Published: First published in 1970 in Great Britain by GP Putnam and Sons
The author: Paul Huson is a noted British occult scholar and respected author currently residing in the US; he has worked in film and television as well as publishing notable works within the Pagan literature genre. His background, from all accounts, seems to be quite eclectic giving him a broad knowledge base to work from.
Quick summary From Good Reads “An enduring classic since its publication in 1970, "Mastering Witchcraft" is one of the best how-to manuals for those wishing to practice traditional European Witchcraft as a craft rather than a New Age religion. Starting from first principles, Huson instructs the novice step by step in the arts of circle casting, blessing and banning, the uses of amulets and talismans, philters, divination, necromancy, waxen images, knots, fascination, conjuration, magical familiars, spells to arouse passion or lust, attain vengeance, and of course, counter-spells to exorcize and annul the malice of others.”
This was an interesting read and while I have had this in my collection for a number of years, I’ve never actually read it; if I am to be honest it wasn’t a foundational text for me coming up as a young witch in the late 90’s/00’s. It’s a very eclectic book, I wouldn’t say it covers one tradition but seems to borrow from a few different ones to create something that resembles what would be considered traditional British ceremonial magical practice. He doesn’t shy away from the “darker” aspects of witchcraft practice and I do believe his book is regarded as something of pariah in certain circles because it speaks to offensive and defensive spells which are not often pushed in modern practice that has been heavily influenced by Wicca and its tenets.
Huson starts the book by championing reciting the Lord’s Prayer backwards in order to undo any sort of Christian upbringing and indoctrination; it’s not the first time this has been a recommended step in deprogramming oneself of any previous religious influence. I found it interesting, having not been raised religious; it’s an oddity but I understand the purpose of it. I would imagine back when this was written that there were a lot of people moving from mainstream faith toward witchcraft and other alternative practices. He also tells the story of how he believes witch power came to be and that is by way of the Nephilim. Again, not the first time I have come across this as an explanation for how witches got their power historically, I think it tends to lean into the disavowing of mainstream religion and finding a path that still allows for that connection whilst moving into the new path of witchcraft.
“But modern witches believe that despite the accretions and maybe distortions of the past sixty centuries, there still remains at the centre of the cinder a spark of that mysterious dark angelic fire which first breathed life into the clay of this world”
There are recognisable points of the Witches Pyramid although he refers to them as ‘a virulent imagination, a will of fire, rock hard faith and a flair for secrecy’ which is essentially another form of ‘to know, to will, to dare, to keep silent’ a phrase found across several different spiritual traditions such as the Golden Dawn, Hermetics and Wicca. There are common elements in this book that are shared/taken from Wicca such as using the term ‘As my will, So Mote it Be’ and the Five Fold Kiss in coven practice which was always more of a Wiccan practice (and if you have seen the movie The Love Witch, it is enacted in that as part of the main character’s initiation into the coven) but it does show how much Wicca influenced early works.
Huson encourages and champions having correct mindset visualisation and creating space for the working that you want to do, for growing your abilities and building your practice. He also encourages working in whatever space you have available to you whether it be indoors or outdoors, I appreciate that even back then he recognised that old forests and big spaces were not easily accessible to everyone and that it may deter people if they think they have to work in a particular space. Huson also speaks about needing to have absolute faith in yourself and what you can achieve in order to be able to create magic. Huson also doesn’t believe in doing workings for money which is an interesting perspective, obviously today that is not the mindset but I wonder if back in the 70’s witchcraft was still not something you put out there publicly so therefore you were not really making a business or career of it.
“Don’t try willing anything which deep down you yourself are convinced is impossible. In all probability it won’t come about and this will prove a serious blow to your faith in yourself. Start with the little things which you know can be effected."
Huson's practice appears to come from a very traditionalist background and as such believes that without tools a witch cannot work successfully so therefore a witch must have the complete arsenal of tools in order to be able to work rituals. Again, I think this lends itself more to the ceremonial system and he does often reference angels, demons and other practices such as Kabbalah as a foundation to his style of practice. He spends a bit of time in once section walking the reader through a Conjuration of Vassago who is a demon from the Lesser Key of Solomon and an interesting choice to recommend for the beginner witch to try and summon. Speaking of, the Deities he speaks of working with in his book are Herne, Cernunnos, Habondia and Hertha although he also refers to Lucifer in his facet as the Light Bringer. I have seen some criticism in his representation of Cernunnos online as not what is traditionally found when working with/researching Cernunnos however I think there has to be a bit of leeway for UPG when it comes to working with Deity.
Huson also recommends working with philtres which in of itself is not a bad thing however his recommendation of putting it in someone’s food unknowingly is perhaps not an action that one would should take on account of the legalities and allergies side of things. One thing that stood out in this book is that Huson definitely has a flair for verbosity; the author can be quite wordy when explaining or describing things. While I can appreciate the flow and use of words, it may come across as language that is not accessible or easy for people to follow if they are a beginner in the craft and wanting to learn the most basic ways to practice and understand the new path they are venturing on.
“However in these days of more readily available sexual gratification; the first factor has faded very much into abeyance, save in such barbarous institutions where chastity is still enjoined” – an example of the verbosity.
What I very much appreciated when it came to language was his way of calling in the watchtowers, it was beautifully evocative and painted a very vivid picture in the mind. I do think this was an important part of the book because it allows for beginners to be able to picture the elements in their minds eye and gave a very good starting point for witches to build on their own experience when it comes to the elements.
“Black bull of the north, Horned One
Dark Ruler of Mountains and all that lies beneath them
Prince of the Powers of the Earth
Be present we pray thee and guard this circle
From all perils approaching from the North”
Each quarter/watchtower has an animal association which makes it easier to visualise the element and what it represents; it’s powerful imagery, if not for everyone it at least gives a starting point to be able to change it to something better suited to your own practice.
Interestingly, Huson references the Threefold Law in his works given that this book is supposed to be a traditional witchcraft tome, seeing Wiccan rhetoric as part of trad witchcraft practice was unexpected however not hugely surprising given that this book had only been published less than two decades after the advent of Wicca and of course, given Huson is British, there would have been that influence. The chapter on coven work was quite eye opening and definitely reminded me of the early works where sexual behaviour and actions were often considered a definite part of working. There is reference to something called the ‘Animal Chain Dance’ that was apparently finished out by simulated or actual sex performed on female initiates by the High Priest/Magister. Wicca in its early days was rife with this type of thing within coven settings although again, not surprising given Gardner was a naturist.
What I liked: It’s a very straight forward text that outlines a ceremonial witchcraft practice that anyone can begin though I would caution discernment and research. Huson has included several recipes across the book for each section in order to make oils and incenses to include in your practice. I appreciated that he was not shying away from the “darker” aspects and included hexing, cursing and magic of the like instead of just the normal love and light that is in a lot of modern witchcraft books. The appendixes are decent, the bibliography is extensive and he gives recommendations throughout the book for other books to read in order to educate yourself.
What I didn’t like: It’s very much a product of its time and as such there are a lot of old fashioned notions that are no longer part of modern practice such as the overtly sexual parts, the recommendation of adding philtres to people’s food without their knowledge, the tone of things being a must (such as having to have tools) in order to practice successfully.
Overall it was a fairly okay book; I think it has some really good information in it and I would recommend it perhaps not to a beginner but definitely to someone on the path already. I do think that it needs to be approached with discernment because there are definitely practices within the book that would raise eyebrows or not be the most politically correct if that is something that concerns you. However at its core it is a book that gives insight into the practices of British ceremonial magic as witchcraft was becoming more mainstream. Do I think this book is a necessary read? My first instinct is to say no though it does contain some good information not necessarily seen in modern books. That being said it is entertaining if you can get past some of the language if that is something that you struggle with, and I do think it has some applicable workings and knowledge for the modern practitioner.
Verdict: Bit Smash, Bit Trash
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