Book title and author: The Crooked Path: An Introduction to Traditional Witchcraft by Kelden
Status: Finished
My overall rating of the book: 10/10
How does this book relate to my magickal practice? I identify my style of Witchcraft as that of Traditional Witchcraft, and I try to base as much of my practice as I can on folklore and personal (unverfied) gnosis. It’s refreshing to read a book that resonates so much with my (current) path.
My personal thoughts/opinions: I have a hard time finding books that truly resonate with me and my personal practices. This one comes pretty close to being almost exactly aligned with my beliefs. I find that most books on Traditional Witchcraft feel too outdated or put too much of an emphasis on making sure things are exactly the way they’re supposed to be. Kelden’s approach is pretty much the same as mine: If it works, it works; if not, change it so it does work for you. Kelden’s approach is also rooted in folklore, but not so rooted that it’s not open to change.
An interesting quote from the book:
Given the common misconceptions about what qualifies as a tradition, Traditional Witchcraft is often mistakenly thought of as representing (or trying to represent) a singular, unified, and unchanged tradition that stretches far back into the mists of time. But this just isn’t the case. Instead, the term Traditional Witchcraft refers to a collection of different paths that are influenced and inspired by traditions found within folklore. And again, these traditions are subject to change and growth in order for them to have relevance and meaning in the world today. Traditional Witches take stock of the traditions and customs from folklore, particularly that of our ancestors, but we don’t fool ourselves into believing that we live in the past or that these traditions have been untouched by the hands of time. Instead, we find ways to weave strands of the past into the tapestry of our modern lives. It is this process that makes Traditional Witchcraft “traditional.” (From chapter 1, e-book verison, so I don’t have a specific page number at the moment)
This quote stuck out to me because since I began my current spiritual path, all of the books I was reading were basically saying “This practice is ancient and must be done EXACTLY as I say, otherwise it won’t work.” This sentiment never sat well with me, and so to read that passage made me realize that not everyone in the Witchcraft sphere is so stagnant and stuck in their ways.
All-in-all, would I recommend this book?: Yes