Polish Folk Magic: Ancestral Lore & Traditions of the West Slavs

by Joanna Tarnawska

A practical approach to traditional Polish folk practice.Polish Folk Magic is an introductory guide into the folk beliefs, seasonal practices, living ancestral traditions, and authentic folk magic of the West Slavic peoples. With the Polish and Slavic diasporas in mind, Joanna Tarnawska fills in the gaps where sources have been previously scarce or inaccessible to those not embedded in the region.Tarnawska guides the reader through everything from the Slavic folkloric calendar to charms, protection magic, and healing. Polish Folk Magic includes a grimoire specific to Polish folk magic, the perfect companion for native and diasporic practitioners alike. Through an exploration led by a native Polish practitioner and made accessible by providing both Polish and English versions of each charm and spoken formula, the reader is invited to personalize their craft through this rich world of folk magic.

Genres: Witchcraft, Folklore, Nonfiction, Poland, Polish Literature, Occult, Spirituality

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 9, 2025

Reviews

[David Salisbury]

I devoured this book in 2 days. I cannot understate what a long time coming this book is. Very little (if anything at all) has been written about Polish witchery, especially folklore from a dual-religious angle. I actually want to go through and read it a second time and make more extensive notes. Even if you're not part Polish like me, the lore in this book is absolutely fascinating to learn about.

[Elyse Welles]

In much of the Western world, the deep folk traditions of countries like Poland have long been overshadowed by dominant religions. As a native Greek priestess practicing my own ancestral traditions, I know how difficult it can be to find and keep one’s voice in such a landscape. Joanna Tarnawska has not only kept her voice, but amplified it, selflessly, voicing―for the first time in an English language book―the depths of Polish folk magic. In doing so, she has offered a gift not only to the Slavic diaspora, but also to those in Poland working to revive and carry forward their ancestral practices. Polish Folk Magic deserves a place on the shelf of every serious folk magic practitioner.

[Aleksandra Masiarek-Dudek]

Jest to bardzo dobra książka dla osoby, która chce od podstaw zrozumieć, w jaki sposób słowiańskie wierzenia i tradycje funkcjonowały w dawnych czasach, ile z nich przetrwało i jak zostały zaadaptowane na etapie chrystianizacji. Jest to również wspaniała lektura, żeby zobaczyć, jak blisko Polacy byli związani z naturą i w jaki sposób nadawała ona rytm ich życiu. Znajdzie się tutaj również trochę magii w czystej postaci. Z minusów – jak dla mnie język, jakim napisana jest ta książka, jest zbyt akademicki (może liczyłam na coś bardziej reportażowego, opartego na wspomnieniach z dawnych lat), miałam też nadzieję na więcej nowych treści, w rezultacie wiele z nich było mi już znanych. Z tego względu 3/5, ale nadal cenię ją sobie szczególnie za refleksję, jaką we mnie wzbudziła na temat uważności co do porządku i rytmu, jaki natura nadaje naszemu życiu. 🍂🌱

[Gita Raine]

Joanna Tarnawska's book is an easy introduction to Polish folk traditions, superstitions, and magical practices. It explores everyday beliefs and customs, including traditional workings with ghosts, spirits, and demons. Rather than being a practical handbook of folk magic, it is an overview of Polish folklore.

Catholicism naturally plays a significant role throughout the book. Adopted in Poland in the 10th century and remaining the country's predominant religion, it became strongly intertwined with folk magic. It is also a reminder that official religion might say and do one thing, but folk tradition is never free from magical thinking.

The writing is simple and easy to understand, with only some minor repetition. Although the book is mainly the author's own summary and interpretation of Polish traditions, she supports it with historical sources.

As a Polish Lithuanian, many of the customs and magical practices felt familiar to me, almost like common knowledge. However, readers who did not grow up in Poland or within Polish communities may find much of it new. I think it is particularly suited to people beginning to explore or reconnect with their Slavic roots.

I personally wanted more of the author's own experience as a practising folk witch. I was especially curious about how she navigates the relationship between Catholicism and folk magic today. She names such practices as heretical, yet I do not think many traditional folk practitioners would have seen themselves that way. I doubt that the local church would condemn these women as heretics, especially in rural communities. It is a strong word with social implications, and in everyday life the Church and women practising folk magic often found ways to coexist. For instance, my own grandmother, practised folk magic while remaining Catholic, praying to the Virgin Mary, while at the same time she would leave offerings to Perkūnas, pagan God of Thunder, or Gabija, Goddess of fire.

Overall, I enjoyed the book, but as Joanna Tarnawska is herself a practising folk witch and educator on social media, I would have loved to see more of her personal practice alongside the folklore. Perhaps that could be a topic for her next book.

[Paige Etheridge]

Super interesting read that gave me great perspective. This is fantastic if you want to understand the world of "The Witcher" and/or your Polish Ancestors more deeply. Lots of interesting mythos and the wildest sex magic I've ever seen! The Polish Folk perspective is well explained and much care as well as research went into this.

I understand my Grandfather way more now too. He was my absolute favorite person and a true Polak. I miss him everyday. This was great for my grief and love for him.

There was a statement about the law of attraction used in the west. The idea of it is that because everyone wants different things, not all resources would be diminished, which the book brought up the idea of the law of attraction causing a stress on natural resources. But it was good to get a Slavic perspective on the idea. That's why people should seek out books from other cultures so that they actually learn what others are thinking so we can better connect.

[Milena]

I reccomend everyone that is curious, to dive deep into their ancestors folk magic history, and /or research local folk tales.

This was so fun, and I have learned so much while reading this book!

Very easy and entertaining to read.

[Agata]

naprawdę doskonałe kompendium polskich tradycji ludowych - oczywiście nie jest to źródło zupełnie wyczerpujące, ale jako punkt startowy dla kogoś, kto wyjechał za granicę jako dziecko (czyli dla mnie), jest idealne. cieszę się, że autorka nie unika tematów katolickich, bo mimo, że sama jestem niekościelna, to w końcu jest to kawał naszej tradycji, i nie uważam, że dałoby się zupełnie to wykluczyć z tego typu książki bez utracenia naprawdę dużej części kontekstu.

jedyna moja uwaga jest taka, że polskojęzycznej wersji przydałaby się bardziej dokładna korekta - znalazłam dosyć sporo błędów i powtarzających się słów czy całych zdań, co trochę psuło rytm czytania.

[Lindsay Pierre]

I cannot recommend this book enough. I’ve been looking for a book that does everything this one does for years and years. I have lots of Polish myth, Polish plants, Polish magic books. But the amount of English-translated authentic works are very minimal. THEN to have a book that explains everything in a historical and cultural context for those who grew up outside of Poland, is INCREDIBLY helpful. I have been SO INSPIRED by this book. It is everything I’ve wanted. Thank you to the author for helping tether me to my ancestors.

[tita.books]

to było dobre
czuć, że jest napisane dla osób nieznających dobrze kultury słowiańskiej
dużo jest też o tradycjach i świętach katolickich
czyta się szybko, idealna dla osób które nie wiedzą nic o naszych przodkach a chcą coś wiedzieć

[Willow]

A couple of months ago, Crossed Crow Books reached out to see if I was interested in reviewing any of their recent titles. I could not pass up the opportunity to read and review Polish Folk Magic: Ancestral Lore & Traditions of the West Slavs by Joanna Tarnawska, and I am so thankful I didn't. Tarnawska is a Polish native and folk practitioner, giving her the true inside scoop on Polish folk magic without the outsider's perspective.

Polish Folk Magic opens with a brief introduction explaining who and what the book is for. First and foremost, Tarnawska is honest that she is just scratching the surface of Polish folk magic, as traditions and stories vary by region and culture. She notes that her book is heavily sourced and encourages the reader to turn to these primary sources to learn more. Finally, she makes it known that Polish Folk Magic is for the Slavic/Polish diaspora and those interested in appreciating the Slavic/Polish culture. My heart sang with joy when I read the final introductory paragraph.

Many of us here in the United States and abroad in other colonized nations are searching desperately for cultural and ancestral roots that have been stripped away from us due to assimilation, loss of records, and time. If you spend any time on Threads, you will routinely see Europeans making fun of Americans trying to connect with our ancestral roots without realizing the sense of loss so many of us feel. We are living on stolen land with little to no connection to our ancestors, leaving a gaping hole in our sense of community and connection. Many of our ancestors immigrated out of necessity, to escape famine, war, and poverty, only to end up right back in those situations when they landed on foreign soil. They were relegated to slums, stripped of their valuables, denied access to certain jobs and places of business, and often forced to assimilate by changing their names, hiding their culture, and disguising their accents. This resulted in fragmented family histories, stripped of culture and heritage. Tarnawska recognizes that those who belong to the Slavic diaspora are seeking connection, and attempts to begin filling that void with her work. We need more books like Polish Folk Magic, written by those who are currently living and breathing the unbroken traditions of our homelands, so that those of us seeking connection can find our way home.

As mentioned earlier, Tarnawska takes an academic approach to Polish folk magic, while still remaining accessible. This is not your traditional how-to book, focusing primarily on laying the foundation of what Polish folk magic is, how it works, and tracing the history of the practices. This makes Polish Folk Magic a one-of-a-kind primer to understanding the Polish folk magic tradition, acting as a jumping point for those of us outside of current culture. Tarnawska covers everything from history, traditions, and folklore to types of magic, spells, spirits, and holidays. Throughout, Tarnawska offers personal insights into her practice and those of nearby regions, making sure to remind us that she is not able to cover everything within the scope of this book. However, Tarnawska still creates an excellent introduction that left me with plenty of ideas on where to start tracing my own Swedish and Scottish roots. And that is one of the great things about Tarnawska's work; you don't have to be Polish or Slavic or of that diaspora to find value in her work. In fact, much of the folklore Tarnawska discusses overlaps heavily with other cultures in the region, helping to set the stage for your future research.

Apart from offering one of the best introductory books I have ever read, Tarnawska also makes important connections between what our ancestors did and how we can use it in our modern world. Just as our ancestors fought against famine and uncertainty, so do we. While most of us are no longer living an agrarian life, that doesn't mean the earth's cycles don't pertain to us. On top of this, the threats they faced are the same we face today, just on a larger scale. Tarnawska encourages the readers to apply the foundations she lays to fighting climate change, tyrannical governments, capitalism, and other diseases of our modern world. I wish she had expanded on this a bit more, but I hope she will write more in the future.

Overall, I cannot give Polish Folk Magic: Ancestral Lore & Traditions of the West Slavs by Joanna Tarnawska enough praise. If you are of the Salvic diaspora or not, I highly encourage you to pick up a copy if you are trying to reconnect with your ancestral roots and decolonize your practice. The approach Tarnawska takes is one that you can easily apply to any country/culture/heritage, and her work offers valuable insight into understanding where much of the folk practices in the United States originates from.

[Margaret]

Excellent! Well written and well researched.

[Ashley Roberts]

I am so grateful to have found this book. Thank you Joanna for providing this information to the English speaking world.

[Thomas Pinneck]

Polish Folk Magic was a particularly satisfying read because English-language occult publishing has given us comparatively little on West Slavic folk practice, and what does appear is too often filtered through generalized ideas of “Slavic paganism.” Joanna Tarnawska gives us something much more textured: household custom, spirits, ancestors, healing, protection, charms, fire and water, the agricultural year, and a worldview in which Christian and pre-Christian elements have spent centuries becoming entangled with one another. I appreciated that she does not try to clean this material up into a reconstructed pagan religion. Folk Catholicism belongs to the story because it belongs to the historical tradition, and the resulting mixture is considerably more interesting than an artificially purified version would have been. There is a sense throughout the book that folk magic is embedded in ordinary life, family, landscape, seasonal necessity, and inherited custom rather than existing as a separate occult hobby.

The preserved charms were probably my favorite part of the book, particularly because Tarnawska gives the spoken formulas in Polish as well as English. Language matters in this kind of material, and being able to see the original beside the translation preserves something that an English-only presentation inevitably loses. The sections on spirits and allies, protection, healing, ancestors, and the folkloric year also give the reader enough context to understand why particular practices developed instead of presenting them as disconnected spells. Tarnawska draws heavily upon historical, ethnographic, and anthropological material while remaining clear that regional variation is enormous and that she is offering an introduction rather than defining a monolithic “Polish tradition.” That distinction inspired more confidence in the book, because folk practice almost always becomes less uniform and more locally peculiar the closer one looks at it.

I also think this is an important book for diaspora readers because it demonstrates a responsible way of approaching ancestral practice without inventing an imaginary pre-Christian past to fill the gaps left by migration, assimilation, and lost family knowledge. Tarnawska provides sources, surviving customs, folklore, and operative material, but she also leaves room for the practitioner to establish an actual relationship with ancestors, spirits, landscape, and tradition in the present. Some readers already immersed in Polish culture may find portions elementary, and I would happily have read another few hundred pages of regional variations and primary-source discussion. As an English-language introduction, however, it fills a genuine gap and does so with considerably more care than most books marketed under the broad heading of Slavic magic. This is the sort of folk-magic book I want more of: culturally specific, historically conscious, comfortable with religious syncretism, and interested in keeping a tradition alive rather than turning it into an occult aesthetic.

[Damian]

I’ll start by saying that I liked the book, although I do have a few criticisms. As its title makes very clear, the book is about Polish folk magic, and it is evident that the author speaks with authority, personal experience, and, no less importantly, as a native of the country. It is interesting that she clearly explains that the Slavic peoples are not one single, unified group; rather, they are a collection of different peoples with variations in customs, beliefs, and language.

The book has a solid theoretical foundation, not only in folk magic but also incorporating certain elements characteristic of Traditional Witchcraft, which, for me, is not a problem at all.

It also has an interesting practical section, with a variety of rituals intended for different purposes, both constructive and destructive. She discusses various spirits from the region as well, which is something I appreciated.

What I did not like was the way the author speaks about animism in absolute terms. At times, it seems as though her perspective is the only valid and correct one, giving the impression that there is only one proper way of doing things while dismissing other approaches to magic as misguided or modern, as though being modern were inherently a problem.

Perhaps this is something worth reconsidering. Even the folk magic she practices, or seeks to teach, is also modern in its present form. This renewed interest in folk magic is an interesting phenomenon, but it has inevitably been adapted to contemporary reality. We do not live in eighteenth-century rural Europe, nor are we our ancestors. Because of that, all the criticism of technology and modern life begins to undermine itself when the same people use Instagram and other modern platforms to discuss and promote these very ideas.

At the same time, the book seems to suggest that, in contemporary society, only people from a particular social class or with certain political views are suited to practice these forms of magic. I’m sorry, but that comes across as somewhat classist, dogmatic, and authoritarian.

Finally, I found the last part of the book somewhat heavy and tedious. The calendars are useful, but I think far too much emphasis was placed on them.

Of course, this is only my opinion, and it is entirely subjective. Even so, the book is certainly not bad.

[Patricia Woodruff]

A really helpful basic book for magic, especially if you are Polish and want to practice “Polish magic”. The author lays out many important aspects of Polish (and Slavic in general) magic: developing a relationship with Ancestors and the spirits around you, the importance of water and fire, and the importance of maintaining Balance! All terrific points.

Tarnawska focuses on practices that are probably about 1,000 years old but going back about 2,000 to 3,000 years, so she records spells that can have a patriarchal or Christian bent, because that’s how they have evolved in Poland. For spells she records the English translation but also gives the original in Polish. ❤️

She also includes curses. (My caveat on that is always… just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. The point of being a Wise One is to be wise about your choices. I’m not talking about the “Rule of Three” here, but rather, that in focusing on harm and hate disconnects you from others and it can cause more harm to yourself. Who wants to hang out with someone who is always bitter, complaining and focusing on the bad stuff in their lives?!) Although the author does have a good point that this is sometimes the last resort of those without societal power.

While Tarnawska mentions that the witch trials are one of the best sources of witch lore, I disagree. Much of what was recorded in them was sensationalized and it was people giving the Christian torturers what they wanted to hear. I think the BEST source of folk magic is plant lore and fairy tales.

I try to avoid falling into the trap of legitimizing Christianity’s beliefs that warped our indigenous practices. So I prefer to avoid talking about “the Devil,” evil or demons because those words all include unspoken assumptions that legitimizes them. Instead I would say the Dark God, Lord of the Underworld, or the Horned God. In indigenous belief there are withering, deathly forces, but used wisely, these can be used to shape out-of-control life forces (like cancer) or stop an undesirable behavior. Night is not evil, dark is not evil, the Underworld is not evil, it’s just different. So when Tarnowska uses these terms I have to keep translating it in my head, which I find tiring. However, I have no problem with the “sign of the cross” because I believe the reason Christianity took the cross as a holy symbol is because the equal-armed cross was already a Pagan protective symbol for untold ages before! Just think about it.. X is a banning symbol too.

I love that Tarnowska emphasizes that the emotional force behind a spell can be more powerful than an old spell (but of course, the old spell has the weight of tradition behind it.). I like her idea of speaking the spell in English but also writing down the spell in the original language. I hadn’t thought of doing that and it will probably become part of my practice. 😊

There’s an absolutely darling greeting to the Morning Sun that I love. A great summary of cleansing and protective magic. So yeah, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

[Lexie]

Przy czytaniu tej książki warto pamiętać, że nie jest to pozycja skierowana do Polaków mieszkających całe życie w Polsce, lecz do osób, które mają polskie korzenie, nie znają języka i być może nawet nigdy tutaj nie były. Wiele rzeczy opisanych w książce było dla mnie oczywistych, ale i tak jest to fajne kompendium takiej ludowej wiedzy w pigułce.

Czytałam ebooka na Legimi i niestety było w nim dość dużo błędów. Przydałaby się lepsza korekta.

[Raspberry]

4.5 ♥︎

[Melania]

Kiepska korekta, dużo błędów
Sama treść całkiem ciekawa

[Margaret Hathcock]

I have been waiting for a book like this since I started my witchy journey!!!

[Tatiana Kundrat]

So thankful this book finally exists

[Chris]

My mom is 100% Polish and my dad is 50% Polish, so I grew up surrounded by relatives that were proud of their Polish heritage. I'm also interested in the occult, so when I saw this book, I thought it would be a great way to learn more about my ancestors. This books provides a broad overview of Polish folklore and how it was eventually absorbed into Christianity. As an entry point into Polish folklore and customs, I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it quite informative.