Review: The Crooked Path: An Introduction to Traditional Witchcraft by Kelden

I first started exploring Traditional Witchcraft about ten years ago, in my late teens. At that time, it was very hard to find any information on specific practices and rites; not at all helped by the snobby attitude of the moderators of certain Internet forums, who wouldn't let ex-Wiccans such as myself join their special club! Even finding directions to make a Compass-Round was a real chore.

Back then, the only information that was readily available came from authors such as Robin Artisson (known for causing havoc on said Internet forums) and the late, great Peter Paddon. But books and magazines on the subject were not easy for me to obtain as a teen; I got Nigel Jackson's Call of the Horned Piper cheap second-hand, saved up for some of Robin and Peter's early books, and would trawl the internet for hours gleaning bits and bobs of information on the Craft, whether it be from folklore or modern practitioners.

While authors such as Gemma Gary (who provides the foreword for Kelden's book) have become more prominent and added some fantastic texts to the field, it seemed that we were lacking a single, preliminary resource for anyone curious about Traditional Witchcraft – something that offered a general overview of its key concepts, the most famous traditions and general instructions for performing rites such as the Compass-Round and Treading the Mill without being beholden to a specific tradition.

Enter The Crooked Path: An Introduction to Traditional Witchcraft.

This book is both a succinct, meticulously researched overview of the practice of Traditional Witchcraft and a workbook which gently guides the reader to practice key techniques and rituals which gradually increase in complexity.

We start with a summary of the movement's history (which happily acknowledges its symbiotic link with Wicca) and a brief explanation of the more famous traditions, such as the Clan of Tubal Cain and the 1734 Tradition. The author takes the time to highlight key figures in the development of the modern Craft, such as Doreen Valiente and Cecil Williamson. Kelden ultimately encourages the reader to forge their own path, but an extensive bibliography and footnotes ensure that anyone curious about a particular tradition or person can research further.

The remainder of the book is split into themed sections around key concepts of the Craft; Working with Magic (tools and spellcraft), Working With The Otherworld (ancestors, fetches and hedge-riding), and Working With The Natural Landscape (engaging with local spirits and using the natural items around you). This nicely encourages the reader to solidify their basic knowledge before developing their own personal Craft that is attuned to their bioregion and local spirits.

The exercises are clearly marked with headings and are often as simple as taking a pen and paper and taking some time to process what you have just read. But the reader does not have to wait long before they are making a besom, meeting their fetch and faring forth. Now you may think that including hedge-riding in a beginner's book is a bit much; but this is an essential component of Traditional Witchcraft, and Kelden takes great care to include plenty of safety advice and build up the reader's confidence and skill through the preceding exercises. The author has worked hard to recreate the experience of having a skilled mentor guiding you along the path, and I think they have done very well indeed.

Of particular interest are the 'From the Spirits of Lore' headings which enhance understanding of tools and key concepts via examples from historical folklore and mythology. In fact there is a whole chapter dedicated to adapting folkloric material for use in modern spellwork; something that is essential to our practice, yet The Crooked Path is the first book in which I have seen guidance on adapting this material yourself.

Also of note are the extracts from 'The Black Book' – recipes and workings that presumably come from the author's own grimoire. These will be useful for witches at any level. The ingredients are all easy to source and should be easy to substitute, especially after completing the exercises on communing with plant spirits.

Kelden does not shy away from baneful magic and hallucinogenics; there is no pressure to explore either of these yourself, but plenty of safety advice is provided for those who are curious (indeed one of the earliest exercises asks the reader to consider their own moral compass after a discussion on ethics). The author even provides a recipe for a non-toxic flying ointment that is safe for beginners to use.

Overall this book is a brilliant springboard for newcomers, and an inexpensive way to find out if Traditional Witchcraft is for you. Any eclectic witch will find something of use in here, and even the most experienced witches may fill some gaps in their knowledge (I know I did!).

I recommend working through the book from start to finish as the author does, though the recipes and workings can certainly be revisited time and time again.

I wish it had been available ten years ago!

The Crooked Path: An Introduction to Traditional Witchcraft is published by Llewellyn and is consequently available from all good bookshops. RRP £14.99.