus on complex ceremonial rituals, The Magical Household is filled with simple techniques anyone can use. A reader commented:
“I love how this book makes magic feel like a natural part of everyday life. No fancy tools—just real, practical household magic!”
2. Emphasizes a Deep Connection to the Home
One of the book’s most powerful messages is that a home is more than just walls and furniture—it has its own energy, its own personality. The idea that we can interact with and care for our home on a spiritual level makes this book unique.
3. Timeless and Versatile
Even though the book was written in the 1980s, its teachings remain just as relevant today. Whether you live in a city apartment or a rural farmhouse, the magical principles can be adapted to any living situation.
4. Covers a Wide Range of Household Magic
This book includes a little bit of everything, making it a fantastic starting point for anyone interested in domestic magic. Readers will find:
✅ Protection spells
✅ Money and prosperity magic
✅ Cleansing rituals
✅ Kitchen witchery
✅ Seasonal celebrations
A reviewer noted:
“I keep this book on my kitchen shelf—it’s my go-to reference whenever I want to bless or cleanse my home.”
5. Perfect for Solitary Practitioners and Green Witches
For those who practice alone or prefer nature-based and intuitive magic, this book is a great companion. The focus on natural elements, herbs, and everyday rituals makes it ideal for green witches and folk practitioners.
Weaknesses of the Book
1. Lacks Historical and Cultural Context
While the book is practical and informative, it does not go into the historical roots of household magic. Some readers may wish for more background on folk traditions and cross-cultural comparisons.
A reviewer commented:
“I love the practical advice, but I wish it included more history on household spirits and old-world traditions.”
2. No Illustrations or Diagrams
The book does not include images, which may make it harder for visual learners to follow some techniques. A few illustrations of charms, home layouts, or altar setups would have made the book even better.
One reader wrote:
“I wish there were drawings of the protective symbols and charms—it would help to see them instead of just reading about them.”
3. May Feel Too Simple for Advanced Practitioners
This book is perfect for beginners, but witches who are already experienced in household magic may find some of the content too basic. If you’re looking for advanced spellwork or deep magical theory, this may not be the best resource.
A practitioner noted:
“It’s a great book, but if you’ve been practicing for years, you might not find much new information here.”
Personal Experience and Perspective
I first picked up The Magical Household when I was looking for ways to make my living space feel more sacred and protected. This book helped me realize that magic is not just something you do in ritual—it’s something you live, every day, in every corner of your home.
One of my favorite techniques is the practice of opening windows and ringing bells to cleanse a space—simple, but incredibly effective. I also love placing protective herbs near doorways and using firelight to purify a room.
Even though I’ve read many other books on magical home practices, I still return to this one whenever I want gentle, practical inspiration.
Conclusion: A Must-Have Guide for Domestic Magic
The Magical Household is a warm, practical, and timeless guide to home-based magic, offering simple but powerful ways to turn your home into a place of love, protection, and prosperity.
Recommended for:
✅ Beginners looking for an easy introduction to household magic
✅ Solitary practitioners and green witches
✅ Anyone wanting to create a spiritually powerful home
Not ideal for:
❌ Advanced witches looking for deep magical theory
❌ Those who prefer structured, ceremonial magic
❌ Readers wanting historical or cultural analysis