One of the stock-in-trades of the countless village wizards, wise women, local spirit-workers, service magicians and folk practitioners across the British Isles known as cunning-folk has always been working against theft and those who commit theft.

In this class, we will examine various folk magical methodologies for detecting lost and stolen items by a range of traditional computational, visionary, and object-led divinations: from astrology and geomancy, to scrying a crystal or even an oiled thumbnail, to sieve-and-shears, book-and-key, and bobbing balls of clay in water; indeed, even to the use of various rods and wands of detection.

We shall take stock of the wealth of cunning means employed across the pre-modern British Isles for identifying thieves and even working magically for the return of stolen goods and to coerce the thief to reveal themselves.

We will consider the use of charms, amulets, and other sorcerous assemblages to protect goods, livestock, and wellbeing, including talismans and protections for warding off thieves and even “freezing” home intruders in place.

We will examine not only the occult mechanics of popular anti-thief rituals such as the Eye of Abraham for naming and shaming thieves but also the underlying social and interpersonal conditions of public justice, community cohesion, and much more.

We will also analyse and compare various iterations of the operations of the Demon Bishops of the cardinal directions across cunning-folks’ working-books and grimoiric resources to send spirits after those who have robbed us or our clients.

Finally, we shall consider how such anti-theft workings also influenced and were influenced by other forms of magical protection, from operations against witches and their imps, fairies, and the restless dead.

About the Presenter:

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

THIS CLASS IS ONLINE ONLY! The class link will be emailed to you in your registration confirmation. The class recording link will be emailed to you within 3-5 business days of the conclusion of the class and will be available to you for 30 days after the conclusion of the class.

By purchasing this ritual you agree to the following Non Disclosure:

This Agreement is between The Cauldron Black (“OWNER”); and the Purchaser (“RECIPIENT”). WHEREAS, OWNER has developed through substantial effort, research, time, and expense certain inventions, design concepts, methodologies, technical know-how, copyrightable material and trade secrets directed and related to this class.  (“INFORMATION”); WHEREAS, OWNER desires to disclose the INFORMATION on a confidential basis to RECIPIENT.  The OWNER wishes to maintain the confidentiality of the INFORMATION and the protection of OWNER'S intellectual property rights. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the  mutual promises, covenants, and conditions contained herein, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:  I. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION A. OWNER agrees to disclose  INFORMATION to RECIPIENT for the purposes of an online class.  B. RECIPIENT agrees to receive such INFORMATION and to refrain from  copying, disclosing, using, selling, or offering for sale any and all of said INFORMATION. RECIPIENT agrees to keep confidential and refrain from disclosing any and all of the INFORMATION, and to take all necessary and reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized disclosure or  use  of any and all of the INFORMATION.  Failure to uphold this NDA may result in legal action.