Traditional Witchcraft: A Cornish Book of Ways
Authored by: Gemma Gary
Published by: Troy Books
With November 2018 came ten years since the first publication of Gemma Gary’s first book Traditional Witchcraft – A Cornish Book of Ways. This tenth anniversary revised edition begins with a new preface, giving an insight into the backstory of events which informed and inspired this popular title.
Although nestled in the Cornish landscape and its lore, the beliefs and practices described within this book are rooted also in the traditional witchcraft current and an ‘Old Craft’ of multiple British streams. Its magic and charms are comparable also to those found elsewhere in the British Isles and beyond, making this a book adaptable for practitioners in any land.
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 practiced 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 & Magic), 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
The tenth anniversary revised edition begins with a new preface, giving an insight into the backstory of events which informed and inspired this popular title. Much of the text has been re-written, with the introduction and the chapter exploring The Bucca being particularly expanded upon from the first edition. It has been profusely illustrated with new line drawings, plus 32 pages of black and white photographic plates. Of the fifty photographs presented within this book, only thirteen appeared in the first edition.
Bibliography
Paperback Edition
Publication date: 2018.
ISBN: 978-1909602366
Original price: £17.50
Physical Description
Dimensions: 234 x 156mm.
Page Count: 244 pages with 32 pages of black and white photographic plates.
Illustrative content: B&W line drawings, plus 32 pages of black and white photographic plates.
Binding
Binding: Gloss laminated cover.
Hardback Edition
Publication date: 2018.
Original price: £34.00
Physical Description
Dimensions: 234 x 156mm.
Page Count: 244 pages with 32 pages of black and white photographic plates.
Illustrative content: B&W line drawings, plus 32 pages of black and white photographic plates.
Binding
Binding: Claret case-binding. Silver foil blocking on the front and spine. Black endpapers. Black and red head and tail bands.
Black Edition
Publication date: 2018.
Original price: £36.00
Copies printed: Limited to 250 copies.
Physical Description
Dimensions: 234 x 156mm.
Page Count: 244 pages with 32 pages of black and white photographic plates.
Illustrative content: B&W with 32 pages of black and white photographic plates.
Other: Hand-numbered.
Binding
Binding: Bound in black recycled leather fibres. Black foil blocking on the front and spine. Black endpapers. Red head and tail bands.
Paper: 90gsm white paper stock.
Special Edition
Publication date: 2008.
Copies printed: Limited to 250 copies.
Physical Description
Dimensions: 234 x 156mm.
Page Count: 244 pages.
Illustrative content: B&W
Other: Hand-numbered.
Binding
Binding: Bound in green cloth. Copper foil blocking on the front and spine. Black endpapers. Red head and tail bands. Sewn binding.
Paper: 120gsm white paper stock.
Fine Edition
Publication date: 2008.
Copies printed: Limited to 25 copies.
Physical Description
Dimensions: 234 x 156mm.
Page Count: 244 pages.
Illustrative content: B&W
Binding
Binding: Bound in scarlet goat leather. Gold foil blocking on the front and spine. Marbled endpapers. Red head and tail bands. Red marker ribbon. Sewn binding.
Content Note
Other: Lined red library buckram slipcase, blind embossed on the front.
Special Fine Edition
Publication date: 2008.
Copies printed: Limited to 5 copies.
Physical Description
Dimensions: 234 x 156mm.
Page Count: 244 pages.
Illustrative content: B&W
Binding
Binding: Handbound in dark green fine hand polished and finished goat leather. Handtooled raised labyrinth to the front, modelled on one of the two stone labyrinths found in The Rocky Valley, North Cornwall. Gold foil blocking on the spine. Marbled endpapers. Capped spine ends. Gold marker ribbon. Sewn binding.
Content Note
Other: Lined green library buckram slipcase.
Audiobook Edition
