ABSTRACT
Witchcraft rituals tend to be conducted outside in woods or open spaces; the emphasis is on a connection with the land and its spirits rather than the angelic beings favoured by high magicians. This chapter focuses on participant observation, within three witchcraft covens, and addresses the issue of 'natural magic'. It begins with ethnographic encounter with witchcraft through a description of various rituals, and is followed by an examination of invocation -the drawing down of particular forces of the otherworld, usually as a goddess, into the high priestess or other female witch. The chapter questions some of the implicit assumptions of the practice, by asking how much practitioners are actually engaged in a relationship with nature and how much is lip-service. Magical practices are founded on the notion of spiritual transformation. This was a central part of the Greek Mysteries, the purpose of which was to bring initiates into contact with otherworldly powers.
