Ecstatic Witchcraft

Journey down a shamanic path that embraces the ecstatic, the wild, the gnostic, the transformative, and the visionary. Expanding on principles touched on in his book By Land, Sky & Sea: Three Realms of Shamanic Witchcraft, Gede Parma walks you through an apprenticeship designed to ground and orient you on the path of the Shamanic Craft. Discover the meaning of ecstasy. Encounter the three realms. Learn shamanic techniques and rituals that will give you a more primal, authentic experience of Witchcraft, including: Drawing Down the Gods Working with Spirit Allies Trance and Moving Between the Worlds Ecstatic Spellcraft Healing and Soul Retrieval Seership and Divination Praise: "Smart, thought-provoking and useful...A worthy contribution to the continuing growth and evolution of shamanic Wicca by a passionate and poetic member of the next generation."—Phyllis W. Curott, author of Witch Crafting: A Spiritual Guide to Making Magic

'In this book Chris Allaun provides us with a wonderful road map of the different routes into the places that exist outside of time, space, and the five senses as we know them. He has also given us some valuable tools and techniques for using them. This is a delightful, inspiring, and enjoyable read.' Rev. Angie Buchanan, Senior Clergy of Earth Traditions, Certified Death Midwife Otherworld: Ecstatic Witchcraft for the Spirits of the Land is about establishing relationships with the spirits of the land. Many books talk about Faeries, but this book not only teaches about the Elves and Faery folk, but also how to have a working relationship with the spirits of plants, animals, and the land itself. Otherworld also teaches how to perform animal magick including shapeshifting for magick, healing, and establishing a deeper connection with animal spirits and discusses ecstatic trance techniques that will help practitioners work with the land spirits in a deep and profound way.

Written to fill the gap in available knowledge on trance, prophecy, deity-possession and mediumship within the neo-Pagan and Wiccan communities, Lifting the Veil has been developed from Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone's personal work and public workshops on trance-prophecy and ecstatic ritual over 25 years. The book covers the history and modern practice of trance as well as the methods of practice. It also explores the four keys to trance-prophecy, which include the importance of understanding mythical cosmology and psychology, understanding the role of energy in trance, the nature of spirits and deity, and understanding what trance is and the techniques involved. Because trance-prophecy is a very subjective process, the book includes descriptions of the personal experiences of others and transcriptions from several independent sessions by modern seers and priestesses.

For Witches and Pagans of all traditions and paths, By Land, Sky & Sea will help you develop an intimate understanding of the magickal lore and traditions of modern shamanic pathworking. Based upon the Celtic realms of land, sky, and sea, this wise and unique book explores the ancient trinity and its Greek, Hawaiian, Hindu, Stregheria, and Wiccan customs. Gede Parma guides you through effective methods for working in the three realms, culminating in powerful rituals for each. Gain basic skills in breathwork, omenwalking, divination, and celebrating the body through dance Learn techniques for energy work and expanding consciousness, such as astral projection, clearing and balancing the chakras, and clairvoyance Enact true shamanic practices of trance, vision journeying, channeling, oracle reading, initiation, and rebirth Praise: "Lyrical, anecdotal, and practical . . . This book will engage and refresh the seasoned practitioner of modern Witchcraft and enlighten the novice equally. Recommended."—Kala Trobe, author of The Witch's Guide to Life

First Published in 2004. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Weaving early accounts of witchcraft—trial records, ecclesiastical tracts, folklore, and popular iconography—into new and startling patterns, Carlo Ginzburg presents in Ecstasies compelling evidence of a hidden shamanistic culture that flourished across Europe and in England for thousands of years.

Since 1951, when the last of the Witchcraft Acts was repealed, many books have been written about the reappearance of witchcraft and the development of a pagan theology. Churchmen have denounced it. Sociologists have wondered at it. Journalists have penned sensational stories about it. But until the publication of this book, no one had told the real story of it from the inside as frankly as it is told here. Doreen Valiente, one of witchcraft's most widely known figures, was a close friend of the late Gerald Gardner, generally regarded as the founder of present-day witchcraft. Initiated by him and for a time High Priestess of his coven, Doreen Valiente helped him rewrite his seminal Book of Shadows. She records the break with Gardner that split his coven, the controversy surrounding Alex Sanders, 'King of the Witches' and memories of many other witches whom she has known, including the lady called 'Dafo', Robert Cochrane, Leslie Roberts and Sybil Leek. Doreen Valiente took part in many witchcraft rituals and had strange psychic experiences as a result. Described here are the clairvoyant communications she received purporting to come from 'John Brakespeare', an eighteenth-century witch. The Rebirth of Witchcraft traces the lineage of the present-day witchcraft from its forerunners through to modern feminist neo-paganism and the new wave of interest in ecology and holistic medicine.

The Wiccan religious movement is descended from a Mystery religion centred on ecstatic trance experiences. The Priestesses and Priests of Wicca are expected to be mystics as well as clergy. Wagar describes the rituals of Wiccan mysticism - Drawing Down the Moon / Sun and the Great Rite in detail, others in less detail - and how mystical experience is taught and integrated into the religion on both the group and individual levels. He distinguishes between several stages of trance and includes first hand accounts of Wiccan mystical experience as well as scripts and theoretical discussion. A valuable insider look at an influential new religion. Includes a useful bibliography for follow-up research.

"Devin Hunter's new book digs deeply into the roots of what makes a witch powerful. He doesn't gloss over the soul-searching work with simple spell "bandaids." Instead, he offers readings and exercises that empower the witch in mind, body, and soul."—Courtney Weber, author of Brigid: History, Mystery, and Magick of the Celtic Goddess Ignite the Holy Fire Within: Become the Witch You Were Meant to Be Witchcraft isn't always about the search for enlightenment; sometimes it's about power and the path to obtaining it. The Witch's Book of Power shares the secrets to unlocking the Witch Power within you, offering specific techniques for working with personal, cosmic, and ally energies to realize your full magical potential. Professional witch and psychic Devin Hunter has helped thousands of people discover their power and gain influence, and in this book he skillfully explores the concepts behind creating magic that can change your life. The Witch's Book of Power is the perfect resource for witches who intuitively feel that more power is available but seems to be just beyond reach. Praise: "You may or may not choose to follow the path that he has laid out exactly, but I'll wager that you will find something that you want to borrow into your practices. True Witches use what works and you'll find much in this book that yields results."—Ivo Dominguez, Jr., author of Spirit Speak "The Witch's Book of Power is a missing link in modern witchcraft training. Readers will find just what they need to ignite the spark of power that all witches need for an effective practice."—David Salisbury, author of The Deep Heart of Witchcraft "Devin Hunter is this generation's Headmaster of Witchcraft."—Jacki Smith, author of Coventry Magic

This is a highly original study of demon possession and the ritual of exorcism, both of which were rife in early modern times, and which reached epidemic proportions in France. Catholics at the time believed that the Devil was everywhere present, in the rise of the heretics, in the activities of witches, and even in the bodies of pious young women. The rite of exorcism was intended to heal the possessed and show the power of the Church - but it generated as many problems as it resolved. Possessed nuns endured frequently violent exorcisms, exorcists were suspected of conjuring devils, and possession itself came to be seen as a form of holiness, elevating several women to the status of living saints. Sarah Ferber offers a challenging study of one of the most intriguing phenomena of early modern Europe. Looking towards the present day, the book also argues that early modern conflicts over the Devil still carry an unexpected force and significance for Western Christianity.