Welcome to Cornish Witchcraft-Books

BOOKS

Titles exploring witchcraft, folk-magic, tradition and custom
from Cornwall and the West Country

Traditional Witchcraft - A Cornish Book of Ways
by Gemma Gary
New Second Edition

"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

Available now from Troy Books. Click here for details

“Cornwall, and the West Country in general, has a long history of traditional witchcraft. In this book a native the county describes a modern version of these beliefs and practices. Gemma Gary explores the relationship between the witch, the underworld and the dead, the androgynous horned god Bucca who is patron deity of the Cornish witch cult, places of power in the landscape, pixy lore, ritual tools, the witches’ compass or circle, charms and spells, divination and spirit communication, lunar rites and seasonal festivals, and adds a self-dedication rite into the Cornish Craft for good measure. Highly recommended.”

Mike Howard – The Cauldron

Village Witch
by Cassandra Latham - Jones

Village Witch describes life as a Village Wisewoman in the wilds of West Cornwall. The first part of the book documents the tortuous and sometimes harrowing journey to achieve this unusual occupation. It is a tale that ultimately moves through surviving and into thriving. Cassandra’s past experiences directly inform her present practice and are intrinsic to being a wisewoman – she acquires wisdom from actively experiencing and observing the vagaries of life. As part of her work she travels around the country giving talks about her profession, and without exception is asked each time what brought her to become a village wisewoman
Many people want to hear about that journey and this is one of the reasons for deciding to write the book. Following on from this, Cassandra tells of the practice of her craft, which includes many stories and observations regarding the day-to-day experiences of a traditional wisewoman including her personal approach to magic.At present the market is flooded with ‘how-to-do’ books on witchcraft and associated themes. Almost without exception they inform in an authoritative way often including a cookbook of spells. There is far more to the Craft of the Wise than simply following someone else’s recipes for performing magic. It entails old-fashioned qualities such as hard work, discipline, dedication and commitment. This book differs in that it describes the ‘why’ as well as the ‘how’ and in that sense challenges the reader to question and explore their own experiences of the worlds magical. Click Here for purchasing details from Troy Books

Devon Witchcraft and Foolk Ways Sarah Hewett

This fascinating collection of West Country ‘old ways’ was originally gathered by Sarah Hewett as part of her book ‘Nummits and Crummits’ first published in 1900 at a time when many of the old Devonshire folk beliefs and practices were retained by living memory or even continued. The selection presented here forms a veritable treasure trove of West Country customs, beliefs and magical practices including Witch charms for healing and protection, the casting and countering of curses, love divinations, seasonal superstitions and customs, omens and death tokens, dream interpretation, things lucky and unlucky, evil days of the year, weather lore and ‘wise saws’ and more.
Devon Witchcraft and Folk Ways will be a worthy addition to the bookshelves of those with an interest in regional folk beliefs, customs and magic. 95 pages, illustrated with line drawings and images Paperback Edition: £8.99 Purchase direct from Troy Books

The Cornish Traditional Year Simon Reed

Just as the language of Cornwall is crucial to the continued survival of the Cornish people, so it is equally crucial to practice and understand our distinctive Cornish calendar. This book presents to all the people of Cornwall the full exposition of the yearly cycle that forms such an important part of our culture. Celebrating together leads to strong communities and positive sense of identity, by adopting, reviving or preserving this heritage we take giant steps towards ensuring the future of the Cornish culture into the 21st Century and beyond. 125 pages, illustrated with line drawings and photographs Paperback Edition: £9.99
Purchase direct from Troy Books

An Joan The Crone The History & Craft of the Cornish Witch The term "An Joan" is the traditional name once applied to a Cornish witch. In this history of the Cornish witch, Kelvin I. Jones pieces together a fascinating account of four centuries of the work and reputations of Cornish witches. The book also includes a detailed A to Z of witchcraft in Cornwall. This is the most detailed study ever attempted on the subject of Cornish Witchcraft. Click on the tile below, or on the image for current prices & purchase information with Amazon
An Joan the Crone: The History and Craft of the Cornish Witch

OCCULT CORNWALL Magic, Witchcraft & the Supernatural in Cornwall Because of its isolated position, Cornwall has always had its fair share of occult history. In this detailed Study, Kelvin I. Jones provides us a rare glimpse into the fascinating world of witches, wizards, magicians and exorcists in this wild and remote county. A rich compendium of magic and the supernatural in Cornwall Click on the tile below, or on the image for current prices & purchase information with Amazon
Occult Cornwall: Magic, Witchcraft and the Supernatural in Cornwall

PAGAN CORNWALL Land of the Goddess This book discovers a continuity of Goddess-tradition in remote Cornwall from ancient times right up to the present day, using evidence from archaeological research, folklore and legend and rural tradition and custom. Rich in information the book is also alive with photographs and artwork by Goddess celebrating women artists living in Cornwall. Click on the tile below, or on the image for current prices & purchase information with Amazon
Pagan Cornwall: Land of the Goddess

TREADNG THE MILL Practical Craft Working in Modern Traditional Witchcraft This book is concerned with the traditions pre-dating the Gardnerian revival and concentrates on the practical aspects of Traditional Witchcraft. It covers such areas as creating the Compass; crafting and use of wands; sacred wines and brews and the mysteries of the cup; practical spell crafting using words, herbs, oils, salves and natural objects; trance working techniques, including instructions for soul flight; working with natural Spirits, familiars, the fetch, the ancestors and faerie realms; approaching and working with the Witch God and Goddess in various aspects. A book for the serious student of real Witchcraft. Paperback, 248pp. Click on the tile below, or on the image for current prices & purchase information with Amazon
Treading the Mill: Practical CraftWorking in Modern Traditional Witchcraft

Call of the Horned Piper A practical Grimoire of Traditional Witchcraft. Covering the archetypes & myths of the Traditional Craft exploring the inner symbology of the old Witchcraft religion, the sacred cycle, working tools, incantations, spells, path working, spirit lines, knots & thread lore & more. The text is complimented beautifully by the author's original artwork Click on the tile below, or on the image for current prices & purchase information with Amazon
The Call of the Horned Piper

WITCHA - A Book of Cunning WITCHA presents many secrets of English witchcraft, giving details of widdershins and deosil circle casting, spell-craft, divination, spiritism, sabbats and esbats, sacrifice, entheogens, philosophy, history, and more. The focus is primarily upon ‘operative witchcraft' of ‘results' and ‘getting things done', rather than the supposedly more ‘spiritual' aspects that have been the subject of so many books of late. Illustrated with photographs detailing, with their kind permission and support, exhibits from the Museum of Witchcraft , Boscastle Click on the tile below, or on the image for current prices & purchase information with Amazon
Witcha: A Book of Cunning

THE AZOETIA A Grimoire of the Sabbatic Craft One of the most sought-after new magical works of our time and may be regarded as the foundation text of the Sabbatic Craft Tradition in its present phase of work. Comprised of three main parts: an exposition of preliminary magico-aesthetic formulae with detailed descriptions of working tools; the full text of the Sabbatic Rituals of Ingress, Congress, and Egress; and an eleven-chaptered Grimoirium detailing the arcana and composite practices of the Sacred Alphabet - the twenty-two lettered code of sorcerous principles underlying the practical spectrum of the Arte Magical. Click on the tile below, or on the image for current prices & purchase information with Amazon
The Azoëtia: A grimoire of the sabbatic craft
QUTUB - THE POINT Andrew D. Chumbley The Arcanum of the Opposer, a magical formula of the Crooked Path concerning the Powers of Self-overcoming. The book defines and illustrates the Design of Crooked Path Sorcery through a series of 72 arcane poetic verses of Qutub, Point and Axis of the World, weaving a rich tapestry to which is appended a scholarly commentary. This Illumination ultimately comprises the body of the Dragon of Eld, the Ancient Serpent of Light whose totality manifests within the miscrocosmic earth as the Great Opposer, whose Rite is included in the book. Click on the tile below, or on the image for current prices & purchase information with Amazon
Qutub: The Point

CUNNING FOLK & FAMILIAR SPIRITS The first comprehensive examination of popular familiar belief in early modern Britain. Providing an in-depth analysis of the correlation between early modern British magic and tribal shamanism, the experiential dimension of popular magic and witchcraft in early modern Britain, and explores the links between British fairy beliefs and witch beliefs. In the hundreds of confessions relating to witchcraft and sorcery trials in early modern Britain there are detailed descriptions of working relationships between magical practitioners and familiar spirits of either human or animal form. Click on the tile below, or on the image for current prices & purchase information with Amazon
Cunning Folk and Familiar Spirits: Shamanistic Visionary Traditions in Early Modern British Witchcraft and Magic

CUNNING FOLK - Popular Magic in English History Local practitioners of magic, providing small-scale but valued services to the community. Mostly un-sensational in their approach, cunning-folk helped people with everyday problems: how to find lost objects; how to escape from bad luck or a suspected spell; and how to attract a lover or keep the love of a husband or wife. While cunning-folk sometimes fell foul of the authorities, both church and state often turned a blind eye to their existence and practices. In a world of uncertainty, before insurance and modern science, cunning-folk played an important role that has previously been ignored. Click on the tile below, or on the image for current prices & purchase information with Amazon
Popular Magic: Cunning-folk in English History

THE PICKINGILL PAPERS George Pickingill (1816 -1909) was said to be the leader of the witches in Canewdon, Essex. A fascinating collection of correspondence looking in detail at not only the differences between the Traditional Cunning Craft & modern Wicca but also exploring possible common roots, the relationship between the Hereditary Craft & Gardnerian Wicca, the influence of Freemasonry on the medieval witch cult, sex magic, ley lines, earth energy, prehistoric shamanism, the East Anglian lodges of Cunning Men & much more. Click on the tile below, or on the image for current prices & purchase information with Amazon
The Pickingill Papers: The Origin of the Gardnerian Craft

Witchcraft A Tradition Renewed Evan John Jones with Doreen Valiente First published in 1990, the authors delve deep into modern witchcraft, exploring the secrets of ancient rituals and its philosophy. The rudiments of the craft and nature of the rites are shown to revolve around traditional witchcraft passed down through families from earliest times, rather than the modern Gardnerian and Alexandrian versions. An essential for those interested in the Craft of Robert Cochrane and The Clan of Tubal Cain. Click on the title below, or on the image for current prices & purchase information with Amazon
Witchcraft: A Tradition Renewed

WITCHCRAFT for TOMORROW Doreen Valiente witch songs, spells, incantations, the running of a coven, acquiring a collection of magical implements, methods of divination and other witch lore. Valiente shows how the oral traditions of witchcraft throw light not only upon the origins of the present-day witch cult and the activities of Cunning Man George Pickingill and his covens, but also upon the mystery of the founding of the famous magical order, the Golden Dawn. Also discussed is the relationship between the witchcraft of Britain and Europe with the magical belief of the Far East. Do both traditions hark back to the legendary city of Shamballah and to the shamanistic practices of Asia? And, why do the secret circles of the witches resemble those of the Tantric sex-magic of India? Click on the title below, or on the image for current prices & purchase information with Amazon
Witchcraft for Tomorrow

An ABC of WITCHCRAFT PAST and PRESENT Doreen Valiente This volume, is intended to be not merely a guide to the many strange byways of witchcraft. The book seeks to be a serious contribution to the study of a subject long obscured by prejudice and sensationalism. The author sees witchcraft as being more than spells, charms, or even secret meetings and rituals; it is a philosophy and a way of life. It claims to be the oldest form of religion, that of nature-worship and magic. Click on the title below, or on the image for current prices & purchase information with Amazon
An ABC of Witchcraft Past and Present

The REBIRTH of WITCHCRAFT Doreen Valiente This classic work is now available for the first time in paperback. Doreen Valiente, one of witchcraft's most widely known figures, was a close friend of the late Gerald Gardner,Initiated by him and for a time High Priestess of his coven, Doreen Valiente helped him rewrite his seminal "Book of Shadows". She records the break with Gardner that split his coven, the controversy surrounding Alex Sanders, "King of the Witches" and memories of many other witches whom she has known, including the lady called 'Dafo', Robert Cochrane, Leslie Roberts and Sybil Leek. Click on the title below, or on the image for current prices & purchase information with Amazon
The Rebirth of Witchcraft

NATURAL MAGIC Doreen Valiente Did you know...that the thickness of the layers in a locally grown onion will indicate the severity of the coming winter? Magic is all around us in stones, flowers, stars, the dawn wind and the sunset cloud. Doreen Valiente shows how to practice the age-old white magic which has been familiar to the Wise Ones for centuries. This book helps you tap the magic of: herbs and flowers; amulets and talismans; Water, Air, Earth, and Fire; card reading; numbers and colours; weather predicting; love relationships; dreams; birds and animals; traditional Spells; and much more. Valiente Click on the title below, or on the image for current prices & purchase information with Amazon
Natural Magic

The ROBERT COCHRANE LETTERS An Insight into Modern Traditional Witchcraft Robert Cochrane, with Evan John Jones and Michael Howard. Robert Cochrane is still one of the most controversial figures in contemporary witchcraft nearly 40 years after his death. This books details his letters dealing with magical/Craft topics written to Joe Wilson, founder of the 1734 Tradition, Norman Gills, a traditional witch and ‘cunning man’ of the old type with Romany ancestry and William ‘Bill’ Gray, well known in the 1960s as a writer on the Cabbala and a ceremonial magician. The decision was taken to publish these letters, with notes to explain their contents and place them in their historical context - this book is the result. Click on the title below, or on the image for current prices & purchase information with Amazon
The Robert Cochrane Letters: An Insight into Modern Traditional Witchcraft

The ROEBUCK in the THICKET An Anthology of the Robert Cochrane Tradition by Evan John Jones and Robert Cochrane, edited by Mike Howard. The Roebuck in the Thicket contains information about Robert Cochrane, his coven - The Clan of Tubal Cain, their rituals, teachings and beliefs and his workings written by himself to Evan John Jones, with additional writings by Evan John Jones. Click on the title below, or on the image for current prices & purchase information with Amazon
The Roebuck in the Thicket: An Anthology of the Robert Cochrane Tradition

A WITCH ALONE Marian Green Written for serious practitioners, Marian Green's Witch Alone: Thirteen Moons to Master Natural Magic guides those who wish to learn the "old religion" without the aid of a coven. Densely written in serious tone, Witch Alone is nonetheless an inspiring and poetic read. Exercises at the end of each chapter are designed to take a full 28 nights to accomplish, and are designed to progressively lead one on the path to success. For those committed to learning solitary witchcraft, Witch Alone is a must-read. Click on the title below, or on the image for current prices & purchase information with Amazon
A Witch Alone: Thirteen Moons to Master Natural Magic

MASKS of MISRULE Nigel Jackson A study of the Horned God in the Traditional Witchcraft of Britain and Europe. Subjects covered include the Master of the Beasts, the White Stag of Annwyn and the Horned God of Celtia; Cycles of the Midnight Hunt and the Furious Host, Riding the Stang, Saturnus and the Cult of Misrule; the Masques of Old Scrat; the Sabbat of the Sorcerers, the Red Bones of Resurrection and the symbology of the Skull and Crossbones in Witchcraft; Old Pouck, Satyrs and the God of the Goatskins, Robin Goodfellow and the Pwca: the Great God Faunus, The Horned Lord of Horsemen and Shepherds; The Horned God as Coal-Black Smith; Tubal Qayin, and much more....In addition to the theoretical knowledge, the reader is given a number of Traditional Rituals: The Rite of the Horns of Misrule, The Ceremony of the Red Bones, The Knowledge of the Green One and The Fire of Qayin, making this volume an esoteric grimoire of the inner Religion of the Horned One. Click on the title below, or on the image for current prices & purchase information with Amazon
Masks of Misrule: Horned God and His Cult in Europe

DEFENCES against the WITCHES' CRAFT John Canard - An English Root Magician For centuries curses, hexes and the 'evil eye' were seen as part of daily life in rural England, resulting in a rich heritage of folklore & apotropaic magickal practices. Such charms as Witch Bottles, Witch Balls, Hagstones, Horseshoes and Brasses, Magick Squares, Abracadabra, Rowan and Red Thread, Flint Arrowheads and Pebble Charms were often made from readily available natural materials. Here English Root Magician John Canard provides insights on how to find out if you have been cursed, detecting the perpetrator through dowsing, how to destroy magickal links, nail footprints, work with Church Grims and construct the Archangel Haniel's charm. Drawing from his own extensive research of English folk magick, the grimoire traditions, witchcraft and cunning - the author shares many unique insights and rare lore never published before. Click on the title below, or on the image for current prices & purchase information with Amazon
Defences Against the Witches' Craft: Anti-cursing Charms from English Folk Magick, Traditional Witchcraft and the Grimoire Traditions

SECRETS of EAST ANGLIAN MAGIC Nigel Pennick by Nigel Pennick A new edition of this excellent book with many new illustrations making it much superior to the original version. A rich sourcebook for talismanic magic, charms against evil, household and animal magic, folk recipes, ceremonies of protection, curative spells and recipes, offering a unique and fascinating insight into the little-known techniques and traditions of East Anglia, with emphasis on the practical, useful nature of ‘nameless art’ as a magical path to self-awareness. Click on the title below, or on the image for current prices & purchase information with Amazon
Secrets of East Anglian Magic
MASTERING WITCHCRAFT Paul Huson An enduring classic since its publication in 1970, Mastering Witchcraft is one of the best how-to manuals for those wishing to practice traditional European Witchcraft as a craft rather than a New Age religion. Starting from first principles, Huson instructs the novice step by step in the arts of circle casting, blessing and banning, the uses of amulets and talismans, philters, divination, necromancy, waxen images, knots, fascination, conjuration, magical familiars, spells to arouse passion or lust, attain vengeance, and of course, counter-spells to exorcize and annul the malice of others. "A genuine vade mecum." Click on the title below, or on the image for current prices & purchase information with Amazon
Mastering Witchcraft: A Practical Guide for Witches, Warlocks and Covens

Site Contents: Search Cornish Witchcraft using the search feature below Cornish Witchcraft Archive Containing articles, lore, image galleries and videos relating to Witchcraft and Paganism in Cornwall and the West Country. The Pellar Current IThe Traditional Craft in Cornwall Kord hag Olas Ros an Bucca - a founding Hearth of the Pellar Current, and Modern Traditional Cornish Witchcraft Links A list of sites relating to Traditional Witchcraft and Cornish Paganism, tradition, heritage and more