The Crooked Path: An Introduction to Traditional Witchcraft

📚 If you are genuinely interested in learning about Traditional Witchcraft (as opposed to Wicca or other modern paths), then "The Crooked Path: An Introduction to Traditional Witchcraft" is not just a book—it is the indispensable foundation you need. This work is a masterpiece of clarity, depth, and genuine wisdom, and it absolutely deserves its 5 star rating! ⭐️ What sets this book apart is its unflinching focus on the core concepts, history, and practice of the more cunning-craft and folk-magic stream of the craft. It avoids the fluff and New Age concepts often found in other introductory texts. Instead, it provides a rigorous, grounded, and intensely practical exploration of of many topics including: ● The Witch's Compass: Understanding the ritual space in a traditional context. ● The Land and Familiar Spirits: Establishing a deep, meaningful relationship with your local environment and the spirits within it. ● The Art of the Hedge: Detailed guidance on working with altered states of consciousness, astral travel, and spirit communication. ● Ethos and Practice: A sober discussion of the moral framework and core tools needed. 📚 The author’s voice is knowledgeable, respectful, and authoritative. They don't just give you a list of spells; they give you the philosophical and spiritual framework necessary help you become an even more traditional individual in your path! The book is dense with information, yet remains highly readable, encouraging thoughtful contemplation and slow, dedicated practice. ⭐️Pros: ● Authentic Focus: Purely focused on Traditional Witchcraft/Cunning Craft, not Wicca. ● Deeply Practical: Provides both theory and exercises for practice. ● Well-Researched and Grounded: Avoids sensationalism and fluffy concepts. ● Excellent Writing: Clear, engaging, and highly informative. 📚 If you are ready to walk the path less traveled and engage with a deeper, earth-based, and ancestor-informed practice, stop searching and buy this book! It's one of the only introduction you'll ever truly need. A modern classic and a mandatory read! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This book was a very thoughtful and thought-out take on traditional witchcraft. I really enjoyed the readability of the book. It was written out in a way that anyone should be able for follow along. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book.

I feel this book makes an excellent edition to my library. The author gives a wonderful perspective on a path of Traditional Witchcraft. I recommend this book for both deepening your own existing practice in Modern Witchcraft, or if you are just starting out and looking for information.

Good to have in your inventory , beginner friendly

This is a book that I wish existed 7 years ago when I transitioned from BTW to Traditional Witchcraft. This book does a great job at presenting the concepts of TW from someone moving from one to the other as I did, and for fledgling witches that may be more familiar with Wicca. While the authors love affair with Wicca was off putting to me, this book is a gem. I wish it was a liiiiitle longer, but what's here is great. It's a non threatening, no non-sense guide. Full of history folklore and enough practical advice and guidance that you actually have work to do and know what to do. Also the foreword by Gemma Gary was a gem I didn't expect.

I truly enjoyed this book. Well written and to the point. This book is a keeper to refer back too. I recommend The Crooked Path

Amazing book! This is such a good read for anyone who is a beginner or more advanced! It's so lovely! If you're thinking about getting it, DO IT!

I cannot believe all of negative reviews about this book. I am a seasoned practitioner having practiced for many years now and I found this delightful tome quite refreshing. Even after years of practice I learned quite a bit from Kelden. This book is not meant to be a college course in Witchcraft. It is an introduction. One of the great things about this book is that Kelden presents the Arte in a non denominational form and gives the reader all of the tools to begin forming his/her own personal tradition. Kelden really gets what “Traditional” means. I also love the way he settles this silly bickering between Wiccans and Traditionalists in a sound peaceful manner. I have read a countless number of books on the subject and this one really stands out. It is the very best book for the beginner. Kelden is wise far beyond his years, I highly recommend this book. I also suggest checking out his YouTube channel as well. Kelden is one to keep an eye on as I see great things to come. No matter how experienced you are you will gain something new from this book. For me, it gave me a new perspective. In fact I have anyone that asks me to teach them read this book first. What Scott Cunningham did for Wicca, Kelden has done for Witchcraft.

Un livre très intéressant sur la sorcellerie traditionnelle des îles britanniques. Les informations sont de très bonne qualité et l'auteur revient sur la différence entre cette tradition et la tradition wiccane. Il aborde de nombreux sujets très variés (vérifiez la table des matières dans l'échantillon de Kindle). Le niveau d'anglais est abordable et le style est très clair. Ça se lit très bien, et en plus la mise en page est magnifique. Je recommande pour celleux qui souhaitent élargir leur pratique et leurs connaissances.

I learned a lot from this book. Basics are explained thoroughly and yet simply. No fluff, just a steady flow of digestible information. I especially liked that the author knows the difference between Wicca and traditional witchcraft and did no bashing of Wicca while also not mixing it in. I, personally, do not choose Wicca and just want the meat and potatoes on what has been around for a long time, and this book delivers on that, while also making clear what are more modern adaptations. The best book on traditional witchcraft that I’ve read. Loved the very clear exercises to follow. Highly recommend

I love the book, I’ve learned more about myself and so many doors have opened mentally and emotionally.

Ich habe mir dieses Buch geholt, weil ich eine verständliche Einführung in traditionelle Witchcraft gesucht habe, die nicht oberflächlich wirkt. Genau das bekommt man hier. Das Buch ist gut strukturiert, angenehm geschrieben und vermittelt die Inhalte auf eine ruhige, respektvolle Art. Besonders gefallen hat mir, dass es nicht wie ein typischer moderner Ratgeber wirkt, sondern mehr Tiefe und Atmosphäre mitbringt. Die Themen werden nachvollziehbar erklärt, ohne dass man sich als Einsteiger verloren fühlt. Gleichzeitig hat man nicht das Gefühl, dass alles zu stark vereinfacht wird. Für mich ist es ein sehr gelungenes Buch für alle, die sich ernsthaft für traditionelle Hexenkunst, Rituale, Symbolik und alte Praktiken interessieren. Es lädt dazu ein, sich Zeit zu nehmen, mitzudenken und eigene Eindrücke zu sammeln. Ein schönes, wertiges Buch, das ich gerne weiterempfehle.

The Crooked Path has proved to be a really fascinating and informative work. I do not plan to become a traditional witch and certainly do not at all think of adopting practices such as treading the mill (I'm kind of scared); that, however, is not an impediment for me to appreaciate a book that taught me a lot I didn't know (and how can we decide upon the adoption of practices we don't know about?). And let's be fair: some of the practices in the book may not resonate with me, but on the other hand I did identify with several passages regarding feelings, attitudes and living in close contact with the natural world. The Crooked Path is very well written and organized, thus really standing out from most books I've read; the author is thoughtful and serious about the topic; plus, more than simply knowing his topic well, he knows how to address it and teach it. And on top of all the information he shares we can also find an extensive bibliography at the end, suggesting titles I had not heard about. The Crooked Path offers so much more than your average witchy book, and I am glad I purchased and read it.