Steve Patterson
Steve Patterson is a writer, Folklorist, Woodcarver and agricultural labourer. He lives and works with his dog in an old quarry in West Cornwall. He has been a student of folklore and the occult for as long as he can remember. Since the mid 1990s Steve has been an active supporter of the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Boscastle, and has regularly given workshops and talks on the subject.
Links:
The Folklore Podcast’s episode 37 Alien Big Cats – Steve Patterson
Publications
Periodicals
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“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 and Magic in Boscastle, North Cornwall, which he ran up until midnight on All Hallows Eve 1996; three years before his passing over into 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”.
Steve Patterson
In 1996, whilst helping the then new owner Graham King in refurbishments to the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, 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 and Magic, 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.
● 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’.
Paperback Edition gloss laminate cover.
Original Price - £16.99
Standard Hardback Edition: a black case binding with gold foil blocking to the front and spine, burgundy endpapers, with red and black head and tail bands.
Original Price - £28.00
Special Edition: a limited edition of 300 hand-numbered examples, Cream 175gsm ripple finish dust jacket, bound in burgundy cloth with gold foil blocking to the front and spine, black end papers with red and black head and tail bands.
Original Price - £39.50
Black Edition; a limited edition of 125 hand-numbered examples, bound in
beautifully grained black recycled leather fibers, with black foil blocking to the front and spine, red end papers, with red head and tail bands. 90gsm white paper stock.
Original Price - £38.00
Fine Edition: a limited edition of 30 signed and hand-numbered examples, hand bound in burgundy hand finished goat leather with gold foil blocking to the front and spine, marbled end papers and marker ribbon. This edition will be issued with an embossed, lined library buckram slipcase.
Original Price - Unavailable
Special Fine Edition: a limited edition of 10 signed and hand-numbered examples, hand bound in terracotta fine hand polished and finished goat leather, gold foil blocking to the front and spine, marbled end papers and marker ribbon. This edition will be issued with a lined, hand carved oak box, made and carved by the author.
Original Price - Unavailable
Size All editions – Royal 234 x 156mm
Pagination 304 pages, Paperback edition and Standard Hardback 80gsm white paper stock, Fine Editions and Special Limited Edition 120gsm cream paper stock, all editions – 32 pages of black and white photographic plates. -
Deep within the winding corridors of Boscastle’s Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, a low humble door and two small windows allow visitors a glimpse into another world. Here, a kindly old woman sits at her table within the whitewashed rough stone walls of her cottage. A small fire glows in the large open hearth, strange substances, herbs and magical charms adorn the shelves and hang from the low wooden beams, whilst in the shadows, various creatures lurk and keep her company: for this is the cottage of a wise woman of yesteryear.
The wise woman, or Old Joan as she is known, speaks to her visitors of the ways of her trade, reciting many traditional 19th century charms and spells along the way that were once a feature of life in the small villages of Devon and Cornwall.
In Spells from the Wise Woman’s Cottage, folklorist Steve Patterson gives us these very charms and spells, and guides us through their history and meaning.
The cottage tableaux itself, the history of its construction, artefacts, and the fascinating stories behind the genuine familiar spirits who reside there are all revealed within the pages of this book.
The trade and character of the working witch through the Ages is thoroughly explored, as is the role of the museum in the world of witchcraft and its revival, along with the ‘wayside witches’ whose artefacts, magic and wisdom were so central to the museum’s foundation.
Paperback Edition gloss laminate cover.
Original Price - £12.50
Standard Hardback Edition an ‘Oatmeal’ case binding with black foil blocking to the front and spine, 90gsm white paper stock, black endpapers, with burgundy head and tail bands.
Original Price - £16.50
Special Edition a limited edition of 250 hand-numbered examples, bound in Sage Green cloth, with copper foil blocking to the front and spine, burgundy end papers, with black head and tail bands. 80gsm white paper stock.
Original Price - Unavailable
Black Edition a limited edition of 125 hand-numbered examples, bound in black and beautifully grained recycled leather fibres material, with black foil blocking to the front and spine, 90gsm white paper stock, black endpapers, with red head and tail bands.
Original Price - Unavailable
All editions 187 x 114mm. 152 pages with 4 pages of black and white photos.