A History of Magic, Witchcraft, and the Occult

DK

Aug 2020 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

See the history of witchcraft, magic and superstition come to life with this spectacular supernatural book!

From alchemy and modern Wicca to paganism and shamanism, this enchanting book takes you on a mystical journey that will leave you spellbound. This is the perfect introduction to magic and the occult!

This reference book about magic is packed with:

- Informative, engaging and accessible text and lavish illustrations
- Special features on aspects of magic, such as oracle bones of ancient China, the Knights Templar and magic at the movies, and "plants and potions" like mandrake and belladonna examine topics in great detail
- Quick-fact panels that explore magic origins, key figures, key deities, use in spells, structures of religions and more

This indispensable witchcraft book explores the common human fascination with spells, superstition and the supernatural. It provides you with a balanced and unbiased account of everything from Japanese folklore and Indian witchcraft to the differences between black and white magic and dispelling myths such as those surrounding the voodoo doll and Ouija.

Expect the unexpected with A History Of Magic, Witchcraft and the Occult. It will open your eyes to other worlds. Discover forms of divination from astrology and palmistry to the Tarot and runestones. Explore the presence of witchcraft in literature from Shakespeare's Macbeth to the Harry Potter series, and the ways in which magic has interacted with religion.

Whether you're a believer or a skeptic, this richly illustrated history book provides a fresh approach to the extensive and complex story of witchcraft, magic and the occult.

Ratings and reviews

The Wide World of Occult History I have studied the occult and metaphysics for over 30 years, and I don't think I've ever seen such a comprehensive look at the history of magic and the occult. While, of course, this is not a deep dive into any particular topic, the breadth of this work is quite stunning. It is divided into 5 time periods, from prehistory to the modern age. It looks at the beliefs and practices of different cultures and religions (including early paganism, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, etc.) over time, occasionally spotlighting a particular person or group of people or some other big moment in the history of magic, witchcraft, and the occult, like the Salem witch trials and or pervasive occultism that hides in plain view, like the spirit of Christmas. While the book is mostly Eurocentric after the prehistory section, it does look at the various practices from the Middle and Far East, the Americas, and Africa to a lesser extent. Some topics cannot be simply proscribed to a religion or particular country, and these are explored as well, like the idea of “cunning folk.” The roots of practices we still see today are explored, like the various branches of astrology, tarot, and runes. Movements are explored as well, like spiritualism. Of course, there are several spreads just about the persecution of witches in different time periods. Hidden societies are also touched upon, like Rosicrucianism and Freemasonry. As with most DK books, this book is full of images, many of which I've seen before but others that were completely new to me. We see ancient sculpture, medieval and Renaissance paintings, and photographs from the modern age. Honestly, I found this a fascinating read. I had picked up bits and pieces of magical history over time, of course, but it was nice to see so many things in one book and so wonderfully illustrated. The book also has a four-page glossary and an extensive index to help you find just the piece of information that you want to find. However, most of the topics in this book are so fascinating that I suggest just jumping in and starting to read! Highly recommended. I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

solid summary of an unique subject

Boring

About the author

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is an historian, author, broadcaster, and award-winning professor of history at the University of Roehampton. A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, her research focuses on the sixteenth century, both on English and French history, and she is especially interested in the intersection of religious, gender, political, social, and psychological history; in ordinary women’s lives, faith, marriages, and sexuality; and in witchcraft and witch-trials.