Polish Folk Magic

A practical approach to traditional Polish folk practice.

Polish Folk Magic is an introductory guide into the folk beliefs, seasonal practices, living ancestral traditions, and authentic folk magic of the West Slavic peoples. With the Polish and Slavic diasporas in mind, Joanna Tarnawska fills in the gaps where sources have been previously scarce or inaccessible to those not embedded in the region.

Tarnawska guides the reader through everything from the Slavic folkloric calendar to charms, protection magic, and healing. Polish Folk Magic includes a grimoire specific to Polish folk magic, the perfect companion for native and diasporic practitioners alike. Through an exploration led by a native Polish practitioner and made accessible by providing both Polish and English versions of each charm and spoken formula, the reader is invited to personalize their craft through this rich world of folk magic.

Joanna Tarnawska is an animist, folkloric witch, and psychologist residing in the mountains of Lower Silesia, Poland. Her practice intertwines animism, bioregional traditions, and lore, drawing inspiration from the early modern period of Polish witch trials and Slavic folklore. With a strong foundation in anthropology and ethnography, Joanna’s work explores the deep connections between pre- and post-Christian folklore and witchcraft traditions. She contributes articles to Femme Occulte magazine and runs Polish Folk Witch, a platform where she shares her knowledge through courses and group studies on Polish folk magic, animism, and traditional witchcraft.