Once upon a time, deep in the heart of a dense and mystical forest, there lived a witch. She was not your typical witch with green skin and an evil cackle; in fact, she was quite the opposite. This witch had flowing golden locks, sparkling green eyes, and a kind heart. The witch in the woof, as she was known, had a unique talent for communicating with animals. She could understand their language and they, in turn, understood her. It was a gift she had possessed since she was a child.
The Witch is the main antagonist of the musical Into the Woods, and the 2014 Disney film adaptation of the same name. She is an expanded version of Mother Gothel, the witch from the "Rapunzel" story by the Brothers Grimm, though in the play she is referred to simply as "The Witch".
When she discovers Rapunzel has been visited by a Prince, the Witch banishes her adopted daughter to a swamp after cutting off her hair, and blinds the Prince. Kiley Mann, one of a long line of folk witches, brings a fresh poetic voice to the ancient practices of wortcunning, divination, spellcrafting and folk lore.
It was a gift she had possessed since she was a child. The animals of the forest sought her out for advice, comfort, and protection. Every day, the witch would wander through the forest, talking to the birds, squirrels, rabbits, and even the wolves.
The Witch of the Woods - by Kiley Mann (Hardcover)
Kiley Mann, one of a long line of folk witches, brings a fresh poetic voice to the ancient practices of wortcunning, divination, spellcrafting and folk lore. Her traditions lie deep in the swamp lands, forests, and hills that surround her in her northern homeland. Intuitive and compelling, she explains her relationship with nature, the traditions that have been passed down to her from her mother and how she learnt about the land through her barefoot wanderings--the best way to connect and communicate with nature. With chapters devoted to magical creatures, omens, herbs, spirit work, divination and folk remedies and spells you will learn both the traditions and the practical implementation and power of folk magic using the cycles of the moon, hag stones (stones with a hole running through them), crystals, herbs and more. So, if you want to send a healing message to a friend in need, remove bad luck, protect your home or bring love, money or success into your life, then let The Witch of the Woods be your essential grimoire.
About the Author
Kiley Mann is currently in her third year studying for a degree in Fine Arts. She is nineteen years old and has been studying spirituality and religion for about a decade but started her journey into witchcraft at a young age when she was gifted a set of runes aged ten. She shares what she has learned with her million plus followers on TikTok @kileymann. She also has a strong online presence on Etsy and Instagram and is now building a Patreon audience. Kiley lives in Michigan.
Rumors abound of a malevolent family of witches dwelling deep within the forest, harvesting the blood of young girls for their dark arts. Though believed to have left Greywind Forest, one of these witches has now resurfaced.
The animals would gather around her, eagerly awaiting her arrival. They knew she would listen to their concerns and offer sage advice. The witch's gentle touch and soothing words brought solace and reassurance to these creatures. One day, a great calamity struck the forest. A raging fire had broken out, threatening to devour everything in its path. The animals panicked, not knowing where to go or how to save themselves. Praying for a miracle, they turned to the witch in the woof. She sprang into action, rallying the animals to safety. With her guidance, the birds flew to a nearby river and brought buckets of water back to douse the flames. The squirrels scurried up tall trees, using their acorns to create a protective barrier. The rabbits burrowed deep into the ground, creating a network of tunnels for the animals to escape through. The wolves, under the witch's command, stood guard, protecting their fellow creatures from harm. Together, they fought back the fire, extinguishing its fierce wrath. When the last ember had been smothered, the animals rejoiced, grateful for the witch's bravery and wisdom. They stood in awe, realizing that it was the witch's unique ability to understand and communicate with them that had saved their lives. From that day forward, the witch in the woof became a legend in the forest. Her name was whispered in reverence, and animals from far and wide sought her out for guidance. The witch lived a fulfilling life, surrounded by the love and admiration of her animal friends. The tale of the witch in the woof serves as a reminder that appearances can be deceiving and that true power lies within the heart. It teaches us the importance of empathy and understanding, as well as the significance of working together to overcome obstacles..
Reviews for "The witch's woof: Unlocking the ancient secrets of witchcraft through dogs"
1. John - 2 stars - While the concept of "The Witch in the Woof" had potential, I found it to be poorly executed. The storyline was confusing and lacked depth, leaving me feeling unsatisfied at the end. The characters were one-dimensional and I had a difficult time relating to any of them. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. Emily - 1 star - I couldn't even finish reading "The Witch in the Woof" as it was just unbearable. The writing style was choppy and the dialogue felt forced. The plot seemed promising at first, but quickly became predictable and lacked any real suspense. The author failed to engage me as a reader, and I was ultimately left feeling completely disinterested. Save your time and skip this book.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The Witch in the Woof" but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The pacing was incredibly slow and the story seemed to drag on without any real purpose. The world-building was minimal, leaving me feeling disconnected from the setting and the characters. Despite the intriguing concept, the execution of the plot left much to be desired. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and would not recommend this book to others.
4. David - 3 stars - "The Witch in the Woof" started off strong, but quickly lost its charm for me. While the initial introduction to the main character was interesting, the overall development of the protagonist fell flat. The plot twists felt forced and lacked the necessary build-up, making them feel unrealistic and out of place. I appreciated the author's attempt at creating a unique story, but found that it fell short in several areas. I wouldn't necessarily discourage others from reading it, but I wouldn't recommend it either.