Silent as the Trees: Devonshire Witchcraft, Folklore, and Magic

By Gemma Gary

Silent as the trees is a book exploring the old witchcraft, magical traditions and folklore nurtured amidst the village communities, hills, moors and ancient woods of Devonshire in South West England.
In this, her sixth book, Gemma Gary introduces Devon's witches and magical folk, examining their lives and their magic; from historical figures such as the 'white witch' Caulks of Exeter, the Devonshire 'toad witches' and an examination of the trial of the Bideford Witches, to more modern practitioners such as the 'cunning man' and witchcraft collector Cecil Williamson.

Old stories in Devon tell of the often troublesome encounters between ordinary folk and the world of witchery. These encounters give valuable insights not only into the strange and fantastical beliefs surrounding witches, but also the traditional methods of beneficial magic and 'counter cursing' via the experiences of those who sought the aid of the 'white witches' and conjurors to lift the maleficia of the 'black witch'.

Gemma Gary is an artist and writer based in the South-West of England. Her work primarily focuses upon the rites and verbal, inscribed and physical charms of operative folk magic and witchcraft.