Defences Against the Witches’ Craft

Defences Against the Witches’ Craft

By John Canard

(An english root magician)

Published by Avalonia, 2008

Review by Herb Woman for The Esoteric Book Review

As a regular reader of the Esoteric Book Review I have found myself reading reviews by John Canard on this site many times and have learned a great deal from his wit and dry sense of humour.  When I found out that he had his first book published by a friend of mine who runs Avalonia Books, I decided that I should review the book.  It was difficult to try and remain neutral and impartial, I am a herb worker of many years experience.  Not a herbalist, just someone who performs magick with herbs and plants, so when I found out the author was an English Root Magician my ears pricked and I sat up to listen and find out more.

This, his first published book, is focussed on curses.  He provides down to earth and practical advice on how to find out if you have been cursed, how to detect the perpetrator and how to destroy magickal links.  He explains traditional methods for nailing footprints and how to work with Church Grimms, construct charms and how to grow herbs and other plants to protect your home.  His work draws both from his own research into the subject, as well as his training and experience.  As one of only a small group of practicing English Root Magicians today John provides an insight into a world otherwise unknown to the thousands of people who have an interest in the magick and spiritual beliefs of our ancestors.

So is it worth the £9.99 cover price?

Absolutely.  I found some of the charms and practical advice invaluable and most of all unique.  The book covers the subject of curses in a way that does not induce paranoia, he is throroughly practical and honest.  He gives a “check list” against which one could check for “too many coincidences” – as a sign for a curse.  This is not something I have seen anywhere else.

Cursing might be rare, but many of the techniques provided by Canard in this book would be very effective to defend against general negativity too.  Some of it is preventative in its nature.

Defences Against the Witches’ Craft is a book which I think all people who practice magick should be open to reading and it is likely to become a “cult classic” like many of the books published by Avalonia as it covers a subject that is simply not written about in this way.

So if you think you have been cursed?  Want to make sure that you are protected against curses and negativity; if you want to find out who cursed you or even how to curse and do it well, then this book has something to offer you.  I am recommending it to all my friends.

 

Treading the Mill by Nigel G. Pearson

Treading the Mill: Practical Craft Working in Modern Traditional Witchcraft

by Nigel G. Pearson

published by Capall Bann, 248pp, PB

reviewed by John Canard

This is an interesting book, which is to be applauded for focusing on an area which needs more serious work. By and large I enjoyed it, though I have a few reservations, as is often the case with any book which covers subect areas you have focused on yourself. The style of the book reminds me of Magick Without Peers in its eclectic nature, drawing as it does from a number of interesting sources, though in a much more witchcraft focused manner.

The herbcraft is reasonable, though I have often wondered where the traditional witches in days gone by would have got their exotic ingredients from for some of the recipes attributed to them. This is arguably not such an issue now in our “global society”, but personally I feel that, for example, we should not be using frankincense and myrrh and calling it traditional witchcraft, cause it ain’t! Unless the witches were doing sly deals with their local churches or stealing the ingredients, they would have stuck to native ingredients, which also have more of a connection to the land.

I do not want to sound all negative, as the flavour of the book and its content generally are good, and well suited to those wishing to work a non-Wiccan style of witchcraft that focuses on being out in nature. For this I heartily applaud the author and recommend the book as a good source of material and ideas. However less guided visualisartion and more getting your hands dirty would have suited this reviewer.
This book is available from all the usual online suppliers, such as Amazon, B&N etc. It can also be purchased directly from the publishers at www.capallbann.co.uk

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Reviewed by John Canard for the Esoteric Book Review, originally the Avalonia Esoteric Book Review www.avalonia.co.uk