Dreams may as frequently bring us phantasms of fearful night as the visionary light of clarity, and often may leave us grasping at their confusing subtleties of ideas, impressions, and recollections. Aside from their practical employment in many works of divination, sorcery, and witchcraft, dreams have always been considered somewhat magical in their own right. This is certainly the case with dreaming as considered and performed in the pre-modern folk magics of traditional English cunning-craft.

Leading us in exploration and celebration of these folk magical conceptions of dream, contemporary cunning-man and historian of magic Dr Alexander Cummins offers interested parties a place at the set  table of this class as we consider both the occult philosophy and the folklore of dreaming, taking into account study of the various dream-books and dictionaries in popular use throughout the pre-modern British Isles; from older codices of Anglo-Saxon dream-lore to imported and thoroughly popular early modern Italian translations, and many others.

Considering the practicalities of best dreaming practices, we will assess various folk magical means of timing our dreams: by zodiacal sign, moon phase, and so on, as well as noting the wealth of traditions concerning “lucky” (and unlucky) days for dreaming true. Such considerations of timing will also explore the hagiographic emblematics of saint feasts especially associated with dream incubation – from the Eve of Saint Agnes for dreaming of one’s future spouse, to the wide range of meanings and mysteries to be explored through our Midsummer Night’s dreams...

Investigating operations involving meeting spirits in dream will analyse a host of such rites found across wider European folk practices, from appealing to devils of the Airs and Woods to answer questions and grant magical favours at our bedsides, to prophesising career advancement, consorting with fairies, demanding lottery numbers from the dead, and even appealing to the demonic King of the East for true answers delivered in dream.

We will assess various ways popular computational divinations such as geomancy and astrology were utilized to reconstruct forgotten dreams as well as consecrate aids for dreaming truer and more deeply.

Finally, we will explore one pre-modern planetary dreaming grimoire in particular, considering its methods of appealing to seven planetary archangels with Signs of the Living God, astrological sigils, and potent candle rites before bed.

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.