Contents & Preface of

The Goodly Spellbook:
Olde Spells for Modern Problems

You’re not alone–the majority of the world’s people believe that it’s neither men nor money that rules the world but magic. Millions continue the age-old tradition of casting goodly spells to achieve health, wealth, peace, strength, and joy in their lives.

Folks who do such spellwork are justifiably proud. Blessed with both common sense and conscience, they need never waver in the certainty of what is and always has been. Many still wish on stars, plant by the Moon, and bid the rain to "go away–come again some other day." They still glory in the innate power of their wind-swept hair and become enchanted when a balefire meshes with the shadows like well-woven cloth. Some of us, ecstatic few, delight that by our own rites, we make the seasons turn and the corn grow tall. We take away colic and lullaby the world to sleep with whispered songs we remember fondly from childhood. Sparkling, ecstatic eyes that mirror moonlight are our most common feature. Like innumerable midwives, Gypsies, and granny doctors who preceded us, spellworkers still thrive, devotedly working hand in hand with the powers of Nature.

Some things change: Cars replace horses, villages succumb to suburbs, and quills acquiesce to computers. But some things are eternal–such as our yen for freedom and fulfillment, our urge to succor the sick, and our ferocious need to protect our young. For thousands of years, while the rich and the mighty have sought to fulfill these needs through money and armies, the common folk have relied on their own wits and spells.

Magic works–it always has and always will. Olde spells "work like a charm" in modern times because they’re based on universal patterns and principles that transcend any particular time or place. Our ancestors phrased these principles in simple, straightforward terms that everyone can understand and use, such as:

• "like attracts like"–to acquire something, use a spell ingredient that resembles your goal
• "opposites repel"–to avert a problem, use a spell object that epitomizes its reverse
• "as above, so below"–all things in the Universe are interconnected parts of a whole.

This perennial wisdom is a source of great power–not for the greedy and the arrogant, but for sensitive, caring people who yearn for a means to truly help themselves, nurture their loved ones, and aid the ecological recovery of their besieged planet.

Spellcraft remains an unbroken, ancestral line of rites celebrating individuals’ peaceful, creative means to thrive. Practicing magic is thrilling beyond compare– the siren lure to sacred power and the pleasure spelling evokes in the human heart are as irresistibly magnetic as the attraction kids have to mud puddles! Proving to yourself that your spells can cut through walls and prison bars; suspend time, space, and the conventional laws of physics; and change your life for the better is extremely empowering. After all, who needs a prince, pope, or preacher when you can privately manifest your utmost desires through spellwork?

Our ancestors were practical folk. They demanded demonstrable results from their spellwork–as should you. Thousands of their tried-and-true spells still exist, fairly glittering beneath the scholarly library dust of disuse. These antique treasures are just waiting for you to discover, activate, and use to further your best interests! Many are simple, requiring only one or a handful of easily obtainable ingredients, such as pebbles, eggs, string, fruit peels, and similar items routinely found close at hand. The truth is, you don’t need to spend a small fortune on magic–most of the time, you can find or make everything you’ll need.

There is, however, one secret ingredient in the recipe of every spell. Without it, you cannot unlock the spell’s power. That ingredient is knowledge–magical knowledge. Where can you find such knowledge? Unfortunately–as most seekers soon discover–bookstore shelves are littered with flashy titles that purport to teach magical techniques, but actually provide little within save a smattering of New Age clichés and a jumble of spell recipes requiring obscure or unexplained ingredients. Such books are replete with lists and tables, but void of insight and experience.

As experienced practitioners and teachers of spellcraft, we think such books dilute magic from a state of firewater to the status of stale ale. We’re appalled that such tomes do little but relegate beginners to an unnecessarily superficial knowledge level.

That’s why we’ve filled The Goodly Spellbook with authentic spells and practical anecdotes from our own magical experiences. This book does more than merely reproduce recipes–it clearly and vividly teaches you how to create your own spells so that you can tailor your magic to your own individual needs and circumstances. From thought to word to hand to deed, The Goodly Spellbook shows you how to cast effective spells anywhere, anytime. We’ve compiled tried-and-true spell recipes, both ancient and modern, from our many years of experience and our extensive magical library.

The Goodly Spellbook provides the best kind of spells -- ancient charms based on traditional folk magic, oldies-but-goodies full of spirit-lifting lyrics and thrilling Barbarous Words of Power, simple spells all people can learn to instantly help themselves, their loved ones, and the planet. The spells apply to life today because they address perpetual human desires for love, luck, health, family, friends, prosperity, protection, harmony, fulfillment, intimacy, insight, courage, strength, peace, and joy.

As human needs are many, so spells are very diverse in nature. Most of the spells we offer can be worked by anyone, either alone or with others, regardless of age or sexual orientation; some, however, are traditionally gender specific. We present them all as they have come down to us through time.

We’ve arranged The Goodly Spellbook into three easy-to-use parts. If need be, you can turn directly to the Spells section, where we’ve provided hundreds of authentic olde formulas and new ones we’ve designed and used based on olde ways. They’re organized according to persistent, prevalent human needs:

• to heal
• to protect
• to attract something for personal gain or the common good
• to discern past events, present influences, and future probabilities
• to conceal things that should remain secret or safe from harm
• to repel negative onslaught.

These recipes redress timeless difficulties, such as how to become fertile, how to mute a riotous party, how to ensure that your computer never crashes, and how to prevent your car from going kaput at the least opportune moment.

Liberally spiced throughout with Coven Oldenwilde’s magical experiences, The Goodly Spellbook confers a penetrating comprehension of how modern spellcrafters continue to work with the immutable powers of Nature to effect our celebrated feats.

Spellworkers should approach practicing magic with the patience they’d display while learning any other intricate skill, such as gardening, beading, or loom weaving. Consistent, replicable magical ability requires daily practice. Core principles can be taught, but individual flair must be sought. Your magical intention and urgent desire to master the Craft are more crucial to your success than possessing certain Craft tools or expensive spell supplies.

Reject any initial urge to memorize the spell ingredient lists, recipes, or arcane Craft words we provide. Instead, absorb the ways spells are caressed into being from intangible thought forms into physical reality through a mental/physical alchemy that has been practiced successfully since the dawn of time.

The spellworkers of the world are many, and each person is electric with potential, promise, and wisdom. Our task is, as always, to perpetuate the Olde Ways–proven means by which you can nurture yourself, others, and the planet.

Lady Passion, High Priestess, & *Diuvei, High Priest, Coven Oldenwilde