A History Of Witchcraft Sorcerers Heretics Pagans Third

An authoritative and concise history of witchcraft from the ancient world up to the present day. Witchcraft has always been a fluid and intriguing belief system that has enchanted and sometimes terrified humanity. Now in its third edition, A History of Witchcraft has established itself as the authoritative history of witchery and the occult. Beginning with magic in the ancient world, Jeffrey B. Russell explores the definition of witchcraft in its many diverse forms, from the worship of the Greek goddess of magic, Hecate, and the witch crazes of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries to the development of modern witchcraft by Aleister Crowley and Gerald Gardner in the early twentieth century. Brooks Alexander analyzes the development of witchcraft and neo-paganism in the present day, charting the dissemination of modern witchcraft through media and the tensions that arise when a secretive cult becomes an open and recognized religion. This updated edition features a new chapter exploring the challenges that witchcraft has faced in the past decade, including the rise of social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, the COVID-19 pandemic, and new neo-pagan groups.

An authoritative and concise history of witchcraft from the ancient world up to the present day.

Witchcraft has always been a fluid and intriguing belief system that has enchanted and sometimes terrified humanity. For over forty years, A History of Witchcraft has provided the authoritative history of witchery and the occult. Beginning with magic in the ancient world, Jeffrey Russell explores the definition of witchcraft in its many diverse forms, from the worship of the Greek goddess of magic, Hecate, through the witch-crazes of the 15th and 16th centuries to the development of modern witchcraft by Aleister Crowley and Gerald Gardner in the early 20th century. Brooks Alexander analyses the development of witchcraft and neopaganism in the present day, charting the dissemination of modern witchcraft through modern media and the tensions that arise when a secretive cult becomes an open and recognized religion. This updated edition features a new chapter exploring the challenges that witchcraft has faced in the past decade, including the rise of social media platforms like Instagram and Tik Tok, the coronavirus pandemic and new neopagan groups.

Studies the historical, anthropological, and religious manifestations of witchcraft, arguing that modern witchcraft in the West is in fact a serious religion that offers valuable insights

Between the age of St. Augustine and the sixteenth century reformations magic continued to be both a matter of popular practice and of learned inquiry. This volume deals with its use in such contexts as healing and divination and as an aspect of the knowledge of nature's occult virtues and secrets.>

Between the age of St. Augustine and the sixteenth century reformations magic continued to be both a matter of popular practice and of learned inquiry. This volume deals with its use in such contexts as healing and divination and as an aspect of the knowledge of nature's occult virtues and secrets.

The Salem witchcraft trials occurred during a controversial period in colonial America in which mass hysteria led to a series of outrageous trials resulting in the conviction and execution of twenty people for practicing witchcraft, and the imprisonment of one hundred fifty other accused witches. Highlighting key people and events, Fremon explains the unique circumstances that existed in colonial Massachusetts and Salem Village at the time of the trials as he considers many possible reasons why the witchcraft trials were held.

A Lost Underground Classic for Seekers and Instructors of the Craft Teaching Witchcraft is written for today's practitioners, both in coven groups and solitary study. Featuring more than thirty-five lessons that reflect current cultural perspectives and practices in the Wiccan community, this resource includes contemporary lesson guides and exam questions, as well as an emphasis on inclusivity. Miles Batty presents an extensive variety of topics, including spellcasting, ritual construction and procedures, the Wheel of the Year, the principles of Wiccan belief, and the four cornerstones of magick. You'll start with the fundamentals and progress through the Craft's many facets, from its history and tools to divination and etiquette. This step-by-step-guide also covers the faces of the goddess, sexuality in Witchcraft, correspondences, and magickal ethics. With lessons and study questions for every level of student, this is the essential resource for learning and teaching Witchcraft.