1734 TRADITION
Each of these books has some insights to offer into the world of Robert Cochrane, although none of them particularly reflect the 1734 Tradition as practiced in the U.S. today.
Witchcraft, The Sixth Sense Justine Glass, Various Publishers, London, 1965
Witchcraft, The Sixth Sense is influenced by Cochrane in chapters 1, 10 and 11. Cochrane had given Glass much misinformation (See "Rebirth ----", p.121) and he also stated that she failed to make use of some good information she was given. However, she quotes him extensively in chapter 1 and he is the Magister she refers to in the other chapters.
Western Inner Workings William Gray, Weiser, U.S., 1983
Western Inner Workings, chapter 10 makes use of much information given to the author by Cochrane, generously mixed with material from unknown sources. We read this chapter thinking: "That's us", "That's not us", "That's us, but he got it wrong"!
The Rebirth of Witchcraft Doreen Valiente, Hale, London, 1989
In The Rebirth of Witchcraft, chapter 8, Valiente writes of her own feelings about Cochrane and also gives what are probably accurate descriptions of his rituals. However, if we are correct, (we have made comparisons with letters he wrote to others at the time) her memories of dates and events are less than accurate.
She mentions Cochrane "pulling Justine Glass's leg", by the way and, interestingly, he wrote to someone else saying he intended to do the same to Doreen. So what is fact and what is not? Who knows? Cochrane was known for his love of "leading people down the Garden Path" and seems to have done it well and a lot! (It really doesn't matter, since the system works, the cryptograms work, the philosophy is a good one and the Gods are wise and powerful! What more do we need?)
Witchcraft, A Tradition Renewed Doreen Valiente and Evan Jones, Phoenix, U.S., 1990
Witchcraft, a Tradition Renewed is well worth reading, as long as it is seen for what it is meant to be, an overview of a system based on Cochrane's work, after thirty years of evolution. It should not be seen as a representation of what Cochrane did or of what U.S. practitioners of 1734 do today. We recommend reading both the Preface and the Introduction to this book, even if you are not interested in the rest.
Two points do need to be made here, though. First, the information on cursing (part 1- chapter 1, part 3- chapter 2, and part 4- chapter 2) may be something personal to Jones or he may simply be referring to the Rite of Banishment and/or Binding as cursing. In either case, we need to say that Cochrane strongly advised against harmful magic and we don't do it!
We also need to point out that, as stated in the Preface, the ritual scripts given are not Cochrane's. Cochrane seemed to have been very shamanic and spontaneous. Covens today work scripted or not, according to the Line or their own preference, but the shamanic flavor persists.
Sacred Mask, Sacred Dance Evan Jones and Chas Clifton Llewellyn, U.S. 1990
Sacred Mask, Sacred Dance outlines the working patterns of Clan of Tubal Cain as it has evolved since Cochranes death. Once again, we need to add the disclaimer that cursing is not part of the 1734 Tradition in the U.S. today.
Chapter 9, 'Robert Cochrane: Tregetour or Magician?' gives some good insights into the thinking of Robert Cochrane. However, this chapter gives the impression that the author is solely responsible for preserving Cochrane's work and bringing it to others. We, in the U.S., must not forget that the credit for the emergence of 1734 in this country belongs to Joseph Wilson, not Evan Jones!
This book is a good resource for mask-making.
Call of the Horned Piper Nigel Aldcroft Jackson U.K. April, 1994
Call of the Horned Piper is a very small book, packed with interesting information. Although it is not directly connected to the work of Robert Cochrane, the author is obviously on the same wave length. This book is very useful to anyone with an interest in 1734.
