The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft, Second Edition [Paperback]

Rosemary Ellen Guiley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1999

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.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Don't look for the Blair Witch in these pages; this new edition retains the balanced tone and thorough scholarship of the first. Guiley, author of the previous edition and many other books on occult and New Age topics (e.g., Dreamwork for the Soul; Encyclopedia of Angels), covers both historical witchcraft (particularly the witch trials of Reformation Europe and Colonial America) and contemporary witchcraft and Wiccan and pagan practice in over 500 detailed, clearly written, alphabetically arranged entries of various lengths. The second edition incorporates new historical research on the origins of witchcraft and updates and expands coverage of the modern revival, its most influential leaders, the organizations, and their practices. The bibliography includes many new titles, and most entries list books for further reading. Revised See references and cross references improve access to information, and more than 100 black-and-white illustrations augment the text. General topics or ones tangential to witchcraft such as "Trees" and "Astrology" have been omitted, but entries related to mythology, folk magic, and the occult still appear, giving this book a broader perspective than the more arcane resources on this popular subject. Highly recommended for public and academic libraries.AVivian Reed, Long Beach P.L., CA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

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

The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft is an authoritative, indispensable resource for readers with a desire to learn more about the true nature and history of witchcraft. -- Reviewers Bookwatch, December 1999

This title will appeal to readers who have a casual interest in this subject and to readers who wish to do extensive research. . . . Recommended. -- The Book Report

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Facts on File, Inc.; 2nd edition (October 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081603849X
• ISBN-13: 978-0816038497
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #951,264 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

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"[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

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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.