Orion Foxwood - Tree of Enchantment: Ancient Wisdom and Magic Practices of the Faery Tradition

Advance Praise for Tree of Enchantment

Destined to become a classic. This is a wise and wonderful book to be studied and savored, its teachings and methods diligently applied.

Margie McArthur, author of Faery Healing: The Lore and the Legacy; Wisdom of the Elements: The Sacred Wheel of Earth, Air, Fire and Water; and WiccaCraft for Families: The Path of the Hearthfire

The Tree of Enchantment is a rare and beautiful piece of esoteric writing that is fresh, vibrant, and ready for this age and those to come. It is a true guide for helping mend the rifts and fractures within the self and between the planes of being.

Ivo Dominguez, Jr., author of Spirit Speak, Castings: The Creation of Sacred Space, and Beneath The Skins

I say this with the deepest conviction and without a tinge of hyperbole: Orion Foxwood is a national treasure. His Tree of Enchantment is a brilliant and elegant jewel of modern magical literature and a testament to his genius and insight.

Lon Milo DuQuette, author of Enochian Vision Magick

In this fascinating and educational work, Orion Foxwood provides a comprehensive course of study that puts new focus on ancient Faery traditions. The Tree of Enchantment leads the reader from the seed all the way to the culmination of truth and satisfaction found within each and every one of us, and the journey is a true delight. Read it; learn; enjoy!

Raymond Buckland, author of The Weiser Field Guide to Ghosts, Buckland's Book of Saxon Witchcraft, and Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft

The Tree of Enchantment, an important and profound work, offers insights and techniques that can come only from deep levels of direct experience and the wisdom that results from personal effort.

Raven Grimassi, author of Hereditary Witchcraft, Italian Witchcraft, and Crafting a Wiccan Tradition: Creating a Foundation for Your Spiritual Beliefs and Practices

Orion Foxwood is a seer whose message that our human soul and the soul of the Earth are as one is much needed in these times of change and possibility.

T. Thorn Coyle, teacher and author of Evolutionary Witchcraft

First published in 2008 by

Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC

With offices at:

500 Third Street, Suite 230

San Francisco, CA 94107

www.redwheelweiser.com

Copyright 2008 by Orion Foxwood.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC. Reviewers may quote brief passages.

ISBN: 978-1-57863-407-1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available upon request.

Cover design by Maija Tollefson

Interior design by Dutton & Sherman

Typeset in Centaur MT

Cover photograph Anja Hild/istockphoto

Printed in Canada

TCP

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of the American National Standard for Information SciencesPermanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials Z39.48-1992 (R1997).

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Certain themes and methods found in this book were first published by R.J. Stewart between 1988 and 2003, and taught in his classes and workshops. These include, but are not limited to, the Well of Light, the Rivers of Blood and Tears in the UnderWorld, the Threefold Alliance, the art of Bridge-making, and the unique theory and practice of working with Go-Betweens in the faery tradition. Such material is used here with permission of the author, and a short list of related books by R.J. Stewart can found in the bibliography. The author would like to thank R.J. for his continued support and encouragement.

Many beings, human and other, have contributed to this book. My heart is filled with gratitude and thanksgiving when I reflect on your contributions and support. Thank you and May the Old Gods guide, guard, and bless you always.

I dedicate this book to:

My Faery wife Brigh, for she is the spirit blood that runs through the veins of all my Faery work

My blood mother, Betty Jean

My beloved Mateo Wildcat

My spirit mother, Lady Circe

My dear and precious best friend and co-walker, Jhim Midgett

My friend and mentor, R.J. Stewart

My spiritual advisor and role mode, Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki

My Faery research manuscript editors, and emotional support team, Marienne Foxwood, Giariel Foxwood, Sibyl Foxwood, Willow-Duir Foxwood, Eilithya Foxwood, and Mellina Foxwood

My friend Pantera, who gives boundless love and support to me

My sanctuary during the most difficult periods writing this book, Joseph Dailey

My visionary artist and collaborator on the vision key images, Martin Bridge

My dear friends and safe space when journeying the worlds, Sherrie McCain-Kistler and Beatrice Park

My cherished spiritual family, Foxwood Temple

My beloved friend, Lady Ceres Moon Spinners

My publisher family at Weiser Books

All of my dear students in the House of Brigh Faery Seer apprenticeship program

My inner guides and go-betweens, the Faery Seers Faery Doctors who dwell beyond the veil as the Hidden Order.

And above all, I dedicate the book and all aspects of my life to she who sets at the heart and soul of creation, The Goddess in her manifold aspects.

BY R.J. STEWART

At a time when most interest in faery magic is at the level of trite entertainment or escapist fantasy, there are very few people working seriously to demonstrate that communion with the faery races is a valid spiritual path. Orion Foxwood is one of those few. I am aware of Orion's struggle and dedication in bringing this book through to the reader spiritual quests are always hard, but in the end are always worth the effort.

Basing his thesis on aspects of folkloric tradition, pioneering work by earlier authors and teachers (including my own), Orion develops new concepts and methods which are of practical value to the serious and dedicated student. The most significant of these are the glyphs or vision keys, which are unique to Orion's work and have no precedent in earlier sources. Thus they are a new development enabling the student to have a means of working with faery spiritual contacts and associated initiatory subtle energies. Such new developments are rare indeed, and are to be prized.

If you are looking for yet another dictionary of faeries or a rehashed collection of folklore, or some bundle of romantic whimsy, then this book is not for you. But if you are looking for the means to connect and then relate to the inhabitants of the spiritual realm of faery, and thus to transform your life, you will find ample resources here.

R.J. Stewart
author of The Well of Light and other books on faery
and UnderWorld spiritual traditions

Welcome into the garden of the seeker wherein grows the mystical Tree of Enchantment. I greet you as a fellow seeker on the path of spiritual discovery and wisdom. The book you are about to read is the culmination of a lifetime of seeking, searching, sharing, and integrating the teachings I have compiled from a) my interpretation of academic research on Faery practices and lore throughout Northern Europe, b) elements of oral tradition passed on to me by healers, conjurers, people of the sight, neighbors, and family members (specifically, my blessed mother) in my home culture in Virginia and West Virginia, c) oral tradition often informed but always inspired by traditional and hereditary witches, cunning people, and Faery Seers in America and abroad, specifically in Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, Cornwall, and the Isle of Man, and d) through direct contacts with the spirit world as one gifted by birth with, as we call it back home, the veil (also known as the caul or second sight).