Description
Season of the Witch – A Spellbinding History of Witches and Other Magical Folk is an illustrated hardback that guides young readers through the long and complex history of witchcraft and magickal traditions across the world. Rather than focusing on the familiar stereotype of the cackling figure with a broomstick, the book moves through real historical roles, cultural beliefs and spiritual practices that shaped how witches have been understood from ancient times to the present.
The journey begins with early Mesopotamian priest-magicians whose roles involved healing, divination and spiritual protection. Children are shown that the earliest magickal workers were community figures connected to ritual knowledge, star lore and sacred storytelling. As the book travels through different eras, readers encounter Roman wise women, medieval cunning folk, and healers who relied on herbal knowledge passed down through generations. The book also acknowledges the darker periods of history, such as the witch trials, offering age-appropriate explanations that emphasise injustice rather than sensationalism.
Modern witchcraft is presented with care, showing contemporary Wiccans, practitioners of folk magick, and those who draw from cultural traditions around the world. The book does not teach spellwork, but it explains how different communities have understood protection, energy, symbols and seasonal practices. For young readers who visit Wax Spiritual or grow up in spiritually aware households, it offers grounding and context without promoting unsafe or inaccurate ideas.
Bright illustrations support each section and bring personalities, objects and traditions to life. Symbols such as cauldrons, familiars, moon phases and herbs are explained in ways that encourage fascination rather than fear. Children learn how witch imagery developed, why black cats became associated with witches, and how broomsticks became powerful symbols of independence and movement through folklore.
This book is suitable for ages seven and above and serves families, educators and children who are naturally curious about witches, history, mythology or spiritual identity. It also supports conversations around empowerment, the reclaiming of misunderstood figures, and the importance of questioning how stories are shaped.
Season of the Witch is a warm, inclusive introduction to the global history of witches and magickal folk, offering insight, accuracy and a sense of wonder throughout.
