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The Witches' Devil: Myth and Lore for Modern Cunning
Distinct from the devil of Satanism and the devil of Christianity, the witches' Devil remains a potent figure in the lore of folk and traditional witches today. Approaching this enigmatic figure as an inherently syncretic being of many compounded aspects over time, The Witches' Devil explores his complex symbols, roles, and appearances across the ages. Here, the lore of the Devil is unpacked, revealing a host of powerful spiritual entities that can be accessed today by drawing on the threads of myth and folklore. Along this journey, we find the Devil's age-old connections to tree and plant spirits, the mass of the candles, bestial bodies, the demonic spirits of the grimoires, and the serpent that rebirths the world. We see his roles expand and fracture into such titles as Primus Magus, Angel of Poison, First Heretic, Father of Cunning, Bound Spirit of the Abyss, Founder of the Hosts of Faery, and Rex Aenigmatus (King of Riddles). We are challenged to re-examine our understanding of psalmistry and "popish" folk magic in witchcraft within a framework of heretical craft grounded in his lore. Most importantly, we are invited to light our own candles of illumination at his altar, to become wise, and to enrich our own magics by learning from this potent and often misunderstood Old One.
From the
Now do we step into the dark. The lantern light flickers, its dim glow faltering even as you clutch it in your left hand tightly, the trail before us barely visible among the vines and weeds. The blackness of the woods at night surrounds us like a cloak. Crickets sound their trill. The cool air conjures clouds from our breath like a spell.
Somewhere in the distance, a voice enunciates some ancient speech we cannot quite make out, its echoes trailing high over the hills, its timbre wet-thick like the falling of branches after a storm. Perhaps it is not a voice at all. Perhaps it is merely the settling of the woods, a wind among the vines, some creature moving through the snarls of leaves and twigs.
Still, you cannot help but think it, and I cannot help but ask out Is it him? Is he here?
Come with me, then. Let us walk, the two of us, and let us try to find him if we can. He is old now, older than he was when he taught the first witches at their fires, training them in arts so ancient the stones of the earth can’t fathom. The ages of the world have changed him. Time has left him worn and thin and scattered, emerging in the old lore here and there as a whisper or a clue, hidden behind so many black doors we hesitate to open, mortal as we are.
But still, he lives. We witches feel his gaze when we are alone in the dark, our lips busied with the work of incantation. We hear him when the breeze whistles through an old oak tree. We feel his hands upon ours as we knot the cord, as we burn the herbs, as we place the pins of our age-old craft.
And for those who feel the call, we know that somehow, despite all of his flaws and all of his danger, he is ours—feared like us and maligned like us, alone like us, rebellious like us, hungry for knowledge like us, drawn to the dark like us, obedient to no lord like us, wild and longing to be free like us, forever an outsider and other, just like us. By some strange and ancient curse, the things we fear in him are most like us, imperfect and flawed, something godlike but unlike a god, a kindred and beloved whom we cannot touch to rescue, a mirror through which we cannot reach.
Let us go, then, in search of him. For fear of him, and for love of him.
Let us reach for the blackberry tucked just there, among the thorns, trusting that the sweetness we find will be worth the pricking of our thumbs...
From the
Now do we step into the dark. The lantern light flickers, its dim glow faltering even as you clutch it in your left hand tightly, the trail before us barely visible among the vines and weeds. The blackness of the woods at night surrounds us like a cloak. Crickets sound their trill. The cool air conjures clouds from our breath like a spell.
Somewhere in the distance, a voice enunciates some ancient speech we cannot quite make out, its echoes trailing high over the hills, its timbre wet-thick like the falling of branches after a storm. Perhaps it is not a voice at all. Perhaps it is merely the settling of the woods, a wind among the vines, some creature moving through the snarls of leaves and twigs.
Still, you cannot help but think it, and I cannot help but ask out Is it him? Is he here?
Come with me, then. Let us walk, the two of us, and let us try to find him if we can. He is old now, older than he was when he taught the first witches at their fires, training them in arts so ancient the stones of the earth can’t fathom. The ages of the world have changed him. Time has left him worn and thin and scattered, emerging in the old lore here and there as a whisper or a clue, hidden behind so many black doors we hesitate to open, mortal as we are.
But still, he lives. We witches feel his gaze when we are alone in the dark, our lips busied with the work of incantation. We hear him when the breeze whistles through an old oak tree. We feel his hands upon ours as we knot the cord, as we burn the herbs, as we place the pins of our age-old craft.
And for those who feel the call, we know that somehow, despite all of his flaws and all of his danger, he is ours—feared like us and maligned like us, alone like us, rebellious like us, hungry for knowledge like us, drawn to the dark like us, obedient to no lord like us, wild and longing to be free like us, forever an outsider and other, just like us. By some strange and ancient curse, the things we fear in him are most like us, imperfect and flawed, something godlike but unlike a god, a kindred and beloved whom we cannot touch to rescue, a mirror through which we cannot reach.
Let us go, then, in search of him. For fear of him, and for love of him.
Let us reach for the blackberry tucked just there, among the thorns, trusting that the sweetness we find will be worth the pricking of our thumbs...
249 pages, Paperback
Published September 17, 2022
7 people are currently reading
328 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 4, 2022
Like every Horne book, this one presents a wealth of knowledge and lore without giving you only one "viable" interpretation. Instead, I was faced by many different images and ideas that went into the idea of the "Devil", which naturally enriches any witch's practice that is drawn to darker sides of the craft.
For others, it might also be a valuable look at the history of Christianity and how a change in the predominant religion actually looks like for most people history books usually like to forget or mention only briefly. Here, you will find them, their superstitions and beliefs, their understanding of what the Church told them and their combining with their grandparents' or ancestors' knowledge.
Overall, I find this book a gem, and already look forward to reading it again. Why then only 4 stars? With the small space each page uses, the length of paragraphs was aggravating. The longest paragraph I consciously noticed was almost two pages long - and there were several possible breaks that went unused. My neurodiverse brain had troubles getting through the material, which can make it hard to follow at times.
For others, it might also be a valuable look at the history of Christianity and how a change in the predominant religion actually looks like for most people history books usually like to forget or mention only briefly. Here, you will find them, their superstitions and beliefs, their understanding of what the Church told them and their combining with their grandparents' or ancestors' knowledge.
Overall, I find this book a gem, and already look forward to reading it again. Why then only 4 stars? With the small space each page uses, the length of paragraphs was aggravating. The longest paragraph I consciously noticed was almost two pages long - and there were several possible breaks that went unused. My neurodiverse brain had troubles getting through the material, which can make it hard to follow at times.
January 14, 2025
Roger J. Horne’s The Witches’ Devil is a compelling exploration of the Devil as both a mythic archetype and a historical figure. Horne’s poetic style draws readers into a world of folklore, history, and spirituality. One striking concept is the Devil’s power as a “bound spirit” (p. 20). Instead of diminishing his potency, this state of binding seems to amplify it. Horne explains this further, noting, “as we bind the spirit, so do we bind ourselves” (p. 34). The idea of mutual influence between humans and spirits lingers in the mind long after reading.
Certain claims, however, felt overly simplified. Horne’s discussion of religious syncretism highlights how the Church adopted and then vilified pagan symbols (p. 54). While thought-provoking, it seems reductive to label this process entirely “heretical” when syncretism is a universal feature of religion. Similarly, his comparison of Ishtar and Baphomet (p. 56) undermines his critique of reductionist thinking. These moments prompt valuable questions but reveal inconsistencies in the book’s arguments.
The strongest sections explore the Devil’s connection to nature and poison. Horne describes deadly nightshade and Dionysian wine as tools of a “divine poisoner” (p. 112). This perspective reframes even Christian rituals like the Eucharist. However, some claims—such as nightshade growing from corpses—veer into folklore without clarification. Later chapters discussing shapeshifting and modern witches' reinterpretations of history offer a satisfying conclusion. Horne captures the dynamic interplay between past traditions and contemporary practice.
I rate this book 4/5 stars. The writing is vivid, and the ideas are captivating, though not without flaws. Readers interested in witchcraft, folklore, or the Devil as a symbolic figure will find much to ponder.
Certain claims, however, felt overly simplified. Horne’s discussion of religious syncretism highlights how the Church adopted and then vilified pagan symbols (p. 54). While thought-provoking, it seems reductive to label this process entirely “heretical” when syncretism is a universal feature of religion. Similarly, his comparison of Ishtar and Baphomet (p. 56) undermines his critique of reductionist thinking. These moments prompt valuable questions but reveal inconsistencies in the book’s arguments.
The strongest sections explore the Devil’s connection to nature and poison. Horne describes deadly nightshade and Dionysian wine as tools of a “divine poisoner” (p. 112). This perspective reframes even Christian rituals like the Eucharist. However, some claims—such as nightshade growing from corpses—veer into folklore without clarification. Later chapters discussing shapeshifting and modern witches' reinterpretations of history offer a satisfying conclusion. Horne captures the dynamic interplay between past traditions and contemporary practice.
I rate this book 4/5 stars. The writing is vivid, and the ideas are captivating, though not without flaws. Readers interested in witchcraft, folklore, or the Devil as a symbolic figure will find much to ponder.
May 29, 2025
In reading this book, it is important to keep in mind, at its heart, it is a literary analysis of the body of text and folklore that make up the conceptualization of the Devil as related to various forms of witchcraft. And it takes on that task very well. Due to the broad variety of lore associated with witches and the Devil and the many syncretic factors involved in the many traveling and culture-specific aspects of Devil-lore, this is a grand undertaking. However vast the body of lore that is discussed, though, this analysis of the many aspects and face of the Devil is well researched and attested (allowing, of course, for some amount of academic bias).
A very enjoyable, thought-provoking and insightful work that I would recommend to others. That being said, there are implications and assumptions central to parts of the text that did prompt me to deduct and initial star from my review. The first being that the author appears to equate cunning and folk magical practices with witchcraft. This is, of course, a matter of opinion, but certainly seems to muddy the waters and demonstrate some potential academic bias in the interpretation of the source materials. Second, there is the occasional implication that the witch trials were, in fact, trials of witches and folk magicians, rather than of squabbling neighbors and cantankerous outsiders, fueled by forced and coerced confessions.
A note that did not impact my rating, but should be taken into consideration nonetheless is that the text is very difficult to read due to its size and formatting.
A very enjoyable, thought-provoking and insightful work that I would recommend to others. That being said, there are implications and assumptions central to parts of the text that did prompt me to deduct and initial star from my review. The first being that the author appears to equate cunning and folk magical practices with witchcraft. This is, of course, a matter of opinion, but certainly seems to muddy the waters and demonstrate some potential academic bias in the interpretation of the source materials. Second, there is the occasional implication that the witch trials were, in fact, trials of witches and folk magicians, rather than of squabbling neighbors and cantankerous outsiders, fueled by forced and coerced confessions.
A note that did not impact my rating, but should be taken into consideration nonetheless is that the text is very difficult to read due to its size and formatting.
November 14, 2025
I have denied the presence of the Witch Father in my practice, despite multiple experiences beginning in my youth at a rural home that I was raised in. I read this book to try to understand the influence and energy. The book exceeded my expectations and helped to dissolve some of my resistance in acknowledging this ancient and powerful force that we call the folkloric Devil. I'm still finding my way amd deconstructing many things, but my blood is alive and on fire in a way it was not before, and this book was a part of that. Yes there's UPG, no, not everything has a reference cited. This isn't a scholarly work though, and given it's small size it has quite a bit of reference support. Horne does make certain assumptions of the reader ("Our Devil") but that's reasonable given the content. Overall I highly recommend for those on a left hand or crooked path.
December 22, 2024
One of the best about the Folkloric Devil is that we shouldn't mistake the Hebrew Adversary (Satan). The book is quite good and very informative. But, remember that this book is theoretical, not practical. Maybe this is why I put just 4 starts, but good enough.
August 11, 2025
Excellent read! I annotated the heck out of this book! 😅😎❤️
November 19, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. In it, I found confirmation of the way I’ve felt the Devil myself.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews