Liber Nox: A Traditional Witch's Gramarye

by Michael Howard, Gemma Gary (Illustrator)

In this concise and important treatise Michael Howard delineates between various modern neo-pagan Wiccan traditions, cunning folk traditions, heathen folk or the ‘pagani,’ and an assortment of ritual magicians and pathworkers in order to present a ‘gramarye’ distinctly for those who aspire to the ‘Old Craft.’ An experienced practitioner, writer, researcher, folklorist and magazine editor of the respected witchcraft magazine, The Cauldron (since 1976), Howard elucidates important elements of the Traditional Craft, including preparation rituals, tools of ‘the Arte,’ fellowship of the coven and the casting of circles, finally taking us through the ‘Great Wheel of the Year’ and the assortment of sacred rites as performed within. The seasonal rituals are based on traditional witchcraft and folklore sources and have been specially written for this book.

Genres: Witchcraft, Occult, Magick, Spirituality, Paganism

218 pages, Paperback

First published July 31, 2014

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Michael Howard (United Kingdom) was the editor of The Cauldron magazine from 1976 to his death in 2015. He has written numerous articles for other occult and neo-pagan magazines and since the 1970s has had over thirty-five books published on the runes, witchcraft, angelic magic, folklore, herbal remedies, and occult parapolitics.

Reviews

[Patick Kyteler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had high hopes for LIBER NOX because the same author wrote CHILDREN OF CAINE, which is one of my favorite texts on the development of modern traditional witchcraft. A TRADITIONAL WITCH’S GRIMOIRE is the rest of the title. Make a note of that because I’m going to come back to it shortly.

I love grimoires. The illustrations by Gemma Gary are also very beautiful and possess that witchy feel we look for in books like this but seldom get. I particularly liked (heck loved) the cover art with its deep greenish blue color.

The book basically breaks down into two parts. Pages 1-54 serve as an introduction to the deities, tools, induction and casting the circle, attributed to the author’s particular flavor of the craft. The rest, which is the bulk of the book, is devoted to the wheel of the year and associated rites.

I’m going to be honest. I was disappointed by the content. The title is misleading. LIBER NOX is NOT a grimoire. At least not like Mastering Witchcraft by Paul Huson or Treading the Mill by Nigel Pearson. Traditional witchcraft is first and foremost about WITCHCRAFT. You know, the practice of folk magic not sanctioned by state or ecclesiastical authorities. Where is the material on hedge-riding or making pacts with spirits? Familiars? The poison path and flying ointments? THE SABBATH? These are things absolutely essential to the practice of trad-craft and are what make it unique. This book is basically an English West Country introduction to Wicca seasoned with a dash of trad-craft.

I give credit where it is deserved, the beautiful book is full of fascinating English folklore. Just don’t package it up as a grimoire. I give it three stars out of five.

[Ulvhud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un libro semplice e confezionato su misura per i novizi, si concentra sul culto e sulla ruota dell'anno, dando spiegazioni folkloristiche e storiche (queste ultime un po' datate). Un buon libro per iniziare, adatto al neofita ed un po' meno a chi già mastica l'argomento. Comunque una lettura piacevole, con riti e suggerimenti per le celebrazioni annuali.

[Melissa Estella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction and overview to a year's celebrations in the Old Craft. In text references provide a clear survey of how different areas observed different times of the year. Also included are suggested seasonal rituals.

[Steve Cran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever wanted a good primer on how to delve into the Arte of the Witch? Need some ideas for a ritual? This book covers a gambit of information starting with some history, theology, holiday explanations and sample rituals for almost all of them. Great nifty book to get you started by a man who has since gone to summer land , he was a shining light .

This book is about the rites of the craft andd how to get ready for them. Chapter one is about the different tools of the craft you will need for your rituals. THe most important tool is the Stang. Normally a pole made of as he wood or oak, it has horns on top  a cross of arrows in the center and a metal base to stand on. It represents the horned god but could also represent the axis mundi or the world tree. The Axis Mundi connect all the different worlds. There is also your black handle knife for magical operations in the circle and there is the boline. The boline is a white handled knife used for cutting herbes. There is also the scourge, or cat o nines as most people know them. The besom or the broomstick is used for riding to other worlds and for spiritually cleaning the area of your working. The cauldron or chalice is used to represent the womb of the goddess. Swords are used as are different stones to implement magic in your circle.

The next chapter talks about initiation in the craft. Not everyone has access to a coven and history is appearing to show that most witches worked solitary. SOmetimes you get imitated by a coven. Other times someone from the opposite sex will teach you and initiate you. sometimes these one on ones can get intimate. Once can also do a self dedication. The author hold that all are equally valid. 

The third chapter is about casting the circle. It is a bit more complicated than wicca as it is spherical and they have cross directions like north east, south west etc. Each direction has it's own meaning.  The next section deals with a discussion of the major holidays in the craft. Note I did not use Sabbats as they are different from Wicca. The holidays in the Wheel of the Year are as follows in order of explanation ; Candlemass , Lady Days, May Day,Midsummers Day, Lammas Tide, Michaelmas, All Hallows, Yule and the Twelfth Night. After the section that describes the holidays there is the section that has the actual ritual. THis maybe adapted to fit your needs .

This book has thorough explanations of the craft and the history and mythology behind everything . He touches upon both modern and past. A great book for getting started.