Seeking Recommendation Best books on traditional folk magic and witchcraft?

[Agr1ppa]

Hello,

I’m looking to begin studying traditional cunning folk magic and witchcraft, preferably nothing Gardnerian or New Age, and I’m wondering what books you guys could recommend. I’m already aware of Dr. Stephen Skinner’s “A Cunning Man’s Grimoire” and “The Cunning Man’s Handbook” by Jim Baker; I’d like more practical texts like these on the subject. I’m also looking to study the development of cunning folk magic traditions/witchcraft, so if you have any academic history books recommendations, please post them.
Thanks!

 

[Morell]

What kind of Folk you have in mind? There are many traditions in the world.

 

[Agr1ppa]

What kind of Folk you have in mind? There are many traditions in the world.

European cunning folk magic, but I’m open to any and all — I just want it sourced from the early-modern period (and before).

 

[Morell]

When it comes to practice, it always kind of hard, as it has to be modernized or updated in some way to be practiced today.
For Norse tradition I could recommend practical book "Elves, Witches and Gods", it is modern practice, but it is serious attempt of the author to find way to practice old Norse practice in modern days.
Also books from publisher named hyldyr are great. I can mention two that I've read: "Nigon Wyrta Galdor: The Nine Plants Spell" and "The Merseburg Spells"

Hope it is what you seek.

 

[Milton]

European cunning folk magic, but I’m open to any and all — I just want it sourced from the early-modern period (and before).

The works of Nigel Pearson come to mind. Mainly Treading the Mill and Blackthorn – Whitethorn.

Corinne Boyer and Gemma Gary are also authors you should be looking at.

Publisher wise, you should be looking at Three Hands Press and Troy Books.

Other books worth mentioning would be A Cunning Man's Grimoire by Stephen Skinner and The Cunning Man's Handbook by David Rankine.

You might also want to review the books of Raymond Buckland and Scott Cunningham.

These recommendations should keep you occupied for a long time : )

 

[Fausto]

Hello,

I’m looking to begin studying traditional cunning folk magic and witchcraft, preferably nothing Gardnerian or New Age, and I’m wondering what books you guys could recommend. I’m already aware of Dr. Stephen Skinner’s “A Cunning Man’s Grimoire” and “The Cunning Man’s Handbook” by Jim Baker; I’d like more practical texts like these on the subject. I’m also looking to study the development of cunning folk magic traditions/witchcraft, so if you have any academic history books recommendations, please post them.
Thanks!

Gardner is a shit, the true knowledge of witchcraft is passed orally.
I recommend you for making an Aliance with a spirit of witchcraft. It Will teach you everything.

 

[OberonFromTheHills]

Traditionnal folk magick is a tough subject.

By essence, folk magick is a local based practice. You will find so many books about it but they are all adapted to the author background, his land, his ancestors....

Also most of them are pretty new. I'm thinking of Gemma Gary's book on the subject. It's amazing to read but you can tell her tradition is pretty new, based on Cornwall's folklore and a more modern ritualistic practice.

The best way to learn "folk magick" is too read your folklore. You will find plants, entities, believes.... And you will have to adapt them to your practice.

 

[AlfrunGrima]

Maybe interesting too: The discoverie of witchcraft (Reginald Scot) Carmina Gadelica and The secret commonwealth of Elves, Fauns and Fairies, a study in Folk-lore (Robert Kirk) These 3 books are not completely folk craft, but can add information too.....If you are able to read Dutch: Heksenkruiden from Greet Buchner

But indeed, traditional folk magic is local. (And all to often mixed with catholic local traditions, in my region it was)

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