Often this is of the recorded variety, usually utilizing old folksongs or traditional airs. However, the
"folk" content, magically speaking, is not essential. What matters, of course, is the rhythm, which must
be conducive to dancing, and the evocative content of the music. Religious music can work very well.
But, here again, you will have to use your own judgement carefully. For instance, medieval plainsong
and organ music in most instances are singularly inappropriate, but some of the recorded medieval
pipe and tabor tunes of a semireligious nature work very well. Again - experiment.
The traditional Sabbat musical instruments are the harp and lute, worthily replaced by the guitar
nowadays; the flute, often replaced by the recorder; and the drum or tabor, nowadays usually the
tambourine. The traditional witches' drum, however, is of interest here. Usually composed of a box or
broad hoop of wood, over which is stretched tightly laced animal hide or vellum. On this should be
painted an eight-pointed star composed of two interlaced squares again representing the solar year and
the four elements. It should be divided in the centre by a line linking the opposite corners of one
square; on one side of it, half the star is stained red and the other blue, signifying summer and winter,
death and rebirth, male and female.
Some witches perform a divination with the drum, throwing devil's-apple seeds upon its surface, and
reading an augury from where and how they land in relation to the diagram.
Finally, there is the witch's bell, sometimes used in certain rites for striking knells, as well as in some
exorcisms. This may be made out of magical electrum or simply be an antique handbell, the older the
better.
Sabbat Incense
Summer Variety: (Beltane, Midsummer, Lammas, Michaelmas)
Fennel
Thyme
Rue
Chervil seed
Chamomile
Geranium
Pennyroyal
High-grade church incense
Winter Variety: (Hallows, Yule, Candlemas, Lady Day)
Bay laurel
Vervain
Wormwood
Ivy leaves
Fir branches
Solomon's-seal (Polygonatum multiflorum)
High-grade church incense
Sabbat Cakes
Basically any recipe containing honey, salt, wine, and oatmeal may be used. Here is a typical one.
Mix:
1 tablespoon honey
1/3 cup shortening
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon white wine
Add:
1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups oatmeal
Optional: cinnamon, allspice, cloves, or ground cardamon
Combine well, adding water if necessary to make into rollable dough. Cut into small crescent-shaped
cakes and bake until light brown in a preheated oven at 350 degrees about 15 minutes.
Sabbat Wine
Any red wine will do for this. During the winter Sabbats many covens drink this mulled with addition
of aromatic herbs and spices. A mixture of sweet and hard ciders and brandy, simmered with
cinnamon sticks and clove-stuck oranges may also be used.
However, some ambitious witches make use of the follow ing cordial as an additive or accompanying
drink. It is very complicated to make and requires distilling, but it is highly appropriate as a summer
Sabbat beverage.
Take:
6 oz. hyacinth blooms
1/4 lb. violet petals
1/4 lb. wallflower petals
1/4 lb. jonquil petals
1 oz. orris powder
1/2 oz. powdered mace
2 oz. orange or lemon essence
1/4 lb. lily of the valley flowers
The process is this:
Bruise the hyacinth petals, orris root, and mace together with one gallon of alcohol in a glass container
toward the end of March, in fact when the hyacinths are in season. Toward the end of April, add the
jonquils, and then the wallflowers and lilies of the valley. The liquid must then be well stirred every
day for a week, at the end of which time, the liquor should be distilled off very slowly and carefully,
preferably using a bain-marie.
The flowery essence is very potent and, in fact, is more in the nature of a perfume than a real liqueur.
However, I am informed it makes an excellent additive for the wine, if not consumed by itself.
Thus concludes this witchcraft primer. Many things, of course, remain to be said and will have to wait
for a later date.
The rudiments, however, are here presented. The old gods are not dead. They still live, ever ready to
harken to man and his requests.
You need but ask; the way is open to you.
Let us celebrate the return of the old ones!
So mote it be!
"folk" content, magically speaking, is not essential. What matters, of course, is the rhythm, which must
be conducive to dancing, and the evocative content of the music. Religious music can work very well.
But, here again, you will have to use your own judgement carefully. For instance, medieval plainsong
and organ music in most instances are singularly inappropriate, but some of the recorded medieval
pipe and tabor tunes of a semireligious nature work very well. Again - experiment.
The traditional Sabbat musical instruments are the harp and lute, worthily replaced by the guitar
nowadays; the flute, often replaced by the recorder; and the drum or tabor, nowadays usually the
tambourine. The traditional witches' drum, however, is of interest here. Usually composed of a box or
broad hoop of wood, over which is stretched tightly laced animal hide or vellum. On this should be
painted an eight-pointed star composed of two interlaced squares again representing the solar year and
the four elements. It should be divided in the centre by a line linking the opposite corners of one
square; on one side of it, half the star is stained red and the other blue, signifying summer and winter,
death and rebirth, male and female.
Some witches perform a divination with the drum, throwing devil's-apple seeds upon its surface, and
reading an augury from where and how they land in relation to the diagram.
Finally, there is the witch's bell, sometimes used in certain rites for striking knells, as well as in some
exorcisms. This may be made out of magical electrum or simply be an antique handbell, the older the
better.
Sabbat Incense
Summer Variety: (Beltane, Midsummer, Lammas, Michaelmas)
Fennel
Thyme
Rue
Chervil seed
Chamomile
Geranium
Pennyroyal
High-grade church incense
Winter Variety: (Hallows, Yule, Candlemas, Lady Day)
Bay laurel
Vervain
Wormwood
Ivy leaves
Fir branches
Solomon's-seal (Polygonatum multiflorum)
High-grade church incense
Sabbat Cakes
Basically any recipe containing honey, salt, wine, and oatmeal may be used. Here is a typical one.
Mix:
1 tablespoon honey
1/3 cup shortening
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon white wine
Add:
1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups oatmeal
Optional: cinnamon, allspice, cloves, or ground cardamon
Combine well, adding water if necessary to make into rollable dough. Cut into small crescent-shaped
cakes and bake until light brown in a preheated oven at 350 degrees about 15 minutes.
Sabbat Wine
Any red wine will do for this. During the winter Sabbats many covens drink this mulled with addition
of aromatic herbs and spices. A mixture of sweet and hard ciders and brandy, simmered with
cinnamon sticks and clove-stuck oranges may also be used.
However, some ambitious witches make use of the follow ing cordial as an additive or accompanying
drink. It is very complicated to make and requires distilling, but it is highly appropriate as a summer
Sabbat beverage.
Take:
6 oz. hyacinth blooms
1/4 lb. violet petals
1/4 lb. wallflower petals
1/4 lb. jonquil petals
1 oz. orris powder
1/2 oz. powdered mace
2 oz. orange or lemon essence
1/4 lb. lily of the valley flowers
The process is this:
Bruise the hyacinth petals, orris root, and mace together with one gallon of alcohol in a glass container
toward the end of March, in fact when the hyacinths are in season. Toward the end of April, add the
jonquils, and then the wallflowers and lilies of the valley. The liquid must then be well stirred every
day for a week, at the end of which time, the liquor should be distilled off very slowly and carefully,
preferably using a bain-marie.
The flowery essence is very potent and, in fact, is more in the nature of a perfume than a real liqueur.
However, I am informed it makes an excellent additive for the wine, if not consumed by itself.
Thus concludes this witchcraft primer. Many things, of course, remain to be said and will have to wait
for a later date.
The rudiments, however, are here presented. The old gods are not dead. They still live, ever ready to
harken to man and his requests.
You need but ask; the way is open to you.
Let us celebrate the return of the old ones!
So mote it be!
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