Book Review Monday – Deed Without a Name: Unearthing the Legacy of Traditional Witchcraft

Buy it here: A Deed Without a Name: Unearthing the Legacy of Traditional Witchcraft

 

So this quickly made it onto my list of top ten craft books.

It’s such a different, yet authentic look at the Traditional Witchcraft practices of skin-turning or shapeshifting, spirit relationships, faerie doctors and heaps of other stuff.

It’s all about how these things, put down to myth, legend, hallucinations and propaganda not only were possible, but are possible, and gives good arguments as to why they still continue today, we just don’t experience them in quite the same way.

This book does go in depth in sexual spirit relationships and contains a graphic illustration and several graphic passages in this concern, if that’s a thing that bothers you.

It’s concise, contains the passages of the documents it refers to (not doing that is a major pet peeve of mine), and refers to several European magical traditions, not just English ones. As a primer for this subject, it’s one I will return to. It also includes interview from modern witches and bestiaries and general cool stuff.

Book Review – Elen of the Ways by Elen Sentier

Buy it here: Shaman Pathways – Elen of the Ways: British Shamanism – Following the Deer Trods

Sentier explores Elen of the Ways, the old deer cults and the way back to a more respectful, whole and open minded spirituality through a mix of historical and archaeological evidence, personal experience and personal explorations.

This works in this small volume and it’s focus on a largely forgotten Deity. With such little information surviving on any of the paths, societies and ways of life detailed in the book, it’s even more important to include all views of the subject.

Another example of a book where I thought I was going to get one thing out of it, and got so much more.

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Trees of the Goddess – Elen Sentier

 

Buy it here: Shaman Pathways – Trees of the Goddess: a new way of working with the Ogham

Sentier has compiled a book of tree lore that surpasses anything else I’ve read on the topic. It’s full of wisdom and doesn’t neglect the practical side either, with information on what part of the trees is good for building this or that, what’s good to eat and what’s not, and what makes good medicine, and spiritual. The book also focuses on the ecosystems surrounding each tree or shrub, which is fascinating and has really improved my knowledge of my surrounding countryside.

 

On the spiritual side, I am eager to explore the Ogham as presented with this book. The journeying exercises presented are based in mutual exchange and respect for the landscape, which is always lovely to see.  When she deviates from tradition this is clearly laid out and explained.

 

She creates a perfect balance between the myths, legends and magic of each of the trees and their flesh and bark being, and the ecosystems surrounding the trees. I feel like I understand each of these trees on many levels now, whereas before I felt like I just knew information, which is not the same. I am excited to make my own set of Ogham, as described in the book.

This is a book I will return to on more than one occasion.

 

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