#viridarium umbris

[lailoken]

What reading or background knowledge would you consider to be a pre-requisite for starting Viridarium Umbris?

I'm honestly not sure what I would suggest, other than maybe trying to learn what you can about Eruopean Wort Cunning and the Cultus Sabbati first. Others are welcome to give their own suggestions to this, though!

[lunefrog]

hello! two years ago you mentioned 'hortus conclusus' in a post. if i may ask: what is that?

i didn't intend to answer this because i figured it'd be easily google-able, but then, on a whim--perhaps guided by the hand of the divine to not make a total ass of myself--looked it up, and it's really not clear what i was talking about.

the hortus conclusus i was talking about is from a book called Viridarium Umbris by Daniel Schulke. 'hortus conclusus' means 'secret garden' in latin, and in this case is/may be referential to the song of songs from the bible which mentions the phrase. its sort of hard to find individual things from the book online (outside of tumblr that is, lol) but the book is readily found in pdf form just about everywhere. it's on page 14 (page 33 of the pdf)

the idea is it allows spirits to impart wisdom onto the 'verderer' (as deemed by the book, lol. the amount of green is very silly)

sorry for taking forever to answer!

[reno-matagot]

Occult People in 4089:

''Look at this ancient grimoire called the VIRIDARIUM UMBRIS''

Me : Don't. It's too beautiful and important, just live a normal life

Also me: who the fuck is Elphame, are you talking about Dame Abonde or Hekate, Mother of Angels, or the fucking Virgin Mary?

Fuck you Schulke, I love you 😮‍💨

Just bought a Book about Strixcraft, where is my soul Lost? I shouldn't buy New books, they're just (awesome & precious)evil shit

[luminousrider]

Get out of the water, Raven commands. But she can't. Not when he slumps off his pegasus into the muck again. Or Forsyth continues to fight through obvious injury. Or Camilla...

Camilla needs her aid most. Raven might have been forced asleep but her staff had managed to close up most of his wounds. And Forsyth seems unaffected by the toxins in the air. Camilla is barely holding it together and Altena wills her steed over to the woman's side.

It is another weak glow of magic from her staff but she can see Camilla's breathing begin to steady. It is enough to stabilize her even if her skill with a staff is still lacking.

Altena 8/10 heals with Prayer Ring: 9/10 Altena 9/10 heals Camilla 2.5/10 with Recover [Roll: 5] [Total HP: 5] Camilla 7.5/10 Altena is afflicted with toxic poison. -1HP, 8/10HP

The air is thick and heavy. It leaves her feeling nauseous and a bit light headed but it's nothing she can't fight through. Especially when the ring on her finger glows warm and provides some relief.

@viridescent-lance @maligknightsthorns

Miss her, kiss her, love her, wrong move you're dead - Team 8 Iron Round

[musingmelsuinesmelancholy]

Decided to sin and re-read a handful of the books I got when I became interested in trad craft.

I forgot how uniquely detestable Robin asstart is

“Killing yourself would get you there (the otherworld)” why the fuck did he feel the need to say that? Who is out here thinking they’ll kill themselves in order to learn spirit flight

“I totally don’t recommend you cursing but say your daughter was raped could you be blamed for cursing the man to death” just…wtf man wtf…

“Fertile working of the womb seed” this speaks for itself

The more he talks about faery the more I’m convinced he’s got pebbles for a brain

Why say the devil is a part of witchcraft despite what “muH fluflky BunnY WicEnz” say but then go on to say it’s not actually the devil but a pagan god or faery

Why are we reducing the witch queen to love beauty and sex

Why are we boiling eggs and clay to make a poppet

The drawing of the hawthorn spirit in uhm resurrection of the meadow is most definitely a rip off of an illustration in viridarium umbris

Does he ever shut up

Why does it take three paragraphs of self aggrandizing pontification for him to get to the FUCKING POINT

[windvexer]

disappointment anon, i didnt actually know you could create spirit doors i thought i just had to hope that the spirits heard me after i called them to me because i dont have clairsenses or good divination.. LOL but thank you for that post that was extremely helpful :)

Hi! In Traditional Witchcraft and other related practices, I think I especially want to say Fairy Faith, the idea that the practitioner has the ability to find, capitalize on, or simply create portals, gateways, and roads into the spirit world is a dominant theme.

The only time I ever see this referenced in 101 stuff is casting a circle! The concept in Traditional Witchcraft is more or less the same as a Wiccan circle, but we call it a compass. If a lot of your education is coming from online sources, you may be unaware that a primary function of a magic circle is to "join the worlds" and, as Kelden puts it,

On a deeper level, though, and most central to Traditional Witchcraft, the compass is a liminal place, a doorway through which we can enter into the Otherworld.

On one hand, the word compass is synonymous with the word circle, but it also denotes the well-known navigational tool used in travel. This second meaning makes a lot of sense in the context that Traditional Witches use the compass round to navigate and traverse the different realms.

Kelden, The Crooked Path, 2020 (emphasis my own)

For a spirit-working witch, the skill of learning where to find spirits and how to reliably call them is a skill which I believe is separate from brokering deals. I also believe that working with these gateways is probably a fundamental skill of witchcraft.

The witch has many tools at their disposal for creating gateways into the spirit world and walking back and forth between this world and the next, with new knowledge, allies, and powers.

Some of these gateways are physical locations, each of which may lead to a different place in the otherworld, or make it easier or more difficult to access certain powers.

A small, secluded cave half-filled with water at the bottom of a steep riverbank may be the ideal location to enter the Underworld, or commune with chthonic powers.

A tiny thicket formed by the arch of a rosemary bush where it tangles with the branches of a thorny rose may be an excellent location to leave tiny gifts for the Greenwood and commune with the green folk.

Much more accessible for many of us is indeed just the concept of crossroads, either a 4-way X or a 3-way T. These locations are long famed for being the meeting places of spirits, or ideal locations to leave offerings or broker spirit deals. The Devil Himself is often said to be haunting just such remote crossroads.

But these gateways don't just have to be found. The witch has the power to create them.

Exhibit A - casting a circle (or more accurately to say, laying a compass).

Also, I believe the creation of a spellcasting altar, if properly magicked and tended to, begins to become liminal in and of itself - it literally becomes a doorway to the otherworlds.

Certain human-made locations, like gas stations and grocery stores, are often considered to be gateways and have been used by some practitioners to fulfill spellwork.

Various charms and talismans can assist with creating doorways navigating the liminal, most famously the Holey or Hag stone.

Robin Artisson details several methods of understanding, discovering, creating, and working with such doorways, I believe in Witching Way of Hollow Hill, but especially in An Carow Gwyn, in the section called The Breaching Charms: The Gateways into Sorcerous Experience.

Daniel Schulke, at least in Viridarium Umbris, provides several sigils and charms for obtaining entrance into the otherworld.

Roger J Horne, in A Broom at Midnight, details thirteen "gateways" to spirit flight. While these are specifically methods of entering astral travel, any student of the concept of gateways and doors within witchcraft I think would benefit from studying the rituals within.

Speaking of astral travel, many common methods espoused include imagining that a person is climbing down the roots of a tree, or inside of the trunk of a tree and floating down like an elevator; or going down a well. All of these things are analogous to (or, the same thing as) mentally seeking out a gateway to the otherworld, searching in mental constructs of places in nature where gateways are commonly found or believed to be found.

Indeed, the concept of roads, gates, thresholds, and doors, is (I think) a vital contemplation to the understanding of Witchcraft itself, and it is upon these bedrocks that a great deal of witchcraft has been built.

[thatdruidgal]

00.01 table of contents

Grimoire Table of Contents

This is my personal Grimoire, so it will be focused just on the information that I need/use! If you’d like more info on anything that I haven’t included, please do more research!

00.00 introduction

00.01 table of contents (you are here)

00.02 book list

00.03 advice

01.00 correspondences

01.01 triquetra Druid elements

01.02 quarternary elements

01.03 crystals

01.04 herbs

01.05 waters

01.06 colors

01.07 metals

01.08 chakras

02.00 lunar magick

02.01 lunar ingredients

02.02 dark moon

02.03 new moon

02.04 black moon

02.05 waxing crescent

02.06 first quarter

02.07 waxing gibbous

02.08 full moon

02.09 blue moon

02.10 waning gibbous

02.11 last quarter

02.12 waning crescent

02.13 lunar eclipse “blood moon”

02.14 solar eclipse

02.15 moon void

03.00 tarot

03.01 numbers 1-10

03.02 court cards

03.03 suits

03.04 major arcana

03.05 yes/no/maybe

03.06 spreads

04.00 basic spells

04.01 warding/protection spell

04.02 cleansing spell

04.03 safe travels satchet

04.04 luck/prosperity tea

04.05 fire cider + chutney soup

See this post for all of my favorite recipes

05.00 favorite ingredients

05.01 quartz

05.02 amethyst

05.03 obsidian

05.04 citrine

05.05 sodalite

05.06 salt

05.07 rosemary

05.08 cinnamon

05.09 lavender

05.10 moon water

06.00 spirits + fae

06.01 signs of fae

06.02 attraction/offering + repelling fae

06.03 (some) types of fae

06.04 spirit guides

06.05 spirit signs/omens

06.06 working with spirits

07.00 calendar

07.01 yule / dec 21st

07.02 imbolc / feb 2nd

07.03 ostara / mar 21st

07.04 beltane / may 1st

07.05 litha / june 21st

07.06 lughnahsadh / aug 1st

07.07 mabon / sept 21st

07.08 samhain / nov 1st

07.09 history cycles

08.00 druidry

08.01 druidry overview

08.02 bard

08.03 ovate

08.04 druid

09.00 science and magick

09.01 quotes

09.02 matter and energy

09.03 placebo effect

09.04 energy and physics

09.05 more matter, energy, and theoretics

09.06 measuring energy

09.07 psychometry and "imprinting"

09.08 aether

09.09 green magick and plants

09.10 synchronicity

10.00 theism + beliefs

10.01 witchcraft practices

10.02 deist quotes

10.03 deism workings

11.00 margin notes [upg]

11.01 low budget options

11.02 how to practice around burnout

11.03 small ways to practice

11.04 notes

12.00 worldview [upg]

May or may not include this

12.01 personal beliefs

12.02 creation of the universe

12.03 death + otherworld

12.04 time

12.05 institutionalized religion

12.06 magick

12.07 aspects of world

12.08 spirits

13.00 library

13.01 Viridarium Umbris

[catoptromantia]

Found hardbacks of viridarium umbris and ars philtron. Farewell money

[friend-crow]

Okay, I took a year to get distracted by Azoetia, but now I'm super excited to start working Viridarium Umbris. I am taking the most organized notes of my life.

[barncultus]

Developing Local Cultus: A Companion Library

In preparation for the revamping of my Local Cultus series over on wordpress, I have begun to gather this small reference library for anyone who may be interested. Containing mostly works which inspired me to set out on the path of developing a localized religious practice, as well as some of my research materials. For those interested in the series, and the topic which it covers, I absolutely recommend giving these titles a flip through.

The first of this series, an introduction and mapping out of what is to come, will be up on the Barn Cultus website by the end of July.

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer Indispensable knowledge of ecological relationships as written by an indigenous woman and professor of environmental biology.

The Green Mysteries by Daniel Schulke An encyclopedia of the spiritual, magical, and folkloric qualities of plants. Written by the Magister of the Sabbatic tradition.

The Golden Bough by James George Frazer Frazer tracks the role of religion and magic up until the modern day, introducing along the way some of the key ideas behind my style of cultus developing (such as re-enchantment). This book is always on my reference shelf, close at hand, and while the anthropology is at times laughably outdated, it is a beautiful read with some interesting groundwork.

Viridarium Umbris by Daniel Schulke I'd be remiss to not include this in my list. Another Schulke work and a comprehensive grimoire of verdant magics. I personally view this book as overhyped, though a should-read, perhaps not a must.

Demons & Spirits of the Land: Ancestral Lore and Practices A foundational text of folkloric land spirits and the operations used by Pre-Modern Europe to interact with them.

Roman Cult Images: The Lives and Worship of Idols from the Iron Age to Late Antiquity In my own eyes, the finding of localized images. Images references the faces, attributes, and fauna of the region in which each divinity of the cultus is depicted. The crafting of cult images, in the forms of eikons and idols, is another aspect of this.

Idolatry Restor'd by Daniel Schulke Schulke speaks to the ensouled fetish, which connects greatly to the idea of the Living Statue and the cultic image. More of a sorcerous read, but worth it nontheless.

We Are In The Middle of Forever: Indigenous Voices of Turtle Island on the Changing Earth I hold the strong conviction that those of us in America who find our bloodlines here through the powers of colonialism absolutely must be listening to indigenous wisdom- full stop. Publications like this one are a huge boon to the mending of the rift between the descendants of colonialism and the land which they inhabit. I think this becomes doubly important to those practices land-based religions.

The Sacred and the Profane by Mircea Eliade I come with the bias of studying the anthropology of religion full time. This book has in many ways aided in bridging the gap between my academic studies and the building of my theologies, and is a profound read by an author with a storied collection of publications within the field.

Mystai: Dancing out the Mysteries of Dionysus An interesting look into the mystery cult of Dionysus during late antiquity. Mystery cults often operated regionally and with localized aspects to their mysteries.

Eleusinian Mysteries and Rites by Dudley Wright All literature on the Eleusinian mysteries is a boon- this is my recommendation. Following the ritual life of the local agriculture cult which has gone down in history as one of the largest surviving cults into the Christianization of Greece.

Walking the Worlds: Building Regional Cultus Less of an academic read than the others on this list, but one I found equally as inspiring. The articles speak to diaspora and tensions of modern polytheism, and I think without some kind of academic pre-knowledge of these topics the articles themselves would fall a little flat, but a worthy read for the genuine pursuant.

Mystery Cults in the Greek and Roman World by the MET

Kongo in Haiti: A New Approach to Religious Syncretism by Luc de Heusch This article explores religious syncretism through the lens of Vodou, an African traditional religion known for its syncretic relationship with Christianity here in the US and Haiti. De Heusch explores a little bit of the roots in West Africa, and how the religion operates in both syncretic and nonsyncretic ways across the African diaspora.

Why Cecropian Minerva?: Hellenic Syncretism as System by Luther H. Martin This article explores syncretism in a western context, from the other side of the isle. This is not syncretism brought on by oppression and colonialism, instead highlighting syncretism theologically proposed by the oppressors, a favorite of the Romans. Martin explores the theology of this, the politics of this, and offers interesting analysis of the historical evidence.

Epithets in the Orphic Hymns by W. K. C. Guthrie There's powers in names. You know it, I know it, Guthrie certainly knows it. Behind that power is meaning. While Guthrie does not particularly touch on regionalized epithets, I still find this to a be a great read to get one thinking about cult specific poetic titles.

[lailoken]

"'Praxis Sylva: The Patron Tree'

Of essence to Devotion upon the path is the binding magical seal of Oath, wherein the soul of the Faithful Seeker is bound in word, deed, and blood unto the Spirits of the Pleasure Garden and their work. Such is the gift of the Wayfarer unto the Father of Arboreal Wisdom, sealed in the Pact of the Patron Tree. By this act are the first steps of the Wayfarer solemnized.

With such knowledge as has been received by Counsel of the Copse, and in the good company of such wholesome spirits as have been sown by the Rite of Fallowing, go forth in purity unto a wild tree of thy heart's calling. Such may be an arbor well-known and venerated over many years, or yet it may be such a tree as has appeared in the Twilit Wood of Dream, only recently found in waking. Yet still, it may be a tree whose voice has called out to thee in thy wanderings or drawn thee beneath its branches by the strict power of fascination; or yet may have appeared as an Holy Waymark by divine arrangement of sign or omen.

In all ways shall it be hallowed unto thee, set apart from its brethren by virtue of character, portent, resonance, and magical idiolectic; and yet all such immediate knowledge may be, in its proper course, usurped by Intuition, for by way of epiphanic gnosis, conviction of the Souls of the Pure may be attained without mundane explanation.

By means of Sacred Quietus approach the tree and remain still. Within this moment of abiding, let the multitude of veils and armours raised against the mundane world be revealed in all nakedness, and with deliberation, both reckon them fairly, and tear them away. For while such thorns as thou hast put forth may serve as a bulwark against the Dominions of Man, they are an unseemly bewitchment of thyself within the Circle of Art, and a violation of the Laws of the Greenwood. Thus, by truthful attainment of the present moment, and witnessed by the Tree of thy true worship, proceed with the work of unbewitching, and know thyself revealed in the Light of the Wold.

As each veil falls, marshal thy innermost spiritual virtues—as well as all weaknesses and burdens—to the visionary form of a radiant Tree, in every way corresponding to thine essential principles, fair and foul. Witness this royal arbour standing in thy mind's eye strong and thriving, even as a greatspreading Oak in the midst of a meadow. See and know the breadth of its crown, above and below, and behold in entirety the work of its leaves and branches, greened in ecstasy. When it is accomplished, and the vision manifests of its own power, fix this image strong in thy mind's eye and stand unadorned as the Arboreal Self before the Tree of thy choosing.

Ever beholding the splendour of the Arboreal Self, let the Patron Tree in majesty be greeted in accordance with the counsel of the Heart, and then circumambulate its trunk, beholding the entirety of its form. In this, heed the teaching of the tree's outward mask: the warp and weave of its bark, the ground of its dwelling, the beasts which congregate amidst its branches. As this compass is drawn, know too the Arboreal Self as the Green Iconoclasm of the Wildwood, that spiritual intercessor betwixt thyself and thy Patron Tree whose outward form may change with the seasons, yet ever conceals mysteries, and reveals them anew. With both hands touch the trunk, lingering in the twin radiance of the trees of vision and flesh. If such is the decree of the spirits, a sign or omen may come, which, fair or foul, the Wise shall heed.

In successive pilgrimages to the Patron Tree, let sacrifices be given in addition to the original praxis: the perfumed smokes of incense, water, song, and knotted cord all shall suffice. At such a time as indicated by dream, omen, sign, and the Counsel of the Heart, let the Oath unto the Patron Tree be taken in all love, honour and severity, pledging devotion and protection unto the tree for life. In this magical compact is a gift given and received: the Wayfarer offers a single ring of his devotion, placed on a small branch high in the tree, or buried at its base. From the tree, a a single branch of wood is taken the cut on the tree sealed with the sorcerer's own lifeblood—to serve as wood for a magical fetish which the Patron Tree may indwell, and serve as a marriage-bond. The nature of the fetish is ordained by the Patron itself: such wood may become a ring for the finger, beads for a rosary, a wand, walking-staff, rune-stave, or idol.

In time, and with the good favour of the spirit, a power-compact betwixt Patron Tree and Herbarius may grow from the seeds of this union. For the fortunate, the Patron Tree and its attendant spirits may appear in Dream, or within the Waking Dream of the Magic Circle, to receive and convey blessings. The Patron stands within the Grove of Art not only as Totem, but also as Sacred Counsel; therefore let appropriate matters of inquiry be brought before the Tree and its Host for guidance. Throughout the life of the Wayfarer, a bridge of power, nurtured by devotion and spirit-communion, will link the Herbalist with the Patron Tree.

Let Devotion circumscribe intimacy betwixt Seeker and the Spirits them-lselves, written in the secret books of the Heart, for it is of concern to no other: by this is the Passion doubly kindled, the warmth of its flames appropriately directed, and one's place in the Grove of the Wise sealed.

OATH UNTO THE PATRON TREE

O Thou Shining Lamp of the First Tree of Knowledge,

Blessed art Thou and thy Attendant Host,

Blessed be thy Place of Dwelling.

By Ring of Blood and Kenning I pledge thee in Holy troth

All stewardship and adoration.

Come forth into the Grove of mine own dwelling

As I come forth into thine.

Thy roots all fallen idols embrace,

Thy form and mine entwined

As Serpent and Trunk,

All branches uplifted in power.

Sap to Blood I bind,

Leaf to Flesh I bind,

Wood to Bone I bind,

O Spirit Fair and Strong,

'Scribe thou this day within thy Rings.

All spirits here residing bear witness Unto these words and deeds of Union."

—

Viridarium Umbris: The Pleasure Garden of Shadow

by Daniel A. Schulke

[themotherofrevelation]

Thorns are chiefly weapons of Warding. As such, there is often to be found some sweet treasure the Herb or Tree is obliged to defend against those who would steal it: the odorous blossom of the Rose, the moist oasis at the heart of the caftus, the succulent dates of the Crucifixion Thom. The Thorn, therefore, is naturally endowed with the potencies of brisk defense, and further to this virtue, hatred of its enemies and valour in warfare. In this latter manifestation the Thorn is both punitive and binding, the Holy Nail of the Greenwood executing the grim sentence of Crucifixion at once harnessing the forces of binding and torment.

Daniel Schulke, Viridarium Umbris: The Pleasure Garden of Shadow

[coinandcandle]

Ask and ye shall receive lol! How have you been/what have you been studying recently?

-freedominthecircus

Oooo great question!!

I’ve been reading up on the two deities I’ve been commissioned for deep dives and I’ve also started reading Schulke’s Viridarium Umbris! There are free pdfs online of it and it’s been interesting so far c:

[wandering-free-and-queer]

Wander's Library

I have a lot of books. Be warned.

Physical Books:

The Complete Book of Dreams- Stephanie Gatling

Tarot for Self Care- Minerva Siegel

Queering the Tarot- Cassandra Snow

The Complete Dream Book- Gillian Holloway

The Alchemy of Your Dreams- Athena Laz

Moon Magic- Aurora Kane

Handbook Trio (Herbal, House, and Moon Magic)- Aurora Kane

Living by the Moon- Lunarly’s Kiki Ely

Your Lunar Code- Lori Reid

The Stars Within You- Juliana McCarthy

Dirtbag Astrology- Alberto Toribio

Astrology and Religion Among the Greeks and Romans- Franz Cumont

The Beginner’s Guide to Akashic Records- Whitney Jefferson Evans

Crystals- Jennie Harding

A Field Guide to Lucid Dreaming- Tuccillo, Zeizel, and Peisel

Lighting the Wick- Sandra Mariah Wright and Leanne Marrama

The Ancient Healing Companion- Misha Ruth Cohen, O.M.D.

The Practical Book of Witchcraft- Pamela Ball

The Everything Astrology Book- Trish MacGregor

The Complete Book of Palmistry- Joyce Wilson

Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner- Scott Cunningham

Living Wicca- Scott Cunningham

Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs- Scott Cunningham

The Pagan Family- Ceisiwr Serith

Wiccapedia- Shawn Robbins and Leanna Greenaway

The Good Witch’s Guide- Shawn Robbins and Charity Bedell

The Crystal Witch- Shawn Robbins and Leanna Greenaway

The Witch’s Way- Shawn Robbins and Leanna Greenaway

Wiccan Kitchen- Lisa Chamberlain

Psychic Spellcraft- Shawn Robbins and Leanna Greenaway

A Little Bit of Intuition- Catharine Allen

A Little Bit of Wicca- Cassandra Eason

12,000 Dreams Interpreted- Gustavus Hindman Miller

I Don’t Want to be an Empath Anymore- Ora North

Spellwork for Self Care

Witchcraft Therapy- Mandi Em

Happy Witch- Mandi Em

The Witch’s Book of Self Care- Arin Murphy-Hiscock

The House Witch- Arin Murphy-Hiscock

The Green Witch- Arin Murphy-Hiscock

The Green Witch’s Grimoire- Arin Murphy-Hiscock

The Green Witch’s Garden- Arin Murphy Hiscock

The Modern Witchcraft Guide to Magical Herbs- Judy Ann Nock

The Modern Witchcraft Spellbook- Skye Alexander

The Modern Guide to Witchcraft- Skye Alexander

Spellcrafting- Arin Murphy Hiscock

Divination- Alida Somars

1001 Spells- Cassandra Eason

Witchcraft Magic and Alchemy- Grillot de Givry

Other Physical Media:

Moon Magic Lunar Oracle- Marie Bruce

Moon Energy Guided Journal- Nikki Strange

Manifesting Dreams Guided Workbook

Spellcraft: A Guided Journal for Casting, Cleansing, and Blessing

Magazines:

Prevention Guide All-Natural Herbal Remedies

Centennial Entertainment: Witches

360 Media Special: The Story of Witches

National Geographic: Natures Best Remedies

Ebooks:

The Study of Witchcraft- Deborah Lipp

Braiding Sweetgrass- Robin Kimmerer

Queering Your Draft- Cassandra Snow

Herbal Magick- Gerina Dunwich

An Anarchist Free Herbal Zine

City Magick- Christopher Penczak

A History of Witchcraft in England from 1558-1718- Wallace Notestein

Italian Folk Magic- Mary-Grace Fahrun

Love Magic- Lilith Dorsey

Magic When You Need It- Judika Illes

Magical Astrology- Skye Alexander

Personal Magic- Marion Weinstein

Plant Witchery- Juliet Diaz

Positive Magic- Marion Weinstein

Reading the Runes- Kim Farnell

Viridarium Umbris- David A Schulke

Spellcrafting- Gerina Dunwich

The Big Book of Tarot- Joan Bunning

The discoverie of witchcraft- Reginald Scot

The Witch’s Eight Paths of Power- Lady Sable Aradia

The Witch’s Guide to Wands- Gypsey Elaine Teague

True Magic- Draja Mickaharic

Water Witchcraft- Annwyn Avalon

Wicca Made Easy- Phyllis Curott

Wishcraft- Sakura Fox

Witch, Please- Victoria Maxwell

Witchcraft Activism- David Salisbury

Witchery: Embrace the Wisdom Within- Juliet Diaz

Year of the Witch- Temperance Alden

Books that aren’t directly about witchcraft but I incorporate them into my witchcraft studies because they’re useful AF:

The Seven Sisters of Sleep- Mordecai Cooke

The Watkins Dictionary of Symbols-Jack Tresidder

Mythology- Edith Hamilton

The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers

The Greek View of Life- G. Lowes Dickinson

The Calm and Cozy Book of Sleep- Beth Wyatt

RD Home Handbooks: Herbs- Lesley Bremness

PDR for Herbal Medicines First Edition

The Book of Signs- Rudolf Koch

Other Occult Related Books:

The Satanic Bible- Anton Szandor LaVey

The Satanic Rituals- Anton Szandor LaVey

Quantum Freedom: Divine Embodiment- “The Spirit Collective” Channeled by Katherine D. Caulfield (I’m deadass, that’s what’s on the book cover)

Mythology Books:

The Odyssey-Homer

The Iliad- Homer

New LaRousse Encyclopedia of Mythology

Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods and Percy Jackson’s Greek Heroes- Rick Riordan (Not even remotely sorry lmao)

Zeus Grants Stupid Wishes- Cory O’Brien

The Argonautica- Apollonius Rhodius

The Theogony- Hesiod

[musingmelsuinesmelancholy]

Hey there! I’ve followed you for a bit but haven’t asked you much yet! So I’ve got one for you—what are your general thoughts on Chumbley’s work? Any books you recommend regarding Cultus Sabbati?

Hello! hope all is well 😁

Admittedly I’ve read more Schulke than Chumbley, though I do enjoy his works. I enjoy his writing style more than Schulke’s, tho like most sabbatic literature it can be hard to grasp but that’s the point! I enjoy the emphasis on ecstatic and oneiric experiences, the draconic motifs, the stellar motifs. It’s kinda what I was looking for when I got interested in witchcraft as a pre-teen. Sabbatic lit provided me structure as I was leaving behind the New Age stuff, which I desperately needed as I no longer had the structure of Wicca.

I’d recommend Azoetia, Lux Haeresis, Opsulca Magica and Qutub to somebody newer to sabbatic craft. I also really really enjoy Viridarium Umbris, Ars Philtron!

Pretty sure all of these are easy to find as PDFs. VK who? 👀

Just for transparency’s sake I am very much a novice, I have been practicing trad craft for like 6 ish years? Gotta long way to go!

[windvexer]

Really enjoying Viridarium Umbris so far because it's all Watcher lore and super mystical religious witchcraft and then every now and then Schulke will just be the most practical guy ever, like, "just skip the holy fire if there's a wildfire risk," and, "your sacred tree-patron walking stick of the hermit's path is super handy for beating the shit out of someone if you run into problems while hiking."