Traditional Witchcraft: A Cornish Book of Ways

By: Gemma Gary

Narrated by: Tracey Norman

Length: 4 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

"First published in 2008, this is a revised and expanded second edition of the author's well-received book on modern Cornish traditional witchcraft. As Gemma Gary says in her new preface, there is no 'set in stone' organised witch tradition in Cornwall, and folk magic practices have always been unique to their individual practitioners. However, in this excellent book she has managed to expertly draw together a workable new tradition from historical sources and the surviving rites, charms, and folk customs of Cornwall and the West Country. It provides a valuable resource and guide for beginners interested in practiscing Trad Craft. However this reviewer is sure that experienced practitioners will also learn from its contents. Very highly recommended." (Mike Howard, The Cauldron)

"Traditional Witchcraft - A Cornish Book of Ways is a 21st century version of traditional Cornish witchcraft, of the kind recorded by Hunt, Bottrell and others. This is no neo-pagan or modern wiccan manual, but rather a deep drawing up into modern times of some of the ancient practices of lore and magic practised by the white witches, charmers, conjurers and pellars of the Cornish villages. Their presence was still current when the 18th and 19th century antiquarians and collectors recorded them, and, although the 20th century largely put paid to their activities, nevertheless their lore never completely disappeared, and it continues to provide inspiration for practitioners today. Gemma draws on this knowledge, not only from published material, but also from the experiences and workings of 'wise women' and country witches living today. Topics include the Cunning Path, the Dead and the Underworld (Fairy Faith), the Bucca, Places of Power in the villages and landscape, the Tools used by Cunning Folk (working versions of what can be seen, for example, in the Museum of Witchcraft), Village cunning, substances and charms, and Rites of the Year's Round. This book gathers much material together, some of which has not been seen in print before, and thus provides a sourcebook of magical workings in Cornwall today, which will be an invaluable reference." (Cheryl Straffon, Meyn Mamvro)

©2008 Gemma Gary (P)2015 Circle of Spears Productions

Surprisingly well done

I had high expectations for the content of this book, since its generally one of the more recommended books within traditional witchcraft circles, but I wasn't expecting the narration to be good. I figured the quality would suffer since it was almost certainly a low budget production. Books this niche aren't known to be money makers. Honestly, I wasn't expecting an Audible version to exist at all; that never happens with magic books.

Tracey Norman did an excellent job with narration. Her voice is clear, easy to listen to, and over all enjoyable. Sometimes the cuts and transitions between sections, especially transitions to the male narrator who reads quotes, feel sloppy, EQ may change drastically for example, but these are minor issues.

Gemma, of course, wrote a great overview of a living trad-craft practice. Some of it we find in similar books from other Cochrane inspired authors, but the Cornish folk practice and mythological lens is a valuable one that needed to be documented in a practical way. The book certainly succeeds there. If I had one complaint, it would be that this is indeed an overview. Few topics within the books are explored in great depth. There are more in depth books out there on just about every topic covered here. I suppose the real purpose of the book then is the synthesis (or re-synthesis?) of all these little pieces into one unified tradition.

I applaud the author and publisher for making the effort to bring this title to audible, and I really hope more of the occult publishing world follows suit soon.

highly recommend

easy to listen to, full of information - I return to this book again and again!

I RECOMMEND THIS TO ALL

it kept me wanting more. as someone who has moved away from new age spirotualism, im planting my roots in this.

Very interesting

A very interesting read with very detailed explanations on spells and rituals. I really enjoyed the narration from Tracey and listening to the rituals really feel like I’m right there at the circle. The book is rich in history, I believe if you are studying this would be an essential book. Learned a lot about the land and the light and dark traditions of the Cornish people. Interesting read indeed.

great book on old witchcraft

I was interested in reading a book on old country witchcraft, and found this one to be very good. interesting, as this book, and Gary's other two here, discuss tools, charms and rituals quite different from the ones I'm more familiar with. it do3s beg to question is some of these are the precursor to chants, rituals, etc performed in BTW

I tried to like this.

As someone who has read and listened to many witchcraft books, I can't enjoy this one, not even a little. It's as if the author doesn't want anyone to understand aside from those who are familiar with back woods, old English. There is constant terminology I do not understand or at the very least, make the book feel disconnected. Constant references to "the pella" (is that a witch?), little folk, things like be twixt, be ye, and a billion other Old English ways of speaking that while maybe slightly understood, it leaves so much to be desired. At over halfway in, it's been a miserable listen and I'm going to just stop there. I just hope that if this author writes again, that they don't purely exclude those aren't from tiny UK villages in the middle of nowhere who may not understand things that are this far out of typical English literacy. Or at the very least, explain what this terminology is. With as much as it was used, I still have no clue what a Pella actually is. I can't recommend.

My honest opinion:

* First off please keep in mind that this is just my personal opinions, and don’t decide to not read it just because of a random person’s opinion. Also keep in mind that this book was written on the view of Cornish ways...hence the name *
Pros :
It had some interesting information, nice tid bits of history on the Cornish ways, a look into how the Cornish folks of witchcraft do things. ANY book on witchcraft is useful in its own way.
Cons:
The book is written on the ways that they do witchcraft locally in their own town. ( ( Example: she talks about a certain Rock that even the ancestors used to walk around, and to go there and walk around it 9 times /or/ go to the other side of the town to the rock that has the hole thru it, and pass thru the hole ) that type of thing. The rights, rituals, and craft itself seems to only be of her immediate local town.
Lots of words that I didn’t exactly understand what she was even talking about. She lost me several times, it would have been better if she could have clarified more, as a person not from Cornish ways/area...yea no clue.
If you do your craft solo, this will be a waste of complete time, this whole book is based off of her being in a local coven. She only speaks once of solo.
A few parts kind of reminded me a lot of gardnerian practices, especially the coven initiation, but I know that a lot of Wicca practices has a hint of Traditional Witchcraft in it.
I can appreciate the effort that she put into this book, however, the interspersed parts of group chanting was irritating more than anything.

Good Overview

Unfortunately this book is very general. It doesn’t really explain anything other what things are. Not how there used in ritual. A magical glossary and history more then a technique manual.