Cunning Folk and WisewomenThe magical history of Britain and Ireland is an ancient and rich tapestry of influences and as old as the hills themselves. From the earliest times, our lands were marked with stone circles and sacred enclosures where the spirits were honoured and wisdom sought, to the secret holy wells and springs where once our native goddesses were revered and worshipped. Rivers and trees, hilltops and caves; each have always held their own spirits, and our relationship with these beings has endured through the centuries. Long before modern Wicca (which emerged in the 20th century), these lands already had a rich magical tradition; it varied from place to place but none the ...
If you've ever tied a ribbon around a homemade doll or whispered a wish into a bundle of herbs and cloth, congratulations—you've already tapped into the ancient art of poppet magick. Poppets are magical dolls used to represent a person, intention, or energy. Far from being just folk remnants or Halloween tropes, poppets are powerful tools of manifestation, healing, protection, and personal empowerment. In my book Dollcraft: A Witch's Guide to Poppet Magick & Haunted Dolls, I dive deep into the rich and versatile world of doll-based spellwork. But today, let me take you on a quick journey into what poppets are, how they work, and why you should absolutely be making one. What Is ...
Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft (also affectionately known as the "Big Blue Book," or simply, "Big Blue") was first published in the fall of 1986, and quickly became a best seller in the Witchcraft world. As of 2025, Big Blue has sold over 600,000 copies, making it one of the best-selling Witchcraft books of all time. Even today, nearly forty years after its initial publication, it remains a perennial best-seller, and perhaps the most recognizable book in the history of Witch-publishing. And while similar titles have gone through several changes in cover art, Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraftstill looks much like it did in 1986: it remains blue, oversized, and with a big ...
Note from the author to nonsmokers/non-THC users: This article does apply to you, too! While we will be working with cannabis ash, you can use the ash from cannabis incense as a substitute and adjust these workings as necessary. Laws in the United States criminalizing cannabis originated in the 1920s and 1930s, and most (if not all) were drawn up and enacted with the goal of controlling and criminalizing certain demographics, especially Hispanic immigrants and the Black community (who were often the direct descendants of slaves).1 While progress has been made around the country, beginning in the 1970s and continuing to this day, to decriminialize and even legalize the use of cannabis, ...