Peach’s Kitchenwitchery

Hello, witches! Since I’m always harping on about learning your history and checking your sources, I thought I’d help folks get a head start by compiling some source material.

To that end, I’ve started a Dropbox folder with a stash of historical texts on witchcraft, magic, and related topics. Nearly everything I’ve managed to find so far is public domain (thank you Project Gutenberg), with the exception of a very thorough herbal grimoire I found online some years ago and a book of witchcraft from the 1970s that appears to be out of print.

I will be continuing in this vein with future texts that I find. Everything will be public domain or cited to the source that it came from, in PDF format. I will NOT be including PDFs of any book currently in circulation with a copyright linked to a living author or estate. The point of this folder is that everything in it should be free for sharing and open use as research materials.

Below is the initial list of titles. I tried to include as many as I could find, with a focus on some oft-cited classics. I will be adding new texts as I find them.

A Collection of Rare and Curious Tracts on Witchcraft and the Second Sight, by David Webster (1820)

A History of Witchcraft in England from 1558 to 1718, by Wallace Notestein (1909)

British Goblins, Welsh Folk-lore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions, by Wirt Sikes (1880)

Curiosities of Superstition, by W. H. Davenport Adams (1882)

Daemonologie, by King James I/VI (1597)

Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry, Edited and Selected by W. B. Yeats (1888)

Irish Witchcraft and Demonology, by St. John Drelincourt Seymour (1913)

La Sorcière, or The Witch of the Middle Ages, by Jules Michelet (1863)

Lives of the Necromancers, by William Godwin (1834)

Magic and Fetishism, by Alfred C. Haddon (1906)

Magic and Witchcraft, by Anonymous (1852)

Modern Magic, by M. Schele de Vere (1873)

Plant Lore, Legends, and Lyrics, by Richard Folkard (1884)

Practical Psychomancy and Crystal Gazing, by William Walker Atkinson (1908)

The Devil in Britain and America, by John Ashton (1896)

The Discoverie of Witchcraft, by Reginald Scot (1594, 1886 reprint)

The Extremely Large Herbal Grimoire (date unknown, internet publication)

The Golden Bough : A Study of Magic and Religion, by Sir James George Frazer (1890)

The Illustrated Key to the Tarot, by L.W. de Laurence (1918)

The Magic of the Horse-shoe, by Robert Means Lawrence (1898)

The Mysteries of All Nations, by James Grant (1880)

The Mystery and Romance of Alchemy and Pharmacy, by Charles John Samuel Thompson (1897)

The Superstitions of Witchcraft, by Howard Williams (1865)

The Witchcraft Delusion in Colonial Connecticut by John M. Taylor (1908)

The Wonders of the Invisible World, by Cotton Mather and A Farther Account of the Tryals of the New-England Witches, by Increase Mather (1693, 1862 reprint)

Witch Stories, by E. Lynn (Elizabeth Lynn) Linton (1861)

Witch, Warlock, And Magician, by W. H. Davenport Adams (1889)

Witchcraft & Second Sight in the Highlands & Islands of Scotland, by John Gregorson Campbell (1902)

Witches’ Potions & Spells, ed. by Kathryn Paulsen (1971)

Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that these texts are (with few exceptions) more than a century old, and may contain depictions, references, or language that are outdated and inappropriate. The point of including these documents is to provide access to historical texts for research and reference. Inclusion in the collection does not equal unconditional agreement with or wholesale approval of the contents.

Take everything with a grain of salt and remember to do your due diligence!

A Compleat History of Magick, Sorcery, and Witchcraft, by Anonymous (1715)

A True and Faithful Relation of What Passed for Many Yeers Between Dr. John Dee and some Spirits, by John Dee (1659)

Crystal Gazing, by Northcote W. Thomas

Malleus Maleficarum, or Hammer of the Witches, trans. Montague Summers (1486, 1928 translation)

Occult Science in Medicine, by Franz Hartmann (1893)

The Book of Ceremonial Magic, by A.E. Waite (1913)

The Complete Herbal, by Nicholas Culpeper (1652, 1850 reprint)

The Devils of Loudun, by Edmund Goldsmid (1887)

The History of Witchcraft and Demonology, by Montague Summers (1926)

The Old English Herbals, by Eleanour Sinclair Rohde (1922)

Devil-Worship in France, by A.E. Waite (1896)

Magic and Husbandry: The Folk-Lore of Agriculture, by Lewis Dayton Burdick (1905)

Norse Stories Retold from the Eddas, by Hamilton Wright Mabie (1902)

The Book of Black Magic, by A.E. Waite (1910)

The Book of Were-Wolves, by Sabine Baring-Gould (1865)

The Encyclopaedia of Gardening, by T.W. Sanders (1822)

The Folk-Lore of Plants, by T.F. Thiselton-Dyer (1889, facsimile copy)

The Greater Key of Solomon, Vol. I & II, trans. S. Liddell MacGregor Mathers (1999 from the 1916 deLaurence edition)

The Handbook of Palmistry, by Rosa Baughan (1885, facsimile from the Bodleian Library)

The Prose Edda, intro and notes by Rasmus B. Anderson (1897)

The Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage, Books 1-3, trans. S. Liddell MacGregor Mathers (1998 from the 1900 Watkins edition)

The Vampire, His Kith and Kin, by Montague Summers (1928)

A Manual of Cartomancy and Occult Divination, by Grand Orient (1909, facsimile)

A Manual of Occultism, by Sepharial (1914)

An Encyclopaedia of Occultism, by Lewis Spence (1920)

Demonology And Devil-Lore, Volumes 1 & 2, by Moncure Daniel Conway (1879)

Demons and Tongues, by Alma White (1910)

Fortunes and Dreams, by Astra Cielo (1917)

General Book of the Tarot, by A.E. Thierens (1930)

Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft, by Sir Walter Scott (1884)

Magic and Religion, by Andrew Lang (1901)

Magic and Mystery, A Popular History, by Alfred Thompson (1894)

Magic, Black and White, Charms and Counter Charms, by T. Witton Davies (1910)

Numbers, Their Occult Powers and Mystical Virtues, by William Wynn Westcott (1911)

Occultism and Common Sense, by Beckles Wilson (1908)

Practical Astrology, by Edgar De Valcourt-Vermont (1901, facsimile from The Library of Brigham Young University)

Psychic Self-Defense, by Dion Fortune (1930) 

Superstitions of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, by John Gregorson Campbell (1900)

Telling Fortunes by Tea Leaves, by Cicely Kent (1922)

The Black Pullet, by Anonymous (18th Century)

The Curious Lore of Precious Stones, By George Frederick Kunz (1913)

The Golden Wheel Dream-book and Fortune-Teller, by Felix Fontaine (1862)

The History of Magic, by Eliphas Levi, trans. by A.E. Waite (1922)

The Lesser Key of Solomon, trans. by S. L. McGregor Matthews (1904)

The Leyden Papyrus, trans. by F.L. Griffith and Herbert Thompson (1904)

The Mysteries of Astrology and the Wonders of Magic, by Charles W. Roback (1854, facsimile)

The Place of Magic in the Intellectual History of Europe, by Lynn Thorndike (1905, facsimile)

The Secret Book of the Black Arts, by Unknown (1878, facsimile)

The Symbolism of the Tarot, trans. by P.D. Ouspensky (1913)

The Witches’ Dream Book and Fortune Teller, by A.H. Noe (1885)

The Witches’ Pharmacopoeia, by Robert Fletcher (1896)

Witchcraft and Superstitious Record in the South-Western District of Scotland, by J. Maxwell Wood (1911)

I’m very pleased to include The Lesser Key of Solomon and The Black Pullet in this latest update. I’ve been mining the depths of Project Gutenberg and Global Grey Ebooks, and today I hit paydirt. I’ll keep digging, so stay tuned for more updates.

Aradia Or the Gospel of the Witches, by Charles G. Leland (1899) [Please note that this title has been updated since publication and newer editions are available in print.]

Clairvoyance and Occult Powers, by William Walker Atkinson (1914)

Fairy Legends and Traditions of the South of Ireland, by Thomas Crofton Croker (1827)

Historic Ghosts and Ghost Hunters, by H. Addington Bruce (1909)

Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds, by Charles MacKay (1841)

Practical Occultism, by J.J. Morse (1888)

Signs, Omens and Superstitions, by Astra Cielo (1918)

The Fairy Faith in Celtic Countries, by W.Y. Evans-Wentz (1911)

The Fairy Mythology, by Thomas Keightley (1870)

The Gardnerian Book of Shadows, by Gerald B. Gardner (1949-1961)

The Human Aura, by William Walker Atkinson (1912)

The Origins of Popular Superstitions and Customs, by T. Sharper Knowlson (1910)

The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns and Fairies, by Robert Kirk (written 1691, pub. in print 1893)

At the wonderful suggestion of @practicewhat here is a list of all of my plant posts all in one!

Letter A

Letter B

Letter C

Letter D

Letter E

Letter F

Letter G

Letter H

Letter I

Letter J

Letter K

Letter L

Letter M

Letter N

Letter O

Letter P

Letter Q

Letter R

Letter S

Letter T 

Letter U 

Letter V 

Letter W 

Letter X - No plants under letter X

Letter Y 

A Masterpost

Here’s a followup to my Fuck the Laundry Industry guide.  That post got way more popular than I was expecting, so I figured why not make another household guide?  Cleaning products in general are often overpriced, produced in environmentally unsound ways, and contribute massively to plastic pollution.  So here are some guides to cleaning your space without all that stuff!

Safety First:

Green Cleaning Ingredients You Should Never Mix

Cleaning Products You Should NEVER Mix

Is Vinegar and Baking Soda a Mixture Effective for Cleaning?

Is Borax Safe for Natural Cleaning?

Is Tea Tree Oil Safe for Pets?

Multipurpose:

DIY Natural Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner

A Simple DIY All-Purpose Cleaner That Really Works

DIY Natural All-Purpose Cleaner

15 Everyday Uses for Castile Soap

Disinfectant:

Homemade Disinfectant Spray: Vinegar of The Four Thieves

Homemade Sanitizer Spray

Homemade Reusable Disinfecting Wipes

How to Make Natural Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer

11 Powerful Antibacterial Essential Oils

Laundry:

See here.

Kitchen:

Homemade Liquid Dish Soap

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Recipe 

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent for Hard Water or Soft Water

Super Simple Natural Dishwasher Rinse Aid

CopyCat “Lemi Shine” Detergent Booster Recipe

Natural Oven Cleaner for Baked-On Grime

Natural Oven Cleaning Recipe

How to Clean a Cast Iron Skillet

How To Clean Your Grill the All-Natural Way

Tips for Cleaning Your Grill Naturally

Bathroom:

DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner

3 Ingredient Homemade Toilet Cleaning Bombs

How to Make a Powerful Homemade Shower Cleaner

A Natural Homemade Shower, Tub, and Tile Cleaner

DIY All-In-One Bathroom Cleaner

Sinks/Drains/Faucets:

How to Clean Your Stainless Steel Sink

DIY Drain Cleaners

Clean Up Sink Smells With DIY Garbage Disposal Refreshers

DIY Homemade Cleaners: Nightly Sink Scrub

Easy Ways To Remove Limescale With Basic Pantry Items

Cleaning Faucets and Fixtures

Glass:

No-Streak Homemade Window Cleaner

Homemade Glass Cleaner Recipe

Flooring:

DIY Mopping Solution (Works Great on Tile, Laminate, and Wood Floors)

Homemade Swiffer Wet Jet Solution

DIY Wood Floor Polish

Homemade Floor Wax

17 Homemade Carpet Stain Removers

Homemade Carpet Cleaning Solutions

How to Steam Clean Carpet

Homemade Carpet Deodorizer with Essential Oils

Homemade Dry Carpet Cleaner

Fixtures and Surfaces:

2-Ingredient Homemade Kitchen Cabinet Gunk Remover

What Everyday Items Can Be Used to Clean Wood Kitchen Cabinets?

Homemade Wood Cleaner

Best Homemade Stainless Steel Cleaner

How to Clean Brass, Copper, and More

DIY Silver Cleaner

How to Clean Bronze

Degreasers:

How to Make a Homemade Degreaser

Homemade Laundry Degreaser

Clean Stove Hood Filters in the Dishwasher Weekly to Keep Vents Clear

How to Clean a Greasy Stove Hood Filter

Deodorizers and Air Fresheners:

Homemade Fabric Refresher Spray

8 Surprising Household Deodorizers

Homemade Air Freshener

How To Keep Your Home Smelling Fresh Using Essential Oils & A Furnace Filter

8 Ways to Diffuse Essential Oils without a Diffuser

Eight Homemade Essential Oil Diffusers

How To: Make Your Own Gel Air Fresheners

DIY Natural Room Scents

DIY Car Vent Air Freshener

6 Things in Your Kitchen That Get Rid of Bad Smells Naturally

How To Make Your Own Air Freshener With A Wooden Clothespin

Dusting:

All-Natural DIY Dusting Spray

Reusable Swiffer Duster Cloths Tutorial

Other Things You’ll Need:

Microfiber cloths/soft rags

Old towels

Broom and dustpan

Vacuum cleaner

Mop

Toilet brush

Bucket

Sponges

Dish scrubbers

Please keep in mind that even if you know that a certain type of mushroom is edible that there are a lot of mushrooms that are toxic that look very similar to those that are edible, so make sure you are positive on the ID of a mushroom before consuming.

Edible - *Toxic* - Psychedelic

Bay Bolete- Creativity

Mild flavour, can be used as a dye

Black Trumpet- prosperity, luck

Rich, smoky

Button Mushroom- purification, happiness, cleansing

bland, soaks up flavour

Chanterelle- happiness, fertility, prosperity

Nutty or fruity taste

Chicken of the Woods- prosperity, luck

Similar taste to chicken

Common Mushroom- purification, peace, prosperity, happiness

*Death Cap*- baneful magick, binding, protection

Enoki- protection, banishing

Smoky, peppery

*Fly Agaric*- divination, astral travel, energy work, hexes, and protection.

Giant Puffball- healing, peace, happiness

Very bland

Honey Fungus- wisdom, divination

Nutty

*Inky Cap*- cleansing, banishing, protection. (edible but can be fatal with taken with alcohol, probably better to avoid)

Lion's Mane- protection, banishing, courage, happiness

Similar to crab meat

Magic Mushroom- creativity, energy work, astral travel

Morel- happiness, luck, prosperity

True morels- necromancy, spirit work, protection

Earthy or nutty flavour

Oyster Mushroom- fertility, growth, love

Similar to oysters

Penny Bun- divination, energy work, spirit work

Meaty

Saffron MilkCap- growth, healing, cleansing, prosperity

Nutty or fruity taste

Shiitake- healing, strength, fertility

Meaty and smoky

Because sometimes, a witch just needs to remember to take a breath.

Materials:

Small jar with lid

Chamomile

Lemon Balm

Lavender

Spearmint

Caster’s nail clippings or hair

Find yourself a small jar and fill it with an equal-parts blend of Chamomile, Lemon Balm, Lavender, and Spearmint. To this, add a few of your nail clippings or a strand of your hair, and one good steady outward breath. (Don’t blow into the jar, that will just scatter things and make a mess. Just exhale long and slow, and try to release a little stress while you’re at it.)

Seal the jar and store it somewhere that it won’t be disturbed. Whenever you get those feelings of anxiety or you just can’t seem to simmer down, take the jar out and give it a shake, or pop the lid off and have a small sniff of the herbs inside. If it starts to smell funny or develops mold, discard the contents and clean the jar thoroughly, then start over.

I love music. More and more, I have been including music in my practice of witchcraft, simply by having a song in the background while cleansing or making kitchen magic, and singing or humming particular melodies in the shower, when I perform a spell or a ritual, etc. If you’re interested in music witchcraft, here are a few ideas to get you started. 

–

🎵 Singing out loud is a really powerful practice that can help when performing difficult spells, or rituals that are energy-draining. 

🎵 If you’re uncomfortable with singing, humming a melody is a good alternative. I love humming a simple, happy song while cleansing my home.

🎵 Charge your crystals, magical items and plants with soothing, dramatic and strengthening music. 

🎵 If you can play any instrument, include them in your practice - by playing before, during or after your daily practice, for instance. 

🎵 Sound playlists have their own power, especially if you’re working with the 4 elements:

🌱 Earth: listen to forest and nature sounds

🔥 Fire: listen to fire crackling

🌪️ Air: listen to birds chirping

🌊 Water: listen to ocean sounds and waves

🎵 Make very specific playlists on Spotify ; e.g. “Songs to dance around in your room by yourself”, or “Songs to listen when you’re angry about the world”. Having songs that reflect your feelings will be incredibly useful and can make you feel less alone in your happiness / or in your pain. 

🎵 Bring back your inner child by listening to nostalgic playlists of songs that came out when you were 5, 10, 15 years old. 

–

I love spirituality, I love witchcraft, but we need to make something very clear. 

Science and medicine cannot and will not ever be something that witchcraft can replace. 

You still need to get vaccinated.

You still need to go to your therapist.

You still need to get antibiotics.

You still need your cancer treatments.

You still need your check ups.

You still need to believe scientists.