Medieval folk had long suspected that the Devil was carrying out his work on earth with the help of his minions. In 1484, Pope Innocent VIII declared this to be true, which resulted in witch-hunts across Europe that lasted for nearly 200 years. In 1645, England – and Essex in particular – was in the grip of witch fever. Between 1560 and 1680, 317 women and 23 men were tried for witchcraft in Essex alone, and over 100 were hanged. Essex Witches includes biographies of many of the local common folk who were tried in the courts for their beliefs and practice in herbal remedies and potions, and for causing the deaths of neighbours and even family members. These unfortunate citizens suffered the harshest penalties for their alleged sorcery and demonic ways, and those punishments are recorded here.

This thorough writing enables the curious seeker to pin down a truly progressive path in perhaps one of the oldest forms of spiritual and magical awareness. To initiates and those in the know, 'the old religion' gives a name to this path. More commonly, the old religion is called Wicca. In this book, you'll find the means to realise your position as a natural born magician. This book encourages the reader to become aware of the symbolic meanings associated with witches tools like the pentacle. Once the reader understands what the pentacle represents, they can enter into the world of creating energetic influences, or magic. This book gives a solid, straightforward grounding into what the Old Gods mean, working with the elemental forces, casting magical circles, practising Sabbat ceremonies and much more. The author, Nigel Cox, is a practising witch who brings his knowledge of witchcraft and the old religion into an easy to read and straightforward way, encouraging those interested in this pagan path to move confidently into it, and if the reader chooses, initiate as a witch and develop a meaningful relationship with the old gods, witchcraft and the old religion.