Betwixt & Between: Exploring the Faery Tradition of Witchcraft

by Storm Faerywolf

"Storm Faerywolf deftly shares powerful teachings and techniques for those who would seek to know the way of Faery, helping Witches on any path find their way deeper into the mysteries."—Christopher Penczak, author of the Temple of Witchcraft series

Faery (also known as Feri) is a tradition of great power and beauty. Originating in the West Coast of the United States separately from the Wicca tradition in England, Faery's appeal is grounded in its focus on power and results. This book provides the tools you need to begin your own Faery-style magical practice. Discover the foundational mythology and rites of the Faery tradition as well as steps and techniques

Creating an Altar Summoning the Faery Fire Engaging the Shadow Exploring the Personal Trinity Purifying the Primal Soul Working with the Iron Pentacle Aligning Your Life Force Developing Spirit Alliances Journeying Between the Worlds Exploring Air, Fire, Water & Earth Enhancing Faery Power Personal experimentation and creative exploration are the heart and soul of Faery. The rituals, recipes, exercises, and lore within will help you project your consciousness into realms beyond this world, opening you to the experience of spiritual ecstasy.

Genres: Witchcraft, Spirituality, Paganism, Nonfiction, New Age, Magick

409 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 8, 2017

About the author

With a name gifted by vision and dream, Storm Faerywolf is a professional warlock. He has studied and been initiated into various streams of practical witchcraft, most notably the Faery tradition, where he holds the Black Wand of a Master. He is the chancellor of Modern Witch University, co-founder of Black Rose Witchcraft, and a columnist for The Wild Hunt. He has given lectures, taught classes, and led rituals all across the US and Europe, in a career spanning over three decades.

A Master/Teacher in several lineages of Reiki, and a trained folk magician, he is also a published author having penned several books including “The Stars Within the Earth”, “Awakening the BlueLotus”, “Betwixt & Between”, “Forbidden Mysteries of Faery Witchcraft”, “The Witch’s Name”, and “The Satyr’s Kiss”.

A proud queer poly man, he lives in the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area with his loving partners, where together they run an online magical boutique, Datura Trading Co., surrounded by dogs, cats, chickens, and a plethora of trees and plants. He believes in beauty, kindness, equality, true love, and magic.

Reviews

[Jade Ferifyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing read! Not read - experience.

I had been looking, unsuccessfully, for years to find a place in the pagan and Witchcraft communities. A place where I felt accepted for both who I am as well as who I aspired to be. I had no idea I would find that through Storms beautifully written and elegant book: Betwixt and Between.

Though jam packed with some amazing spells, how-tos, and rituals, this book is so much more! It's also a knowledge repository of an entire tradition. It's a mesmerizing introduction to one of the most inclusive and powerful lineages of magic I've ever read.

Pick this one up. At the very least you'll have some incredible new tools in your arsenal, but you may just also walk away with the next phase of your life.

[Elhoim Leafar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: This is the same review I wrote on Amazon.

I really and honestly love this book from start to finish, download it in my kindle for simple curiosity, and really get lost between its pages, beyond the fantastic and elegant cover (which totally breaks with the most traditional), the Book opens with the spacious and very complex foreword of Orion Foxwood, which is a real anteroom to a beautiful book, a book that will immerse you in a fantastic world, Storm has a sophisticated vocabulary, complex and above all, very educational, at times You perceive that it is not you who is reading it, rather you perceive, page by page, that is someone else who is reading the pages in front of you, as a didactic class, or a mystical workshop, beyond reading it, is a book that You will want to embrace and share, and even carry with you everywhere as a powerful amulet, rather as a portal to other worlds.

The collection of spells and rituals is truly fantastic, and the enchantments, I find the most curious, are full of art and poetry of the most organic, I recommend this book to all those curious and practitioners of the esoteric arts, it is fantastic to read from Someone whose experience transcends his age, and more importantly, his teachings are truly unique, what is found in this book, you will not find it in any other.

[Nightshade · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book will be helpful to those who have an interest in Feri, even though it will not allow you to become an initiate. Feri is a sex-based tradition and in that sense anyone who wishes to incorporate this form of ecstatic practice within their own spirituality may also find this book helpful.

As for me, this book was an incredibly bumpy ride. I am not a proponent for initiatory witchcraft and frankly have no interest in these lineage based systems, however I was interested in reading this book for several reasons:
1. To gain a better understanding of Feri because there have been prominent initiates whose work I have admired
2. Feri claims to have ties to Faery and to work closely with what we know of as the Fae, which is particularly of interest to me
3. Many of my friends have liked this book and Faerywolf's writings in general.

I guess I was expecting it to be something rather different than what it is and on top of that there were just things that didn't sit quite well with me. Some of these things include attaching the names of certain gods to the gods of Feri Tradition and saying they are one and the same without any explanation as to why they are thought to be that- and also sometimes rather inappropriately which made it all sound rather muddled; ignoring the folklore of certain spirits i.e. Black Annis- not every hag, and spirit is some demonized Ancient Pagan Mother Goddess, and if it is please give some actual evidence of this; the idea that sex is the heart of witchcraft; the claim that Feri is somehow unique in having a rather large amount of artists among its initiates, when the Modern Pagan/Esoteric/Occult/Witchcraft community has a high number of artists/singers/creative people in general; the use of Paradox to explain away any inconsistencies.

Faerywolf writes early on about "Resonance" when he speaks of Elemental air, and this book, and its contents simply did not resonate with me. I do not find his writing to be particularly engaging, and for all the claims that this book is going to offer something "more than the current public model of Modern Witchcraft generally allows for" it really didn't offer anything anything new or evocative to me.

All that being said, I am sure that some people will find something useful and interesting in this book, it just didn't do anything for me, and I feel I could have spent my very limited reading time better.

[Claudia Loureiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and its a great place for those interested in Faery. There are many tools in it for a spirituality that encourages boldness, freedom, and self awareness. It covers the history of the tradition. Working with the 3 souls, and the Pentacles, the Kala rite which are great tools, as well as working with the gods of the tradition.

[Jennifer Sundt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read books like this not necessarily to become a practicing member of the belief system - but rather to glean some insights on spirituality and/or life in general that could be useful to me. As such, it did just that, and I'm plenty satisfied with my journey through the concepts of Faery witchcraft.

This being said, it felt like a mere introduction to a world with all sorts of intricacies that I have not fathomed. I suppose this became particularly clear to me toward the end as Faerywolf starts describing different psychic layers/dimensions/creatures, the likes of which it seemed could fill up a whole book on their own. Looks like this author does have other works... and I have another one of his checked out from the library which will hopefully delve into this more.

So, all in all, I think this book is pretty great, for magical passers-by and for the committed alike!

[Helen Griffus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find that many areas of the Faery Tradition closely echo my own Path and areas of study, yet it also has some significant and beautiful differences. That's the beauty of Paganism, our similarities, and our differences. Storm is a beautiful writer and a master ritualistic. I enjoyed this very much, and it gave me things to think about going forward.

[Marty Pagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dear friend had recommended Betwixt and Between to me and so I picked up a copy. I was not disappointed! I had been intrigued by Victor and Cora Anderson and the Feri tradition although I didn’t have much knowledge of the tradition itself. Suffice it to say that the book is very well written. Storm is quite amazing, being highly intelligent and also esoteric at the same time. I learned so much about the Feri (Faery) Tradition! I highly recommend this book.

[Maranda Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, a pretty cool Faery based Pagan guidebook. Definitely heavy on rituals and exercises, it features a variety of Faery witchcraft practices, and includes tips on all aspects of Faery ritual work. I did find parts of it kind of dry and difficult to muddle through, but that may be just because there are some aspects of technical witchcraft I myself am not all that interested in, even though I do enjoy Faery based Pagan beliefs (I find the spiritual, esoteric parts of Pagan belief and practice more interesting in general than the highly ritualistic stuff). I am still rating the book fairly high though because it is well-written and organized and I think most of my issues with it are just personal taste, not anything against the author or subject matter.

[Madeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faery is not for me, but Faerywolf’s writing is

Faery is a difficult tradition to write on, not least of all because some aspects of it seem silly to outsiders, and the origins of Faery are shamelessly born from the personal revelations of one enigmatic self-proclaimed priest during the 1960’s. While so much of occultism and especially paganism was birthed in modern times, many pagan authors delight in professing the ancient origins of their faith and practice. Faerywolf’s honesty is refreshing, as is his enthusiasm in not only admitting but *embracing* the changing, bardic, revelatory nature of his tradition. Faerywolf’s voice is encouraging, reflective, and approachable, and he addresses many of the troubling things newcomers notice in this tradition (such as instances of sexual interactions of underage children and child-coded beings in Faery lore).

I still take some issues with this book. Some exercises are confusingly written or over-long, and while Faerywolf includes footnotes, citations, and research, he makes some claims which I would like to know his sources for— personal revelation, traditional teaching, cultural mythology, or other writing?

While Faerywolf emphasizes the poetic way Faery is passed down, he backs up his claims with sources in some places and not others, which drives me nuts because he’s such a good writer and such an approachable resource. Poetry is not enough for me. Perhaps that is a personal preference.

I also take some issue with Faerywolf’s passage on cultural appropriation. I truly appreciate that he encourages “paying back” cultures by volunteering and donating towards those cultures’ causes, and that he doesn’t want to divorce cultural practices from their traditions, but I do think that the latter sentiment is not put into practice throughout this book, and is actually contradicted in the same passage. He mentions not experiencing entities like Djinn the same way people from their native culture would, which to me seems like he’s not insisting on learning how to do something “their way,” and as a Native American person whose cultural practices have been co-opted by new age spiritualities, that kind of loosey-goosey vague-effort-at-respect kind of rhetoric has done a lot of harm by enabling extremely problematic people to appropriate whatever they like from our cultures while continuing to support systems which kill us and destroy our rights. So I’d ask Faerywolf to possibly reconsider that passage and examine who he is unintentionally enabling. He’s clearly trying to be respectful, but there are still potentially harmful consequences of that rhetoric which need to be considered. Cultural appropriation is an extremely tricky topic in pagan circles, especially in North America, where any efforts at either reconstructionism or creating new spiritualities are bound to demand borrowing from cultures and traditions outside of one’s own. The mixed heritages of American people, the mixed heritages of American spirituality, and the enormous amount of inspiration the New Age movement took from various non-Western esoteric belief systems which are forever ingrained in all Western witchcraft make it nearly impossible to avoid appropriating in some way. While I’m not sure it’s possible to have a completely unproblematic take on this subject, I still think Faerywolf could have done better.

Overall, this book is better than many other occult books, and the only book on Faery that has ever made any sense to me or enticed me to explore the tradition. While it did not sell me on Faery itself, Faerywolf’s many exercises and rituals are inspiring and enchanting, and his writing style is easy to read and amiable. The later chapters are somewhat repetitive, but overall it’s very enjoyable, very informative, and definitely the best book on Faery I’ve ever read.

[Christopher Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a queer pagan, I have been very curious about this work. I have been drawn to a magickal tradition that places an emphasis on methods other than the polarity of female and male energies to make things happen. Although I am an ardent polytheist who works with sìthichean, I am aware that the theology of this tradition is not consistent with my own. Their Gods are a spectrum, and their approach to the Fae is contemporary and universal. I can still appreciate these approaches without having to adopt them, and still get a lot out of this well written book.

I often have a hard time with contemporary witchcraft theology because of its eclectic nature, and a concern for cultural appropriation. I also understand how practices and whole cultures evolve as they come into contact with other cultures. When you’re talking about Feri, you’re talking about a contemporary American form of Witchcraft, however. Contemporary American culture is an amalgam of all the peoples that makeup that milieu, and only the most isolated cultures can even come close to being called “pure.”
This is not a blanket allowance for cultural appropriation. Storm Faerywolf does a good job of telling you from where he is sourcing these concepts and practices, often times having to search them out himself as the founders of his tradition cobbled them together in a time that had no concern for such things.
I have been excited for this work because the classical culture from which I source my own practice was robbed of much of its pagan and magickal context, and all of its queer context; and I am myself from the American South, lacking a context for the contemporary culture that the classical developed.

So, this book, and it’s words are beautiful. Storm uses stories to teach, and I love that. He has taken liberties with the traditional tales, with wisdom and grace, keeping the core teaching, while updating the words to remove ideas or wording that no longer serve them.
As other reviewers have said, the author expects that the reader will do the work to get anything out of this book, but he does not leave the reader needing for context or process.

I gave it 4 stars because I do feel the practices white wash many marginalized cultural concepts. It will take many decades more of individuation before this is no longer a problem. It also wraps so much into its very contemporary theology that adapting the practices and techniques into methods divorced from them requires an advanced understanding of one’s own practice, as well as those sourced cultures. It’s many more extra layers of work. This isn’t just an issue for those like me that do not wish to adopt this theology; but also for anyone incapable of meeting a teacher in this tradition to seek from them initiation, or afford the near $1,000 it takes to learn at a distance from the author. For those left floating beyond these barriers this work can be frustrating and disheartening.

[Thomas Pinneck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Betwixt & Between invites readers to embark on an extraordinary journey into the enigmatic world of the Faery Tradition of Witchcraft, offering a rare glimpse into one of the most powerful and alluring paths within modern magic. With this book, Storm Faerywolf has crafted an intricate guide for those who seek not only to understand Faery but to live it. Unlike many texts that merely scratch the surface of their subject matter, Betwixt & Between goes straight to the heart of the tradition, providing a wealth of knowledge and techniques that serve as a solid foundation for developing a personal practice.

The Faery Tradition, with its roots in the West Coast of the United States and its distinct identity separate from Wicca, has long been shrouded in mystery and often misunderstood. Faerywolf’s approach, however, is refreshingly clear and deeply respectful of its complexities. He lays out the foundational concepts—such as the Personal Trinity and the Iron Pentacle—while avoiding overly prescriptive interpretations, encouraging readers to engage in creative exploration and personal experimentation. This emphasis on experiential learning is what gives the book its power and makes it a valuable resource for both newcomers and those more familiar with Faery lore.

The book is structured to gradually build the reader’s understanding and skill, beginning with the basics of creating an altar and establishing spirit alliances, and moving into more advanced techniques such as journeying between worlds and harnessing the elusive Faery Fire. Faerywolf’s writing is accessible and direct, yet layered with a depth that reveals more with each reading. His discussions on the Primal Soul and the Shadow reflect a nuanced understanding of the deeper currents within the Faery Tradition, making this book more than a simple manual of rituals. Instead, it becomes a map for navigating one’s own inner landscapes.

What sets Betwixt & Between apart is its focus on integrating the magical and mundane aspects of life. Faerywolf teaches readers to align their energy and consciousness with the forces of Air, Fire, Water, and Earth, blending myth and magic in a way that is practical yet imbued with a sense of wonder. His exploration of the Faery Tradition’s unique cosmology is complemented by detailed rituals, exercises, and meditations that allow practitioners to engage directly with these powerful energies. These practices do more than simply teach—they invite transformation.

[Indigo Crow · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh...

There is some interesting material in this book, I'll grant that, but overall it felt to me like the supposed creators of this branch of neo-paganism just wanted to take little bits and pieces from the world's pre-established religions and belief systems and make "the one real path of witchcraft". Or something.

And, yeah, here we have another of those types of Craft in which you pretty much HAVE to be in a coven to, as far as this author seems to be concerned, properly practice. My views of that may have much to do with my naturally solitary personality, but it bothers me when interested people are told they have to be in a group setting or they can't do it. But, hey, if that's how you roll and you're not socially awkward and such like I happen to be and you manage to find a coven of this particular type of witches, then go for it.

Mostly, the author just seemed to go on and on but majorly dragged his feet about getting to the bloody point. The writing style, in my opinion, is just too dull. Other authors on books about witchcraft have managed to develop a style that is highly readable and is always interesting even when they repeat information that is common knowledge or was already talked about in another book they wrote. Not this one. His style is stiff and cold and gave me a headache.

Even with other books about witchcraft in which I don't agree with what the authors say all the time, I still manage to find something useful to take away for my own practices. I didn't feel that way with this book at all. There is nearly nothing in this book that I thought could use useful to myself or possibly any other solitary, with the possible exception of the meditation practices. Even at that, I'm sure I could find something more effective elsewhere.

I just didn't like this. Because I'm always looking for as much information from as many different perspectives as I can find when it comes to the Craft, I'm not altogether sorry that I read this book, but I admit I could have used the time and energy I spent on reading it to read more enjoyable and more useful books on witchcraft.

[Dawn Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Betwixt and Between: Exploring the Faery Tradition of Witchcraft
by Storm Faerywolf

9780738750156

360 Pages
Publisher: Llewellyn Worldwide, Llewellyn Publications
Release Date: January 8, 2017

Nonfiction (Adult), Religion, Spirituality, Magic, Faeries

This is a book about the Faerie Tradition and working with the Fae. I found it unusual they do not have a “harm none” or “Rule of Three.” Instead, they base each action on the moral code of the practitioner. The author discusses the importance of time management and having dedicated sacred time. This includes keeping a journal and having an altar.

There are many examples of rituals and exercises. The author gives caution when working with blue flame magic. This is a good book for anyone interested in learning more of the Faerie Tradition.

[Tracey Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

In late 2019 a series of events lead me to have an interest in learning more about the Feri Tradition. After researching creditable sources of information I was drawn to read this book by Storm Faerywolf.

I must say that it is not so much a book to just read as one to digest and work through. By doing the work you unlock understanding not only in the Feri Tradition but in yourself. As you go through the exercises take your time to allow the ideas to seep into your very cells. It will be worth it!

Betwixt & Between is an excellent way to learn about this well-guarded tradition of witchcraft. I will definitely be re-reading this book and I am putting it on my reference shelf for future use.

[Pluviostar ~ (Adriano) · Rating 4 out of 5]

That's a curious one! I maybe need to give a second chance to this book, because in the first reading i wasn't delighted after a few review. The basic idea is good, but the personal path of the author make this book much full of arguments and elements. It's too much!
In plus, i want to spend some words about the sexual energies. Are a great point for a powerful spirit, but isn't the only way. Reading this book i've find many sexual advices for growing "in the energies": le blue God, the chakras (in particular 1 and 2) etc.
So... maybe i need to another read, with a different point of view i think.

[Durgadas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for folks desiring to learn about F(a)eri(e), particularly if they are interested in practice, as this work is full of rich exercises. Storm has a gift for presenting mystical content in an approachable, accessible fashion, and he writes beautiful poetry too, which makes the journey through this material a joy. He also offers a lot of practical information for seekers, which provides a strong container and grounding for the material and work.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Same review that I wrote on amazon:)
I found this book to be incredibly insightful and helpful. I have not had a chance to work through it entirely (and I feel that this could and should take awhile) but I read it all the way through. It is well written and the exercises are easy to understand. I think this could help anyone understand witchcraft better. It's also a lot of material which is awesome!

[Becky Shelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intermediate Material

I think this is an amazing feri book, but a lot of the concepts I would label as intermediate if they haven’t already studied energy work. Took a star from this review because the gods described in this book can get a bit confusing.

[Lanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m really happy that I found Storm’s work. His writing is honest, forthright and informative. He balances respect for the history of the tradition while remaining fully cognizant of the reality that a truly effective practice meets the present-day needs and sensibilities of its practitioners.

[Eron Mazza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is my favorite by this author so far, don’t get me wrong I have enjoyed everything he has written and it’s all relevant, well written, and I can’t recommend the author enough to people, but this book in particular is my favorite so far!

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book,and liked it so much, I loaned it to a friend. Who loaned it to another friend, who loaned it to someone else. I have no idea who has it anymore,but I hope who ever it is, loves it the way the rest of us have.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and Moving

Storm Faerywolf continues to be one of the best authors and teachers I’ve encountered, and I always look forward to reading his new books!

[Royal Montgomery · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have to admit I did not finish reading this but I went along further than I normally would have. It was not for me.

[Maranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review is on my blog.

https://whiteroseofavalon.life/2023/0...

[M Fura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't just any book about magic and witchcraft, its an incredible book that will prove priceless for your entire journey along this crooked path. I purchased this beauty some years ago, and find myself returning to it time and time again, its wisdom keeps unfolding. In fact it is one of my most valuable resources. I highly recommend this book for beginners (no better book to start with) and experienced practitioners alike. As a seasoned practitioner, I learnt so much from this gem, which in turn has deepen my work in ways I could never have imagined or expected. Thank you Storm, I am deeply grateful for the wisdom you share, your work has helped turn my practice into a living, breathing art.