Quick Specs
- Author: Kelden
- Publisher: Llewellyn Publications (January 2020)
- Format: Trade paperback, 240 pages
- Dimensions: 6 x 0.59 x 9 inches
- Topic: Traditional Witchcraft, pre-Wiccan folk magic, spirit work, animism, the Otherworld
- Best For: Practitioners exploring the historical roots of witchcraft beyond modern Wicca
Traditional Witchcraft vs. Modern Wicca
Traditional Witchcraft predates the Wiccan revival of the mid-20th century. Where Wicca developed as a structured religious framework with initiatory hierarchies and codified ritual forms, Traditional Witchcraft draws on older European folk magic traditions rooted in animism, spirit work, and direct relationship with the land and its inhabitants. The term “crooked path” reflects the non-linear, personal, and often solitary nature of this practice as opposed to the structured path of initiated religious frameworks.
Kelden writes as a practicing traditional witch with the goal of making the field accessible without oversimplifying it. The book moves from defining what Traditional Witchcraft actually is, through spirit work and the Otherworld, to the natural world, culminating in guidance on establishing a personal practice. Each of the five sections opens with a visualization exercise to ground the reader in the material before the theoretical content begins.
What the Book Covers
The Crooked Path covers the distinction between Traditional Witchcraft and Wicca, working with spirits, honoring natural cycles, the concept of the Otherworld and liminal spaces, and how to build an individual practice without a coven or initiatory lineage. Foreword Reviews called it “a thoughtful examination of one modern pagan movement” and “an excellent, thorough introduction to the complex practices of traditional witchcraft.” The 240-page format is substantive without being encyclopedic.
How to Use The Crooked Path
How to work through The Crooked Path for maximum depth and practical application.
- Read the Opening Visualizations
Each of the five sections begins with a brief visualization exercise. Do these before reading the section rather than skipping them. Kelden designed them to shift your mindset from passive reader to active practitioner before the content begins.
- Work Through Sections in Order
The book progresses from defining traditional witchcraft, to magic and spirit work, to the Otherworld, natural world, then personal practice. Reading in order gives a more coherent foundation than jumping to individually interesting-looking topics.
- Build Your Personal Practice
The final section guides you in establishing a practice genuinely your own, without requiring lineage or coven. Use the exercises as starting points rather than fixed prescriptions. Traditional Witchcraft by definition resists one-size-fits-all.
The Tarot Fellow Standard
I stock this because it fills a gap. Most introductory witchcraft books assume a Wiccan framework, and practitioners drawn to older folk traditions often find those books don’t match their experience. Kelden’s book is one of the few genuinely introductory texts that treats Traditional Witchcraft as its own thing rather than a variation on Wicca. For more titles in this tradition, browse my witchcraft and spellcraft book collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wicca is a mid-20th century religious framework with initiatory traditions and codified ritual forms. Traditional Witchcraft refers to older European folk magic rooted in animism and spirit work. It predates Wicca and does not have a single founder.
Yes, with the caveat that it assumes no prior Wiccan framework. If you are new to witchcraft, this is a solid introduction to the traditional path. If you have a Wiccan background, the early chapters distinguishing the two approaches will be useful.
Kelden is a practicing traditional witch who writes on folk magic and witchcraft history. The Crooked Path, published by Llewellyn in January 2020, is his first full-length book. He approaches the subject as a practitioner rather than as a scholar.
No prior knowledge is required. The book is explicitly an introduction, beginning with a definition of Traditional Witchcraft and building progressively through spirit work, the Otherworld, natural world practice, and personal practice development.
10/10
It looks amazing but I haven’t started it yet
✨
Good book