The Grimore Book Review: The Real History of Folk Magic

The Grimoire by Simon A. Williams is a historical and educational guide that explores the diverse landscape of folk magic, herbalism, and spellcraft across Britain. The text meticulously distinguishes between genuine medieval charms, long-standing folk traditions, and modern reconstructions developed in the twentieth century. Williams examines various cultural worldviews, including Hermeticism, animism, and folk Christianity, while providing detailed case studies on cunning folk and regional practices in Wales, Scotland, and England. The book includes a practical materia medica based on historical herbals and provides forty "foundational workings" intended for symbolic reflection rather than medical use. Throughout the work, the author emphasises ethical practice and the importance of separating documented historical fact from later romanticised legends. This comprehensive manual serves as both a scholarly record of ancient Anglo-Saxon remedies and a contemporary framework for personal ritual. Read more about the book: https://historiesandcastles.com/pages/the-grimoire-a-historical-guide-to-folk-magic-and-spellcraft More books from Histories and Castles: https://historiesandcastles.com/collections/books read a full collection of articles about medieval magic: https://historiesandcastles.com/blogs/medieval-magic