The Practice of Witchcraft (Not Quite) Today

by Wendy Hawkin | Jan 5, 2026 | Book Review, magic, spiritual work, witches

As some of you may know, I practice the craft in a very low key, quiet way on my own. Estrada, Sensara, and Hollystone Coven are not quite that quiet and practice their theatrical rituals together as a powerful coven in a nearby wood by a lake. Over the winter break, I felt the urge to learn more.

I’d discovered a TV show on Crave called Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale. If you can, give it a watch. Sanctuary is a small English town twinned with Salem (in the US) where there is a practicing witch—with a clinic and a laboratory full of herbs and potions. It’s such a quaint town, you almost want to live there … until someone dies and all fingers point one way.

But I digress. Wanting to know more about the craft, I searched my local library to see what kind of books they had on hand. That’s where I ran into this one:

The Practice of Witchcraft Today: An Introduction to Beliefs and Rituals, written by Robin Skelton in 1990. What caught my eye was the author’s biography. At the time (1990) Robin Skelton was a poet, critic, and essayist who’d published seventy plus books. Here was a man who’d been an initiated witch for nearly twenty years AND he was teaching at the University of Victoria in British Columbia. How cool is the West Coast? Skelton was born in England in 1925 and died in Victoria at age 72 (1997). This book explains his teachings.

Part I: Answering the Questions

This is wonderful! He really drills down to the Q&A most asked by the curious. What do witches believe? Do witches raise spirits? Do witches have sexual orgies? Unfortunately, the answer to that is no, Estrada, though I know you’d prefer otherwise:)

Skelton is clear to point out that witchcraft is an Ancient Religion, a Sacred Religion. Here are a few of the main points. Witches believe:

• that all beings have spirit and are alive (trees, rocks, winds, water, toads, horses, humans, ravens … This is what draws me to the craft.
• in the Earth Goddess and her consort, The Horned God, Cernunnos
• that the sun, moon, and stars can influence the destiny of us mortals
• that life continues through rebirth (reincarnation)
• that death need not be feared as life is perpetual
• that witch religions are matriarchal
• that all humans have energy fields and produce psychic power

“The difference between stage magic and real magic is that in true magic what appears to have happened has actually happened” (22).

He reveals that each witch keeps a Book of Shadows for setting out rituals, ceremonies, incantations, spells, and herbal lore incorporating the nature of the land.

In Part 2, he teaches about Rituals and Celebrations including the Witch’s calendar (involving both moons and sabbats).

Part 3 offers a collection of spells; verbal magic as well as talismanic magic. There is much talk of colors and symbols.

Thoughts On Casting Spells

Every witch makes his or her own spells. They must be cast with true intent. The intensity of that intent is what’s important and the belief that it will work. They must NOT cause harm. As you may know, that is The Witch’s Law:

Do what ye will provided that ye harm none. Perfect Love. Perfect Trust.

When picking up special talismans from the thrift store, clean in salt for 48 hours and then imbue with energy and intent. I loved this advice. As we all know, things hold onto energy, be it positive or negative, and you can find true treasures in thrift stores.

Do I recommend this book? Yes. I think there’s much to be learned from going back to the roots of witchcraft and remembering that not only does Goddess worship predate Christianity, it’s a sacred craft.

Blessed be.

P.S. On New Year’s Eve, I set up candles and cast my Tarot. I was The Star. My future was The Sun. And my outcome was The Magician. It can’t get much more positive than that. But seeing The Magician made me wonder: Is it time to awaken Estrada, The Man in Black? Thoughts?