Scottish Witchcraft A Complete Guide to Authentic Folklore, Spells, and Magickal Tools

by Barbara Meiklejohn-Free

Hear the call of the highlands for powerful magick, healing, and divination

Take a journey through the magickal folk traditions of Scotland. Barbara Meiklejohn-Free, a Scottish hereditary witch, shares her own spiritual awakening into the craft and shows you how to integrate these practices into your own life. Discover the secrets of divination, scrying, faery magick, and communication with ancestors.

Explore herb and plant lore and specific rituals to address what you most desire. Filled with inspiring anecdotes, craft history, and step-by-step instructions, this book will help you begin a new chapter of spiritual discovery.

©2019 Barbara Meiklejohn-Free (P)2020 Tantor

Genres: Witchcraft, Paganism, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Scotland, Audiobook, Magic

Unknown Binding

Reviews

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wicca influenced and part biographical with tales from the author's life and of people who inspired her practice. Might not be what everyone is looking for in a book of "Scottish Witchcraft" and doesn't cover everything you might expect. I found it enjoyable, listening to it on audio, taking notes of interesting information and areas to research further.

[Dumpling Squid · Rating 2 out of 5]

What I was looking for when I picked up this book, was a Scottish Folklore book in conjunction with Witchcraft. This book is not that. It contains some interesting tidbits, but ultimately it's an eclectic take on witchcraft 101 that is heavily influenced by Wicca. It combines information from many cultures which has clearly influenced the author's practice. I think I would have enjoyed this book more if it had been an autobiography of their experiences.

[Emma Saanen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing

I bought this book looking to learn about the history and art of Scottish witchcraft, but it is more about Scottish-flavoured Wicca. Not for me personally.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is a beautiful example of how *not* to be an ethical practitioner of witchcraft. By page 18 I knew this was not a person who should be teaching spiritual practices and by page 40 I knew it deserved no more of my time. The author is stunningly un-self-aware, completely delegitimizing her authority to even practice her craft, much less try to lead others.

Just one example: her "code of the craft" includes the statement "take up your place, never that of others, consider the needs of your sisters and brothers" but she also repeatedly says things like "there are some who say that a Book of Shadows should only be used by Wiccans... however, in today's world we need to understand that we all work for the greatest good of humanity... the only person you have to answer to is yourself." She goes on to say "you can draw from the vast knowledge from the Norse, Egyptian, Celtic, Greek, Native American, Voodoo, or any other culture that calls to you. Listen to your inner wisdom, not others telling you what you should or should not do."

Ma'am, you appropriating a spiritual practice because it's convenient for you despite being told by the originators and active practioners of that practice that it's not for you is directly in conflict with "the greatest good of humanity" and your own code of the craft. You have no inner wisdom because that would require setting aside your ego and listening to someone else for a change, and your book is basically a journal about how you don't do that and don't think anyone else should either. The rule of three you call upon is also in direct conflict with "the only person you are accountable to is yourself." Your spiritual practice is void of respect for others, of harmony with the ancestors, and of your mantra to "know thyself".

There are any number of other problematic aspects of this book, such as her statement that "a powerful witch is... not afraid of anyone or anything," or "those who boast or brag about what they know are the ones you walk away from" (oh the irony! Expecially because due to her undisguised defensiveness you know she really means "anyone who calls me on my BS) but the bottom line is that she has nothing to offer those seeking true wisdom, spirituality, and harmony with their environment and others. There's no "greatest good" in her practice. Pick this book up at a rummage sale if you want to learn how not to practice your craft, but nobody else should waste their time.

[Kaley · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a wealth of information in this book. I kept finding myself wanting to take notes. However, it would have benefited tremendously from a good editor - not only to catch the many typos (come on, Llewellyn, surely you can afford a proofreader) but also to rearrange the book more coherently. I would also have appreciated a bibliography with sources and further reading, particularly for the information about various herbs and their properties.

[Latasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

not really what i expected. It was ok.

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’ve been practicing Irish Paganism for over a decade and came to this book to dig more into the Scottish side of my ancestry. What I wanted was a book that dug into Scottish folk practice, with history and knowledge rooted in Scottish tradition. What I got was someone’s journal about how they practice Scottish Wicca. And that is fine, but be up front about that instead of stating that Scottish Witchcraft is not Wicca, and then proceeding to describe Wicca in the Highlands.

The book is also full of cultural appropriation and the idea that this author is above others calling her out on problematic aspects of her practice. Her personal anecdotes did little more than describe her personal abuse and trauma, and brought nothing to the book other than a perpetuation of the myth that we must suffer in order to achieve our “gift”. Add onto that the complete lack of coherent flow and copious spelling and grammatical errors, and it’s a slog at the best of times.

I managed to plug through to Chapter 2 before I gave up and skimmed the rest. Too much self-centred pontificating with no introspection or setting aside of the ego for me to gain anything out of it that I couldn’t find elsewhere. As someone else said here, thanks for the herb list, I guess?

0/10. I recommend Welsh Witchcraft by Mhara Starling, Hedge Druidry by Joanna van der Hoeven, or literally any other book that applies a historic and informed lens to the cultural background of this practice.

[Briar 🏳️‍🌈 · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Authentic” Scottish witchcraft is what I was promised but this book is part Wicca, part reminiscing about the authors travels and magical experiences, a few tidbits I could pull from nearly any new “witchy” book and a quick list of Scottish plants used in their crafts that I could have known of by Googling what grows there. I’m honestly really disappointed and sad about putting my money into yet another book that is the same stuff over and over and over again. I need more than being told what grounding is AGAIN.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been fascinated by Scottish heritage. I love reading books about the Highlands, the history and their people. I find so much of the history fascinating but heartbreaking as well. This beautiful book honours not only Barbara’s craft but also her family history. She weaves their history throughout the story and encourages you to open your mind to a new method of thinking. I found the book moving in so many ways as it not only celebrates the beliefs and traditions but honours the Scottish people and acknowledges the hardships they faced – they were persecuted, sent away from their own lands and many times tried for their beliefs. My heart hurts for all that they lost but I admire how even in the face of that, so many are still working to preserve their heritage and beliefs and sharing it with others to ensure it is never lost.

This book covers several topics, including: thresholds and rituals, working with ancestors, seership and divination, staff, stone and earth, herbs and spells. I found with this book, I read the whole thing at once to get a good sense of what the book was about but then went back chapter by chapter taking my time and really diving into each topic (some days I spent more on one chapter to ensure I really understood it). I think it is important that you ensure you take your time, read each chapter and then read it again to ensure you understand her guidance and advice. I found I missed some parts the first time I read through a chapter, so this was important for me. Reading the book once and then a second and third time, really helped me to hone in on which areas interested me the most (I loved the section on herbs) and which areas I needed to learn more about.

I loved how Barbara introduces each topic with both a personal and historical account (her personal stories throughout the book are just wonderful and add a great touch to this book) along with practical applications and how we can approach this in real life while honouring those who came before us and our natural environment. I appreciated the part of thresholds and entering sacred spaces and touched me deeply. I remember to this day when I visited Rome and just walking the same path that so many have before me and entering historical sites and how this affected me emotionally and physically. During my visit, I felt like I was walking in another time and experiencing things for a second time. It left me feeling blessed and inspired.

This is a well written, thoughtful and incredible book that touches on a powerful subject area. This will make a great gift for those who want to be more in touch with themselves, the world around them, the Earth and those who have a strong interest in folklore, witchcraft and everything in between. There is something for everyone who wants to get in touch with their spiritual side in this book.

[Trynda E. Adair · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn't make it past halfway unfortunately. It's just not what I was looking for.

The first half was very enjoyable, but it gets progressively more new-age and Wicca inspired as it goes along. If that's what you're looking from a Scottish perspective it's fine, but if you're looking for more traditional information about practices and folklore, there is better information out there.

[Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

Complete work of Fiction. Barbara wouldn’t know what scottish witchcraft was if it hit her in the face. Do not purchase

[Jo Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really informative collection of teachings and folklore combined.

Currently included in audible 🎧

[Sarah]

This was not what I thought it was, and was not really for me.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barbara, I am begging you to throw away the first chapter because it's out of place, Wiccan, and totally unnecessary. Did someone else write it??? Did Llewellyn make you???

Anyways, this is actually a pretty good resource. The author unveils through stories and her own teachings, more often "showing" then "telling." Her strongest areas have to do with herbs. I wanted so much more detail (like what exactly Swein taught her), oh well. The weak points are how this didn't feel as complete as the title promised. I was so surprised we didn't get a list of Scottish deities or spirits!

Her authentic life involved learning from other witch traditions, so the book itself has an eclectic feel that it frustrating for readers that want *only* Scottish witchcraft.... unfortunately Scotland is not an enclosed place. She also learned her own practice through others and experience, and the book nudges that that's really the only way. Which is, again, frustrating.

So... this is a great resource, but it won't work as your only resource. It's full with lovely anecdotes, drops of wisdom, and nuggets of history.

I got this book because I've been interested in ancestor work and wanted to see if anything in here would spark anything. I'm American with a lot of immigrant UK blood in me. While nothing sparked, I still enjoyed reading this and learned a bit.

[Liz · Rating 1 out of 5]

possibly 10% is about actual scottish witchcraft that might help me with my book research. The rest is a mismash of the author reminiscing about their world travels and encouraging cultural appropriation from other cultures. I am convinced the authors of these books just say shit tbh like this is so dumb

[A N N A · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent read with some great tips but I did find some of it to have a lot of cultural appropriation- although unintended as I did feel the author was nothing but respectful.

[Delaney Webb-Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone of Scottish descent who has been dabbling in magic and the occult recently, I bought this book hoping for some insight into the history and practices of the wise folk of Scotland. There is some of that, but there’s also a lot of fluff that I could’ve lived without.

A lot of people here mention “cultural appropriation”, which I do not agree with. The author respectfully experienced different religious customs and encountered different practices, often guided by people of the culture. It did not feel like appropriation to me, but rather someone open to understanding other cultures and religions and expanding their own understanding of the universe.

What DID bother me was some of the rants that made me feel like I was reading another unhinged Facebook message sent from my 70 year old grandma who insists that everything and everyone is out to poison or kill us all with chem trails and chemicals in the water. The worst rant though was the one where she heavily implies that SSRIs and other such drugs should not be used, basically stating that they’re used to muffle one’s intuition/spirituality/etc etc. As someone who is finally able to enjoy life thanks to Paxil, after suffering from years of debilitating anxiety/depression, this really bothered me. Demonizing medications is not the play, especially when many are only alive today due to those same meds. That’s not to say that holistic remedies, CBT, or even placebo can’t be helpful, but sometimes others need a bit more than that to function. I found her point of view on this harmful and kind of insulting tbh. Felt very out of touch and antiquated.

[Molly Trammell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parts of this book really resonated with me and parts didn’t. I agree with other reviewers that the publisher should have put more effort into proofreading it for typos. Overall I think it was a good book with an autobiographical bend to it. I really enjoyed the author’s focus on nature and the Scottish Highlands, particularly her work with stones. If you have Scottish heritage and magical ability/interest, I’d say give this book a go and see how it vibes with you.

[Kristyn H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m rating a five because I believe this book comes from her heart. The authors writing may not be fancy pants so some may disagree and I’ll admit some exercises are “open” for interpretation but it’s a real story of a real witch and so many beautiful words!

[Bill Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t always agree with her, but I enjoyed the book.

[Kate M. Colby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating book that details many folklore traditions of Scotland and how they are used in or influenced modern witchcraft practices. Lots of interesting spells and exercises for those who want to learn and engage with magick too.

The one thing that bothered me about the book was that the author’s anecdotes often contradict each other. For example, she describes how her parents, teachers, and schoolmates didn’t accept her magickal gifts and punished her for using them. But then later, she talks about learning folklore and magick from her dad and grandmothers, as well as using it to help her mom, with her mom’s apparent blessing.

Anyway, I digress. A very interesting book and helpful introduction into one form of the craft.

[Elizabeth Webb · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is NOT a book about witchcraft. It is the author’s life experiences with a bit of basic Wiccan tenets thrown in. The author may be Scottish, but what she is sharing here is a version of beginners Wicca with a tiny bit of Scottish flavor added. I ordered this for a book club I’m in, got about 1/3 of the way through and skimmed the rest of the book. This is not a resource if you are looking for witchcraft in any form. If you are interested in Scottish Witchcraft in particular, follow The Cailleachs Herbarium and the Museum of Magic, Fortune-Telling & Witchcraft on Facebook. Both are based in Scotland and have a wealth of resources on true Scottish witchcraft/folk magic. I actually returned this book, it was a total waste of time and money.

[Tabitha Starr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has the vibe of sitting down over tea with a wise woman and hearing her story. I’ve seen many oh it needs proof reading, it could be better written, blah blah blah. It reads just as someone wold tell it, coaching you through this world. Also, as a massive Outlander fan I loved how it brought the places and what was going on during the time to life. A wealth of information lurks in this book and encouraged me to start my own practice and BOS. An entertaining and informative read that kept me enthralled dispute my chihuahua’s constant barking.... as I write this he still is making a fuss. This book was referred to me by Tamed Wild.

[The Shakti Witch · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a clan member I was attracted to this book. I was hoping to read about Scottish witchcraft from a historical perspective, folklore and folk magick. Unfortunately you won’t find much of that here. It’s more the personal journey of a modern “eclectic” witch - eclectic meaning Wiccan with a ton of cultural appropriation in this instance. Some simple spells for the beginner are shared along with some natural remedies, none of which are unique to Scotland. Where this book does shine is in its discussion on Scottish divination. The writing style is enjoyable making it a quick pleasant read. If you are Scottish and thinking of dabbling in the magickal arts you may find this useful.

[Tartan System · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has some good ideas, and is definitely worth reading. But I didn’t appreciate the dictatorial tone in certain places. Not everything will work for different witches.

I also feel this book needed a disclaimer about the herbal medicine portions. Herbs work well for some people, but for others can be unhelpful or even extremely dangerous. People tend to make the mistake of thinking herbs are always safe; this is not the case.

[Cinnimini · Rating 3 out of 5]

So it is interesting and she shares lots of personal stories. There are a couple of references that are Wiccanish, so keep that in mind as you read. (Although they are things that could have been taken from occult or ceremonial paths as well, I just recognize them from Wicca) It could be a good starting point as you look into different paths.

[Bryce Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

The practical bits were what brought me in and what I enjoyed. The author has a very 'us vs the muggles', mentality which I didn't care for and their personal stories were peppered with a lifetime of physical and mental abuse which felt out-of-place but, you know, thanks for the magic herb recipes, n' whatever.

[Lovey · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is one of the silliest books I have ever read. The introduction and especially chapter one made my bs meter go off. Her parents tell her she has a "vivid imagination" and that is the only true statement this woman made in this book. The only interesting part was the foreword by Ronald Hutton. What a waste of time and money.

[Emily Shearer · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent resource, full of practical spells and prescriptions for practicing magic and claiming one's own blessed witchiness. Empowering for the novice, affirming for the seasoned practitioner. Meiklejohn-Free was blessed with a rich upbringing in the ways of the fae, the seers and the healers, and she generously shares her wisdom.