US shipping Secure card payment Occult and esoteric books

A Broom at Midnight: 13 Gates of Witchcraft by Spirit Flight

Horne, Roger J
Reader rating
4.5
(1 reviews) 59 sold
In stock

Stock reported in the catalog; fulfillment is confirmed with your request.

📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Soar beyond the veil: master the ancient art of spirit flight and otherworldly journeying.

This compelling work unveils the profound practice of spirit flight, a cornerstone of historical witchcraft often misunderstood. Delving into medieval and early modern lore, it redefines the witch's iconic nocturnal voyage not as physical travel, but as a potent spiritual journey beyond the corporeal realm. Author Roger J. Horne meticulously organizes these transvective arts into thirteen distinct "gates," providing a structured methodology for practitioners to traverse the liminal spaces, glean esoteric wisdom, and engage with the unseen forces of the sabbat.

Key themes
Spirit Flight & Ekstasis The Thirteen Gates Innovating Ancient Craft
Historical context

This work situates itself within the tradition of historical witchcraft and esoteric practice, specifically addressing the medieval and early modern lore surrounding the sabbat. It reinterprets the iconic nocturnal voyage not as physical travel but as a spiritual phenomenon, bridging ancient misunderstanding with modern occult methodology.

Difficulty
●●● Demanding
Fans will love it
Gerald Gardner · Charles Leland · Margot Adler · The Malleus Maleficarum
🌙 Witchcraft & Wicca
🏛 Moon Over the Mountain Press 📅 2021 📖 278 pages 🌐 en 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781736762516
Fun fact
Roger J. Horne's "A Broom at Midnight" is an essential deep dive into the often-misunderstood art of spirit flight. Its strength lies in meticulously re-contextualizing historical witch-lore into a practical, structured framework of thirteen "gates." While those seeking only superficial spellcraft might find it too academic, serious practitioners of traditional or folk witchcraft will discover invaluable methodologies for sabbatic ekstasis. This book stands as a significant contribution, bridging academic understanding with applied practice in the field of occult studies.

📝 Description: A Broom at Midnight: 13 Gates of Witchcraft by Spirit Flight

Preserved in medieval and early modern witch-lore, the image of the witch embarking upon flight has become iconic from a historic and folkloric perspective. In the accounts of previous ages, however, it was commonly understood that witches flew in spirit form rather than corporeal form, leaving the physical body behind as the practitioner voyaged into the otherworld to procure knowledge, learn charms, visit boon or bane upon others, and attend the spiritual gathering of the witches' sabbat. In this unique offering, the author organizes the lore and charms of the transvective arts around thirteen central lessons and approaches in methodology, acting as gates through which the practitioner may cross. Some approaches offered here may be familiar to folk and traditional witches, such as via veneficium (by way of poison) and via equarum (by way of steed), while others, like via imaginibus (by way of image) and via tempestatis (by way of storm) draw on historic lore and charms in order to innovate upon old craft while maintaining the spirit that flavors these beloved arts. By mastering the often overlooked work of sabbatic ekstasis, the witch is brought into direct contact with familiar spirits, powers of the land and of ancestry, and with the primal sources of witchcraft itself, yielding an inexhaustible and ever-unfolding curriculum of the art magical.

💎 Expert review

💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
Horne’s work is a dense, scholarly exploration of spirit flight that demands serious engagement from its audience. While it successfully demystifies the witch’s nocturnal voyage as a spiritual rather than physical act, its structured gate system may feel rigid to those who prefer fluid, intuitive magic. It does not suit casual readers seeking light folklore or beginners looking for simple spellcraft; this is a text for dedicated practitioners ready to navigate complex transvective arts. The focus on historical lore might also alienate modern witches who reject traditional frameworks. However, for those willing to delve into the profound implications of otherworldly journeying, it offers a unique and valuable perspective on the cornerstone of historical witchcraft.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Practitioners of witchcraft and Wicca who feel constrained by conventional ritual structures will find profound liberation in this text. It offers a structured yet mystical approach to spirit flight, appealing to those eager to understand the metaphysical underpinnings of their craft. Readers seeking to deepen their connection with unseen forces or explore the historical roots of the sabbat will appreciate the clarity provided by the thirteen gates. It is ideal for those ready to move beyond literal interpretations of folklore and engage directly with the liminal spaces of the otherworldly journey. If you desire to master the art of soaring beyond the veil with a rigorous, gate-based methodology, this book provides the essential roadmap for spiritual expansion and esoteric wisdom.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5
★★★★
For the dedicated practitioner yearning to deepen their understanding of historical witchcraft and master the art of spirit journeying. If you seek practical, structured methods to engage with otherworldly realms and unlock ancient esoteric wisdom, this book offers a profound path.

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
E
Esoterica Books editorial team

Horne’s work is a dense, scholarly exploration of spirit flight that demands serious engagement from its audience. While it successfully demystifies the witch’s nocturnal voyage as a spiritual rather than physical act, its structured gate system may feel rigid to those who prefer fluid, intuitive magic. It does not suit casual readers seeking light folklore or beginners looking for simple spellcraft; this is a text for dedicated practitioners ready to navigate complex transvective arts. The focus on historical lore might also alienate modern witches who reject traditional frameworks. However, for those willing to delve into the profound implications of otherworldly journeying, it offers a unique and valuable perspective on the cornerstone of historical witchcraft.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, "A Broom at Midnight" clarifies that the historical concept of witch flight, as explored within its pages, refers to an out-of-body, spiritual journey or "sabbatic ekstasis," not physical travel.
The thirteen gates are distinct methodological approaches or pathways presented by the author, derived from historical lore, designed to guide practitioners in achieving and navigating spirit flight and other transvective arts.

📖 Who should read this

For the dedicated practitioner yearning to deepen their understanding of historical witchcraft and master the art of spirit journeying. If you seek practical, structured methods to engage with otherworldly realms and unlock ancient esoteric wisdom, this book offers a profound path.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Spirit Flight & Ekstasis

This book meticulously explores the historical understanding of the witch's flight, not as a physical act but as a profound out-of-body experience. It delves into the concept of "sabbatic ekstasis," guiding practitioners to leave their physical form behind for journeys into the otherworld, seeking knowledge and connection.

The Thirteen Gates

Horne presents a unique framework of thirteen methodological approaches, or "gates," for undertaking these spiritual voyages. These pathways draw from rich historical lore, offering diverse techniques such as working with veneficium or spirit steeds, providing a structured yet adaptable system for the modern practitioner.

Innovating Ancient Craft

The text bridges historical accounts with contemporary practice, demonstrating how traditional charms and lore can be innovatively applied. By reinterpreting practices like "via imaginibus" or "via tempestatis," the book encourages a revitalized engagement with old craft, ensuring its spirit endures while evolving for new generations.

💬 Quotes from the book

“The witch's true flight is not across the night sky on a broom, but deep into the liminal currents of the spirit world, leaving the mundane shell behind.”

“Each gate, whether by herb, image, or storm's fury, is a key to unlocking the otherworld, a deliberate methodology for the soul's ascent.”

📜 Historical context

This volume firmly plants itself within the rich tapestry of witch-lore, particularly the historical understanding of "flight." It re-centers the narrative on the spiritual, rather than corporeal, nature of the witch's journey, aligning with medieval and early modern accounts that depicted practitioners leaving their bodies to attend the sabbat and interact with the unseen.

📚 Glossary

Sabbatic Ekstasis
Transvective Arts
Via Veneficium

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. Reflect on a time you felt a profound connection to something beyond the physical. How might such an experience relate to the concept of spirit flight?
  2. Consider the historical accounts of witches leaving their bodies. What societal or psychological functions might these narratives have served, and how can we reinterpret them today?
  3. Choose one of the "gates" mentioned (e.g., via imaginibus, via veneficium) and meditate on its potential symbolic or practical application in your own spiritual practice.

You might also like

See more →