WITCHA

A Book of Cunning

by Nathaniel J. Harris

ISBN 1869928776
Publisher: Mandrake of Oxford
310pp / Price: £12.99 / $26
Format: Trade Paperback

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WiTCHA presents many secrets of English witchcraft in plain language, giving details of widdershins and deosil circle casting, spell-craft, divination, spiritism, sabbats and esbats, sacrifice, entheogens, philosophy, history, and more. The focus is primarily upon those aspects commonly called ‘operative witchcraft’ of ‘results’ and ‘getting things done’, rather than the supposedly more ‘spiritual’ aspects that have been the subject of so many books of late. These are illustrated with photographs taken by my step-father, Adrian Bryn-Evans, detailing, with their kind permission and support, exhibits from the MUSEUM OF WITCHCRAFT, Boscastle, North Cornwall. The disappointment of those seeking a ‘tradition’ to fall back on when they doubt their own judgement, I have attempted instead to portray an attitude of spiritual freedom central to the Craft. Some might even call it the witchcraft of the left hand path. Nevertheless, members of our family continue to be of service to their community, as those witches were in generations before.

Reviews

'When Nathan Harris says of his latest book - "You will not come across a book quite like this one again in a hurry.", I suspect he could be right. The book is hand bound in black goat leather and is printed on parchment paper. In appearance it looks rather like an old witch's grimoire and is as much a ritual object as it is a book. Inside the quality of printing is very good and is complemented throughout with excellent illustrations by the author himself, as well as ten colour photographic plates by Adrian Brynn-Evans of ritual objects from the Museum of Witchcraft.

The book concerns itself largely with what could been called the operative aspect of traditional witchcraft - spells, charms, necromancy, divination, ritual tools and there consecration etc., but it also includes information on the myth cycles, theology, philosophy and praxis of some branches of the craft. In fact this book bravely covers aspects of traditional craft which very few serious authors have dared cover before, it does this with a great deal of insight, which has evidently come from experience of these and other areas of magickal practice. This is a book written by a practising witch for practising witches with some experience, and so may well not be suitable for the beginner.

In these times of the mass publication of books full of dummed-down rubbish claiming to be witchcraft this book comes as a breath of fresh air . . .

Jack Daw reviewing the first edition for Mandrake Speaks.
(JD's Cornish Witchcraft website)

From Runa 17:

Nathaniel Harris makes the statement of the back cover of his book that he officiates in the House of the Old Ways as their 'Fool'. The wise among you will know that this should not be taken in its modern sense but rather as quite an impressive claim. Those who know Mr Harris will not consider it overly boastful of him to claim this, however.

A book about witchcraft with a more authentic ring to it has long been desperately needed and this offering surely must be among the best attempts made so far. Within one finds knowledge on the tools required, the workings, dodgy substances, sacrifice, naming, necromancy and a whole load of useful hints on'doing'. His chapter 'A New English Rune Poem' will not please all who will read this review but I found it most refreshing. A good example might be: Thorn 'Fuck the roses / send me the thorns', or Oz 'We are off to see the wizard / The wonderful wizard of Oz./Because... Definitely worth a read. - Karen Wainwright

Pentacle No.11:

'OK. - I admit it - I was wrong. When this book came out as a limited edition Wood & Goatskin bound manuscript, I felt it would be style over content. However this edition having come from Mandrake of Oxford, I can see that there is some- thing in this book that others have missed, or rather dismissed without giving it a fair chance. Admittedly, the author has been on the receiving end of much criticism, both deserved and unfair. The thing that shows through in this book is the author's passion for his subject. In fact, this book was originally written for friends and family, so it needed no converts. It didn't have to justify anything to outsiders, so Harris could get on with chronicling his craft. Containing a number of charms, spells, rites and divinatory practices, this book is representative of other Grimoire I have read and seen. Whether the content works is up to you, but this is listed as a book of 'operative witchcraft' - so results should be forthcoming. In all, there is a wealth of information in here, the author puts his practices up to scrutiny - some- thing his detractors have been unwilling to do.' - Jon Randall - 4½ Pentacles

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