Forbidden Mysteries of Faery Witchcraft

by Storm Faerywolf

Draw on your inner darkness and unlock the secrets of the Hidden Kingdom

Whether your demons are ancient spirits or demons of your own making, you must confront them in order to reclaim the power they have stolen. Guiding you through enchantments, demonic rituals, divine possession, necromancy, and occultus maleficum, this book helps you cultivate and explore your forsaken shadows.

When you peer behind the veil of comfort and face your most powerful fears, you can truly begin to refine and strengthen your own magical will. In Forbidden Mysteries of Faery Witchcraft, you will learn how

Summon primal underworld goddesses of the elemental powers Walk the bone road and help trapped spirits cross over Become a worthy vessel for divine possession Perform as an oracle, speaking the wisdom of the gods on earth Cast and break curses, the dark art of offensive magic The powerful techniques of the Faery Tradition of Witchcraft await. Through these rituals, you will glimpse the secret inner workings of nature herself and open the doorway to unimagined sources of energy.

Genres: Witchcraft, Paganism, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Occult, Magick

264 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 8, 2018

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 Satyr’s Kiss,” and "The Witch’s Name."

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

[Eliza]

The phrase “faery witchcraft” is very overused in occult circles. Almost every author has a different approach to what it means. You can find plenty of books about how to befriend the benevolent fair folk. Some suggest cute little houses for them and leaving them sugar.

This is not one of those books.

In this book the term “faery witchcraft” doesn’t refer to a single practice. It's not only about working with certain spirits, either.

Instead, it’s a reference to the Faery or Feri tradition. The blind poet, Victor Anderson, was the founder of Feri. Some authors consider it a type of Wicca. In my view, the structure and beliefs don't map onto established Wicca. Instead, they stand on their own. It seems like both a system of occult attainment and a collection of compatible beliefs.

Real talk here, though. This book is not for beginners. It’s not a Wicca 101 book, or even a Witchcraft 101 book. It’s not for newbies. I can see picking it up for simple informational purposes or anthropology. Beyond that, it’s a bit pointless to read it with no prior research.

I recommend reading Faerywolf’s earlier book, Betwixt and Between, before this one. It's also about the Feri tradition. It's a bit more beginner-friendly. It would be best to have a few years of Craft experience (eclectic or otherwise), too.

This isn’t something you can jump into and hope for the best. Faerywolf is honest about that in his books, including this one

I’ve been studying the occult for over fifteen years. I still felt very challenged by this material. I’ve read Betwixt and Between and worked through the exercises there. I still don’t feel ready yet to attempt most of the work described in this second book.

To be candid, even reading through some of it made me feel highly liminal. It felt like treading somewhere far beyond my current capacities, for better or worse. In particular, the description of Feri godforms seemed pretty hard for me to grasp. I read a lot of passages twice, trying to grasp things on the level at which they were being discussed.

I’m not a Feri initiate. After reading this book (and the earlier one), I’ve concluded that I’d like to be one someday. I can already tell that this won’t be an easy process.

I’d consider it on par with working Crowley’s A.’.A.’. system, or any other intense course of study and practice. Still, it’s something I now keenly desire. It will be my goal for the foreseeable future.

If you are curious and would like to learn more about the Feri tradition, Victor Anderson, and related topics, I recommend picking up Betwixt and Between as well as this book. You can also visit the tradition’s website here. It’s definitely worth getting the original texts by the Andersons, as well. That said, know what you’re getting into.

If you’re interested in delving into it, realize that it’s not easy work. Faerywolf even notes that a lot of the exercises in the book are not for amateurs.

Prepare, and have the proper mindset, and you can learn a lot from this book. I know I did, even though it caught me off-guard.

Isn’t that a good thing, though? The Feri tradition is nothing if not liminal - it’s pretty obvious even though I’ve only started studying it.

[Danni]

Imagine that all the things that make up your belief system and pagan practice is a sphere encircling you. This sphere spins at a lovely speed that keeps things interesting without every bringing discomfort. You are familiar with all the sights in and just beyond your sphere. Now tilt that sphere by 15 degrees and change the speed. Suddenly, things aren't so comfortable. You might see the same sights but everything is just a bit, different. 

That's how I feel when reading the right book that speaks about a different Pagan path. It sets off all sorts of new ideas about my own practices and ideas. That shift in focus and view allows me to look at my practice with fresh eyes. Evaluating what needs to change is so much easier when looking from a slightly different viewpoint. 

Reading Forbidden Mysteries of Faery Witchcraft by Storm Faerywolf was a delightful shift in focus that brought new ideas to my Druidry. It will serve as a great resource for those looking to delve deeper into trance, spirit, and shadow work. 

Obviously, as a druid this book wasn't exactly written for me. The practices and techniques come from the author's own line of Faery Tradition. The witchcraft described throughout the book is clearly marked with elements that come from BlueRose and from other traditions of witchcraft such as other strains of Faery and Reclaiming. I appreciated how up front the author was about the source of the magic and stories. Lots of the work shows the author's creativity and skill as a teacher. But it's always nice to get perspective on where things are coming from. 

Part One and Part Two have a strong sense of Druidry and myth. It served as a lovely jumping off point for the rest of the book. These first chapters include myths and stories that inspire the bardic arts in a reader. Work with the Fae and second sight allow readers to prime themselves for later work. You also delve into the otherworld to work with spirits and working with death. This will resonate with those who have worked through Ovate studies in Druidry. 

The next few sections of the book focus heavily on shadow work. This was the largest shift in perspective for me. Part Three was all about Deamon work. Faery treats the Shadowself very differently than most Druid practices, certainly my own. Some of it, frankly, just doesn't work for me. Elements of certain rituals and new language around concepts have enriched my own practices though.

I think all practitioners will be able to appreciate the thoughtful chapter on ethics and cursework. The author is very present in the current conversation about who should/shouldn't curse and what that means for witchcraft as a culture and practice. I wish all Pagans speaking on the topic online and in writings were as honest as Storm Fearywolf. This is where the author's overall direct tone really shines.

Throughout the book readers will be pleased with the richness of the material. Each ritual or story is approachable. There is a no-bullshit-here attitude that makes the modern elements feel just right to me. You feel like you are talking to that worldy friend who is interesting in bringing everyone UP with them and not there to waste time on drama, boredom, or fluff. I've never really wanted to read the author's other books, but I'm reconsidering that after enjoying his style so much. 

Forbidden Mysteries of Faery Witchcraft is a refreshing book on advance spellcraft and personal work for those who belong to the Faery Tradition. Pagans from other traditions will benefit from reading about the tradition and practices due to the author's direct and easy to read tone. Maybe not one for my permanent bookshelf, but one I can strongly recommend to others to check out. Lots of goodies here! 

[Kim Daly]

The kind of cult-like books that give the rest of us a bad name.

[Jennifer Sacasa-wright]

Author, Storm Faerywolf’s book provides the reader with an inside look at the workings and traditions that evolved from Victor and Cora Anderson’s Feri Tradition and are known as Faery Witchcraft.

I am always skeptical of books that infer that the teachings within are those which are not freely shared. It gives a certain layer of mystery and feeling that the reader is privy to practices that are only shared with the most trusted. I am not saying this as judgment as to whether that word “forbidden” or “hidden” should be in the title of any book, just simply making a statement relevant to my experience in that what is truly only for those with the appropriate training is never shared fully in a book. I believe that by having that bit of information, the reader can then make use of the material presented to the best of their means. And, so on that note, Storm has treated his readers to “just enough” information to whet the appetite to learn more of the BlueRose lineage of Faery.

I am familiar with his work, having read Betwixt and Between: Exploring the Faery Tradition of Witchcraft and having had the privilege of attending ritual and class with him at the Temple of Witchcraft “Templefest” event year before last.

I loved that he dedicated the book to Victor and Cora Anderson and acknowledged that all great works set upon the path are the result of collaboration and the impact of many teachers, students and others who support and encourage the individual’s practice. That was also true of my impression of him in first meeting, that this was a genuinely very nice guy who was passionate and dedicated to both sharing and evolving his teachings to be inclusive.

Unlike Storm’s first book, Forbidden Mysteries is a bit darker in its magick; really getting to the heart of practice, ritual and exploring those aspects of witchcraft that require courage and boldness. The appendices provide the basics of Faery practice, some beautifully written poetry and invocations for use and the role of the Divine Twins in the lore of the Faery. Additionally, there is a glossary, which is a wonderful addition, again, making the material much more accessible to those who do not follow this path of witchcraft and would be otherwise unfamiliar in understanding some of the concepts.

This book is chock-full of exercises of preparation, Rituals, spellwork and Chapter Five’s exercises move through the alchemical elements finding common ground within all practices of witchcraft, but most decidedly with Fae influence.

So, to begin with, the spelling of Faery in this title is explained in this way…

…. While there are many different legitimate spellings for our particular tradition in use (most notable “Feri”, though Faerie, F(a)eri(e), and even rarely Fairy sometimes appear) I tend to use the archaic “Faery” as it was the spelling used at the time of my introduction to the tradition, and I also feel it better poetically evokes the relationship between the practitioner and the fae; a detail of mytho-poetic practice that some lines of our tradition do not follow but is central to my own practice and my lineage of BlueRose…. (excerpted from the Introduction).

This simple statement clears up much misconception about identification of the Fae and the Traditions that honor them.

The book is separated into four parts, taking the reader through many topics that are the staple of any practice of witchcraft and carefully aligning them with communion and understanding of the world of the Faery. We are given fair warning about the true nature of witchcraft and the dangers that lay in interactions with any who walk those realms, but as the author states, not for the reasons stereotypically associated with the practice. The danger lay in what is revealed of ourselves in the process and whether we have the courage to embrace all parts of our being and the places that those aspects inhabit and interact with those who are of the greater Earth or even more distant realms of existence. These pitfalls are exemplified in the telling of stories of the descent into madness by those who wandered into the realms of the Dark Faery and were not prepared for the price to be paid. The truth of the witch’s path is one of facing the shadow of their being as well as the light and in so doing being able to reach into the darker abyss where those greatest allies and teachers of the Fae reside.

We learn that the Faery are not the whimsical winged beings that tales have provided, but are often in folklore associated with the darker nature of things, not much different than the many layers and types of humans we encounter. Each has a dark nature and depending on the situation shows it in its ferocity or lessens the sting in resonance to the finely tuned calibration of the human encountered.

Each chapter and section following gives the information necessary for those who wish to cultivate an understanding and relationship of sorts with those beings of the Faery. I found these offerings to provide a perspective of work and a tradition that encompasses nature in her wholeness. We are reminded of the darker aspects of all of our spiritual work and that greater knowledge of what we consider to be demons and goddess of primal origins are part of the entirety of our world and all others.

I could dissect each chapter and point you in the direction of specific rites or exercises, but to a large degree that would spoil the unveiling of what should be an experiential journey of your own devising. Storm provides you with the tools and what you make of them and how you arrive at your own conclusions about the Fae is yours, and yours alone, culled from your courage and your boldness. This book is definitely one to be added to any library of a practitioner of witchcraft. Not simply in adopting its tradition as your own, which may well be the case after reading and exploring further, but in keeping with the true definition of a witch-one who seeks knowledge of the natural world-and I would add… and in so doing, gains the greatest gift of all, knowledge of themselves in all of their parts.

http://paganpages.org/content/2018/12...

[Kathy]

Forbidden Mysteries of Faery Witchcraft was a refreshing read. It was very poetic and the mastery it was written with showed in every page. The book imparts as much of a tradition as is possible for the outer court, delving deeper in subjects most books on the craft won’t even touch.
Storm Faerywolf gifts us with numerous underworld trance journey’s written in sympathy with Tam Linn and The Faery Queene. He gives the history and information about Bluerose, introducing us to the aspects of the goddesses and gods he works with. Bluerose is descended from Victor and Cora Anderson’s Feri tradition. He also discusses curses and the measures he would use to determine when, if and how they are justified. One condition is to determine a curses is for justice rather than revenge.
His developmental exercises are effective. He approaches the reader with something I’ve discussed with others for a long time -- that one shouldn’t deal with external demons until our internal ones are confronted. He uses the 12 step program first developed for Alcoholics Anonymous to confront our own shadow and integrate it. It’s a proven, effective method. Following that, he gives incremental exercises in learning how to aspect.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book for a fair and honest review.

[Caitlin]

I honestly don't know how to rate this. Did I like the book? Yes. Yes I did. Clear 3 stars right? Was it good? Yes it was. 3 stars again. It was well laid out, well written, entertaining, thoughtful, and hard to put down. The topics were very interesting and well discussed.

However this book reads like indoctrination material for a cult. The author says one thing but, at least to me, pushes a heavy manipulative agenda underneath. Propping up the reader as a better, more advanced, more spiritual individual than others. That this is beyond logic, reproach, or normal human understanding. Environmentalism and self-help are used as hooks to push something else imo... Perhaps his other books/school/lineage?

Honestly I don't know. Maybe I am reading it wrong. I'm not a witch. I wasn't raised religiously but I enjoy learning about new ones. Of all the religious texts I've read, this is one that does not seem genuine.

[Sandy]

I've been a practicing witch for over 20 years, so the Faery Tradition is not new to me. I've read and incorporated some of Francesca De Grandis' Third Road tradition into my practices. Therefore, I expected to be able to pick up this book and dive right in.

Given the amount of beginner material in the world, I was pleasantly surprised that I couldn't do that. Despite my previous work, this book is above my skill level. It's beautifully written, but it has a weight that comes both from reverence and respect. Taking Storm Faerywolf's warnings to heart, the mysteries at the farther reach of this book aren't ones I feel ready to explore.

Faerywolf does a very good job of demonstrating the beauty, power, and dangers of working with Faery energy. He explores advanced topics such as the mysteries of working with faery goddesses, demon work, divine possession, and offensive magic in a way that captures both the poetry and seriousness of the topics. Despite my reluctance to complete most of the exercises in this book, it was a powerful read. I'll definitely be seeking out his other book on the Faery Tradition, Betwixt and Between, and coming back to this one later.

[David Salisbury]

I love and appreciate this book. As a Faery/Feri initiate I can tell you that the stuff in it is legit, without jeopardizing the things in the tradition that should stay in personal training. It gives enough that anyone can tap into a lot of this beautiful and powerful current.

[wonderfullyweird88]

This book is about the Feri tradition and is not for beginners in the craft. It tackles subjects not typically covered, such as demons and necromancy but stresses the need to be sensible in its use.

While this book was above my level of competence, I found it to be well researched, well written and educational. As the author stresses this book is not for amateurs and is more suited to more advanced practitioners.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. For more reviews please visit my blog:
http://www.wonderfullyweird88.com/

[Marie]

Faery Witchcraft is not new to me as I have practiced this as part of my beliefs It is a refreshing take on witchcraft and it's many facets. I see so many who believe strongly about the importance of the threefold law and to do no harm and this is another part of the witchcraft tradition. This book stressed a sensible take on using hexes and curses for justice, not revenge. While many may not believe this, dark magic is a very important part of witchcraft that many overlook. I bookmarked several pages to go back and read again. It is well written and researched. Bringing a part of what you believe in is a very personal touch and this is what the author has done. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to explore different view on beliefs I was honored to receive this book from Net Galley and Llewellyn Publishing for a honest review and no compensation otherwise.

[Destiny Bridwell]

 I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I have always loved anything about the mystical Fae and the world of Faery. I have had my own studying of my mystical arts and it is a big part of my life. I went into this book thinking my previous studies would have prepared me for what I found in this book. Well it did not. I knew there was a dark side to the Fae but there were parts that even I had not thought up. It gave me a much better understand of this tradition of magick. I am glad that I got to read this and open my eyes to what is behind that veil of Faery.

[Gianmichael Salvato]

Firmly rooted in the Feri tradition, Storm Faerywolf masterfully breathes new perspective, creativity and insight into a respected tradition, without disrespecting its heritage.

This book powerfully illustrates the skill and leadership that practitioners like the author are bringing to the magickal practices of our world. Faerywolf's personal mastery is probably best demonstrated in his dealing with the subject of shadow work, in a way that is as accessible to the novice as it is stimulating and insightful for the experienced practitioner.

[Jade Ferifyre]

After devouring his first book on Faery witchcraft, Betwixt and Between, I'm am so excited to have read his latest venture into this incredible and beautiful tradition!!

While this book is clearly far more intended for the intermediate to advanced occult practitioner, it's worth reading so you know just how far you can go!

Highly recommended for those of us slightly inclined to the left hand side of this path.

[Mynah Marie]

This book is absolutely fantastic and filled with very precious and deep knowledge of Witchcraft. The way Storm Faerywolf talks about the Faery tradition is mesmerizing, and the exercises, rituals, and meditations he gives us are definitely of an advanced level. Every page feels like unfolding hidden mysteries of a tradition that is not so well known. Very grateful for all the information and teachings I received from reading this.

[Alan D.D.]

I didn't expect this to be such an entertaining book. Storm has a good aryle, little too poetic now and then, but that makes you easily understand the most complex topics and ideas of Faery witchcraft. Now I nees to read his previous work! Thanks to the publisher for the ARC.

[Chad Willingham]

I waited for this book after reading Storm Faerywolf's other books. I love all thr information and practices in this book. He is one of my teachers and I consider his works as some of my favorite books on witchcraft.

[Shannon]

I have read several of his books,and I very much like Storms writing style and way of teaching. He's very good at making things easy to understand,and his writing is very clear. I feel extremely confident in recommending his books.

[Zeeke]

If it were possible to give a 6th star, I would. Very well written and well researched from one of the greatest practitioners in the field. Definitely worth the read!

[Angela]

I love how in-depth this book was. I’ve read it twice so much knowledge in one place. Storm really knows how to catch your attention and teach you things all at the same time. I love all of his work

[Eron Mazza]

This book is a great sequel and takes you even deeper than the first book. I always recommend the two in tandem whenever I’m asked about good books on the Feri tradition.

[Thomas Pinneck]

Storm Faerywolf’s Forbidden Mysteries of Faery Witchcraft isn’t for the faint-hearted. It’s a book that asks the reader to look deeply into the darkened mirror of the self and confront the hidden and often frightening aspects of both inner and outer worlds. Drawing on the complex and shadowed currents of the Faery Tradition, Faerywolf invites witches to engage with practices that dance on the edge of the taboo—rituals that summon underworld goddesses, channel divine possession, and delve into the power of maleficium. For those daring enough to explore these depths, Forbidden Mysteries of Faery Witchcraft offers a guide to unlocking the raw power that lies within the hidden realms.

One of the most compelling aspects of Faerywolf’s work is his willingness to embrace the complexity of witchcraft. There is no glossing over the potential dangers or challenges that come with these practices. The book is filled with rituals and techniques that require both skill and a firm understanding of one’s own boundaries. Faerywolf’s approach is rooted in the idea that to truly master one’s craft, a witch must face the darkness within—the demons that are both personal and ancestral—and learn to transform them into sources of power. This process is not one of destruction but of reclamation, taking back the energy that fear and shadow have claimed.

The structure of Forbidden Mysteries of Faery Witchcraft reflects this initiatory journey. Each chapter builds on the last, guiding the reader through the art of summoning, shadow work, divine possession, necromancy, and curse-crafting. The rites and enchantments Faerywolf presents are potent and meticulously detailed, often focusing on conjuring spirits and underworld forces that many witches would hesitate to engage with. Yet, for those who feel the call of the darker paths, these rituals offer a way to deepen their connection to the primal energies that lie beneath the surface of the everyday world.

The sections on necromancy and spirit work are particularly striking. Faerywolf outlines ways to walk the bone road, guiding spirits trapped in liminal states to the other side, while also teaching practitioners how to navigate this road themselves. His approach to death magic is both respectful and rooted in tradition, but there is an edge of the unfamiliar and uncanny that sets his work apart from other contemporary guides to spirit work. The techniques he shares feel ancient, primal—methods that have been whispered through ages and now find their voice again in this book.

Faerywolf’s treatment of divine possession is another highlight. Rather than shying away from the complexities and potential risks of this practice, he provides clear instructions on how to become a vessel for the gods and spirits, ensuring that the witch remains both empowered and protected throughout the experience. This focus on balance—between yielding to divine forces and maintaining personal sovereignty—is a theme that runs throughout the book, underscoring the need for strength and self-knowledge when engaging in such intense rituals.

The dark art of offensive magic, or occultus maleficum, is addressed with the same rigor and care. Faerywolf doesn’t sensationalize curse-casting or offensive sorcery; instead, he presents it as a necessary skill set, one that requires maturity and discernment. He doesn’t just teach how to cast and break curses—he explores when and why such actions might be taken, emphasizing responsibility and ethical considerations. This perspective is refreshing and positions Forbidden Mysteries of Faery Witchcraft as a serious text for those who want to develop a complete understanding of both the light and dark aspects of the craft.

The prose throughout is rich, evocative, and occasionally lyrical, reflecting Faerywolf’s deep connection to the Faery Tradition and its unique blend of beauty and danger. His writing style draws the reader into the world of the Faery witch, making it clear that this is not a tradition of airy fairies and gentle spirits. The Faery magic that Faerywolf describes is wild, fierce, and deeply transformative—a force that shapes and reshapes those who dare to wield it. Forbidden Mysteries of Faery Witchcraft is more than a book—it is a call to those who seek to walk the paths less traveled, to confront their shadows, and to emerge stronger, wiser, and more whole. It’s not a guide for beginners or the casually curious. This is a text for witches who are willing to embrace both the beauty and terror of the Faery realms, who understand that true power comes not from ignoring the shadows but from facing them head-on. For those brave enough to answer the call, Storm Faerywolf offers a doorway into a world of unimagined energy and hidden wisdom, waiting to be claimed.

[Sylvia Moore]

There are magical books that teach techniques, and then there are books that seem designed to put the practitioner through something. Forbidden Mysteries of Faery Witchcraft belongs firmly in the second category, and that is probably what I found most compelling about it.

Storm Faerywolf is dealing here with forms of Witchcraft that involve genuine confrontation. Divine possession, necromancy, the Bone Road, underworld powers, curses, shadow work, and oracular practice all ask the practitioner to cross thresholds where control becomes more complicated and self-knowledge becomes unavoidable.

What struck me most is how often the work requires surrender without becoming passive. Possession, trance, mediumistic states, and underworld journeying all involve opening oneself to forces beyond ordinary consciousness, yet Faerywolf continually emphasizes preparation, discernment, magical strength, and the ability to return from those states intact.

That balance is important because ordeal in magical practice can easily become romanticized. Difficulty alone does not make something profound, and danger does not automatically equal initiation. The practices here feel meaningful because the challenge has a purpose: confronting what has been avoided, expanding magical capacity, and developing enough self-possession to enter intense states without being consumed by them.

The work with the dead especially embodies that tension. Walking the Bone Road and assisting spirits is not presented as spooky entertainment or a way to accumulate paranormal experiences. Death becomes a territory that teaches responsibility.

The same is true of divine possession. Becoming a vessel for a deity requires far more than enthusiasm about having an extraordinary spiritual experience. It raises questions about preparation, trust, identity, boundaries, and what it actually means to temporarily make room for something larger than the ordinary self.

I appreciated that Faerywolf allows Witchcraft to remain mysterious in this sense. The mysteries are not simply pieces of secret information that could be summarized in a paragraph once someone tells you the right words. They are experiences that have to be entered.

That makes the title feel especially appropriate. Some mysteries are “forbidden” because cultures fear them, some because magical communities avoid discussing them, and some because they sit beyond the limits of what the comfortable personality wants to encounter.

Fear therefore becomes part of the curriculum.

This is also why I would not recommend the book as someone's introduction to Witchcraft. Readers familiar with Faery practice or other forms of serious magical training will have much more context for what Faerywolf is attempting, and several readers likewise describe the material as intermediate or advanced rather than beginner-level.

The rituals and exercises are substantial enough that simply reading through them only reveals part of the book. Reviewers frequently praise the amount of practical material and the depth of the exercises, which is understandable because this is clearly written to be worked rather than merely consumed.

What stayed with me most was the idea that certain forms of magical development require experiences the ego would never voluntarily place on a vision board. We may have to encounter fear, mortality, powerlessness, taboo, uncertainty, or parts of ourselves that contradict the identity we prefer to maintain.

Those encounters can become thresholds.

Forbidden Mysteries of Faery Witchcraft does not make those thresholds safe by pretending nothing difficult lies beyond them. It teaches the practitioner how to approach them with preparation, courage, magical skill, and enough self-knowledge to recognize that crossing a threshold should change the person who crosses it.

That is the kind of advanced Witchcraft I want to read about. The mystery is valuable because you come back from it carrying something you could not have learned by remaining exactly who you were before.

[Michelle Avery]

Forbidden Mysteries of Faery Witchcraft is not Witchcraft 101, and thank the gods for that. Storm Faerywolf goes directly into territory that a lot of contemporary witchcraft books either avoid entirely or soften until there is very little mystery left in it. Cursing, necromancy, divine possession, underworld powers, demonic forces, oracle work, shadow, death, and the more dangerous edges of magical practice are all here. But this isn't darkness for shock value. Storm understands that some of the deepest magical work begins precisely where we become uncomfortable.

What I love about this book is that darkness is never confused with evil. The darkness Storm explores is the hidden, rejected, feared, and sometimes genuinely dangerous territory within ourselves and within the spiritual world. Some demons are psychological. Some may not be. The important thing is learning how to encounter these forces without immediately running from them or pretending they don't exist. Witchcraft has always contained powers of blessing and blasting, healing and harming, life and death. Forbidden Mysteries refuses to amputate half of the Craft simply to make it more comfortable.

The material on divine possession and oracle work is particularly fascinating. There is an enormous difference between praying to a deity and deliberately preparing yourself to become a vessel through which divine presence can manifest. Storm treats that distinction seriously. The work requires preparation, discernment, boundaries, and the ability to surrender control without simply becoming careless. It's advanced territory, and the book respects it as such.

I was equally fascinated by the Bone Road and the work of helping trapped spirits cross over. Necromancy is another word that has accumulated centuries of horror-movie baggage, but spirit work involving the dead is ancient and incredibly diverse. Storm brings the reader into that territory as an actual magical practice, where relationships, responsibility, and skill matter far more than spooky aesthetics.

Then there's the material on curses. I appreciate any witchcraft author willing to acknowledge that offensive magic exists without immediately spending twenty pages apologizing for discussing it. Storm doesn't present cursing as something to do casually or impulsively, but neither does he pretend witches throughout history have only ever performed healing and prosperity spells. Learning how harmful magic functions also teaches you something about how to recognize and break it. Understanding the sword doesn't require swinging it at everyone you dislike.

What makes all of this work is the foundation of Faery Witchcraft underneath it. These aren't simply a collection of “dark” practices assembled because they sound forbidden. They emerge from a worldview in which nature itself contains creation and destruction, beauty and terror, life and decay. The underworld isn't separate from nature. Death isn't separate from life. Shadow isn't separate from power. Once you understand that, the subjects gathered here begin to feel less transgressive and more like neglected parts of a complete magical worldview.

Storm Faerywolf is exceptionally good at writing about the places where witchcraft stops being comfortable. He doesn't strip those places of their danger, but he also doesn't sensationalize them. There is a maturity to that approach that I deeply appreciate.

If your witchcraft only has room for light, healing, abundance, and things that make you feel safe, Forbidden Mysteries may challenge you. It should. But if you've reached the point where you want to understand witchcraft as something larger, stranger, wilder, and more morally complicated than the version usually presented to beginners, this book opens doors that very few mainstream witchcraft books are willing to touch. Some doors lead into the dark. Storm Faerywolf understands that witches sometimes need to know how to walk through them.

[Amanda Graham]

There is a difference between dark magic and immature magic.

I wish more books understood that.

Forbidden Mysteries of Faery Witchcraft goes directly into territory that much of contemporary Witchcraft publishing either avoids or handles with all the subtlety of someone trying desperately to prove how dangerous they are. Storm Faerywolf does neither.

This is a book about shadow, power, death, possession, spirits, curses, underworld mysteries, and the parts of Witchcraft that become uncomfortable when we stop pretending the Craft exists solely to make us feel safe.

And yet the book never feels reckless.

That balance is one of the things I respect most about Storm's work. He understands that confronting darkness does not require becoming consumed by it. If anything, some of the practices here demand greater self-awareness precisely because they involve power that can become distorted when our own unresolved material is running the show.

The shadow work is therefore not decorative psychology added to make the magic seem more sophisticated. It is foundational.

Before attempting to command spirits, curse enemies, open yourself to divine possession, or descend into underworld currents, it is probably useful to know which parts of yourself are actually holding the wand.

Storm takes that seriously.

From there, the book moves into some genuinely fascinating territory: primal goddesses, the Bone Road, work with the dead, divine possession and aspecting, oracle work, malefic magic, curse-breaking, and other practices that sit much closer to the dangerous edges of historical Witchcraft than the sanitized version often marketed today.

I particularly appreciate the material on divine possession because it raises the stakes of ritual embodiment considerably. Invoking a deity symbolically is one thing. Learning how to become a vessel through which something greater than the ordinary personality can move is another. Storm treats that possibility with both reverence and technique.

The same is true of his approach to baneful magic.

He doesn't pretend curses don't exist. He doesn't insist that morally serious witches never use them. He also doesn't present them as toys. Offensive magic becomes another category of magical power that requires discernment, responsibility, and an honest examination of motive.

That is a far healthier conversation than either “never do this because the universe will punish you” or “curse everybody who annoys you.”

What I enjoy most about Forbidden Mysteries, though, is that none of its darkness feels nihilistic.

This isn't darkness for aesthetics.

It is the darkness of the underworld, the grave, the shadow, the unknown, the places consciousness cannot enter unchanged. Faery Witchcraft has always contained something wild and transgressive at its edges, and Storm is willing to walk us toward those edges without pretending there is nothing dangerous beyond them.

That's what makes the book feel genuinely advanced.

Advanced Witchcraft isn't necessarily about knowing more correspondences or performing more complicated rituals.

Sometimes it is about being able to encounter greater intensity without losing yourself inside it.

Forbidden Mysteries of Faery Witchcraft asks whether you can enter the dark consciously, retrieve what is hidden there, and return carrying more power than you had when you descended.

That is a mystery worth approaching carefully.

[Alex M]

I appreciate an occult book that trusts me to encounter an uncomfortable subject without immediately deciding what I should think about it. Forbidden Mysteries of Faery Witchcraft goes into territory that can make even otherwise adventurous practitioners hesitate. Storm Faerywolf gives that hesitation something to work with. The question of why a particular practice frightens or attracts us is already worth exploring before any ritual begins.

Following Betwixt & Between, this is a compelling direction for his work to take. The emphasis on confronting neglected aspects of ourselves becomes entangled with encounters with spirits and underworld powers. I like the psychological questions that raises while remaining interested in the beings on their own terms. A spiritual encounter can challenge your self-understanding without every spirit becoming a convenient metaphor for your unresolved issues.

The material on divine possession and oracular work particularly catches my attention. Inviting a divine presence to speak through you raises substantial questions about identity and interpretation. What does it mean to make yourself available for that experience? What are you bringing into it? Those questions deserve sustained consideration, and this is exactly the kind of subject I want a more advanced witchcraft book to give space.

The inclusion of both casting and breaking curses also makes room for an honest examination of magical aggression. I appreciate being allowed to think through a subject whose mere mention can turn a comment section into an emergency ethics tribunal. There are meaningful choices involved, and exploring them requires more than announcing which category of witch you identify with. The necromantic material adds another area where curiosity needs to be accompanied by reflection.

What appeals to me most is the demand for greater self-knowledge running through these practices. A provocative title gets attention, but the worthwhile question is what someone might learn by engaging with the material carefully. Faerywolf offers plenty to consider here, especially for readers already comfortable with the foundations of spirit work. This is a book I’d approach slowly, with room to question my reactions and decide which explorations belong in my practice.

[Julian Mercury]

I suspect the word “forbidden” is doing a little theatrical work in the title, but for once the material underneath it earns the mood. Storm Faerywolf is dealing with death, demons, possession, curses, the underworld, and those parts of the self that polite spirituality would rather transform into something more presentable. The Bone Road material was particularly compelling to me. There is a genuine difference between talking about honoring the dead and developing a magical practice that allows death to remain strange, frightening, sacred, and potentially transformative. Faerywolf understands that difference.

The demon work is stranger still, and probably the part that will divide readers. These aren't simply Christian demons imported wholesale into Witchcraft, nor are they reduced to psychological metaphors and safely locked inside the practitioner's head. Faerywolf allows several possibilities to coexist. Shadow can be personal, ancestral, spiritual, mythic, and sometimes rather difficult to categorize. I like that ambiguity. Occult writing becomes much less interesting when every strange encounter is immediately explained away, but it becomes equally tiresome when every uncomfortable emotion acquires horns and an independent existence. Storm leaves more room for discernment than that.

The final material on divine possession and offensive magic makes the book feel much closer to an advanced working text than a sequel designed merely to provide more Faery lore. I admire his willingness to say that Witchcraft includes practices modern Paganism sometimes prefers not to discuss in mixed company. I am slightly less enamored of the deliberately transgressive language surrounding some of it, because after enough years in occultism one develops a certain immunity to being told one is approaching dangerous secrets. The practices themselves don't need the salesmanship. They are provocative enough on their own, and beneath all the demons, bones, curses, and underworld imagery is a serious argument that I think is much more interesting than shock value. There are parts of ourselves and parts of the Craft that cannot be integrated by pretending we have transcended them. Sometimes the witch has to go down and meet them.

[William Alan]

“Forbidden” usually makes me wonder who has forbidden it and whether they were consulted about the subtitle. In this case, the contents justify the word. Faerywolf addresses divine possession and offensive magic with a directness I appreciate. These subjects belong in a serious discussion of witchcraft, and I’m interested in an author willing to spend some time with their complications.

The work with the dead particularly appeals to me, especially helping spirits cross over. There’s a tenderness to that undertaking which sits comfortably alongside the book’s more formidable material. It gives me a reason to care about developing these skills beyond the considerable attraction of being able to do something strange. The oracular work is another draw. Becoming a vessel for a deity raises rather more interesting questions than asking one to approve whatever I already intended to do.

I’d approach this with some grounding in Faery practice. The tradition’s particular language and worldview deserve attention, and I would want to understand how a rite fits before lifting it out for my own purposes. That makes this a slower read for me, with some returning to the foundations along the way.

What I like most is the willingness to let witchcraft be demanding. There are exercises here to occupy the reader well beyond an evening’s fascination with the subject. I’m quite capable of admiring a difficult practice from a comfortable chair. Faerywolf gives me enough reason to consider getting up.

[Jon Daniels]

Faerywolf gets into the parts of witchcraft alot of books politely walk around, underworld powers, necromancy, possession, curses and the Bone Road stuff for dealing with the dead, and he doesnt soften any of it into spooky self help. I especially liked the aspecting and divine possession material because theres actual preparation involved before you start inviting gods through the front door, which seems like basic sense but apparently needs saying. Some of the Feri cosmology isnt mine but the willingness to treat dangerous magic like actual magic instead of an aesthetic made this much more interesting than I expected.

[zozo]

Il libro inizia in maniera brillante, per un attimo, ho creduto di scorgere finalmente, nel mare di sciocchezze wiccan, una pura gemma. Eppure, mi sono velocemente dovuta ricredere, quando, al posto di continuare per la via della luce, il libro ha iniziato a danzare nel solito sincretismo feticistico asiatico wiccan, e divinità inventate con nomi mitologici di personaggi che non hanno niente a che fare con ciò che dice l'autore...mah !

[Mahayogi]

Really great book that offers you a deeper dive into the craft. Storm’s deep love and knowledge for Feri really comes through in this book. There are a lot of books that either go over your head, or seem to just skim the surface, but this book delivers the deep wisdom in an accessible + digestible format.