Devin Hunter (Antioch, CA) holds third-degree initiations in both the Northern Star Tradition of Wicca as well as the Dianic Tradition of Witchcraft (the Cult of Diana) and is the founder of his own tradition, Sacred Fires. His podcast, The Modern Witch , has helped thousands of people from all over the world discover and develop their magical abilities. Devin is currently teaching with the Black Rose School of Witchcraft and is the reigning Master of Ceremonies at the New Orleans Witches Ball.
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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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.