Traditional Witchcraft - A Cornish Book of Ways "First published in 2008, this is a revised and expanded second edition of the author's well received book on modern Cornish traditional witchcraft. As Gemma Gary says in her new preface, there is no 'set in stone' organised witch tradition in Cornwall and folk magic practices have always been unique to their individual practitioners.However in this excellent book she has managed to expertly draw together a workable new tradition from historical sources and the surviving rites, charms and folk customs of Cornwall and the West Country. It provides a valuable resource and guide for beginners interested in practising Trad Craft. However this reviewer is sure that experienced practitioners will also learn from its contents. Very highly recommended." Mike Howard - The Cauldron "Traditional Witchcraft - A Cornish Book of Ways is a 21st century version of traditional Cornish witchcraft, of the kind recorded by Hunt, Bottrell and others. This is no neo-pagan or modern wiccan manual, but rather a deep drawing up into modern times of some of the ancient practices of lore and magic practised by the white witches, charmers, conjurers and pellars of the Cornish villages. Their presence was still current when the 18th and 19th century antiquarians and collectors recorded them, and, although the 20th century largely put paid to their activities, nevertheless their lore never completely disappeared, and it continues to provide inspiration for practitioners today. Gemma draws on this knowledge, not only from published material, but also from the experiences and workings of 'wise women' and country witches living today. Topics include the Cunning Path, the Dead and the Underworld (Fairy Faith), the Bucca, Places of Power in the villages and landscape, the Tools used by Cunning Folk (working versions of what can be seen, for example, in the Museum of Witchcraft), Village cunning, substances and charms, and Rites of the Year's Round. This book gathers much material together, some of which has not been seen in print before, and thus provides a sourcebook of magical workings in Cornwall today, which will be an invaluable reference" Cheryl Straffon - Meyn Mamvro

Traditional Witchcraft a Cornish Book of Ways

Religion & Spirituality

Gemma Gary

New Age & Spirituality

Troy Books

Traditional Witchcraft: A Cornish Book of Ways

Gary, Gemma

The Black Toad explores potent examples of the folk-ceremonial magical practices and witchcraft of the south-west of England; dealing especially with Devon and the author's homeland of Cornwall. Within the West Country, the popular belief in witchcraft and its attendant charms, magical practices and traditions continued to be observed and survived long after such ways had faded in most other parts of the British Isles. Described within The Black Toad is a collection of some of the fascinating magical practices and lore of the West Country's cunning folk and early modern witches; ways that have survived and evolved within the rarefied Craft of the area's modern day witchcraft practitioners of the old persuasion. As this book affirms, these ways of the Old Craft and Cunning Arte include a belief in and working relationship with the spirit forces of the land, the Faerie, animal and plant lore, as well as the magical use of Psalms to cure or curse, the invocation of Christ and the power of the Holy Trinity. "For all those who are interested in learning about the Old Path as it is taught and practiced today by West Country witches this book of practical magic and sorcery will be a revelation. As the late Cecil Williamson, founder of the witchcraft museum in Boscastle, North Cornwall and a modern cunning man himself, said and Gemma Gary's excellent book proves - "It still goes on today." Michael Howard

The Black Toad: West Country Witchcraft and Magic

The Cornish Traditional Year

Simon Reed

A Witch's Natural History

Watson, Giles

A collection of European folk magic charms, spells, rituals, remedies and prayers "The Long Hidden Friend" was written by John George Hohman, and first published in German as "Der Lange Verborgene Freund" in 1820, with later translations in English, eventually receiving the title "Pow-Wows"; or, "Long Lost Friend".
This edition is edited and illustrated by Gemma Gary.

The Long Hidden Friend

John George Hohman

With legends going back over a millennia, Wassailing is a fascinating and colourful part of the folklore and traditions of Britain. From the Apple Wassails of Devon and Somerset, to the Doll Wassails of Yorkshire, this ancient blessing tradition has adapted itself to every level of society from agricultural workers to Lords, even featuring in four plots to murder the Monarch of the day. This book by Simon Reed, author of The Cornish Traditional Year, examines every aspect of Wassailing with the hope that it will inspire people to revive and enjoy this important tradition.

Wassailing: The British Midwinter Blessing Custom

In this exploration of the Cornish Celtic Otherworld, Cheryl Straffon expertly guides us through a realm of traditional tales, stories, myths, legends and folklore wherein we encounter supernatural beings, such as fairies, piskeys, mermaids, witches, giants and other strange creatures. Between the Realms examines the writings of the folklorist collectors, and oral traditions born from the prehistoric sacred landscape of Cornwall. Cheryl explains how, in this material, we find themes and narratives strikingly similar to those encountered within much earlier works that refer to beliefs and events that were current in the ancient past. In turn we find that Celtic sagas and mythic tales seem to exhibit the same way of interfacing with the world of magic and spirit as seen in the beliefs and practices of many native indigenous peoples from around the world. As Cheryl tells us in her introduction to this book, 'It is a realm that has some similarities to our own, but one that is also strangely unfamiliar. It is a dangerous world to enter, but nevertheless one that can give new insights and experiences that change our world view when we return to our mundane world.'

Between the Realms: Cornish Myth and Magic

Politics & Social Sciences

Cheryl Straffon

Social Sciences

"Cecil Hugh Williamson (1909-1999) is, I believe, one of the great unsung heroes of the twilight world of folklore and witchcraft. He is probably best known for founding the Museum of Witchcraft in Boscastle, North Cornwall, which he ran up until midnight on All Hallows Eve 1996; three years before his passing over in to the spirit world. Unbeknown to many however, this was just part of a colourful and magical career that spanned most of the 20th century. This included working in a Rhodesian tobacco plantation, the pre-war film industry, the British secret services and, most importantly, devoting his life to the study of traditional witchcraft." In 1996, whilst helping the then new owner Graham King in refurbishments to the Museum of Witchcraft, Steve happened upon a handwritten manuscript entitled simply 'Witchcraft' and containing an intriguing pot-pourri of esoterica from the hand of the Museum's founder; Cecil Williamson. It is this manuscript which provides the basis for Steve's book which includes a full annotated transcript of the 'Witchcraft' manuscript, a history of Cecil Williamson and the Museum of Witchcraft, a treatise on Cecil Williamson's vision of traditional Witchcraft - the practices and the philosophy of the wayside witches, an account of his meetings with Aleister Crowley and Gerald Gardner, and a controversial account of his witnessing of the birth of 'Wicca'. The book is both a valuable reliquary of practices for the traditional witch, and a resource for folklorists and historians alike; telling the tale of a hitherto largely ignored, but hugely influential episode in modern occult history, and one of the great unsung heroes of the twilight world of folklore and witchcraft. The book is both a valuable reliquary of practices for the traditional witch, and a resource for folklorists and historians alike; telling the tale of a hitherto ignored, but hugely influential episode in modern occult history. A full annotated transcript of Cecil Williamson's "Witchcraft" manuscript. A History of Cecil Williamson and the Museum of Witchcraft. A treatise on Cecil Williamson's vision of traditional Witchcraft - the practices and the philosophy of the wayside witches. An account of his meetings with Alistair Crowley and Gerald Gardner, and a controversial account of his witnessing of the birth of 'Wicca'.

Cecil Williamsons Book of Witchcraft: A Grimoire of the Museum of Witchcraft

Patterson, Steve

Taking its name from the lost 'black book' of a famed Cambridgeshire witch, as well as plots of land sacrificed unto the spirits and the Old One himself, Nigel Pearson's 'The Devil's Plantation' guides the reader through the traditional witchcraft, old magic and folklore of East Anglia. This is an ancient landscape, and a melding pot for the beliefs, culture and magic of the various peoples who have inhabited it over its long history. And yet, until very recently, East Anglia has been a land 'set apart' and isolated amidst impassable marshes, Fens and uncleared Forests. Thus East Anglia is a landscape in which 'the good folk', land drakes, land wights, meremaids, giants, spectral hounds, saintly miracles, wort Cunning, toad lore, folk magic and indeed witchcraft have been nurtured and continue to play a part in the lives of the people of what has aptly been named 'Witch Country'.

Grehge ntation: East Anglian Lore, Witchcraft & Folk-Magic

Nigel G. Pearson

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