A Witch's Ally

Dodie Graham McKay (Treaty One Territory, Winnipeg, Canada) is an initiated Witch and independent filmmaker. Since the 1980s, she has been involved in magic, music, and other forms of media. Dodie is the founder of Moongazey Films Inc, has written for The Wild Hunt, and is active in her local art and magic communities. Visit her at DodieGrahamMcKay.com. Kelden (Minnesota) has been practicing Traditional Witchcraft for more than a decade. He is the author of The Crooked Path: An Introduction to Traditional Witchcraft. Additionally, his writing has appeared in The Witch's Altar, The New Aradia: A Witch's Handbook to Magical Resistance, and This Witch magazine. Kelden is also the cocreator of The Traditional Witch's Deck, and he authors a blog on the Patheos Pagan channel called By Athame and Stang. In his free time, Kelden enjoys reading, hiking, growing poisonous plants, and playing ukulele. Learn more at Patheos.com/Blogs/ByAthameAndStang.

Contents

List of Spells, Recipes & Workings xv

Foreword by Kelden xvii

Preface xxi

Introduction 1

Part One: History & Folklore
Chapter One: Defining the Terms 7
Chapter Two: A Look at the Past 17
Chapter Three: Animals in Witchcraft Folklore 33
Chapter Four: Companions of the Gods 57

Part Two: Reimagining Magic Relationships with Animals
Chapter Five: Understanding the Natural Magic of Animals 77
Chapter Six: Receiving Animal Wisdom 97
Chapter Seven: Seeking Familiars & Companions 107

Part Three: Working with Animals in Body & Spirit
Chapter Eight: A Witch's Toolbox & Animals 127
Chapter Nine: Whiskers, Bones & Other Animal Parts 141
Chapter Ten: Recipes & Rituals for Animals of Body 157
Chapter Eleven: Recipes & Rituals for Animals of Spirit 175
Chapter Twelve: Saying Goodbye 189

Conclusion 199

Bibliography 203