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The Witches' Ointment: The Secret History of Psychedelic Magic
by Thomas HatsisAn exploration of the historical origins of the “witches’ ointment” and medieval hallucinogenic drug practices based on the earliest sources • Details how early modern theologians demonized psychedelic folk magic into “witches’ ointments” • Shares dozens of psychoactive formulas and recipes gleaned from rare manuscripts from university collections all over the world as well as the practices and magical incantations necessary for their preparation • Examines the practices of medieval witches like Matteuccia di Francisco, who used hallucinogenic drugs in her love potions and herbal preparations In the medieval period preparations with hallucinogenic herbs were part of the practice of veneficium, or poison magic. This collection of magical arts used poisons, herbs, and rituals to bewitch, heal, prophesy, infect, and murder. In the form of psyche-magical ointments, poison magic could trigger powerful hallucinations and surrealistic dreams that enabled direct experience of the Divine. Smeared on the skin, these entheogenic ointments were said to enable witches to commune with various local goddesses, bastardized by the Church as trips to the Sabbat--clandestine meetings with Satan to learn magic and participate in demonic orgies. Examining trial records and the pharmacopoeia of witches, alchemists, folk healers, and heretics of the 15th century, Thomas Hatsis details how a range of ideas from folk drugs to ecclesiastical fears over medicine women merged to form the classical “witch” stereotype and what history has called the “witches’ ointment.” He shares dozens of psychoactive formulas and recipes gleaned from rare manuscripts from university collections from all over the world as well as the practices and magical incantations necessary for their preparation. He explores the connections between witches’ ointments and spells for shape shifting, spirit travel, and bewitching magic. He examines the practices of some Renaissance magicians, who inhaled powerful drugs to communicate with spirits, and of Italian folk-witches, such as Matteuccia di Francisco, who used hallucinogenic drugs in her love potions and herbal preparations, and Finicella, who used drug ointments to imagine herself transformed into a cat. Exploring the untold history of the witches’ ointment and medieval hallucinogen use, Hatsis reveals how the Church transformed folk drug practices, specifically entheogenic ones, into satanic experiences.
Witches, Werewolves, and Fairies: Shapeshifters and Astral Doubles in the Middle Ages
by Claude LecouteuxReveals the true nature of medieval belief in the Double of the Soul • Demonstrates the survival of a pagan belief that each individual owns three souls, including a double that can journey outside the physical body • Explains the nature of death and the Other World hidden beneath the monsters and superstitions in stories from the Middle Ages Monsters, werewolves, witches, and fairies remain a strong presence in our stories and dreams. But as Claude Lecouteux shows, their roots go far deeper than their appearance in medieval folklore; they are survivors of a much older belief system that predates Christianity and was widespread over Western Europe. Through his extensive analysis of Germano-Scandinavian legends, as well as those from other areas of Europe, Lecouteux has uncovered an almost forgotten religious concept: that every individual owns three souls and that one of these souls, the Double, can—in animal or human form—leave the physical body while in sleep or a trance, journey where it chooses, then reenter its physical body. While there were many who experienced this phenomenon involuntarily, there were others—those who attracted the unwelcome persecution of the Church—who were able to provoke it at will: witches. In a thorough excavation of the medieval soul, Claude Lecouteux reveals the origin and significance of this belief in the Double, and follows its transforming features through the ages. He shows that far from being fantasy or vague superstition, fairies, witches, and werewolves all testify to a consistent ancient vision of our world and the world beyond.
Witchfinders: A Seventeenth-Century English Tragedy
by Malcolm GaskillBy spring 1645, two years of civil war had exacted a dreadful toll upon England. People lived in terror as disease and poverty spread, and the nation grew ever more politically divided. In a remote corner of Essex, two obscure gentlemen, Matthew Hopkins and John Stearne, exploited the anxiety and lawlessness of the time and initiated a brutal campaign to drive out the presumed evil in their midst. Touring Suffolk and East Anglia on horseback, they detected demons and idolators everywhere. Through torture, they extracted from terrified prisoners confessions of consorting with Satan and demonic spirits. <p><p> Acclaimed historian Malcolm Gaskill retells the chilling story of the most savage witch-hunt in English history. By the autumn of 1647 at least 250 people--mostly women--had been captured, interrogated, and hauled before the courts. More than a hundred were hanged, causing Hopkins to be dubbed "Witchfinder General" by critics and admirers alike. Though their campaign was never legally sanctioned, they garnered the popular support of local gentry, clergy, and villagers. While Witchfinders tells of a unique and tragic historical moment fueled by religious fervor, today it serves as a reminder of the power of fear and fanaticism to fuel ordinary people's willingness to demonize others.
Witchfinders: A Seventeenth-Century English Tragedy
by Malcolm GaskillBy spring 1645, two years of civil war had exacted a dreadful toll upon England. People lived in terror as disease and poverty spread, and the nation grew ever more politically divided. In a remote corner of Essex, two obscure gentlemen, Matthew Hopkins and John Stearne, exploited the anxiety and lawlessness of the time and initiated a brutal campaign to drive out the presumed evil in their midst. Touring Suffolk and East Anglia on horseback, they detected demons and idolators everywhere. Through torture, they extracted from terrified prisoners confessions of consorting with Satan and demonic spirits. Acclaimed historian Malcolm Gaskill retells the chilling story of the most savage witch-hunt in English history. By the autumn of 1647 at least 250 people--mostly women--had been captured, interrogated, and hauled before the courts. More than a hundred were hanged, causing Hopkins to be dubbed "Witchfinder General" by critics and admirers alike. Though their campaign was never legally sanctioned, they garnered the popular support of local gentry, clergy, and villagers. While Witchfinders tells of a unique and tragic historical moment fueled by religious fervor, today it serves as a reminder of the power of fear and fanaticism to fuel ordinary people's willingness to demonize others.
The Witching Year: A Memoir of Earnest Fumbling Through Modern Witchcraft
by Diana HelmuthA skeptic&’s year-long quest to find spiritual fulfillment through modern Witchcraft, perfect for fans of A.J. Jacobs and Mary Roach.Diana Helmuth, thirty-three, is skeptical of organized religion. She is also skeptical of disorganized religion. But, more than anything, she is tired of God being dead. So, she decides to try on the fastest growing, self-directed faith in America: Witchcraft. The result is 366 days of observation, trial, error, wit, and back spasms. Witches today are often presented as confident and finished, proud and powerful. Diana is eager to join them. She wants to follow all the rules, memorize all the incantations, and read all the liturgy. But there&’s one glaring problem: no Witch can agree on what the right rules, liturgy, and incantations are. As with life, Diana will have to define the craft for herself, looking past the fashionable and figuring out how to define the real. Along the way, she travels to Salem and Edinburgh (two very Crafty hubs) and attends a week-long (clothing optional) Witch camp in Northern California. Whether she&’s trying to perform a full moon ritual on a cardboard box, summon an ancient demon with scotch tape and a kitchen trivet, or just trying to become a calmer, happier person, her biggest question remains: Will any of this really work? The Witching Year follows in the footsteps of celebrated memoirs by journalists like A.J. Jacobs, Mary Roach, and Caitlin Doughty, who knit humor and reportage together in search of something worth believing.
A Witch's 10 Commandments
by Marian SingerWhile the art of witchcraft is uniquely personal, an underlying code of ethics and principles binds its serious practitioners together. For the first time, this code is defined in terms everyone can understand. In A Witch's 10 Commandments, renowned Wiccan author Marian Singer uses the ubiquitous biblical rules to frame the 10 tenets witches should live by. These tenets incorporate aphorisms common to the New Age, Neo-Pagan movement, such as: Thou art God/Goddess As Above, so Below; as Within, so Without Spirit abides in all things; Names have power; Maintain an attitude of gratitude; Honor the ancestors, your elders, teachers, and leaders; All life is sacred; All acts of love and pleasure are sacred; Whatever you send out, returns three fold; Love is the law Love under will Work for the greatest good; and harm none. Accompanying each commandment are practical spiritual exercises for everyday issues, such as controlling an over-heated temper, supporting elders and teachers, giving back to the earth, and more. With A Witch's 10 Commandments in your library, you have a solid blueprint for ethical practice, allowing you to walk the ancient path of the witch in today's world.
A Witch's 10 Commandments: Magickal Guidelines for Everyday Life
by Marian SingerA Simon & Schuster eBook. Simon & Schuster has a great book for every reader.
A Witch's 10 Commandments
by Marian Singer- The first book to define the rules necessary for living and walking the Wiccan path - Builds on the success of Provenance Press' Power Spellcraft for Life and A Witch's Grimoire While the art of witchcraft is uniquely personal, an underlying code of ethics and principles binds its serious practitioners together. For the first time, this code is defined in terms everyone can understand. In A Witch's 10 Commandments, renowned Wiccan author Marian Singer uses the ubiquitous biblical rules to frame the 10 tenets witches should live by, such as: - Thou art God/Goddess - Maintain an attitude of gratitude - Honor the ancestors, your elders, teachers, and leaders - All life is sacred - Whatever you send out, returns threefold
The Witch's Apothecary: How to make magical potions for the Wheel of the Year
by Lorriane AndersonBestselling author of The Seasons of the Witch Oracle cards series, Lorriane Anderson, has created a practical guide for beginning and advanced witches to unlock the greater powers of making your own apothecary blends. Lorriane owns and operates her own successful, soul-based apothecary and uses her own practices to teach you how to make potions based on your needs, intentions, and energy.A sacred living lifestyle is like slow living, and spiritually infused and focused on mindfulness, magic and self-care. Learn to craft magical blends that carefully follow the Wheel of the Year. You will feel empowered to craft your own formulas for personal use, experiment, and work from nature to create magical blends which tie into sacred sabbat days and tip into your magical energy.Imagine creating your own candle to improve and appreciate Abundance in your life. Or creating an incense to clear blocks in your life to love.Learn about the various ingredients, practices, and exercises needed to begin your magical journey and start your own witchy apothecary. You will also find a selection of over 100 recipes associated with each of the sabbats in the Wheel of the Year, and instructions on how to deepen your connection with nature through these seasonal cycles.
The Witch's Book of Candle Magic: A Handbook of Candle Spells, Divination, Rituals and Charms
by Cerridwen GreenleafA Candle Magic Book for Beginner and Professional WitchesCandles are an essential part of a witch’s spiritual practice. Candle work is not only easy and accessible for witches across a variety of ages and levels of experience, but it's also one of the most powerful tools in the realm of magic.Learn both basic and intricate candle spells like a pro. Candle magic is special because it combines two essential elements: light and color. This makes these spells perfect for setting intention and divination, as well as being an essential for every witch’s altar display. This book, complete with candle spells, incantations, and rites, consolidates the scope of magic that can be performed utilizing candles to offer practical uses for readers.Find hope and healing through this spell book. Complete with knowledge and wisdom from best-selling author Cerridwen Greenleaf, you can learn how to choose the perfect candles for your practice, consider the properties of various colors and shapes, and learn a variety of candle spells and practices —inviting in peace, love, and prosperity to enhance your life.Inside Witch’s Book of Candle Magic, you’ll learn:What it means to “charge” your candle, and how to do soWhat different color candles represent during your ritualsHow to make your own candleNumerous types of wiccan spellsIf you liked Candle Magic for Beginners, Book of Candle Magic, or Wicca Book of Candle Spells, you’ll love Witch’s Book of Candle Magic.
The Witch's Book Of Days
by Jean Kozacari Yvonne OwensThe Witch's Book of Days is designed to serve as a year-and-a-day self initiation schedule. The organization of the year into four major segments between major holidays corresponds each of the segments to a characteristic element, direction, and magical tool.
The Witch's Book of Love: Hundreds of Magical Ways to Attract and Strengthen Love
by Mary ShannonMaster the magic of matchmaking in this fun and practical guide to using witchcraft to find your perfect partner. Now you can find love faster than ever with this complete guide to magical matchmaking! The Witch&’s Book of Love has all the spells and solutions to help you on your quest for love—and shows you how to make your relationship grow and prosper into the love you&’ve always dreamed of! The Witch&’s Book of Love has everything you need to know about attracting the perfect partner with spells, palmistry, astrology, and numerology. Check your compatibility and seal your new relationship with charms and other magical mojo so you can make your love last a lifetime.
The Witch's Book of Love Spells: Charms, Invocations, Passion Potions, and Rituals for Romance
by Cerridwen GreenleafA Moon Spells Book with Love Spells for True Romance“The perfect resource for spell casting, rituals as well as deities and flowers”—Pegan Pages MagazineThe Witch’s Book of Love Spells is a moon spells book to help you say “I’ve finally found the love of my life!” Love can come in many ways, and love spells help to cultivate your greatest love, deepest romance, and truest desires.A spell book for witches full of love and magic. Witchcraft is based on the knowledge that our destinies lie in our own hands, even in matters of the heart. Why suffer love gone wrong when you can do something about it? Don’t doubt your power—with the help of this simple moon spells book, some gemstones and crystals, herbs for love, and a little of your natural chemistry, you are irresistible.Love spells that harness the moon. Magic influences desired outcomes, empowers, and fosters growth. Begin this process with love spells—spells that draw the attention and devotion of a lover, strengthen the union between an existing couple, invoke sexual magic, heal a broken heart, and fill your own heart with love and compassion for yourself.Inside this moon spells book, you’ll find:Secret recipes for aphrodisiacsRitual celebrations for the high holidays of loveInsight into the mysterious realm of the magic moon and the starsIf you liked magic spell books like Green Witchcraft, The Spell Book for New Witches, or Mindfulness through the Stars:, you’ll love The Witch’s Book of Love Spells.
The Witch's Book of Self-Care: Magical Ways to Pamper, Soothe, and Care for Your Body and Spirit
by Arin Murphy-HiscockWorship yourself the witchy way—learn how to nourish your body and spirit with herbal remedies, spells, and rituals inspired by witchcraft in this unique, enchanted guide to self-care! Self-care is a necessity for any modern woman, and this book helps you prioritize #1 with a little help from the magic of witchcraft. The Witch’s Book of Self-Care has advice for pampering your body, mind, and spirit with spells, meditations, mantras, and powerful activities to help you to keep healthy, soothe stress, relinquish sadness, channel joy, and embrace your strength. This book features such magical self-care remedies: -A Ritual to Release Guilt: Learn to burn whatever causes you pain and process painful memories or work through heavy emotions in this therapeutic ritual. -Green Space Meditation: Learn how to reconnect with the healing energies of nature, even in the middle of a bustling city, as part of a series of meditations based on the elements and your senses. -DIY Body Butter: Create your own custom soothing and smoothing body butter, powered by crystal and essential oils suited to your intention, and sanctified by a ritual. And much more! The Witch’s Book of Self-Care shows you how easy it is to connect to the earth, harness your personal power, and add a little magic to your everyday life for a better you!
The Witch's Dream: A Healer's Way of Knowledge (Compass)
by Florinda Donner-Grau Carlos CastanedaThis is the extraordinary account of Donner-Grau's experiences with doña Mercedes, an aged healer in a remote Venezuelan town known for its spiritualists, sorcerers, and mediums.
The Witch's Feast: A Kitchen Grimoire
by Melissa MadaraA decadent collection of magical dishes and feasts created by the herbalist, witch, chef and co-owner of Catland Books, Melissa Madara.The feast is a meeting place between family and friends, between humans and gods. This decadent collection of enchanting dishes is an indispensable companion to kitchen witchcraft, revealing the storied history and seductive art of magical cooking. With witch, herbalist and chef Melissa Jayne Madara as your guide, explore five facets of the occult through food: traditional recipes, the wheel of the zodiac, devotional meals to the planets, seasonal feasts to celebrate solstices and equinoxes, and practical spellwork. Recreate a pagan feast of lamb roasted with milk and honey, with cheesecake baked in fig leaves for dessert. Celebrate a Gemini birthday with herbed fondue, followed by lemongrass pavlova. Align with the poetic pleasures of Venus with edible flower dumplings, or commune with Saturn over blackberry pulled pork sandwiches. Enjoy the vibrancy of the spring equinox with herb and allium quiche with a potato crust, radish salad with cherry blossom vinaigrette and jasmine tea shortbread. Share an evening of storytelling over mugwort and catnip divination tea, or embody an otherworldly spirit with ritual bread masks. Packed with ancient knowledge, practical advice and witchcraft expertise, this book will help you develop your craft through culinary creativity. Gather, share, and rediscover the most fundamental of human rituals: the divine indulgence of the senses and the soul.
A Witch's Grimoire: Create Your Own Book of Shadows
by Judy Ann NockCreating and keeping of a book of shadows is an instrumental step in the study of magick and witchcraft. A Witch's Grimoire helps serious practitioners explore their love of the Craft, deepen their study of magick and walk their personal pathway to the Divine. It is part workbook, part guidebook-an essential reference as well as a personal recording of original spells. The book includes:A brief history of the grimoireOptions for the creation of a grimoireSpecial book blessingsTraditional and personal invocationsCommonly used gemstones and magickal herbs/herb blendsSpells, recipes and rituals for every holidayWriting space for readers to keep their own recordsA Witch's Grimoire encourages readers to create unique personalized journals that will last for generations to come.
The Witch's Guide to Ritual: Spells, Incantations and Inspired Ideas for an Enchanted Life
by Cerridwen GreenleafSpiritual Ceremonies to Enrich Daily LifePractice Sacred Living. Rituals are often performed to acknowledge special, sacred moments of life. When we align ourselves with the rhythms of the earth, we see that every day is sacred. Sacred living is the art of acknowledging the abundance of life and the deep meaning within natural rhythms. The Witch’s Guide to Ritual teaches the practice of daily rituals for self-care and personal growth.The Art of Healing. The Witch’s Guide to Ritual can help you create a healing ritual space, whether you are an experienced hedge witch or a beginner exploring new magical practices. You’ll learn about the history of rites and rituals, mythology for today’s world, and how healing works in a modern witch house.Celebrate life. The key to celebrating the abundance of life lies in the recognition that we are surrounded by all that is magical. Organized by season, The Witch’s Guide to Ritual offers a suggested ceremony for each day of the year and includes hundreds of simple rites, suggestions, meditations, and holiday celebrations that can make the ordinary extraordinary.What you'll learn inside this book:The psychological benefits of rituals in your lifeWhy participating in group events enriches your life and brings you closer to friends, family, and loved onesHow to create an altar or shrine as a power center in your home for spiritual renewalWhich crystals, herbs, symbols, and talismans can bring you calm, health, love, prosperity, and happinessHealing is possible with sacred living. If you enjoyed The Witch’s Book of Self-Care, The Spirit Almanac, The House Witch, or The Witch’s Book of Rituals, you’ll love this new guide to inspired magical practice.
The Witch's Guide to Wellness: Natural, Magical Ways to Treat, Heal, and Honor Your Body, Mind, and Spirit
by Krystle L. JordanExplore natural healing, tune into your body&’s needs, and use magic to create a joyful, healthy lifestyle with this essential guide to wellness for your witchcraft practice.Magic meets healthy living in this guidebook to help you become a healthier version of yourself. From crystal healing to moon cycles to other natural remedies, you&’ll learn everything you need to know to strengthen, treat, and support your body and spirit—all while using your witchcraft skills. In The Witch&’s Guide to Wellness, you will bring your spiritual practice into the practical world with spells, potions, and powerful activities. You will be able to treat common ailments, understand your body&’s cycle, and develop a positive relationship with your mind and body. You&’ll find remedies like: -A hydration ritual to help you detoxify your body -A magical herb jar that will alleviate worry -A grounding ritual for spiritual balance -And much more! The Witch&’s Guide to Wellness shows you just how easy it is to connect with yourself, listen in to what your body needs, and add a little magic to make sure you&’re living your healthiest life.
Witch's Halloween
by Gerina DunwichYou may think that Halloween is only about ghosts, ghouls, and goblins. However, there is much more behind this spooky holiday. For Pagans the world over, Halloween is a time of magick and divination-a night for honoring ancestors, celebrating the harvest, and ringing in the New Year. In A Witch's Halloween, bestselling author Gerina Dunwich dispels the myths of this holiest of Pagan holidays and its most famous celebrants. Written by a Wiccan High Priestess, A Witch's Halloween tells you all that you need to know about this sacred holiday, from the history, folklore, myths, and spells to Sabbat rituals, recipes, divinations, and Halloween superstitions, and much more. This insightful book is a complete guide to celebrating the holiday as it was meant to be.
Witch's Halloween: A Complete Guide to the Magick, Incantations, Recipes, Spells, and Lore
by Gerina DunwichA Simon & Schuster eBook. Simon & Schuster has a great book for every reader.
A Witch's Halloween
by Gerina DunwichYou may think that Halloween is only about ghosts, ghouls, and goblins. However, there is much more behind this spooky holiday. For Pagans the world over, Halloween is a time of magick and divination-a night for honoring ancestors, celebrating the harvest, and ringing in the New Year. In A Witch's Halloween, bestselling author Gerina Dunwich dispels the myths of this holiest of Pagan holidays and its most famous celebrants. Written by a Wiccan High Priestess, A Witch's Halloween tells you all that you need to know about this sacred holiday, from the history, folklore, myths, and spells to Sabbat rituals, recipes, divinations, and Halloween superstitions, and much more. This insightful book is a complete guide to celebrating the holiday as it was meant to be.
The Witch's Magical Handbook
by Gavin Frost Yvonne FrostFrom the world's most widely acclaimed Witches, a spellbinding guide to the practical applications and earthly benefits of psychic powers.<P> Witchcraft is a revered, centuries-old art, grounded in the natural energy of the universe and the untapped power of the human mind. Gavin Frost and Yvonne Frost, world-renowned experts and best-selling authors on the occult, have mastered the techniques of the Craft for enhancing everyday life on earth. THE WITCH'S MAGICAL HANDBOOK shows all mere mortals--men and women alike--how to unleash the amazing psychic force within them, while drawing energy from the world around them. Through a combination of practical and mystical tactics--including visualization, working with crystals and divining pendulums, putting goals on paper, and planting a garden--ordinary people will discover the wonder of Witchcraft to change life for the better. For those who follow the way of the Witch, the authors promise untold powers, including the ability to:<P> * Predict the future and make dreams a reality Improve personal health and aid in the healing of others <P> * Create love spells for romance, passion, and lasting devotion <P> * Reduce daily stress to achieve serenity <P> * Balance the demands of work and home to discover true harmony <P> Packed with persuasive real-life examples, The Witch's Magical Handbook is an empowering and wondrous guide to a happier, healthier, and more rewarding life.
The Witch's Spellbook: Enchantments, Incantations, and Rituals from Around the World
by Sarah BartlettDiscover how to create magic in your life by working with the cycles of nature to help shape your own future—from the author of The Tarot Bible. The Witch&’s Spellbook is a powerful collection of spells, rituals, and enchantments that you can use to tap into your intuition and the power of the natural world. This book reveals how, by casting spells that align to the cycles of nature and the universe, you can begin to manifest your dreams and shape your destiny. Organized by topic, such as spells for prosperity, charms for body, beauty, and sex, or enchantments for creativity and charisma, each spell draws upon world traditions, sacred holidays, and lunar events such as solstices and equinoxes. Whether you&’re new or experienced, this is every person&’s guide to practical magic.
The Witch's Way: A Guide to Modern-Day Spellcraft, Nature Magick, and Divination (The Modern-Day Witch #5)
by Shawn Robbins Leanna GreenawayThis follow-up to the wildly successful Wiccapedia delves deeper into witchcraft, cosmic helpers, spells, and nature magic—from flowers to faeries.Includes a full-color insert on pentacle magick!With more in-depth explorations of nature magick and divination, this beautifully illustrated guide to witchcraft is a must for all Wiccans in search of greater knowledge. It covers everything from hedge witches to druids; working with cosmic helpers like angels, gods and goddesses, and spirit guides for a variety of spells; nature magic—from drawing down the moon to psychic plant power; tapping into cosmic power; and developing your sixth sense, mastering tarot, using angel numbers, and spiritual astrology. A FAQ section at the end answers the most-asked questions about the craft.