Patricia Crowther - Lid Off the Cauldron

The author wishes to thank the following for their help and encouragement during the production of this book: Mr. J. Edward Vickers; Mr. John H. Cutton; Mr. Nicholas Sandys; Mr. Chris Bray; Mr. Ian Lilleyman; Mr. Leon Dickens and Aerofilms Ltd; for provision of two photographs. Thanks are also due to Macmillan & Co. Ltd. for permission to quote from The Ballad of the White Horse by G. K. Chesterton.

In this book on the subject of witchcraft Patricia Crowther lifts the lid off the cauldron and reveals some fascinating ingredients.

A practising witch since 1960 and High Priestess of the Sheffield Coven, the author explores the history of witchcraft and the methods and theory behind magic and self-initiation. She dispels the belief that witchcraft is a dark nefarious affair only to be practised by few and offers the reader the benefit of her considerable knowledge. There are sections on spells, chants, prayers, methods of divination, ancient symbols, the effects of sonics, the recent renaissance of the old religion of Wisecraft (or Wicca), the workings of the cosmic tides, planetary rituals and the collective unconscious - the reasoning behind the performance of folk customs, dancing and singing, and the acting out of legends. Much of this material has never before been published and marks a new approach to our understanding of ancient folk lore and the long tradition of witchcraft which still flourishes today in many parts of the country.

Patricia Crowther

A Handbook for Witches

ePub r1.1

Sharadore02.06.13

Original Title: Lid Off the Cauldron: A Handbook for Witches

Patricia Crowther, 1981

Cover design: Collin Lewis

Digital Editor: Sharadore

ePub base r1.0

PATRICIA CROWTHER is a native of Yorkshire, and has been responsible for the initiation of numerous covens throughout Great Britain. She has lectured widely, has been interviewed many times on television and radio and together with her late husband, Arnold presented a series on the Old Religion for BBC Radio, entitled A Spell of Witchcraft. The author was also invited to represent Wicca at an international conference on the occult in Barcelona. She is also a singer, accordionist and stage magicienne and particularly enjoys performing for children with whom she feels she has a special rapport.

The fantastic opinion that the world began about 4000 BC has only recently been debunked. Christianity, or rather, 'Churchianity', has kept its children bound in swaddling clothes of religious dogma and questioning minds drugged with soporific ingredients calculated to dispense with any rebellion of thought.

A 'holier than thou' attitude has generally been adopted as a cloak by those carrying out the Church's unpleasant business. Yet, the sinister aspects of its activities have all the ingredients of a horror story. Where people showed a spark of intelligence in thinking for themselves, or displayed allegiance to or sympathy for an older religion, the mask was dropped and those who did not conform were cruelly persecuted.

With the death-pangs of the dying Piscean Age people have been released from their mental and physical bonds with all the implications that this involves. As if suddenly escaping from years spent in a dark dungeon, they have grabbed at ideas to ease the mental hunger, regardless of whether they were wholesome or suitable for them. There has never before been a time in which so many diverse cults, sects and 'scenes' have been followed, nor a time which has seen a greater 'happening' in the field of drugs, dope-peddlars and practitioners of Black Magic.

Men and women have awakened from their stupor only to find that they are alone in the dark forest. They are no longer cared for by religious advisers, telling them what to think and do. Their swaddling clothes have finally rotted away and they are naked again, and in many ways wholly innocent.

Unfortunately, the umbilical cord leading them back to their Mother has been lost. It is somewhere in the forest and it has to be found. They will have to search long and wisely to find it ignoring all stray pieces of discarded twine which could ensnare them or lead them deeper into the dark wood.

Once the silver cord is seen, glowing in the darkness, they are safe. For it will lead them out through the bramble-strewn forest into the light of their great spiritual rebirth in the Aquarian Age.

Silent is the Circle,

Keeping its secrets within its boundaries

They wait to be discovered - hopefully,

By one who will revere and keep the Mysteries.

Take my hand and enter the sacred hollow;

Candles at each Gate mark with living flame

The elemental Lords.

Crown of the whole - the Altar,

Solidifies the unique purpose of both Gods and men.

The Mirror - echo of the Moon

Hangs watchful behind the silver curtain

All may be revealed here of the soul's evolution

Past, present and future - all one,

As time is betrayed and the shining shield

Returns our present image, and with it - knowledge

'Lady of the Three Ways; deign to look on me;

Open my inner vision as I look upon the magical shield

Queen of the Astral realm, show thy servant her true Self.

In the dark of the Moon is revelation and revealing;

Queen of the Night, I invoke Thee to aid me in my quest.'

Patricia C. Crowther

It is now over twenty years since the revival of witchcraft, or the Craft of the Wise, but it is very doubtful if the public at large have any greater comprehension of it than they had in earlier times. Of course, there are many people who have gained a deeper insight into this much-maligned subject, but these are in the minority, possessing an inborn curiosity or natural inclination for serious study.

Most people do not want to have their picture of a horrid old woman, stirring a cauldron of noxious ingredients, taken away from them. After all, this is the image which has been hammered into the subconscious minds of the public for hundreds of years, and they are reluctant to let go of it.

The medieval Church did its work extremely thoroughly. Witches worshipped the Devil, and the evil ones had to be routed out of the community and punished. Nothing was too bad for the creatures. The agonies of fire and torture would, perhaps, save their guilty souls from the perpetual fires of Hell!

The many ingenious ways and methods of torture were the creation of priestly minds obsessed with the idea of original sin: minds, which had been instilled with the horridness of sex and particularly of woman. Here was the viper! The female serpent who seduced and debased the heart and soul of man!

This is Catholic theology, and in the Roman Calendar one of the most acclaimed names is that of St Augustine. Yet, his vile, degrading opinions about the human body are loathsome. His famous epigram,