The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft [Paperback]

Rosemary Guiley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1990

With more than 500 entries and 100 black-and-white illustrations, The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft gives readers a detailed look at the Craft and its history from its pagan origins to its modern revival. Here, in A-to-Z format, readers will find unparalleled coverage of witchcraft practices around the world in different time periods and societies, including entries on magic, shamanism, the occult, and wizardry. Biographies of the most influential characters in the movement and how they shaped the traditions and practices of their followers are included. Completely updated throughout, this edition features expanded cross-cultural entries and additional historical data.

Among the more than 30 new entries are: Modern Wicca and Paganism, related organizations, and their activities Biographical profiles Magic tools, rituals, and types of divination Fairy lore and other mythological roots of witchcraft Spells, charms, and other witchcraft lore.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Consisting of over 500 essay entries and 100 photographs, this encyclopedia is an excellent source of information on witchcraft for all ages. It presents well-researched entries on modern Wiccan philosophy, practices, and beliefs plus a wealth of historical information on the various witch trials in Europe and America during the period of persecution of folk magic practitioners, midwives, and healers known as the "Burning Times." It also offers an impressive collection of current biographies of contemporary 20th-century witches including Gerald Gardner, Janet and Stewart Farrar, Starhawk, Selena Fox, Z. Budapest, and Otter and Morning Glory Zell, among others, as well as famous witches of the past. Also included are the histories and philosophies of Pagan and Neo-Pagan organizations such as Circle Sanctuary, Covenant of the Goddess, and the Church of All Worlds and descriptions of the aspects of various godesses (Inanna, Isis, Hecate, etc.), Druids, the Kabbalah, covens, Tarot, familiars, possession, Santeria, and Voudoun. Most public libraries will want this in reference collections. A good companion volume to T.A. Waters's Encyclopedia of Magic and Magicians ( LJ 2/15/88).
- Kevin M. Roddy, Oakland P.L., Cal.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"A'must' for the serious collector." -- The Book Report

"Rosemary Ellen Guiley conjures up some fascinating true stories and provides some intriguing details about witchcraft, past and present, and some associated supernatural arts in this complete revision of a book originally published in 1989. . . . From pagan origins of witchcraft through its revival in a less threatening form, the subject is exhaustively explored complete with fascinating details and intriguing stories. . . . From the Salem witches to Joan of Arc, there's everything you'd expect, and more." -- Journal Inquirer, Manchester, CT, October 13, 1999 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Facts on File (August 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816022682
• ISBN-13: 978-0816022687
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,184,274 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I work fulltime investigating and writing about all things paranormal, which means I lead a most unusual and highly adventurous life. I have written more than 45 books, including single-volume encyclopedias, on a variety of topics, A-Z, angels to zombies and everything in between. I'm interested in the entire spectrum of the paranormal, for everything fits together. I go off in the field to investigate reports of ghosts, UFOs, aliens, ultraterrestrials, Shadow People, Bigfoot, mysterious creatures, Djinn, demons, angels, fairies and more. I am frequently out on the road, and I've had plenty of first-hand experiences of many of the things I document in my books. My work is part of my spiritual journey; probing into the Unknown, the Other Side, and other dimensions is my search for Truth.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, but not for the Wiccan Faint of Heart., January 25, 2003

By 

El Brujo "Brujo Hechisero" (Lowell, Ma) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft, Second Edition (Paperback)

This has to be one of the most impressive books on Witches and Witchcraft I have ever Purchased. One because it is not exclusively about Wicca, but of Witchcraft. ( Let the world understand that not all Witches, are Wiccans. First of all the book is huge, and has entries on Demons, the Devil, "Which really did have a big part in the history of Witchcraft." What impressed me the most of this Huge Book was that it was not just only about European Witchcraft, but also has entries on Witchcraft from around the world.

The Book is one of those books that if you have a question on Witchcraft, just alphabetically look it up and it will be there, both the black and white aspects of witchcraft are included. There are entries on Grimoires, Black Magic, Voodoo, Santeria, Quimbanda, Stregarism, A few entries on popular Wiccan Authors, Curses, Spells, Brujeria, Curanderismo, Salem Witch trials, Sorcery, Evil Spirits, Shamanism,The Orishas, the Loa, Morgan La Fey, Merlin, Voodoo Queens, and the list goes on and on. Yep and it is al in one impresive volume, that should be in every Witches, or Brujos Library. This is a good book to have, but not really meant for the Wiccan Faint of Heart.

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive Source of Information, December 29, 1999

By 

"[e-mail]" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft, Second Edition (Paperback)

This book is an encyclopedia of anything relevant to modern and historic witchcraft. It covers key names, places, people, concepts, times and events that are tied to the craft or are mistakenly construed as tied to Wicca (i.e. Satanism). It doesn't try to gloss over dark periods in our history and comes across as extremely objective about the material. The book is outstanding in its clear and concise prose - it really gets to the heart of any entry. The entries themselves are easy to look up and find. It is truly a definitive source of reference information and I would recommend it to anyone that is evaluating this path or is interested in history.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Which craft?, November 8, 2003

By 

Pieter "Toypom" (Johannesburg) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft, Second Edition (Paperback)

This comprehensive encyclopedia contains hundreds of entries (from Abracadabra to the Zagarramurdi Witches) and over a hundred illustrations. Explaining its nature as a holistic religion that emphasizes the sanctity of life and the unity of all things, it provides a survey of witchcraft from its early pagan roots to the present, including the periods of persecution like the Inquisition and the Salem witch trials. Included are biographical profiles of leading modern witches, many with interviews. Some prominent personalities include Patrcia Crowther, Laurie Cabot and Margaret Adler and there is also an interesting piece on Carl Weschke, the magician and founder of Llewellyn Publications.