Gemma Gary; writer and devoted practitioner of the Arte Magical. Gemma lives and works in the far west of Cornwall; a land rich in ancient sites, folklore, seasonal customs and magical tradition. Gemma possesses a longstanding interest in the operative 'old style' witchcraft, folk magic and 'cunning' traditions of her home landscape and beyond. She pursues a personal, animistic path, deriving her Craft from the presences, virtues and the lore of place, and is active in the revival and reification of the ways of the working witch and 'pellar', both in her writing and her magical practice. An initiate of British 'Old Craft' lineage, Gemma serves as the founder of the Craft Order 'Kord Bucca', and 'The Sodality of the Light Betwixt', and has served as 'Dyawles' of the covine 'Ros an Bucca' in Cornwall for many years. Gemma is also active within her local 'guize' customs, is a longstanding supporter of Cornwall's world famous Museum of Witchcraft & Magic and currently serves as a trustee of its 'Friends' organisation. Jane Cox is a photographer, amateur folk musician and publisher living and working in the west of Cornwall. Her work explores subjects surrounding occultism, folklore and folk-magic. Jane is an active participant in the Cornish seasonal festivities where she appears as a musician and traditional 'guise' performer.
"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 practising 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
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