Review: An Carow Gwyn

An Carow Gwyn: Sorcery and the Ancient Fayerie Faith by Robin Artisson is his most complete work to date. What I mean by that is that within this book he provides a complete in-depth system of sorcery unlike any of his previous works. As the title suggests, the book is focused on the relationship between sorcerer and the fayerie. The book is massive coming in at 556 pages and being close to his anthology of musings Letters From The Devil’s Forest.

What really shines in An Carow Gwyn is Artisson’s focus on staying true to the old ways and breathing new life into it. I’m not sure there are any practices within the book that aren’t informed by scholarly information within the book, yet what Artisson is offering is something completely new. He explores pre-modern folk-traditions and folk-lore with care exploring them a similar vein reminiscent of Emma Wilby’s work. As such, he’s even translated 14th century manuscripts for the first time in English within the book itself. You can tell immediately that this book was the creation of personal passion for him.

Artisson then takes this knowledge from the past and shows how to connect with these forces, spirits, and aspects of nature that older folk traditions and folklore discuss. He instructs in detail how to get the attention of the otherworldly entities and spirits and how to gain a working relationship with them. An Carow Gwyn also provides instructions on entering into this otherworldly state of existence and has a focus on working to experience and understand who exactly the Fayerie Queen and Fayerie King are. The book has a strong emphasis on animism and connecting and honoring the land itself.

My personal favorite part of An Carow Gwyn was his chapter on sleep, dreaming, and what he refers to as “shimmering” as these are areas of great interest to me and I love when anyone can bring their ideas and experiences to the table in discussing these topics. While using a different vocabulary than I would use for certain words, I was able to completely follow and agree with what he discusses as they match some of my own experiences.

Artisson’s writings just seem to be getting better with each book and An Carow Gwyn is a clear sign of that. I have no idea how he’s going to write a better book than this, but I’m happy to see. Alongside An Carow Gwyn, Artisson has simultaneously released An Cawdarn Rudh: A Companion of Invocations and Charms for An Carow Gwyn. I highly suggest both for anyone who’s interested in developing a magickal relationship with the fayerie world that is wild, gritty, primal, intelligent, and effective. Artisson keeps true to the tradition of fayerie magick, warts and all. The book is sure to stimulate both the arm-chair historian occultist as well as the actively practicing witch looking for new praxis and insights into the otherworld.

Review: Letters From The Devil’s Forest
Review: DeSavyok Elfhame Tarot (Special Edition)
Robin Artisson on Familiar Spirits
Beginner Books Recommended By Trad. Craft Witches