Do Occult Audiobooks Count?
Did you really "read the book" if you listened to the audiobook?
A friend recently asked me if listening to audiobooks counts as reading. I hadn’t really thought of it as something people argue about, but apparently it was the hot topic for some reason on social media. Some say you need to read the text on a page for it to be considered reading, while others see listening to a book as just as legitimate. Being immersed in occult literature, I’m convinced that audiobooks absolutely qualify, especially given the unique challenges and styles of learning people have in general, nevertheless the magickal community. For those who are unfamiliar with me, I’m an occult author, but first and foremost I’m an occult bibliophile. I collect and hoard books (and also tarot/oracle decks) like a dragon hoards gold. To give you some proof, here are some snapshots of my home occult library. As you can see, I’m no stranger to the printed book or my love of sitting down with a nice paperback or hardcover book. I'm also a huge fan of Kindle books for the search and highlight functions. As an author, those features are incredibly helpful when I'm trying to find specific information in a book I've read, whether for quoting, citing a source, or just as a reference.
But I digress. Let’s circle back to audiobooks.
Reading can be impossible for people with vision issues, dyslexia, or ADHD. Audiobooks are essential for them. Saying audiobooks aren’t real reading ignores this reality and risks fostering ableism, something we must avoid. It’s like saying reading braille isn’t really reading—both ideas are completely wrong.
People have different ways of learning. Some understand things best by seeing them, others by hearing, and some through doing. For those who learn by listening, audiobooks can be incredibly helpful because they bring the material to life in a unique way. When dealing with complex or mystical subjects, hearing the words spoken aloud can make them easier to grasp. A narrator's voice adds layers of meaning through tone and rhythm that you might miss when just reading silently. This is especially meaningful with occult texts, where the sound and energy of words play an important role.
In magickal practices, finding what works best for you is essential and this includes the research process. Whether you connect more through writing, imagining, or speaking, the key is to tailor your approach to your own strengths. Listening to audiobooks is just another tool you can use to dive deeper into the material and build a stronger connection with the content.
Throughout history, sharing knowledge by word of mouth has been fundamental in magick and spiritual traditions. Before books were widely accessible, people passed down wisdom through stories and spoken teachings. Even today, this oral tradition remains a powerful way to learn and preserve these practices. Listening to audiobooks keeps an ancient tradition alive. It connects you with a practice that’s been vital for passing down knowledge over generations. Spoken words carry a unique power in magick— whether in chants, spells, or guided meditations. Audiobooks harness that power, letting you absorb information in a way that feels both current and timeless.
Bringing audiobooks into your magickal practice can add a lot of value. Whether you’re walking in nature, absorbing teachings on animism, or simply going about your day, these recordings allow you to weave spiritual study into your routine. Audiobooks offer a flexible way to engage with actively learning. With so many books now available in audio format, from classic occult works to modern ones, these teachings are more accessible than ever. No matter if you're on the go, tidying up, or just relaxing, audiobooks offer an easy way to bring your spiritual practice into your daily life. Sometimes they can even do things that traditional books can't.
For example, when I listen to a book, I notice things I might miss when reading. The narrator's voice brings out emotions and subtle details that add depth to the material. Listening allows me to experience the content in a way that feels more immediate and vivid. I can also close my eyes when listening to an audiobook, which is huge for helping me concentrate solely on the words being read. Hearing the words spoken aloud can make the material feel more immediate and engaging. The way a narrator emphasizes certain points or ideas can bring attention to things I might overlook when reading quietly. I’ve noticed that I often come up with new thoughts or insights while listening, as the flow and rhythm of the narration can trigger unique perspectives. For me, reading and listening work well together. Both reading and listening have their own benefits. By experiencing a text in both ways, I can understand it from different angles. No matter how I engage with the material, I keep finding new layers of meaning that enhance my connection to it.
For those interested in deepening their magickal practice through audiobooks, I’d encourage you to check out Psychic Witch and Mastering Magick, both of which have been brought to life by the insanely talented James Anderson Foster. Listening to him narrate these works, even though I wrote them, has given me a fresh perspective on my own material. It’s like hearing my words in a brand new way. My upcoming audiobook, The Psychic Art of Tarot, also narrated by him, is available for presale right now. These books are meant to help you connect with your psychic abilities and magickal practice, whether you’re diving in through listening or reading text.
Other News & Updates
🦉 Only 18 more days until my newest book, The Psychic Art of Tarot is released into the world! You can preorder it directly from Llewellyn, through Amazon, Audible or preorder signed copies directly from me.
🦉 Check out THE CIRCLE IS podCAST hosted by Rachel True and myself! We release an episode weekly. The latest episodes include Mitch Horowitz, Lilith Dorsey, Theresa Reed, and Chelsea Wolfe!
🦉 Pisces Witch, co-written by myself and Ivo Dominguez, Jr. is now available. You can grab it directly from Llewellyn, through Amazon, or get signed copies directly from me.
🦉 Ivo and I were interviewed in an instagram live for Amityville Apothecary. You can watch that here.
🦉 I found some spare copies of some of my book’s foreign translations laying around and am signing & selling the limited stock I have. Check what I have left here.
🦉 I was recently interviewed by Samuel David at BiblioSophia on youtube. You can watch it here.
🦉 I was recently interviewed by Adam Sartwell for the Temple of Witchcraft podcast. You can listen here.
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