The practice of necromancy is regarded most strictly as consorting with and gaining knowledge from the dead, and more broadly as sorcerous work conducted by means of such shades. It has enjoyed a treatment in "the West" as the preserve of wicked black magicians, devilish witches, and other ghastly ne’er-do-wells.

This course seeks to look beyond this spooky reputation to the valuable, responsible, and nourishing work that can be done with the dead: from veneration of ancestors, to the conjuration of great ghosts to teach one things, to taking care of your local churchyard and asking the occasional favour from the residents, to dealing with the intrusive and disturbing impact of restless shades.

This course is taught by diviner, consultant, historian and –yes – necromancer Dr Alexander Cummins, who draws on both his academic research and professional experience as a spiritual reader and worker to draw together these examinations and explorations of how the living and the dead may aid each other.
 
Class IV: Graveyards & The Local Dead
Beyond nourishing the roots of our familial dead and helpful ancestors and tutelary shades, enterprising necromancers also build relationships with the local dead and the underworld spirits that walk in graveyards and cemeteries. These relationships and work can facilitate a range of responsible operations and engagements with various spiritual ecologies. This class will discuss a number of practical concepts and methodologies that folks should find helpful for their own necromancies: from basic safety protocols to the myriad uses of deathly materia magica, and more.

More than specific techniques, we will discuss a range of approaches, attitudes and means of working with the dead throughout history and across many cultures: whether by tutelary, collaborative, contractual, and even (disturbingly) coercive methods of capturing, forcing, and torturing the dead into performing magics. Such discussion of these ideas and practices of course requires nuanced discussion of ethics, culture, and power, and behoves responsible study.

In the course of this class, students will be armed with better contexts and perspectives on the whats, whys, and hows of not simply venerating but actually working with the 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! You will receive the class recording links via email within 3-5 business days of your purchase. You will have access to the class recording link for 30 days from the date of receipt. You must be 18 years old to purchase this class recording. There are no refunds or exchanges. 
 
By purchasing this class you agree to the following Non Disclosure:
This Agreement is between The Cauldron Black (“OWNER”); & the Purchaser (“RECIPIENT”). WHEREAS, OWNER has developed through substantial effort, research, time, & expense certain inventions, design concepts, methodologies, technical know-how, copyrightable material &  trade secrets directed & 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 & the protection of OWNER'S intellectual property rights. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants, &  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 & to refrain from copying, disclosing, using, selling, or offering for sale any & all of said INFORMATION. RECIPIENT agrees to keep confidential & refrain from disclosing any & all of the INFORMATION, & to take all necessary &  reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized disclosure or use of any & all of the INFORMATION. Failure to uphold this NDA may result in legal action.