Devin Hunter - 8 July

Llewellyn Publications

Woodbury, Minnesota

Copyright Information

The Witchs Book of Spirits 2017 by Devin Hunter.

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First e-book edition 2017

E-book ISBN: 9780738752921

Cover design by Kevin R. Brown

Interior sigils and vapor image by Llewellyn Art Department

Llewellyn Publications is an imprint of Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Hunter, Devin author.

Title: The witchs book of spirits / Devin Hunter ; foreword by Judika Illes.

Description: Woodbury : Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd, 2017. | Includes

bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2017019002 (print) | LCCN 2017009343 (ebook) | ISBN

9780738752921 (ebook) | ISBN 9780738751948

Subjects: LCSH: Witchcraft. | Spirits.

Classification: LCC BF1566 (print) | LCC BF1566 .H86 2017 (ebook) | DDC

133.9dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017019002

Llewellyn Publications does not participate in, endorse, or have any authority or responsibility concerning private business arrangements between our authors and the public.

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Llewellyn Publications

Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd.

2143 Wooddale Drive

Woodbury, MN 55125

www.llewellyn.com

Manufactured in the United States of America

Contents

The Familiar Craft

Witches, Spirits, and the Familiar Craft

Staying on Top

The Art of Mediumship

Spirit Guides and Familiars

Preparing for Takeoff

The Art of Flying

Conjuration at a Glance

Conjuration in Three Parts

The Keys of Hecate

The Spirits of the Familiar Craft

Angels

The Dead

Faeries

Demons

The Grimoire of 33 Spirits,
or the Book of the VEXNA-KARI

The VEXNA-KARI

The Others

: additional sigils of the art

Dedication
and
Acknowledgments

T his book is first and foremost dedicated to the goddess Hecate, for whom I owe so much. It is through my connection with you that I continue to grow both as an occultist and a priest, and because of you that I wrote this book. hail hecate !

To my mother, Janet. Even though I know we dont see eye to eye on the ways of the spirit world, it is through you that my gifts found their way to me. It is because of you that I know such a rich and beautiful life, as well as how to kick some spirit ass when needed!

To my students in Black Rose and my apprentices in Sacred Fires. You inspire me to keep finding new ways to explore the mysteries, and it is through you that this work will live on. You are always willing guinea pigs when I have a crazy theory, and you are the first to tell me when that theory needs a little work. I am a better teacher because of you.

To all my clients who have seen me throughout the years. You have kept food on the table and a roof over my head. I hope that those of you who find your way to this work also find a way to use it for yourselves. You have given me so much.

foreword

Enter freely and be unafraid reads the sign on Madame Xanadus fortunetelling parlor. Madame Xanadu is one of my favorite comic-book witches. Her divination specialty is tarot, and her comics often feature beautiful depictions of the cards. Madame Xanadu originally appeared in DC Comics as the literary equivalent of a horror hostess, akin to Vampira, but eventually she was given an elaborate Arthurian back-story and her own Vertigo Comics series. I love Madame Xanadu for many reasons, but even if I didnt, I would love her sign.

My own first encounter with tarot was at age six. My older sister brought home a deck and it was love at first sight. I was blessed to enter the realm of tarot freely and unafraid.

Many decades later, my love affair with the cards still burns hot and strong. Ive read for many people in all sorts of venues: shops, bars, events, and fairs. What has struck me over the years is how much fear Ive encountered. People actively seek out readings, yet they are simultaneously afraid. They tell me that they dont like certain cards or that they dread what the cards may reveal. Essentially, they long to stick their toes into the waters of divination while being convinced that there are dangers swimming below its surface. At those moments I wish I had thought to post a sign like Madame Xanadus as assurance that the mystical mysteries are powerful, benevolent, soul-nourishing, and ecstatic in the best Dionysian sense of that word.

As much as this is true of the world of divination, it is amplified exponentially for those who simultaneously seek and fear the realm of the spirits. The desire to enter is potent, yet so is the fear of what one may find within; and how could it not be so? Even if we were to disregard the millennia of religious propaganda and fear mongering, so much current popular media encourages fear of spirits. Television shows and movies are permeated with scary ghosts and dangerous demons. Yet the reality is that for so many of us, interactions with spirits are among our most cherished relationships. We are blessed by the presence of spirit guides and guardians, beloved ancestors, and helpful ghosts.

Spirits are probably my favorite distraction, writes Devin Hunter. Theyre mine, too. I know that some of you reading these words are nodding your heads. You, too, love the spirits and revel in their presence. Others, however, are making your first forays into Spirit Land. Let me assure you: enter freely and be unafraid because you are in excellent hands with Devin Hunter. With The Witchs Book of Spirits , Devin provides us with the materials we need to navigate the world of spirits safely, respectfully, and, yes, ecstatically.

In The Witchs Book of Spirits Devin shares his own personal experiences and adventures. He writes: It is my goal in presenting this book to witchdom that I might be able to inspire a much more hands-on approach to working with the spirit world. Goal accomplished.