Encyclopedia of Wicca & Witchcraft (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

This A-Z title describes the contemporary Wicca and witchcraft traditions. Many different groups (Black Forest Clan, Blue Star Wicca, Church of the World Tree) have entries ranging from a few paragraphs to a couple of two-columned pages. Prominent figures from the history of witchcraft also have entries, as do contemporary writers and practitioners. A number of the writers who are covered have been published by Llewellyn Publications, which is almost inevitable given Llewellyn's prominence in the publishing of occult and New Age material. Entries describing the origins of various traditions and certain historical controversies within the Wicca and witchcraft community strive to be fair to all sides, even to outside agencies that persecuted practitioners.This is a work by a believer for believers, although it has something to offer those outside the various traditions who seek to understand them. It describes various practices (although it does not offer detailed spells and instructions) and the significance of certain animals, plants, and objects. All of the descriptions are specific to their Wicca and witchcraft significance. Mythological characters, especially from British and Celtic mythology, are described, as are some deities and legendary figures from classical mythology who are significant in Wicca and witchcraft traditions. Appendixes provide "Classic Wiccan Verses" and lists of relevant periodicals, organizations, and merchants.This volume would be most useful to a public library that serves an active Wicca and witchcraft community or an academic library with an inclusive special interest. Those libraries that need a more general reference would probably do better with The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft [RBB Mr 1 00] by Rosemary Guiley, which is available in paperback for the same price. RBB
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Product Description

The Encyclopedia of Wicca & Witchcraft

Craft Elder and author Raven Grimassi has revised and expanded his indispensable reference work, the award-winning Encyclopedia of Wicca & Witchcraft. The first book of its kind to be written by a practicing Witch, this guide presents Wicca/Witchcraft as a spiritual path, connecting religious concepts and spirituality to both a historical background and modern practice.
    
With a wealth of information on European folklore and Western Occultism, and material relevant to any tradition, you can use this book to research any aspect of the Craft, including:

• Theology-pantheons, Wiccan Rede, Three-Fold Law
•  History-Craft roots and influence
•  Places-historical and sacred sites
•  Verses, rites, and invocations
•  Ritual objects and tools
•  Influential Witches-past and present
  
The Encyclopedia of Wicca & Witchcraft also contains a glossary of terminology; book references; Craft web sites, organizations, and magazines; magickal alphabets, runes, correspondences, symbols; and 300 illustrations.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 528 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567182577
• ISBN-13: 978-1567182576
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #171,403 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!!, September 26, 2000

By A Customer

What I appreciated most about this book was that the author did not include topics of demons, witch-hunter biographies, nor any of the other typical entries indicative of Judeo-Christian influences. Instead this encyclopedia reflects the beliefs and practices of Wicca and Witchcraft as a religious and spiritual system of its own. This is a great book for beginners, researchers, teachers and seasoned practitioners of modern Wicca and Witchcraft.

Included is everything from terminology to history, folklore and pre-Christian paganism. The book presents a wide range of practices and beliefs both ancient and modern. Also included are biographies of well-known figures along with information on a large number of traditions and organizations. No collection of books on Wicca and Witchcraft would be complete without this encyclopedia!!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Encyclopedia, December 23, 2001

By	Boudica (Ohio USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Raven Grimassi has collected together in this one volume some of the basic elements of Wicca and Witchcraft as well as some biographies of the movers and shakers within our community.

Mr. Grimassi covers many areas of beliefs, such as the various Gods/Goddesses and their stories. He also covers such items as tools, books referencing Wicca and Witchcraft, trees, animals, organizations and so much more. He has entries related to history, myths, legends, shamanic material and so much more that the book becomes a text book as well as a reference book. The information is general, but covers much of what a researcher might want to know about each subject and how it relates to Wicca and Witchcraft.

What I found interesting were his bios of people who have either founded or were an influence to our Spiritual paths. From Aleister Crowley to Oberon (Tim) Zell to Doreen Valiente to Carl Weschcke, he provides information as to who these people were in a brief but insightful manner. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the backgrounds of some of the people who have written our books or founded our organizations or have had some influence on what we know today as Wicca and Witchcraft.

This is a good book for those who are constantly referencing this kind of material, as Mr. Grimassi has put much of what we have to usually look in many volumes for into one convenient location. This is a wonderful collection of information that will be pulled off the shelf again and again.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great material, November 10, 2000

By	L. Kolosky "prieofmorr" (chisholm, Minnesota United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

this book should go hand and hand with rosemary ellen guilley's encyclopedia of witches and witchcraft. this book talks more about modern wicca and witchcraft,opposed to guilley's which talks more about ancient witchcraft. this book covers alot of authors,traditions,and other important things for the beginner,intermediate,or the advanced.