Cecil Williamsons Book Of Witchcraft
"Cecil Hugh Williamson (1909-1999) is, I believe, one
of the great unsung heroes of the twilight world of folklore and witchcraft. He
is probably best known for founding the Museum of Witchcraft in Boscastle,
North Cornwall, which he ran up until midnight on All Hallows Eve 1996; three
years before his passing over in to the spirit world. Unbeknown to many
however, this was just part of a colourful and magical career that spanned most
of the 20th century. This included working in a Rhodesian tobacco plantation,
the pre-war film industry, the British secret services and, most importantly,
devoting his life to the study of traditional witchcraft".
In 1996, whilst helping the then new owner Graham King in refurbishments to the
Museum of Witchcraft, Steve happened upon a handwritten manuscript entitled
simply ‘Witchcraft’ and containing an intriguing pot-pourri of esoterica from
the hand of the Museum's founder; Cecil Williamson. It is this manuscript which
provides the basis for Steve's book which includes a full annotated transcript
of the ‘Witchcraft’ manuscript, a history of Cecil Williamson and the Museum of
Witchcraft, a treatise on Cecil Williamson’s vision of traditional Witchcraft -
the practices and the philosophy of the wayside witches, an account of his
meetings with Aleister Crowley and Gerald Gardner, and a controversial account
of his witnessing of the birth of ‘Wicca’. The book is both a valuable
reliquary of practices for the traditional witch, and a resource for
folklorists and historians alike; telling the tale of a hitherto largely
ignored, but hugely influential episode in modern occult history, and one of
the great unsung heroes of the twilight world of folklore and witchcraft.
The book is both a valuable reliquary of practices for the traditional witch,
and a resource for folklorists and historians alike; telling the tale of a
hitherto ignored, but hugely influential episode in modern occult history.
- A full annotated transcript of Cecil Williamson’s “Witchcraft” manuscript.
- A History of Cecil Williamson and the Museum of Witchcraft.
- A treatise on Cecil Williamson’s vision of traditional Witchcraft - the practices and the philosophy of the wayside witches.
- An account of his meetings with Alistair Crowley and Gerald Gardner, and a controversial account of his witnessing of the birth of ‘Wicca’.
