The Flame in the Cauldron: A Book of Old-Style Witchery

I would alm0st give it a five star as this book did confirm many of my own spiritual experiences that has led me to this path. Just keep in mind that when reading any such books that touch on the topic of the traditional paths it is still a matter of interpretation of ones experience and a seeker can always adjust and like many of Raven Gramassi brilliant works one doesn't always have to keep to the strict dogmatic structure that so many books of the wicca ceremonies that one might encounter. Good addition to any library.

This title is one of the best guides to the old ways that I have ever read. IMO it will be a classic. There are lessons in this book that I have heard discussed before but knew no one to explain them to me. Yet alone use them in real life! The power in Orions teachings is simple yet profound. I am not kidding, this is the real deal and learning about the Witch flame is enough info for real transformation, yet alone a whole guidebook that gets right to the point in a way that will connect you to your ancestors and the Gods. Truly a gift of love, this title is superb.

I am not sure what to think of this. Some of the charms and techniques could be useful, and I found myself copying down notes to add into my grimoire. A few of the quotes from his teacher made me laugh and gave the book a friendly, warm tone as opposite to the various "Serious Witch/my witchcraft is realer than yours" attitudes many witches have these days when it comes to discussing non-wiccan witchcraft.Whatever people are calling their craft these days is fine, and a nice break from the silly pagans who claim "I'm an eclectic Wiccan" (as if that even makes sense), but this is definitely not "traditional witchcraft" in the Cochrane vein if that what's you were looking for.No explanation of the stang. And what really irked me was Chapter 3: Treading the Mill of Magic in which the author writes, "there are many other forms, which I cannot share in a book, that involve opening a mill of magic using movement and dance forms using brooms, stones, deer antlers, and other items to shape the power of the mill". Wait, what?! You make a chapter on treading the mill and then at the end turn around and say that you cant share the physical techniques that are used:/That makes no sense, considering those general techniques have been shown on youtube, discussed on podcasts, and explained in various books. I could see not being able to discuss oathbound secrets but he could have at least given the reader a glimpse into some of the previously published techniques.Overall, I feel like this book just wasn't for me. The author does have some good advice and shares his thoughts based on his experience working in different traditions, and the visualization exercises were good, but I just didn't feel like he really gave enough practical information for creating rituals or spell work.

Buying this book was a mistake, even though it had come highly recommended to me. However, the fact that Raven Grimassi wrote the foreword for this book should tell you everything you need to know. If I hadn’t checked the cover on three separate occasions, I could've sworn this book was written by Silver Ravenwolf.If you were looking for information on traditional witchcraft, this will be almost useless to you. If you’re looking for yet another 101 book written by a pretentious author that’s 60% snobbish anecdotes and 40% rehashed Wiccan practices, then good news - this is the book for you!Besides the author’s tone, my major issue with this book is that there is little to no practical information presented that hasn’t already been covered in about a hundred other 101 books. The author brings nothing new to the table and there are plenty of others that are much more useful and more accurate to the current practices of those working under the traditional witch umbrella. Try Treading the Mill by Nigel Pearson, Traditional Witchcraft: A Cornish Book of Ways by Gemma Gary, and A Deed Without a Name by Lee Morgan, Cunning Folk and Familiar Spirits by Emma Wilby, and The Visions of Isobel Gowdie, also by Emma Wilby, The Robert Cochrane Letters by Robert Cochrane and Evan John Jones. Continuing in the Cochrane tradition is Shani Oates, the current Maid of the Clan of Tubal Cain, who has published several excellent books.Orion Foxwood covers the traditional witchcraft concept of treading the mill in the most basic and almost vague summarization. He specifically mentions how the mill can be "tread with brooms, stones, and other items to shape the power of the mill", but he conveniently can't share that in a book. I get that every witchcraft practice has outer court and inner court knowledge, but don't bring it up if you can't deliver. It's not helpful at all to the beginners being influenced by this book. If you want a good outline structure on laying a compass or treading the mill, I again refer you to Nigel Pearson or Gemma Gary. This information can also be searched online, YouTube videos and various websites cover many interesting and original ways of laying the compass. Additionally, use what works best for you. Breathwork, dancing, postures, drumming, chanting - all of these things can be incorporated to create that 'altered state' a traditional witch is trying to achieve during the treading of the mill.Foxwood continues on to claim that there is no Devil in traditional witchcraft and instead focuses on his duotheistic tradition of practice, calling up but still not exactly believing in his deities, the Lord and the Lady (who conveniently fits in a maiden, mother, crone format but oh no, this is definitely not Wicca). Additionally, the author encourages the reader to call upon them for magical purposes. First, if you don't believe in gods then don’t call them up. Second - whether you believe in them or not, deities don’t particularly like being summoned by someone who hasn’t taken the time to build a rapport with them, especially if the caster immediately starts demanding things. The same goes for spirits and fair folk. The Essential Guide to Possession, Depossession, and Divine Relationships by Diana Paxson provides a wealth of good information on this subject.Which brings me to my next point, the author also makes a habit of acting like the fairies (or fair folk) are benevolent and oh-so-friendly (he’d know of course, he has a fairy wife). If you would like more information on the fae and why it’s best to approach them with a healthy dose of fear and respect, I recommend Fairycraft by Morgan Daimler, The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns, and Fairies by Robert Kirk, The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries by W. Y. Evans-Wentz, and Scottish Fairy Belief by Lizanne Henderson and Edward J. Cowan.To sum up, this book seemed very unnecessary amongst an ocean of Wiccan 101 books and given that it lacks much of the basic information contained in those books, it probably won't be much help for beginners. It’s almost as if it was written specifically to set them up for failure from the start, especially since Orion Foxwood subscribes to the belief that in order to be a witch, you need to be “touched” by another witch (and I’m sure that only witches in his tradition are real witches). In short order, that’s nonsense. Spirits can initiate just as well, if not better, than other witches. Gods can initiate too, you just have to know what you’re getting into. And if you decide you don’t want to work with gods, or spirits, there is still nothing stopping you from being a practicing secular witch.

Flame in the Cauldron certainly isn't the worst book on the topic, but I'd hardly call it a grand and well done addition to what already exists. Mostly the book shows the differences between modern witchcraft practice and "witchery." To be honest, most of it comes across as a little glib at times, and other times it's just strange. The author also states that there is no Devil in his witchcraft, while going on to describe.....the Devil. Like come on now, if your practice is diabolic in nature, accept that and use it.Again, not the worst in the world, I just wouldn't recommend it readily. It can definitely be used, and people will definitely be able to pick things out of it, but overall it's pretty weak. If someone wants to learn about traditionally minded witchcraft, look at Lee Morgan's book "A Deed Without A Name."

An interesting side to explain witchery. It is an easy and good read with good information. The author seems to repeat the same thought or idea in a couple of places but over all I enjoyed it. I really admire and like the passion and energy the author shows in his writing on this top.

Love this book. It is the third of Orion's books that I've purchased. It answered a lot of questions i had. I now know who I really am.

brilliant, effective,harmonising,