"Many past cultures venerated the head as both a literal and symbolic seat of soulful power--and the losing of one's head to be a moment of ritual ecstasis with particular purpose and union with spirit. This is rarely explored through the folkloric lens that informed the witchcraft of early pre-modern Europeans, and often it is neglected in modern folkloric paganism and witchcraft. Driven by her own spirit compacts and soulful experiences of the ancient rite of headlessness, Briar interweaves deep folkloric research and cross-cultural analysis with her own generously shared headless praxis in this stunningly information-rich booklet. Dancing a dervish between the proto-Celtic myths, Greek parallels in harvest rites, later legends of sacred springs sprung from beheaded kings and saints, and much more, Briar beguiles the reader with the temptation of losing one's head."

“Briar’s pamphlet is a sweepingly comprehensive exploration of ‘headlessness’ from the context of history, religion and the occult. Her writing is equal parts extensive and thorough in its academic rigor, whilst still being rooted in the heartfelt perspective of a genuine magical practitioner and devotee. I, who would describe myself as a fellow witch, find myself particularly in awe at the three rituals Briar has generously shared: the propitiation of Crom through the ritual blessing of grain, the rite of ensouling a god’s lost head, and the red meal to rouse and propitiate the Dullahán. Briar’s pamphlet is a treasured source of knowledge and inspiration, and it is a text I cannot recommend enough, especially if you are interested in witchcraft, in Gallo-Irish paganism, in the folklore of Faery or the constellation of Orion."

"Headless ones and severed heads stalk the stories and figures of the occult. An astonishingly erudite and devoted multidisciplinary work, this tract is essential for anyone who works with such beings or is interested in folklore featuring them. Briar has assembled a collage of stellar beings, holy wells, sacred mounds, horsemen, titans, and harvest rites to illuminate the meaning and power of the beheading games and their spirits. I found myself really moved by how Briar has woven all these pieces together and the way she has used her skillful scholarship and witch-ness to make this piece of writing."

"The Beheading Game: Unearthing the Occult Mysteries of the Celtic Cult of the Head by Briar is a meticulous and insightful text. Addressing with precision the figures who gravitate from near or far in the spiritual ecosystem of severed heads, Briar takes us on a relevant and meaningful investigation mixing academic studies and occult explorations. As a result, the work will be a valuable ally for all practitioners or all curious people who would like to receive the mystical explorations of an experienced practitioner or folkloric and mythical knowledge that is still little explored. The ritual parts are concise but well constructed and will allow us to understand precisely the occult mechanisms that arise from a relationship with the spirits associated with the cult of severed heads. I highly recommend The Beheading Game to all practioners who work with the Others, Fear and have a Celtic spiritual background."

"The Beheading Game is a fascinating look into the ancient and cross-cultural Cult of the Head, which proves to be an impressive blend of accessibly informative and seductively mystifying. Briar manages to seamlessly weave together folkloric knowledge and esoteric theorization in order to give a generous and titillating glimpse into the workings of her own Spiritual Gnosis—particularly where the concept of "Headlessness" is concerned. With her unique voice, her academic background, and her dedication to her Craft, Briar never fails to express herself eloquently, and this monogram is no exception. Anyone interested in original occultic scholarship should give this a read, and especially so if they are interested in Historical Syncretism, Celtic Lore, and/or Spirit Work."

"In The Beheading Game Briar's writing becomes the severing blade, the sacrificial knife, the beheading blow. Her knowledge on the topic is matched only by the eloquence for which she conveys it, through various threads of retelling and proposed ritual structures which make this pamphlet a profound ally. Her work on this subject brings together an imageric praxis of star lore, fairy faith, and goetia which pull from sources across the ancient Celtic lands and contemporary occult thinkers. This book is a must read in those interested in forms of Celtic magic which surpass the superficial, and a potent ally for any magicians whose practices call for them to enter the world Other (by beheading or other means)."

"The Beheading Game is a fascinating essay of the Celts' practice of severing and collecting heads for magico-religious purposes. Giving a brief historical context for the ‘Cult of the Head’ the author explores its theurgic and thaumaturgic applications from an occult perspective.
Drawing on a multitude of sources Briar links the ancient Irish saturnian god Crom and his associations with the harvest of heads and headlessness to the little known, sinister Irish spirit the ‘Dullahán’. A headless rider haunting the lonely boreens of Ireland, the Dullahán, replete with his spinal cord whip is harbinger of death who claims the heads of his victims as his own. The essay closes out with a challenging rite of invocation of the ‘Dullahán’, a rite the author recommends is only for the experienced practitioner. A rich piece that examines academic sources through the lens of folklore as studied by the witch. Highly recommended."




"As a witch with a particular interest in headlessness, I was overjoyed to have the opportunity to read Briar’s fascinating research on the ritual significance of severed heads and headlessness in Celtic mythology and practices. As I turned each page, I was continually inspired and enchanted by Briar’s erudite blend of scholarship, folk history, and gnosis that is clearly deeply rooted in relational practices with spirits knowledgeable in the arts the book is speaking to. Grounding her narrative in historical evidence by drawing from both classical sources and indigenous Celtic lore, Briar paints a vivid picture of the ritual significance of severed heads in Celtic culture. Her meticulous research lays a solid foundation for the liminal journey the reader finds ahead. Briar blends theory and research flawlessly with practical insights gleaned from her own experiences as a traditional witch and fairy doctor. Her discussions on necromancy, shamanism, and exorcism are refreshingly pragmatic, grounding the liminal enchantment of this work within the everyday. Of particular resonance to me was Briar's exploration of headlessness as a motif. Through stories like that of Bran the Blessed, she deftly explores the theme of the severed head as a symbol of agency and autonomy—an idea that ignites embers of liberation for those who dare read."

"For those with an interest in the history of the Celtic culture, the Cult of the Head has long been a source of interest and frustration as the world of archaeology reveals but then conceals possible perspectives with the limited lens of academia. In The Beheading Game we are instead presented with an informed occult view that actually reveals a much more visceral and immediate view of the headless. In three parts we are taken through a journey of the historical, the mythopoetic and ultimately the practical with the closing Eucharist being worth the price of entry alone. Each offering of prayer or praxis within clearly demonstrates Briars’ engaged work and is a true offering of insight to the reader. To see a work give a succinct and yet so powerful homage to Crom is a true testament to the sincerity of what is here written, which is a work truly worthy of Elphame's blessings. Faery is the thread that binds this writing together and Briar is a true sister of Arte who weaves the threads so well. The Beheading Game is a must read, and I very much look forward to reading more from this author."