Witches and their Craft
By Ronald Seth
First published 1967 by Odhams, London
Hardback. 256 pages
This is an interesting if dated book by British author Ronald Seth.
It appeared in U.S. editions shortly after, including from Taplinger Publishing in 1968 and as a mass-market paperback from Award Books in 1969 (253–256 pages depending on the edition). Some reprints or related editions came from Tandem Books.
The book offers a historical and comprehensive survey of witchcraft practices, drawing on historical data to explore various aspects of the craft. It covers topics ranging from ancient rites and early beliefs through medieval and early modern European witch trials and persecutions, up to more contemporary (for the 1960s) manifestations of occult interest.
Topics covered:
Subtitles or descriptions in some editions highlight it as “a complete and unexpurgated account of witchcraft—from earliest rites to the Rosemary’s Baby practices of today,” nodding to the era’s cultural fascination with the occult (the film Rosemary’s Baby was released in 1968). It includes black-and-white illustrations and an index in the original hardcover. These are generally well produced and serve as illustrations for the book’s subject matter. They are, of course black and white.
Contemporary descriptions and catalog entries portray it as an entertaining yet reference-style overview of witchcraft’s history and practices.
It draws on historical records, trial accounts, and folklore without heavy promotion of modern Wiccan or revivalist interpretations (pre-dating or sitting alongside the rise of figures like Gerald Gardner in popular awareness- be sure to check out my article on him) .
One 1971 occult catalog called it “a reference work on ancient practices written in an entertaining manner.” It has been cited in academic or historical discussions of witchcraft for its compilation of facts, and some later fiction or sensational works appear to have borrowed details from it.
I would agree that the book’s overall tone is that of entertainment rather than enlightenment but given its publication date this is forgiven
The tone is generally straightforward and journalistic for its time—neither a skeptical debunking nor a full endorsement of supernatural claims, but a broad examination of beliefs, rituals, accusations, and cultural impacts across centuries and regions (with a strong focus on European traditions).
Reception and Availability
It is now a vintage/collectible title, relatively scarce in physical form, especially first editions or hardcovers.
Pictured in this article is my own First Edition from 1967.
Copies occasionally appear on secondary markets like eBay, AbeBooks, or Etsy, often in worn paperback condition. It has limited modern visibility—no major recent reprints or digital editions seem widely available, and it lacks extensive contemporary reviews online (typical for mid-20th-century niche nonfiction). Readers interested in 1960s occult literature or historical witchcraft surveys may find it alongside works by authors like Margaret Murray or Montague Summers though Seth’s approach is more popular-historical than deeply scholarly or partisan. Articles on these authors are in the works.
https://www.abebooks.co.uk/book-search/title/witches-and-their-craft/author/seth-ronald/
About the author
Ronald Seth (1911–1985) was reportedly a British spy during WW2 and a prolific writer known primarily for works on espionage, intelligence history, and World War II topics (sometimes under pseudonyms such as sexologist Dr Robert Chartham).
He had a varied career that included time as a lecturer and involvement in wartime activities. His interest in “hidden” or secretive subjects extended beyond spies to occult and folklore themes, as seen in this book and a follow-up like In the Name of the Devil (1969). He approached such material with a rationalist or archival lens rather than purely sensational or believer-oriented writing, though the 1960s occult revival context made the topic commercially appealing.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank You and Bright Blessings