Over the years I’ve been practicing witchcraft, I heard about this book several times, but it had been out of print, and I never got around to tracking down a copy. Serendipitously, I found Coyle’s Kickstarter for this revised edition and was able to join as a backer.
While distinctly mystical and romantic in tone, Evolutionary Witchcraft is practical in its curricula. My first inclination was to categorize it as a 101-style book, but it goes so much deeper than that. Elementary exercises, such as casting a circle, understanding the elements and tools, and early expansion of energetic perception, are interwoven with deep self-examination, and more advanced workings like the Iron and Pearl Pentacles and black mirror exercises will give more seasoned practitioners much to experiment with. By their inclusion of a gentle solo sex ritual, I felt the trust Coyle places in my maturity as a reader
Personal and ritualized transformation of the soul is at the centre of the teachings of Evolutionary Witchcraft. Among Coyle’s mentors were the American witches Victor and Cora Anderson, founders of the Feri Tradition, and their approach to the craft, with its emphasis on “the alignment of the soul of the individual practitioner, and the growth of their power over time” (pp. 8) is evident throughout. If unfamiliar with the unique perspective of the Feri tradition, many experienced magic users and ritualists will find it invigorating for their practices. Coyle’s book sets out to help you reweave yourself and the world.
“By plumbing the mysteries of our own hearts, minds, and souls we can make better choices. By recognizing our interdependence, we can become better suited to our environment. We can dance with the sacred in the trees, mountains, and deserts, and on the ocean shore. We can remember the sacred in each city, village and town. “We can call up the sacred together. And together we can reweave the world.” (pp. 4)
While I found the exercises and rituals approachable, the seriation of the book was somewhat jarring for me. Chapter lengths vary widely, from a paragraph to several pages, and sometimes a section that has been set out as a separate chapter is really the introduction to an exercise in the next chapter. Despite some uneven organization, the sincerity and depth of Coyle’s writing shine through.
Although I read the book quickly without performing any of the exercises, I’ve bookmarked many to return to. Coyle has provided not only a set of techniques but has offered a framework for ongoing transformation and relationship with the sacred. I’m pleased to see this modern classic back in print, and I recommend it to anyone starting out on their path or seeking an introduction to witchcraft in the Feri Tradition. I consider this a worthy addition to any practitioner’s library.
~ review by David Blaeser
Author: T. Thorn Coyle
PF Publishing, 2025
pp. 441, $42.30
