Do you have any book recommendations for finding out more about Traditional Witchcraft?

QUESTION: I am a practicing witch of over ten years but with big gaps and no real direction. I have finally found a label for what I am and that is traditional witch. I would love more information and books or recommendations if that is ok? I don’t subscribe to religion and have a very animism way of thinking. I do what I feel like it when I want to and therefore wicca never worked. I would like to ask however - I am of Irish ancestry with a love of the Fae and Celtic mythology, but I was born in Northumberland, which is also rich in Viking history, and now live in Sussex so my immediate location is different. I am struggling on how to incorporate all 3 of these together.

ANSWER: Your question has two parts to it so I will answer them separately for you.

Your first is asking for suggestions on books and places where you can find information on traditional witchcraft. My first suggestion of course, is to look on the Witch Path Forward website. We have a wealth of information available there for you to browse through including an extensive Grimoire filled with correspondences etc. My next suggestion would be for you to have a look at whichever of these books speaks to you, I have chosen a few (though not all) because of your question about bringing the energies of wherever you’re living into your craft too……

Call of the Horned Piper by Nigel Jackson
Mastering Witchcraft by Paul Huson
A Witch Alone by Marian Green
Cunning Folk and Familiar Spirits by Emily Wilby
Witchcraft and Magic in the Northern Middle Ages by Stephen A. Mitchell
Witchcraft for Tomorrow by Doreen Valiante

This is just a start of course and there are fortunately many more to find and enjoy covering a wealth of knowledge and experience in these areas.

Your second question was about how to incorporate the energies of your ancestry and the places you have or do live now. My first thought would be that they already do come together in you as they are a part of who you are and the experiences that have shaped that. You are by far your most important tool anyway and so maybe it needn’t be so hard to bring them together in your work. If this doesn’t suit you then perhaps look for commonalities that they all share together, that unites them somehow, and use those in whatever way you are drawn to for yourself and your work.
​
I hope that helps 😊
Bright blessings,
Sarah