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The Black Book of Johnathan Knotbristle: A Devil's Parable & Guide for Witches
The Black Book of Johnathan A Devil’s Parable & Guide for Witches offers an engaging, hands-on manual of old style Witchcraft disguised in the creatively woven words of the Devil’s parable. Chris Allaun, drawing on his decades of experience in the study and practice of Witchcraft, utilizes storytelling to illustrate how a Witch could have found compact, and thus power, through communion with the figure known as the Devil. Each chapter is a new lesson told from the perspective of our main character, Johnathan Knotbristle, that he, in turn, learns from the Devil. The second part of the book is the actual grimoire that offers the reader step by step instructions for working the acts of magic referenced in part one. It includes workings to create the Devil’s Stang, methods of entering trance, instructions on spirit conjuration, and much, much more.
- GenresWitchcraft
266 pages, Paperback
Published May 2, 2023
2 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
Chris Allaun
14 books31 followersI have been studying paganism and magick since 1992. I am an ordained minister with The Fellowship of the Phoenix and am also a Native American Pipe carrier. I specialize in Pagan Religious Studies, Magick, Shamanism, Energy Healing, and Native American Spirituality. One of my primary goals is to bring back the practice of ancestor honoring back into our daily lives. I have taught many workshops at events such as the Pagan Spirit Gathering and Between the Worlds.
My goal is to bring magical and energetic teachings to be accessible yet challenging to the magical student.
My goal is to bring magical and energetic teachings to be accessible yet challenging to the magical student.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 28, 2023
The story is spot on with the practices of witchcraft. I’ve never read a book on the craft that actually teaches while telling a story as well as this one did. Well done Chris Allaun!
August 25, 2025
I recently read The Black Book of Johnathan Knotbristle by Chris Allaun which is described as a ‘Devils Parable’.
Honestly, I think this is what I wanted Southern Cunning to be like. I felt like I’d been transported to rural southern USA and was being told a long winded story by some ones Papaw on the front porch. Sweet iced tea in hand, and a warm breeze on my neck whilst the rocking chair creaks alongside the crickets. A finger pointing at me knowingly as Papaw shares his wisdom… “You don’t want ta’be offend’n nobody, and you never know who was gonna get their britches in a knot for not be’n polite. Remember what I said, don’t go piss’n no spirits off and you don’t have ta’worry ‘bout spirits come’n after ya.”
What I liked:
I loved that this was written in the style of narrative learning. So far my favourite witchcraft books seem to have this style, like Marshall WSL's books. Where we learn through storytelling by following a character and learning as they do, joining them on their fictional discoveries. It’s a wonderful way to hold the readers attention and not bore them to death whilst delivering information.
Adored the way it was written in dialect. I know it’s not for everyone, but it really puts me into the character. I could ‘hear’ his voice in my head.
Loved the perspective that just because it’s in the imagination, doesn’t mean it isn’t real because that is exactly how I feel about a lot of my witchcraft.
This quote in chapter 3 felt particularly poignant. "It’s funny, folks believe’n any ‘ole thing that the pastor man be tell’n em. The pastor’ll make up stories ‘bout the Devil and they ain’t never seen no Devil. All they saw was the pastor preach’n his nonsense in church. It seems that create’n fear and panic was more important to the pastor than tell’n the truth."
This quote at the end of chapter 3 shows how the learning is written into the narrative. It comes across as Johnathan just telling us a thing or two but it’s absolutely crucial learning for any Witch. “Keep your work’ns ta’yourself. Folks don’t need ta’know stuff, and sometimes other witches are tricky and hide themselfs. You don’t want ta’be give’n away all your secrets ta’folks and then hav’n ‘em undo’n what you’re do’n.”
All the magic is worked with what’s at hand, and for what is needed. It’s less about being power hungry for the sake of power and more about stopping a drought that’s affecting the crops, or healing an illness or protecting oneself.
Really enjoyed the suggestion to use a rocking chair for trance work because my very first out of body experience (OBE) was brought on in just that manner! Using a (nursing) rocking chair for trance meditation! Tickled pink to see it somewhere else too as I thought it was a weird me thing.
What I disliked:
Some of it, particularly by the end of the book was a bit out there and wacky. Not a deal breaker, as I said this is a work of fiction with some learning woven in. But it did take me out of the magic of it in a way with the big ‘witch war’.
I didn’t come away from this book with a lot of practical things to do or try. That might be because a lot of it doesn’t work with my style of witchcraft practice, or it wasn’t a realistic look at how magic can or does work. Perhaps it’s just simply that I don’t live on a rural farm surrounded by woods but there’s really only one or two things I’ll be trying.
As a Devils parable, he showed up barely at all which was funny.
Do I recommend it?
Yes, I really liked it and if you can get past the outlandish nature of the story and the dialect I think you’ll enjoy it too! I give it 4 witches hats.
Honestly, I think this is what I wanted Southern Cunning to be like. I felt like I’d been transported to rural southern USA and was being told a long winded story by some ones Papaw on the front porch. Sweet iced tea in hand, and a warm breeze on my neck whilst the rocking chair creaks alongside the crickets. A finger pointing at me knowingly as Papaw shares his wisdom… “You don’t want ta’be offend’n nobody, and you never know who was gonna get their britches in a knot for not be’n polite. Remember what I said, don’t go piss’n no spirits off and you don’t have ta’worry ‘bout spirits come’n after ya.”
What I liked:
I loved that this was written in the style of narrative learning. So far my favourite witchcraft books seem to have this style, like Marshall WSL's books. Where we learn through storytelling by following a character and learning as they do, joining them on their fictional discoveries. It’s a wonderful way to hold the readers attention and not bore them to death whilst delivering information.
Adored the way it was written in dialect. I know it’s not for everyone, but it really puts me into the character. I could ‘hear’ his voice in my head.
Loved the perspective that just because it’s in the imagination, doesn’t mean it isn’t real because that is exactly how I feel about a lot of my witchcraft.
This quote in chapter 3 felt particularly poignant. "It’s funny, folks believe’n any ‘ole thing that the pastor man be tell’n em. The pastor’ll make up stories ‘bout the Devil and they ain’t never seen no Devil. All they saw was the pastor preach’n his nonsense in church. It seems that create’n fear and panic was more important to the pastor than tell’n the truth."
This quote at the end of chapter 3 shows how the learning is written into the narrative. It comes across as Johnathan just telling us a thing or two but it’s absolutely crucial learning for any Witch. “Keep your work’ns ta’yourself. Folks don’t need ta’know stuff, and sometimes other witches are tricky and hide themselfs. You don’t want ta’be give’n away all your secrets ta’folks and then hav’n ‘em undo’n what you’re do’n.”
All the magic is worked with what’s at hand, and for what is needed. It’s less about being power hungry for the sake of power and more about stopping a drought that’s affecting the crops, or healing an illness or protecting oneself.
Really enjoyed the suggestion to use a rocking chair for trance work because my very first out of body experience (OBE) was brought on in just that manner! Using a (nursing) rocking chair for trance meditation! Tickled pink to see it somewhere else too as I thought it was a weird me thing.
What I disliked:
Some of it, particularly by the end of the book was a bit out there and wacky. Not a deal breaker, as I said this is a work of fiction with some learning woven in. But it did take me out of the magic of it in a way with the big ‘witch war’.
I didn’t come away from this book with a lot of practical things to do or try. That might be because a lot of it doesn’t work with my style of witchcraft practice, or it wasn’t a realistic look at how magic can or does work. Perhaps it’s just simply that I don’t live on a rural farm surrounded by woods but there’s really only one or two things I’ll be trying.
As a Devils parable, he showed up barely at all which was funny.
Do I recommend it?
Yes, I really liked it and if you can get past the outlandish nature of the story and the dialect I think you’ll enjoy it too! I give it 4 witches hats.
May 24, 2023
This book reminded me of From Granite to Sea by Alex Langstone but with an American story teller rather than English.
The book main subject is traditional folk magic. The first part of the book are written as a verbal account told by the fictional Jonathan Knotbristle's recounting how he became a witch, gained a familiar, tools of practice such as the pitchfork and encounters with demons, spirits and otherworldly beings through pathworking and travel between the worlds, reverence for the dead as well as the Witches sabbat and astral projection and other tales each with their own lessons to be learnt.
His accent is written phonetically in the language of the book so took a little getting used to when reading but once you do it really adds another layer to the book. For someone who struggles to remember information they read in a book this is a unique learning tool as the tale help you to retain the lessons within.
The end of the book contains spells and rituals connected to the subject matters of Jonathan's stories. Overall inwoukd hsve to say I enjoyed this unique take on traditional witchcraft.
The book main subject is traditional folk magic. The first part of the book are written as a verbal account told by the fictional Jonathan Knotbristle's recounting how he became a witch, gained a familiar, tools of practice such as the pitchfork and encounters with demons, spirits and otherworldly beings through pathworking and travel between the worlds, reverence for the dead as well as the Witches sabbat and astral projection and other tales each with their own lessons to be learnt.
His accent is written phonetically in the language of the book so took a little getting used to when reading but once you do it really adds another layer to the book. For someone who struggles to remember information they read in a book this is a unique learning tool as the tale help you to retain the lessons within.
The end of the book contains spells and rituals connected to the subject matters of Jonathan's stories. Overall inwoukd hsve to say I enjoyed this unique take on traditional witchcraft.
January 3, 2025
The book left me with a bittersweet feeling. I think it had a lot of potential and started off very well, but some parts felt quite boring as I progressed. This was mainly because the author often relied on the same literary device and repeated the same spell repeatedly, making it repetitive and unnecessary. Additionally, as the story advanced, the plot twisted too much and turned into something resembling a Harry Potter-style battle against the Death Eaters.
I don’t know—it started strong but ended up as another fantasy. The author markets the book as a Black Book in the form of a story, and while there is an appendix with enchantments, they are nothing more than the same ones featured throughout the book.
What a shame—I had high hopes for a book like this.
I don’t know—it started strong but ended up as another fantasy. The author markets the book as a Black Book in the form of a story, and while there is an appendix with enchantments, they are nothing more than the same ones featured throughout the book.
What a shame—I had high hopes for a book like this.
May 15, 2023
Written in both, fiction and non-fiction, this is an excellent and interesting handbook about actual and very lucid magical practices. You will learn a lot. However, extra caution is needed if you follow fictional parts as actual pathworkings. Be careful, sometimes words and happenings can be surprising or unusual, it will be for you to "digest" offered teachings with wisdom! If you want to gain better knowledge, experience and understanding in witchcraft arts, you can do yourself a favour and get this book.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews