In the folk magical means of knowing found across the British Isles we encounter many forms of divination: some highly ritualised, others almost reduced to parlour games and folktales of their own. Yet the techniques and observances of the various folk healers, wise-women, conjure doctors, and village sorcerers collectively referred to as ‘cunning folk’ do speak of certain key principles and operating procedures still eminently applicable to modern practitioners.

We note reliance on simpler, more rule-of-thumb forms of astrology - moon phase, planetary hours – that do not require complex ephemeredes to calculate more precise elections. We can begin to compile comparative study of various dream incubation timings, tools, and techniques to consider a common grammar of such twilight visionary arts: from the dreaming rites of the Eves of Saint Agnes especially to those of Midsummer.

Other everyday tools take on divinatory significances through their cunning employ. The sieve-and-sheers techniques for naming guilty parties – coscinomancy in fancy magicians’ circles – is attested in several sources, which even preserve the activation chant or spoken charm which commences such oracular practices. Similarly, folk variations on the simple applications of book (i.e. Bible) and key for telling fortunes, pronouncing guilt, or even diagnosing witchcraft betoken a rich living regional specificities of the very human resort to such ‘Little Witchcrafts’.

In this class, contemporary cunning man, diviner, and historian Dr Alexander Cummins will present not only the history and theory of such practices – from throwing apple peels to gazing into crystal balls – but also offer notes from his own professional practice for folk diviners, seers, and wise ones today.

About the Presenter:

Dr. Alexander Cummins (@grimoiresontape) is a professional diviner,  consultant sorcerer, and historian of magic.  His work focuses on  grimoires, divination, and folk necromancy. He co-hosts Radio Free  Golgotha, and can be booked for talks, workshops, readings, coaching and  consultation at www.alexandercummins.com/. His recorded classes can  also be obtained from The Cauldron Black archives.

THIS CLASS IS ONLINE ONLY! If you are unable to make the live   streaming of this class, don't worry  - the recording will be available  for you. The class link will be  emailed to you in your registration  confirmation. The class recording  link will be emailed to you within 3  business days of the conclusion of  the class and will be available to  you for 30 days after the conclusion  of the series.

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