Description
• Explores witch’s familiars and fetches, animal magic, and the forms of witchcraft practiced by rural tradespeople, such as blacksmiths, herbalists, and artisans
• Offers practical insight into spells, charms, folk incantations, herbal medicine practices, amulets, sigils, and tools of the craft
• Details the evolution of public perception of witchcraft during England’s history, including the laws against witchcraft in place until the 1950s and witchcraft’s contentious relationship with the Christian church
In this practical guide, Nigel Pennick takes the reader on a journey through the practice of operative witchcraft in the British Isles from the Middle Ages and the Elizabethan era to the decriminalization of witchcraft in the 1950s and its practice today.
Highlighting uniquely English traditions, Pennick explores fetches and witch’s familiars, animal magic, and the forms of witchcraft practiced by rural tradespeople, such as blacksmiths, herbalists, and artisans, to reinforce their professional work and compel others to do their bidding, both man and beast. He provides actual spells, charms, and folk incantations, together with details about the magical use of quite a few herbs, including nightshades, the creation of amulets and sigils, protection against the Evil Eye, and using aromatic oils. Pennick explains the most productive times of day for several types of magic, how to identify places of power, and using the paraphernalia of operative witchcraft, such as the broom, the witches’ dial, and pins, nails and thorns. He explores the belief in three several types of witches: white witches, who offer help and healing for a fee; black witches, who harm others; and gray witches, who practice both white and black magic. Examining witchcraft’s contentious relationship with the Christian church, he investigates the persecution of witches during the United Kingdom and the British West Indies up until the mid-20th century. He offers a look into the changing public perceptions of witchcraft and the remedy of its followers in addition to revealing how English churchmen would offer magical solutions to the perceived threat of black witchcraft.
Painting an in-depth picture of English witchcraft, including how it relates to and differs from modern Wicca, Pennick reveals the foundation from which modern witchcraft arose. He shows how this context is necessary to effectively use these ancient skills and techniques and how the evolution of witchcraft will continue harmonizing the old ways with the new.
