Birds have long been considered to have things to tell the wise who can read their meanings, and to hold magical power that can be bestowed, bartered, earned, or stolen from them.

From foretelling fortunes – of mortal lives and ever-turning seasons alike – by the auguries of their flight to the chatter of their calls, the language of the birds and the meanings of their comings-and-goings have been considered magics of prognostication and prophecy. And from the feathers of their wings to the blood of their hearts, birds and their bodily components have also been employed in traditional cunning operations of baneful binding and blessed unbewitching alike.

In this class, contemporary cunning man and historian of magic Dr Alexander Cummins will lead us in celebration of the magics and meanings of birds in the techniques and approaches of the folk magics practiced by traditional British cunning-folk.

Along with observations…