In folklore and mythology, witches are commonly associated with magic and the supernatural. They are often portrayed as females who possess mystical powers and engage in spellcasting. However, the male counterpart to a witch is often less well-known and frequently overlooked. The male parallel of a witch is commonly referred to as a warlock. Like witches, warlocks are practitioners of magic, but they are specifically male. While witches are typically associated with herbs, potions, and divination, warlocks are often associated with darker forms of magic, such as curses and summoning supernatural beings.
Jar full of thread and yarn ends to protect family and house from harm. Photo by Cory Thomas Hutcheson. Image in background by Rima Staines.
This book is practical, fresh, and will help guide a whole new generation off the well-trod path to embrace the old, wild magic found beyond the hedge. In Hoodoo, a similar use of a measure involves taking red thread or yarn and measuring a partner s genitals, then wetting them with sexual fluids and knotting them to prevent a partner from straying Hurston.
While witches are typically associated with herbs, potions, and divination, warlocks are often associated with darker forms of magic, such as curses and summoning supernatural beings. Despite the lack of mainstream recognition, warlocks have played an important role in various cultures and mythologies throughout history. For example, in Norse mythology, Odin, the ruler of the gods, is often depicted as a warlock.
The Witch at the Forest's Edge: Thirteen Keys to Modern Traditional Witchcraft (Paperback)
An in-depth course of study in the modern practice of traditional witchcraft.
I stand in the meadow, at the forest’s edge. One step forward and I will straddle the boundary between fading light in the swaying grass and rich darkness in the woods. One more step and I will be immersed in the nighttime world of southern, hardwood forest. My home lay behind me, the wild magic ahead. I am the witch at the forest’s edge. This book is an invitation to animists, ancestor worshipers, magic seekers, and the wild at heart. It systematically explores the foundational aspects of modern traditional witchcraft. The book is structured into 13 core chapters or classes that cover all essential skill sets for any modern, traditional witch in a practical, caring way. Each chapter offers suggested activities and/or reflections for journaling and a reading list for further exploration. Advanced skills such a hedge riding and ritual possession are taught in a structured, explicit way that makes them accessible to a wider audience.
Written from an animistic perspective and without pushing any specific deities, the book offers a thorough practical and theoretical framework for considering each witch’s personal theology and practice. Without pushing one cultural context, The Witch at the Forest’s Edge offers the means to reflect on the multiple cultures that inform the practices of modern witches, encouraging the reader to think deeply and undergird modern practices with ancestral knowledge.
About the Author
Christine Grace is a longtime teacher of the Craft and a founder of the Forest’s Edge Tradition of witchcraft. She is cohost of the Betwixt & Between podcast, covering a variety of topics in witchcraft and everyday magic. She has graduate degrees in theology and mental health counseling from Vanderbilt University. Connect with her at www.christinegracebetwixt.com or @awitchbetwixt on Instagram.
Praise For…
“ The Witch at the Forest’s Edge by Christine Grace presents a thorough one-on-one introduction to the Forest’s Edge Tradition’s approach to modern witchcraft, while wonderfully adding to the conversation surrounding the execution and usefulness of a regional, animist-based practice.”
— Christopher Orapello, co-author of Besom, Stang, and Sword and co-host of the Down at the Crossroads podcast
“One of my many hats is as a forest farmer, so The Witch at the Forest's Edge by Christine Grace has a special meaning for me. I grew up as a forest dweller and live now with the woods at my back porch. This powerful and intensely liminal place holds the keys to a deepening of our spirituality, as well as a broadening of it. This book will be read, marked, pondered upon, and read again.”
— H. Byron Ballard, author of Seasons of a Magical Life
“To work as a witch means to embrace liminality, always moving between various states and layers of reality. Touching on thirteen different areas of a witch’s practice, Christine Grace’s exploration of what it means to occupy a place in the natural world challenges readers to think about specific aspects of their practice in a focused way. The Witch at the Forest’s Edge is a welcome and thought-provoking addition to a modern library, enabling a practitioner to re-examine their spiritual connection to the natural world at any point in their journey.”
— Arin Murphy-Hiscock, author of The Green Witch
“ The Witch at the Forest's Edge is accessible but deep work, and Christine Grace does not shy away from encouraging us to be open to more demanding practices and fields of study. An excellent book for seasoned witches, alongside those just starting down the path. ”
— Jen Rue Holmes, of Rue and Hyssop
“A thoughtful examination of witchcraft, The Witch at the Forest’s Edge by Christine Grace explores a wide range of topics ranging from sourcing our tools ethically to examining the origins of what we think we know to Spirits of Place. Grace’s gentle voice evokes a texture of dappled shade, as though these truths were shared on the border between this world and the next. The Witch at the Forest’s Edge restores the animalia missing from pop culture witchcraft, linking nature’s richness with modern understandings of community, respect for culture, and stewardship.”
— Amy Blackthorn, author of Blackthorn’s Botanical Magic
“The witch is a curious figure, existing in a uniquely liminal space of both fact and fiction, this world and the next. Many practitioners of magic walk a path that carefully stays in that middle ground, but a few heed the call to peek beyond the hedge, to walk amongst ancestors and spirits and gods and beings for which we don’t yet have names. It can be daunting to leave that comfortable middle path, but Christine Grace’s book The Witch at the Forest’s Edge provides a gentle, encouraging hand to hold as you take your first steps past the hedge into the world beyond. The advice is practical, grounded in a practice that begins with what you have on hand and in your surroundings, includes discussion of ancestry and the many ways that family is made and found, and includes a deeply appreciated section on magical ethics. This book is practical, fresh, and will help guide a whole new generation off the well-trod path to embrace the old, wild magic found beyond the hedge.”
— Fire Lyte, author of The Dabbler’s Guide to Witchcraft and host of Inciting A Riot
“ The Witch at the Forests Edge is full of regional magic and wisdom that can really only be gained through experience. It’s a great book for beginners and more seasoned practitioners alike because it doesn’t just teach a technique, it offers a perspective into a different way to view the world around you.”
— Temperance Alden, author of Year of the Witch
- Body, Mind & Spirit / Witchcraft
- Body, Mind & Spirit / Magick Studies
- Body, Mind & Spirit / Inspiration & Personal Growth
- Religion / Wicca
- History / Social History
- Kobo eBook (November 10th, 2021): $18.95
- MP3 CD (November 1st, 2021): $19.99
- Compact Disc (November 1st, 2021): $19.99
In Celtic folklore, there are stories of powerful male magic practitioners known as druids, who could be considered the male equivalent of witches. It is important to note that the terms "witch" and "warlock" are not always used interchangeably. In some traditions and belief systems, "warlock" has a negative connotation and is associated with deception or betrayal. In modern paganism and Wicca, the term "witch" is often used inclusively to refer to both male and female practitioners of magic. In conclusion, while witches are widely recognized and celebrated in folklore and popular culture, the male parallel of a witch, known as a warlock, often receives less attention. Warlocks are male practitioners of magic, often associated with darker forms of sorcery. Despite the variation in terminology and cultural context, both witches and warlocks play important roles in mythology and magical traditions..
Reviews for "Male Witches and Warlocks: Bridging the Gender Gap in Magic"
1. Stephanie - 1 star - I found "What is the male parallel of a witch" to be incredibly boring and unoriginal. The author failed to provide any new insights or perspectives on the topic. The writing was dry and lacked creativity. I was expecting a thought-provoking exploration of gender roles and stereotypes, but instead, I was left disappointed. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a thought-provoking read.
2. Derek - 2 stars - "What is the male parallel of a witch" felt like a missed opportunity. While the concept of exploring the male equivalent of a witch is intriguing, the execution fell flat. The author seemed more concerned with showcasing their knowledge of historical facts rather than delving into the deeper aspects of the topic. I felt disconnected from the characters and the narrative lacked depth. Overall, it was an average read that didn't live up to its potential.
3. Sarah - 1 star - I found "What is the male parallel of a witch" to be confusing and poorly written. The author jumped between different time periods and characters without proper transitions, making it difficult to follow the story. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The book lacked a clear direction and failed to engage me as a reader. I was left feeling frustrated and unsatisfied with the overall reading experience. I would not recommend this book to anyone.