114 of 115 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Comprehensive, Accessible, and Entertaining, June 28, 2005
This review is from: The Element Encyclopedia of Witchcraft: The Complete A-Z for the Entire Magical World (Hardcover)
"Whether you perceive the witch as powerful or evil may depend upon whether you perceive knowledge as desirable or dangerous; whether you perceive that human knowledge is something that should be limited. The witch doesn't think so. She, or he as the case may be, wants to know." -from the book
From shamanic shape shifting to food and drink, botanicals to sacred days, The Element Encyclopedia of Witchcraft - The Complete A to Z of the Entire Magical World is a fascinating and comprehensive celebration of all facets of witchcraft. From modern Wicca to Egyptian sorcery, Toltec shamanism to African Voudon, author Judith Illes explores the history, folklore, spirituality, and practices of witchcraft and the occult. According to Judika Illes, there are many definitions and beliefs about what a witch, and witchcraft, embodies. In the introduction, she examines the many theories, definitions and attitudes that have accompanied this oft-misunderstood subject.
This book celebrates the fun, freedom, mystery and defiance of witchcraft, rather than any specific spiritual or political definition. Thus, this hardcover authoritative reference, which spans 887 pages, covers the people, places, professions, deities, traditions, books, film, fairy tales, animals, herbs, holy days, mythology, tools and symbols spanning hundreds of occult traditions. Topics are arranged alphabetically, and the main chapters are:
Elements of Witchcraft
Books of Magic and Witchcraft
Botanicals
Calendar of Revelry and Sacred Days
Creative Arts
Dictionary of Witchcraft: A Magical Vocabulary
The Divine Witch: Goddesses and Gods
Ergot, The Corn Mother, and The Rye Wolf
Fairies
Fairy-Tale Witches and Mother Goose
Food and Drink
The Hag
The Horned One and The Devil
Magical Arts
Magical Professions
Places: A Witch's Travel Guide
Tools of Witchcraft
Witchcraft Hall of Fame
Witchcraze! Persecution of Witches
Women's Mysteries
Wormwood and Garlic: Dangers and Protections
The Element Encyclopedia contains intriguing information like:
* The difference between almanacs, books of shadows, and grimoires
* The colorful origins and uses of absinthe
* In the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, Dorothy's slippers were silver, not ruby. She is identified as a sorceress because she wears white and, according to the book, "Only witches and sorceresses wear white."
* Prospero, the magician in Shakespeare's The Tempest, is believed to at least partially to be based on Dr. John Dee. Dr. Dee was famed astrologer to Queen Elizabeth, as well as a renowned alchemist, magician and scholar. This brilliant occultist was one of the founders of Enochian Magic.
* If a plant contains the word "bane", beware! The word bane is a derivative of the Old German word bano meaning death. Thus, any plant containing "bane"-such as wolfsbane or henbane-is poisonous.
* The character of Sabrina the Teenage Witch didn't begin with Melissa Joan Hart. She first appeared in the back pages of an Archie Comics magazine in October 1962. She was featured in her own comic book in April of 1971.
* Psychopomp is a Greek word for a spirit who serves as an escort between the realms of the living and the dead. Hermes and Hecate are two well-known psychopomps.
* Corn Mother myths span many cultures, and include Demeter, Baba Yaga, Ezili Dantor, and Saramama.
* Cailleach (pronounced "coy-luk") is a Gaelic word often translated as hag. In Scottish and Irish folklore, Cailleach is a term for spirits corresponding to the archetype of the sacred hag.
The Element Encyclopedia of Witchcraft is an utterly fascinating read. Not only is it a source of browsing entertainment (I open it every chance I get!), but also is a rich source for research and study. For those who love the elements of witchcraft or identify with the Witch archetype-as well as those who are fascinated by mythology, history, trivia, and the magical arts-this book provides a comprehensive, yet lively, wealth of information that is sure to provide hours of enjoyment.
Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present (coming Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing)
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45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Excellent Overview of Witchcraft, September 9, 2005
This review is from: The Element Encyclopedia of Witchcraft: The Complete A-Z for the Entire Magical World (Hardcover)
Judika Illes is probably best known for her huge work The Element Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spells, a huge work containing references to anything to do with spell work. She has now completed her second huge undertaking, an encyclopedia on witchcraft. And it is just as huge as her first book.
As I see it, this is not a how to book. It's more a collection of information that defines witchcraft in its many various forms. From how the outside world still views us in some cases to how we see ourselves, there is no particular path, no one personal agenda here. This gives the book a very even, open, very multi-dimensional appeal. We do not have just a well known author pushing his or her personal path or a new author experimenting with theirs.
Rather, we have a book that combines the paths, combines the opinions and the points of view and blends it into a very readable and very useful tool. Approach with an open mind and look at all the possibilities.
The bibliography reads like a "Who's Who" in the pagan community, combining well known material with very learned sources and including the little known/hardly referenced material to present very well rounded information that is gathered together in one place.
I spent a lot of time paging through the book, reading the information, exploring the comments and following the way Ms. Illes put it all together in this book. Movie/TV reviews which are well thought out and discussed from both the Hollywood angle who's purpose is to draw an audience to how we on the other side tend to critique these same entertainment. Looking at the notes included with her contents; "Hecate, Hekate [...] endnote: Further Reading: Jacob Rabinowitz's The Rotting Goddess (Autonomedia, 1998)." This author has it together with her research. She notates her references and gives you more places to search if the included information is not enough for you.
The topics covered connect directly to the practice of witchcraft. From the opening Introduction which discusses the many, many attempts to define the word "witch" from large variety of sources, I fell the material is appropriate, works well in the context given, and is in an easy to read/reference format. As I went over her basic research, she appears to have it very well documented.
This information can take the form of material that sometimes we do not want to approach. We see both order and chaos here. And this is appropriate, as we do practice both sides of the balance. Some folks may not like this, but this is who we are.
There are twenty-one topics. Each topic is broken down into its elements, as it applies to witchcraft. There are movie reviews, information on witches books, famous witches, not so famous witches, glossary of terms, Gods and Goddesses, witches holidays around the world, food and drink, even a travel guide with places of importance to witches. There is much more than I could possibly cover here in a reasonable amount of space. I would recommend picking the book up and looking at it even before you buy it to see how much really is contained in this broad work.
The bibliography is extensive, and the index is huge to help you find exactly what you are looking for quickly and painlessly.
I see this book as a reference for those who do not have the resources but need them. This book is not a replacement but a place to start. Read through the topic you are researching, find the books referenced and work forward from there. I see this as a general research book or for someone just starting on their path. If you can not have a huge library, this book can be a handy orientation.
Well written, expertly reference, and easy to use. That is just about all you could ask for in an encyclopedia. And to have one that does covers many paths without bias, you have a book that is worth recommending. boudica
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