What Witchcraft And A Tradition Are Not

Kitchen Witch

This label pops up every now and then. More closely related to the Hereditary sect, these witches are practicing healing and ceremonies based on family tradition. "Old wives tales", Grandma's healing concoctions and special family Traditions all make up this sect of the craft.. However, since these beliefs are often handed down from generation to generation, the label Heredity is more appropriate. But there is a nice warm feeling about calling your grandma a "kitchen witch" and referring to her old remedies that helped you feel better when you got a bad cold.

Pow-Wow

A mis-labeled sect, based in South Central Pennsylvania. It is based on a 400 year old German magik system and has deteriorated into a a simple faith healing. The mis-use of the term maybe offensive to the original practioners of a true Pow-Wow, the Native American nations. It is advised that this term remain connected to the originators and not to this adopted society. Even at 400 years old, the Pennsylvania/German system is new in comparison to the Native American beliefs. See "Similarities in Beliefs" for a further discussion of this topic.

Devil Worship

An important NOT!
Craft practioners do not worship "the devil", because Pagan Witches do not belief in the devil. The misconception was mainly created by the Christian Church as a means to destroy Craft beliefs which were often perceived to be at odds with what the "Church" wanted spread across the world. Many detractors of the Christian faith often site this type of propaganda as an example of the "Churches'" attempt to gain control over the people.

Satanic

An other important NOT!
Craft practioners are not Satanists. Satanism is also a pre-Christian pagan religion, however there are significant differences between these two faiths. Many people often confuse Satan with the Christian devil. Again, this is due to Christian propaganda. Satan is the translated name of the Egyptian God Set, who was the deity of ego and confidence. These traits when taken to extremes are similar to Lucifer and thus the association stuck. Satanists however, do not believe in the existence of the devil, and do not worship that being. They see themselves as the God force and practice a faith of eye for an eye. If you'd like to learn more, I strongly suggest you visit the University Of Virginia's Religious Freedoms site and review their study on Satanism.

Books in PDF format to read:

Michael Ford - Luciferian Witchcraft An Introduction
Charles Wentworth Upham - Salem Witchcraft And Cotton Mather A Reply
Anonymous - Witchcraft Dictionary
Jaroslav Nemec - Witchcraft And Medicine

A Confirmation And Discovery Of Witchcraft

Book: A Confirmation And Discovery Of Witchcraft by John Stearne

John Stearne was an associate of Matthew Hopkins the Witchfinder General. He was known at various times as the witch–hunter,and "witch pricker", John Stearne, a family man and land owner from Lawshall near Bury St Edmunds, was 10 years older than Hopkins. He maintained a house in Manningtree which is where he met Hopkins following Stearne's accusations against witches. In fact the first accusations were made by John Stearne and Hopkins was appointed as his assistant. As a result of the accusations, a trial was held in Chelmsford in July 1645 with 29 names accused of witchcraft and sorcery. Of these 4 had died in prison prior to the trial, and 15 or 16 hanged the following day, Friday 18th July 1645. 9 who had been convicted of conjouring spirits were reprieved.

Within a year of the death of Matthew Hopkins, John Stearne retired to his farm and wrote A Confirmation and Discovery of Witchcraft.

Download John Stearne's eBook: A Confirmation And Discovery Of Witchcraft

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Allen Greenfield - A True History Of Witchcraft
Alexander Roberts - A Treatise Of Witchcraft
Reginald Scot - The Discoverie Of Witchcraft
John Stearne - A Confirmation And Discovery Of Witchcraft Ocr Version
John Stearne - A Confirmation And Discovery Of Witchcraft

Luciferian Sorcery Luciferian And Sethanic Magick

Book: Luciferian Sorcery Luciferian And Sethanic Magick by Michael Ford

Sorcery has gone through an awakening in the past 30 years which allows for new experimentations and developments. The significance in the last 30 years is the beginnings and critical stage of what became Wicca and Witchcraft. The systems originally intend produced an exciting aspect to Magick and Sorcery can be, explorative and in many ways continually innovative. The work of The Order of Phosphorus as within the The Witches Sabbat Current deals with the direct linage of spiritual communion by each individual who seeks. Thus, the only hereditary aspects are only conceptual in their need. One must not be a hereditary or linage based Witch to proceed with the Great Work. This is significant only as an added bonus. The individual must however, have the inner drive and calling to the blood, the vein of the Witch Moon which feeds our dreams of Witches Sabbat communion.

Buy Michael Ford's book: Luciferian Sorcery Luciferian And Sethanic Magick

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Aleister Crowley - Liber 124 Of Eden And The Sacred Oak
Michael Ford - Luciferian Sorcery And Set Typhon
Michael Ford - Luciferian Sorcery Luciferian And Sethanic Magick

Witchcraft In Salem Village In 1692 Together With Some Account Of Other Witchcraft Prosecutions

Book: Witchcraft In Salem Village In 1692 Together With Some Account Of Other Witchcraft Prosecutions by Winfield Nevins

MY design in writing this book has been to tell the story of the witchcraft delusion of 1692 in such a way as to convey a faithful picture to the reader. In order to do this it seemed advisable to give some account of the settlement of Salem and the neighboring villages, and their growth from 1626 to 1692, that the reader might understand the character of the people who lived there during the period covered by this history. Following this, will be found a chapter descriptive of the court that tried the accused persons, and a brief summary of its several sittings. A chapter devoted to some account of earlier witchcraft cases, in this country and in Europe, seemed also advisable, that we might the better understand that witchcraft was not new to the world in 1692, and that " Salem Witchcraft," so-called, differed from other witchcraft only in the details.

In succeeding chapters I have dealt with each of the individuals tried and executed, according to the interest in the case or the fullness of the documentary records that have come down to us. In addition to these, such mention is made of other cases, where the accused were not executed, as the circumstances connected with them seemed to demand. No chronological order is observed in this portion of the work. The aim has been in giving the evidence, to quote the exact language so far as space would permit, otherwise it has been abridged with strict regard to conveying the true meaning of the witness.

I make no claim to originality of material. Possibly a few documents and a few facts of interest may here be brought within the range of the reading public for the first time. If my view of the witchcraft delusion of 1692 and the responsibility therefor, differs somewhat
from that entertained by most of those writers, I believe it is the one now generally accepted among historical students, and the one which the judgment of the future will pronounce correct. The mistake which, it seems to me, the majority of the writers on this chapter of our history have made, is that they did not put themselves in the places of the men and women of 1692, but judged by the standard of the latter half of the nineteenth century. I have tried to avoid this. Whether I have succeeded, the verdict of the reader alone will tell.

I have not deemed it necessary to give my authority for statements made when that authority was the records of the trials now on file in the court house in Salem. In all other cases where important statements are made on the authority of others, the reference is given. In the case of certain publications, like Calef's " More Wonders," and Mather's " Wonders of the Invisible World," the reference is usually to some recent edition, because the early editions of these works are not always accessible. (WINFIELD S. NEVINS)

Download Winfield Nevins's eBook: Witchcraft In Salem Village In 1692 Together With Some Account Of Other Witchcraft Prosecutions

Suggested free e-books to read:

Caroline Upham - Salem Witchcraft In Outline The Story Without The Tedious Detail
Winfield Nevins - Witchcraft In Salem Village In 1692 Together With A Review Of The Opinions Of Modern Writers
Winfield Nevins - Witchcraft In Salem Village In 1692 Together With Some Account Of Other Witchcraft Prosecutions

The Earth Path Grounding Your Spirit In The Rhythms Of Nature

Book: The Earth Path Grounding Your Spirit In The Rhythms Of Nature by Starhawk

Fans and followers of Starhawk (The Spiral Dance; etc.), a founding member of the Reclaiming Tradition of Witchcraft, will welcome her latest offering. Well organized, each chapter contains reminiscences of personal and group experiences, exercises and suggestions for prayer and ritual. Many of her tenets apply not only to those interested in the practice of Wicca but to readers seeking a better understanding of the world around them: "Once we have learned to hear, then we can begin to understand. And only after we understand do we begin to speak, to intervene." Yet she astutely cautions: "To change a drum rhythm in a group of drummers, you first have to match it and join with it. But when you are within a system, part of the whole, that system is also changing you. It is difficult to maintain your own rhythm and not simply become part of what you are trying to change." Starhawk presents an array of exercises and practices for sharpening observation and listening skills. She engages readers' spirits and minds through her illustrative storytelling, offering ways to communicate more fully with the world and suggesting ways to act. While those unfamiliar with her passion for protest may find themselves distracted by the all-too-frequent appearance of her political soapbox, they will appreciate her tools for connecting with nature.

This book represents Starhawk's return to that idea, resurrecting the feeling of living in harmony with the Earth and respecting Our Mother as we should. With this book, Starhawk wants to show us that we need to be more than just "aware".

The book looks at our connection with magic, the four elements we work with and how it relates to our beliefs and to the earth and its ecology. The book is filled with stories of her recent workings. It discusses how we connect with each of the elements in nature and provides meditations on the earth, the elements and finding our own place of balance in this world. And all of this is deeply rooted in Goddess Spirituality.

This is a book on personal responsibility to protecting the earth's delicate ecology. This is a book on earth based spirituality. This book is about magic. This is a book about Starhawk and how she has been dealing with all these issues. This is a book about finding where you fit into this whole equation.

As I read through this book, I found myself agreeing with some of the material that Starhawk was discussing. I also found myself disagreeing on some points. This books intention is to raise personal response. As you read the material that Starhawk provides for the mediations and then work through the meditations, the idea is to reflect on your own connections to these ideas, and the workings are meant to provoke personal response. Each person's response will be different, though the material provided for meditation is meant to focus you on specific ideas.

There are many personal stories told by Starhawk about her recent involvement in political actions. Each of these stories, be it the fire protection ritual she is involved with in the opening of the book, or her research about genetically engineered seeds and the World Trade Organization, we see Starhawk's view on personal responsibility carried to many different levels. While there is much here that should be reviewed and her resources for the information provided is extensive (her Select Bibliography is impressive as well) it is up to the individual as to how this affects each of us and how involved we want to be with the processes that Starhawk discusses.

This is a book that combines Starhawk's personal path of spirituality with her own personal path of ecological responsibility. Those who are not familiar with these issues will find that this book can be used as a handbook for personal exploration. It is a book of awareness of the kinds of issues that many of us should at least be familiar. There are many issues addressed here that makes this a good book of information, even though it may seem a bit extreme at times. If you remember how passionate Starhawk is about her chosen path, you can then understand the extremities. This book does allow for you to find your own small part in how all this plays out; you need not be as involved as Starhawk, but you may also find yourself provoked to action by the information provided.

This book is one that should be carefully read, openly discussed, and as you meditate upon the information provided, you will need to know the scope of your own abilities and how deeply your personal responsibility for the issues flows. This book may help you find this.

This is a very good look at Starhawk's recent path of earth based spirituality and responsibility for the earth, and one that every follower of Starhawk's path will want to read.

Find Starhawk's book in amazon.com:
The Earth Path Grounding Your Spirit In The Rhythms Of Nature
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Witchcraft A History Of The Black Art

Book: Witchcraft A History Of The Black Art by Walter Gibson

Walter Brown Gibson (September 12, 1897 – December 6, 1985) was an American author and professional magician, best known for his work on the pulp fiction character The Shadow. Gibson, under the pen-name Maxwell Grant, wrote "more than 300 novel-length" Shadow stories, Writing up to "10,000 words a day" to satisfy public demand during the character's golden age in the 1930s and 1940s. He also authored several novels in the Biff Brewster juvenile series of the 1960s. He was married to Litzka R. Gibson, also a writer, and the couple lived in New York state.

Download Walter Gibson's eBook: Witchcraft A History Of The Black Art

:

Arthur Edward Waite - The Real History Of The Rosicrucians Part I
Alan Macfarlane - Witchcraft In History Of The English Speaking Peoples
Walter Gibson - Witchcraft A History Of The Black Art

The Witch And The Demoniac In Tudor And Stuart England

Book: The Witch And The Demoniac In Tudor And Stuart England by Stephanie Du Barry

This analysis will argue that that very few of the accused witches in Tudor and Stuart England were in fact insane but that the accusers, whether possessed or otherwise "bewitched" were far more likely to be suffering from some form of mental disorder. witchcraft beliefs in Tudor and Stuart England were seldom employed to attack the mentally ill, instead they were used to explain mental illness in many cases1. Contrary to many psychological textbooks, such as the works of Gregory Zilboorg, very few accused witches were insane by contemporary standards nor by our own standards.

Zilboorg, along with other nineteenth and twentieth century psychologist/writers, confused the witch with the demoniac (possessed) and proclaims that both were suffering from a variety of mental disorders. Alexander and Selesnick in their history of Psychiatry also fail to make a distinction between the witch and the possessed when they stated "Psychotic women with little control of their sexual fantasies and sacrilegious feelings were the clearest examples of demoniacal possession and in turning against them the church increased an already mounting fear of the mentally deranged". The church never turned against the possessed., it turned against the witch - who it saw as a person committing the utmost treason against mankind - trafficking with the Prince of Evil. These psychiatric historians are not simply reiterating the facts of psychiatry's past. They are fashioning only one of many possible views of the past based on their own biased assumptions concerning human nature. At least one modern historian of the witchcraft phenomenon, however, sees the works of Zilboorg et al as an oversimplification to see necessary connections between witchcraft and antisocial behaviour. The psychologists were making a profession out of propagating the medical model of abnormal behaviour but their interpretation proves inadequate when studying the complex history of witchcraft.

Download Stephanie Du Barry's eBook: The Witch And The Demoniac In Tudor And Stuart England

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Elizabeth Reis - The Devil The Body And The Feminine Soul In Puritan New England
Alan Macfarlane - Witchcraft In Tudor And Stuart Essex
Stephanie Du Barry - The Witch And The Demoniac In Tudor And Stuart England