The Crooked Path: An Introduction to Traditional Witchcraft

Kelden is adroit at navigating a tradition that has as many different beliefs and practices as it has practitioners. ... The Crooked Path is an excellent, thorough introduction to the complex practices of Traditional Witchcraft.--Foreword Reviews

Approachable and charming, Kelden is every bit as serious and thoughtful as Traditional Witchcraft's most respected teachers, but with a youthful, down-to-earth delivery that both newcomers and old-timers will appreciate.--Thorn Mooney, author of Traditional Wicca

Kelden teaches us how to harness the fundamental aspects of Traditional Witchcraft and mysticism. From roots and bones to moon workings and the Witch's Sabbath, this book is a treasure trove of valuable information and insight that no Traditional Witch should be without. Highly recommended.--Devin Hunter, author of The Witch's Book of Mysteries

The Crooked Path is the book we've all been waiting for. From basic tools to crossing the hedge, Kelden has included all the knowledge a newcomer to Traditional Witchcraft could possibly need. The Crooked Path is filled with historical folklore, rituals, and exercises that will strengthen your connection with your own practice. This book is a must read for all who aspire to work with a realm beyond the physical and embrace their inner witch.-- Maggie Elram, cocreator of The Traditional Witch's Deck

Kelden has conjured forth a comprehensive introduction that meets his intentions. This is a book that is down-to-earth, clear, earnest, and clever. Some might say cunning. This is a book I will recommend to seekers of Traditional Craft as a way to explore and orient to a mysterious set of traditions and ways that are largely mysterious and otherworldly.--Gede Parma, author of Ecstatic Witchcraft

Kelden's The Crooked Path offers a lively perspective of the principles and praxis of Traditional Witchcraft. Uniting historical information with simple and accessible instructions and recipes, The Crooked Path invites readers to tailor their Craft to the land on which they live. Kelden underscores his points with folklore from the Old World and the New, providing a book that is a valuable link in a chain that draws Traditional Witchcraft into the modern day.--Nicholas Pearson, author of Stones of the Goddess

Kelden has succeeded in the challenging task of distilling the core elements and themes of traditional craft into an approachable and moving system. These are practices of the common people and The Crooked Path proves they can be deep and powerful without the need for inaccessible jargon. The work within is both timeless and beautifully relevant.--David Salisbury, author of The Deep Heart of Witchcraft

The Crooked Path is a concise, approachable, yet solidly concrete guide to Traditional Witchcraft for the modern practitioner. ... Let Kelden be your guide to exploring and experiencing these mysteries, aiding you to find your own authentic Witch way with confidence.--Laura Tempest Zakroff, author of Weave the Liminal

Drawing from many sources, Kelden offers history as well as ritual and lore geared toward assisting the reader in embarking on an authentic journey to the Witches Sabbath, and the (re)discovery of our own magical power.--Storm Faerywolf, author of Betwixt & Between: Exploring the Faery Tradition of Witchcraft and Forbidden Mysteries of Faery Witchcraft

The Crooked Path is a delightful read, and my new favorite book on traditional witchcraft. ... A prime place to begin your investigations into the mysteries of traditional witchcraft.--Misha Magdalene, author of Outside the Charmed Circle

Kelden (Minnesota) has been practicing Traditional Witchcraft for more than a decade. His writing has appeared in The Witch's Altar, The New Aradia: A Witch's Handbook to Magical Resistance, and Modern Witch magazine. Additionally, Kelden is the cocreator of The Traditional Witch's Deck and he authors a blog on the Patheos Pagan channel called By Athame and Stang.

Gemma Gary is a devoted practitioner of old-style witchcraft, folk magic, and cunning traditions, and cofounder of Troy Books, which specializes in occult and witchcraft traditions of England. She is the author of six books, including the bestselling Traditional Witchcraft. A British old-craft initiate, Gemma serves as the founder of the Craft Order Kord Bucca and as the Dyawles of the coven Ros an Bucca. Additionally, she is a Guise dancer in Penzance's popular midwinter festival and a longstanding trustee of the world famous Museum of Witchcraft & Magic. Gemma lives and works in the far west of Cornwall, a land rich in ancient sites, folklore, seasonal customs, and magical tradition.

Contents

List of Exercises ... xv

From the Black Book ... xvii

Foreword by Gemma Gary ... xix

Introduction ... 1

PART I: WHAT IS TRADITIONAL WITCHCRAFT?
Chapter 1: Defining Traditional Witchcraft ... 7
Chapter 2: The Historical Development of Traditional Witchcraft ... 17

PART II: WORKING WITH MAGIC
Chapter 3: Magical Basics ... 31
Chapter 4: The Traditional Witch's Tools ... 43
Chapter 5: The Rituals of Traditional Witchcraft ... 57
Chapter 6: Spellcraft ... 71

PART III: WORKING WITH THE OTHERWORLD Chapter 7: The Witch Father and Witch Mother ... 85
Chapter 8: Ancestors, Familiars, and Fetches ... 99
Chapter 9: Into the Otherworld ... 119

PART IV: WORKING WITH THE NATURAL LANDSCAPE
Chapter 10: Engaging with the Land ... 141
Chapter 11: Plants, Stones, and Animals ... 153
Chapter 12: Seasons, Weather, and Planets ... 171

PART V: REFLECTING ON THE CROOKED PATH
Chapter 13: Establishing Your Own Traditional Witchcraft Practice ... 193

CONCLUSION
A Witch's Farewell ... 203

Glossary ... 205

Bibliography ... 209