As I attempted to digest stories of spiritual cannibalism, of curses that could cost a student her eyesight or ignite the pages of the books she read, I knew I was not alone in my skepticism. And yet, when I caught sight of the waving arms of an industrious scarecrow, the hair on the back of my neck would stand on end. It was most palpable at night, this creepy feeling, when the moon stayed low to the horizon and the dust kicked up in the breeze, reaching out and pulling back with ghostly fingers. There was something to this place that could be felt but not seen.

With these words, Karen Palmer takes us inside one of West Africa's witch camps, where hundreds of banished women struggle to survive under the watchful eye of a powerful wizard. Palmer arrived at the Gambaga witch camp with an outsider's sense of outrage, believing it was little more than a dumping ground for difficult women. Soon, however, she encountered stories she could not explain: a woman who confessed she'd attacked a girl given to her as a sacrifice; another one desperately trying to rid herself of the witchcraft she believed helped her kill dozens of people.

In "Spellbound, "Palmer brilliantly recounts the kaleidoscope of experiences that greeted her in the remote witch camps of northern Ghana, where more than 3,000 exiled women and men live in extreme poverty, many sentenced in a ceremony hinging on the death throes of a sacrificed chicken.

As she ventured deeper into Ghana's grasslands, Palmer found herself swinging between belief and disbelief. She was shown books that caught on fire for no reason and met diviners who accurately predicted the future. From the schoolteacher who believed Africa should use the power of its witches to gain wealth and prestige to the social worker who championed the rights of accused witches but also took his wife to a witch doctor, Palmer takes readers deep inside a shadowy layer of rural African society.

As the sheen of the exotic wore off, Palmer saw the camp for what it was: a hidden colony of women forced to rely on food scraps from the weekly market. She witnessed the way witchcraft preyed on people's fears and resentments. Witchcraft could be a comfort in times of distress, a way of explaining a crippling drought or the inexplicable loss of a child. It was a means of predicting the unpredictable and controlling the uncontrollable. But witchcraft was also a tool for social control. In this vivid, startling work of first-person reportage, Palmer sheds light on the plight of women in a rarely seen corner of the world.

The Book of Elven Magick, The Philosophy and Enchantments of the Seelie Elves, Volume 2, continues the progression of the color magicks and proceeds on into the nature and establishment of the Elven Vortex/Coven, and our theories on calling the directions/dimensions and much more. It is the completion of and companion to volume 1.

Faunalia is a controversial Pagan festival with a reputation for being wild and emotionally intense. It lasts five days, 80 people attend, and the two main rituals run most of the night. In the tantalisingly erotic Baphomet rite, participants encounter a hermaphroditic deity, enter a state of trance and dance naked around a bonfire. In the Underworld rite participants role play their own death, confronting grief and suffering. These rituals are understood as "shadow work" - a Jungian term that refers to practices that creatively engage repressed or hidden aspects of the self. Sex, Death and Witchcraft is a powerful application of relational theory to the study of religion and contemporary culture. It analyses Faunalia's rituals in terms of recent innovations in the sociology of religion and religious studies that focus on relational etiquette, lived religion, embodiment and performance. The sensuous and emotionally intense ritual performances at Faunalia transform both moral orientations and self-understandings. Participants develop an ethical practice that is individualistic, but also relational, and aesthetically mediated. Extensive extracts from interviews describe the rituals in participants' own words. The book combines rich and evocative description of the rituals with careful analysis of the social processes that shape people's experiences at this controversial Pagan festival.

2014 Reprint of 1946 Edition. Full facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. Intriguing, thoroughly researched volume provides expert historical view of demonology and the occult, drawing information from the Bible, literary classics, personal memoirs, correspondence, and court records. Scholarly, yet highly readable study defines witchcraft, then proceeds to examine ceremonial practices, the casting of spells and conjuring, celebration of the Black Mass, and much more. A masterfully written work for anyone interested in supernatural phenomena, this book has been hailed by critic H. L. Mencken as "learned, honest, and amusing." Summers made a lifelong study of this terrible yet important subject, the black and baleful shadow in our midst. He analyzes the historical traditions and present politics of this cult society, describing in detail its workings, its aims, its frantic proselytism, and its ends.

What is a priestess? Is she a ritualist? A leader? A shaman? A role model? A coach? A soothsayer? A sybil? Or is she all of these, or some of these, or none of these? This anthology is a vibrant tapestry of voices illuminating the roles and perspectives of priestesses in the ancient and modern worlds, and weaving them together to create the beautiful fabric of women's sacred service. The personal essays, academic articles, poetry, rituals and tools in this book will speak to your heart, inspiring you to step into your own spiritual authority.To see more about this volume and other Goddess Ink books, visit is at wwww.goddess-ink.com

Stewart Farrar was a World War II veteran, an accomplished script writer and a journalist who worked for many prominent and respected media companies such as Reuters and the newspaper Reveille. As a world traveller, Stewart had the opportunity to meet and work with many fascinating people and noted celebrities during his career. He was also a gifted photographer. In 1969, at the age of 53, he met Alex Sanders - the infamous "King of the Witches" - and his wife Maxine while interviewing the couple for Reveille. The encounter introduced him to a world of Witchcraft and magic and changed the course of his life. Farrar left his job as a journalist and devoted his life and career to writing about the Craft. The many books he authored on Witchcraft, together with his wife, Janet Farrar, have become widely read and respected works on the topic. Elizabeth Guerra and Janet Farrar have collaborated to record and explore Stewart Farrar's life and career in detail. This book tracks Farrar's development from an eager and talented adolescent to a college student and dedicated Communist to a gifted journalist and television, radio and film script writer and finally to his later life as a practitioner of Wicca and author of many non-fiction books and science fiction novels. Stewart Farrar found Witchcraft by accident but devoted the rest of his life to the subject by educating others. He became one of the most prolific and much loved writers on the subject, and in doing so, helped to make Wicca a viable and accessible path for many.

Gathered together for the first time, here you will find the ground breaking columns of Christopher Penczak from the first years of newWitch magazine. The City Witch column followed his experiences and insights traveling the country, interacting with the spirits of place in urban environments and the challenges of practicing magick on the road. City Witch continued the teachings found in his award winning book, City Magick. Through the introduction, learn about the impetus of the column and his reflections looking back on the book that started it all. City Witchcraft brings all the original articles together, with new editing and art, to provide inspiration for a new generation of Witches, magicians and shamans living on the road and in the city, helping them find the magick wherever they are.

How do we write about magic? Responding to a renewed interest in the history of the occult, this volume examines the role of magic in a series of methodological controversies in the humanities. In case studies ranging from the 'necromancy' of historiography to the strident rationalism of the 'New Atheism,' Magical Thinking sets out the surprising ways in which scholars and critics have imagined the occult. The volume argues that thinking and writing about magic has engendered multiple epistemological crises, profoundly unsettling the understanding of history and knowledge in Western culture. By examining how scholarly writing has contended and conspired with discourses of enchantment, the book reveals the implications of magic - and its scholarship - for intellectual history.

Druidry and Wicca are the two great streams of Western Pagan tradition. Both traditions are experiencing a renaissance all over the world, as more and more people seek a spirituality rooted in a love of nature and the land. Increasingly, readers are combining the ideas of both traditions to craft their own spiritual practice. In this down-to-earth, inspiring guide, Philip Carr-Gomm offers a name for this Path that draws on the common beliefs and practices of Wicca and Druidry: DruidCraft. DruidCraft draws on the traditions of scholarship, storytelling, magical craft and seasonal celebration of both the Craft and Druidry to offer inspiration, teachings, rituals, and magical techniques that can help you access your innate powers of creativity, intuition and healing.

The Book of Elven Magick: The Philosophy and Enchantments of the Seelie Elves, Volume 1, explores the Elven viewpoint concerning magick and the world, and traditional spiritual and religious myths. It covers the tools of magick and gives magical ceremonies that can be adapted for use by modern elves, magicians, and faerie folk. It is a unique and original take on magic and the world of Faerie.

Traditionally, the Witch's arsenal of magical power has always included the ability to influence others from a distance, blessing, cursing and placing a glamour or the Evil Eye on someone in order to reward, punish or control them in some way. Many of these techniques have been lost, though we can see their descendants in the techniques of mesmerism, faith healing and stage hypnotism.
As part of his exploration of Visceral Magick, Author and Witch Peter Paddon has rediscovered techniques and exercises that enable the practitioner to use gestures, gaze and energy connections to influence others from across a room, or in some cases around the world.
In this book, Peter describes the underlying theories and philosophies (drawing on the mysteries of Ancient Egypt, Pre-Christian Celtic Wales and medieval Christian Mysticism), and lays out a series of techniques and the exercises that develop the required skills to use them, on order to heal, curse, entrance, bless, and create illusions and other subtle influences in others to manipulate their thoughts and actions. He includes a discussion of the ethical ramifications of these techniques, as well as practical applications in ritual, spell-crafting and daily life.
Whether it is the "Evil Eye," "Jedi mind-tricks" or "defense against the Dark Arts," these techniques have been the mainstay of myth, legend and fantasy for millenia, but their place in our worldview stems from real magical tools wielded by our ancestors.
"Too often, the modern witchcraft movement has focused its attention on being an "acceptable" practice in a modern world. It has often sacrificed much of its unique contributions upon the altar of religion. Albeit, this aspect of our resurgence heeded a deep call and the initial sacrifice had wisdom and purpose. But as they say "how many stripes can a zebra loose before it is no longer a zebra?" In the case of the Craft, witches do witchcraft, and magic is at the heart of our soul; and we must return our "stripes." It is time for witches to be witches... and enchantment is one of the major stripes on the metaphorical zebra of witchery. Thank you Peter for bringing all of us to that state of spirit that wields the power of change through the arts of enchantment. This practice helps to give us back one of our most legendary attributes. My advice is that readers of this book apply the lore and techniques offered. It invites witches to wield the power of change upon self, the world and our universe. Now let's cast enchantment for a better life and a better world. It all starts in the mirror."
Orion Foxwood
Author of "The Candle and the Crossroads" 2012 Red Wheel Weiser
"Introduction to Southern Conjure" DVD 2009 Pendraig Publishing

This is a first-of-its-kind step-by-step guide that will help you produce genuine results in magic and become an actual wizard, witch, or necromancer. This book will grant you an understanding of the many forgotten mysteries of the occult. Since the beginning of time, the command of the divine has served as a leading source of debate in the Bible, history, and the deep learnings of life. In this unique book, we teach you the secrets of magic and the occult based on the Scripts of Osari The Wise (a real wizard from the late 1800s). Learn his secrets behind chaos magic, white magic, Druidism, witchcraft, and necromancy. The contents include: Secret understandings of the soul, magic, and meditation The practice of dark and white magic, exorcism, and Druidism A list of books you must read to develop the wizard in you The languages of wizards and witches A guide to wizards? meditation and mana regeneration How to practice witchcraft, necromancy, and wizardry Creating spells, potions, and magical symbols How to create your own magic staff, magic wand, and ring of power And much more... Full of rules, principles, tips, and techniques to help you become a wizard, witch, or necromancer, this book is for everyone who wishes to practice real Magic, and understands the difference between a real wizard and a fake one. Included are paragraphs from the unreleased "The Scripts Of Osari The Wise," which were suppressed and nearly destroyed by the Catholic Church in the early 1900s.

The Earth Child's Handbook
written and illustrated by Brigid Ashwood
The Earth Child's Handbook is a primer, reference, craft and activity book series for families that follow Pagan, Wiccan and Earth Based spiritual paths. Designed to appeal to all age groups (and grown-ups too ), the books address common Pagan belief and practices, explaining the principles and traditions behind them.
Each chapter features:
Recipes
Instructional craft projects
Coloring pages, mazes, connect-the-dots and word searches
Color, cut and assemble projects.
Younger children will delight in coloring pages and paper crafts. Older children will find educational fun with word searches, mazes, connect the dots and instructional crafts. And parents might find it a lifesaver with easy recipe ideas and inspiration for teaching and building Pagan traditions.
The Earth Child's Handbook - Book 1 features chapters on the joy of family and diversity, honoring the earth and the principles of the four elements, the universe and Pagan beliefs regarding the Sun and the Moon, explanation of Deities, an introduction to Magick and Ritual with simple spells and exercises, and a complete "color, cut and assemble" paper altar project.
Topics covered include Shapeshifting, Runes, Book of Shadows, Animal Guides, Chakras, Meditation, Astrological Signs, The Elements, Cycles of the Moon, Magickal Correspondences, Sun Deities, Moon Deities, Triple Goddess and Triple God, The Four Quarters and Casting a Circle.
Featured activities include making a Chakra shirt, rain stick, homemade face paints, herbal infusions, bath salts, a moon phase wheel, moon cake recipe, a complete "color, cut and assemble" paper altar and much, MUCH more.
Digital Edition available at http: //www.earthchildshandbook.com

Exu and the Quimbanda of Night and Fire is the companion to Pomba Gira. Together they give the most complete account of this sorcerous cult. Exu is the fusion of Umbanda, Angolan sorcery, European demonology and Kardec's Spiritsm, erupting in a uniquely Brazilian cult of practical magical action. Spells, workings, hierarchies and origins are all given in detail. This is an essential text for students of the grimoires, Satanism and Traditional Witchcraft, as well as those drawn to or working within the cults of Quimbanda, Candomble, Santeria, Palo Mayombe and the African diaspora religions. Quimbanda is a living tradition that gets results. It is a massive storehouse of magical lore, heresies and history which has absorbed aspects of Goetia, Grimorium Verum, Red Dragon and even Huysman's La Bas. The origin of Exu is explored from the iconic Baphomet of Eliphas Levi and the influence of St Cyprian, the patron saint of necromancers, back to Umbanda and the traditional African religions. Exu revels in a unique heritage that encompasses a Gnostic account of the crucifixion mystery, the concealed nature of St Michael Archangel and the native shamanism of the Caboclos. A forceful spirit, Exu presides over the kingdom of the world, and offers a fierce path for those that would take him as companion. The Seven Legions of Exus are 'hot' spirits, and their work is considered black magic. The perils of this work are given, with the dangers of obsession by the Qlippoth and vampirism described. Guidance is offered and the path to ascension shown. In Exu and the Quimbanda of Night and Fire Frisvold gives explicit workings for good and ill, a herbarium and details of offerings, powders and baths, songs and seals. He discusses the fearsome Exu Mor for the first time, a subject not treated in his previous works. Frisvold is an intiate and gives an insider's view, drawing upon his years of experience in the cult. With access to texts, manuscripts and personal testimony this is the most definitive work on Exu available in English.

Aradia is perhaps the first 20th century text of Witchcraft revival. It is repeatedly cited as being profoundly influential to the development of Wicca. The text corroborates the thesis of Margaret Murray that early modern and Renaissance witchcraft represented a survival of ancient pagan beliefs, The Charge of the Goddess, an important piece of liturgy used in Wiccan rituals, it was inspired by Aradia's speech in the first chapter of the book. Parts of the speech appeared in an early version of Gardnerian Wicca ritual.Wilder Publications is a green publisher. All of our books are printed to order. This reduces waste and helps us keep prices low while greatly reducing our impact on the environment.

This book provides impressive dossier on the phenomenon of Saturnism, offering a new interpretation of aspects of Judaism, including the emergence of Sabbateanism. This book explores the phenomenon of Saturnism, namely the belief that the planet Saturn, as described by ancient astrology, influenced Jews, reverberating into Jewish life. Taking into consideration the astrological aspects of Judaism, Moshe Idel demonstrates that they were instrumental in the conviction that Sabbatei Tzevei, the mid-17th-century messianic figure in Rabbinic Judaism, was indeed the Messiah. Offering a new approach to the study of this mass-movement known as Sabbateanism, Idel also explores the possible impact of astrology on the understanding of Sabbath as related to sorcery and thus to the concept of the encounter of witches in the late 14th and early 15th century. This book further analyzes aspects of 20th-century scholarship and thought influenced by Saturnism, particularly lingering themes in the works of Gershom Scholem and seminal figure Walter Benjamin. "The Robert and Arlene Kogod Library of Judaic Studies" publishes new research which provides new directions for modern Jewish thought and life and which serves to enhance the quality of dialogue between classical sources and the modern world. This book series reflects the mission of the Shalom Hartman Institute, a pluralistic research and leadership institute, at the forefront of Jewish thought and education. It empowers scholars, rabbis, educators and layleaders to develop new and diverse voices within the tradition, laying foundations for the future of Jewish life in Israel and around the world.

First published in 1984, Magical Rites from the Crystal Well is a single, elegant source for Neopagan lore, rites and celebrations. From the pages of the magazine Crystal Well, which in the 1960s and 1970s helped to shape the face of modern Earth-centered spirituality in America, comes a wealth of loving direction for people who want to reconnect wit htheir deep spiritual roots.
The workings are designed for groups large or small, but easily adaptable for solo practice. Within these pages you will find:
Celebrations of the seasons Pagan Festivals Rites of the Moon Magical Dance Candle Spells Rituals of Power Blessings and cleansings Rites of passage
So take your place in the sunlight, among the moonbeams, under the starshine, as you joyfully worship in the sanctuary of the Earth.

2011 Reprint of 1929 Edition. Full facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. Francesco Maria Guazzo was an Italian priest in Milan. In the "Compendium Maleficarum" (Compendium of the Witches), he cites numerous experts on the subject, among them Nicholas Remy. He describes the eleven formulas or ceremonies previous to the vow to Satan, allegedly necessary to participate of the Sabbath; besides, Guazzo offers detailed descriptions of the sexual relationships between men and succubi, and women and incubi. The book was not translated into English until 1929, when this was accomplished under the direction of the witchcraft scholar Montague Summers. It discusses witches' alleged powers to transport themselves from place to place, create living things, make beasts talk and the dead reappear. Also discusses witches' powers, poisons and crimes, sleep-inducing spells and methods for removing them, apparitions of demons and specters and more. Guazzo also established also a classification of the demons, inspired by a previous work by Michael Psellus.