Holy texts have informed a great deal of British folk magic. The recitation of Scripture in charming, the deployment of textual amulets bearing holy words and divine names, and the myriad uses of versicles derived from Biblical passages are important parts of the crafts practiced by cunning-folk across the British Isles. But arguably no part of religious scripture has been more popular or influential – whether in down-to-earth folk healing, complex conjurations, or operative cunning sorcery and spell-craft – than the psalms.

In this class-bundle contemporary cunning-man and historian of magic Dr Alexander Cummins will lead us through an exploration of some of these uses of psalms in the British folk magics of charming, conjuring, unbewitching, and blessing. We will consider techniques of talismanic construction, home warding and protections from maleficia, inscribing passages on glass plates with edible inks to imbibe the very Word of God, and many other applications of this rich arsenal of magical and spiritual prayer-charms.

In the course of this exploration and celebration of the cunning uses of psalms we will consider how pre-modern British traditions of folk magic have drawn on older Jewish as well as Christian spiritual authorities and sorcerous practices, and encourage a deeper and more responsible engagement with ancestral traditions in our modern days and ways.

This class-bundle consists of:

A 97-minute-long lecture recording
The illustrated lecture slide-deck
Bibliography of Further Reading
Dr Cummins’ Current Course List for Further Study

A full table of contents of the lecture runs:

Nothing New Under the Psalms
As Good As Gold
Uncle Arthur’s Psalms
The Seven Penitentials
Grimoiric Business
Some Conclusions