New Worlds of Body, Mind & Spirit Since 1901
Land spirits can be mysterious to many practitioners, often seen as something to fear. In my years of teaching, speaking, and writing about the magic of working with land spirits, I have found that much of this fear people have around land spirits stems from the expectation that land spirits and faeries are the same thing, and therefore something to be wary of. Faeries are one type of spirit of place, but in my definitions, they are not land spirits. Land spirits are the spirit of the land itself, the oldest living spirit in any given place—the primordial essence of life, an elder beyond age. Having a connection to them is a gift, and never something to fear unless you live at odds ...
I was writing my latest book (Stone Witchery & Divination: Lithomancy and Magick with Rocks, Gems, and Crystals) and looking with fresh eyes at my relationship with rocks. Specifically, I wondered not what they are—ask any geologist—but who they might be. Yes, they are persons, but what manner of people? We humans can live next door to a person for years, or work in the same office, and never know much about them; that's even more the case when your neighbors aren't human. Our species, homo sapiens, has been around for maybe 300,000 years, and have been chipping stone tools, stacking rocks into walls, or coveting pretty gems the whole time. How odd that we have been ...
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 ...
