The Black Toad
The Black Toad explores potent examples of the folk-ceremonial magical practices and witchcraft of the south-west of England; dealing especially with Devon and the author’s homeland of Cornwall. Within the West Country, the popular belief in witchcraft and its attendant charms, magical practices and traditions continued to be observed and survived long after such ways had faded in most other parts of the British Isles.
Described within The Black Toad is a collection of some of the fascinating magical practices and lore of the West Country’s cunning folk and early modern witches; ways that have survived and evolved within the rarefied Craft of the area’s modern day witchcraft practitioners of the old persuasion.
As this book affirms, these ways of the Old Craft and Cunning Arte include a belief in and working relationship with the spirit forces of the land, the Faerie, animal and plant lore, as well as the magical use of Psalms to cure or curse, the invocation of Christ and the power of the Holy Trinity.
“For all those who are interested in learning about the Old Path as it is taught and practiced today by West Country witches this book of practical magic and sorcery will be a revelation. As the late Cecil Williamson, founder of the witchcraft museum in Boscastle, North Cornwall and a modern cunning man himself, said and Gemma Gary’s excellent book proves – “It still goes on today.”
Michael Howard
Paperback Edition gloss laminate cover, 80gsm white paper stock.
Original Price - £11.99
Standard Hardback Edition a black case binding with gold foil blocking to the front and spine, ‘Old Gold’ warm yellow endpapers, and black and yellow head and tail bands.
Original Price - £18.99
Special Edition a special edition limited to 200 copies. The book is case bound using recycled leather fibers emulating the look and feel of golden tan Morocco leather, and foil blocked in black with black end papers and black and yellow head and tail bands. Printed on cream 80gsm paper stock with sewn binding.
Original Price - Unavailable
Fine Edition a limited edition of 83 examples, black cloth, leather and toad skin sewn half binding, with goat leather to the spine; gold blocked to the side with a double toad device, and with black toad skin to the corners, gilded edges and a burgundy ribbon marker. Optional lined slipcase in full black cloth embossed on one side with Toad device.
Original Price - Unavailable
Black Edition a limited edition of 200 hand-numbered examples, bound in beautifully grained black recycled leather fibers, with black foil blocking to the front and spine, black end papers, with red head and tail bands. 80gsm white paper stock.
Original Price - £31.00
Audio book also available in audio book format from ‘Circle of Spears’ click here
Original Price - £11.99
Size paperback edition Demy 187 x 114mm, hardback editions Royal 234 x 156mm
Pagination 142 pages, plus 12 pages of photographic plates plus line drawings and figures by the author.
