The God Of The Witches

This celebrated study of witchcraft in Europe traces the worship of the pre-Christian and prehistoric Horned God from paleolithic times to the medieval period. Murray, the first to turn a scholarly eye on the mysteries of witchcraft, enables us to see its existence in the Middle Ages not as an isolated and terrifying phenomenon, but as the survival of a religion nearly as old as humankind itself, whose devotees held passionately to a view of life threatened by an alien creed. The findings she sets forth, once thought of as provocative and implausible, are now regarded as irrefutable by folklorists and scholars in related fields. Exploring the rites and ceremonies associated with witchcraft, Murray establishes the concept of the "dying god"--the priest-king who was ritually killed to ensure the country and its people a continuity of fertility and strength. In this light, she considers such figures as Thomas a Becket, Joan of Arc, and Gilles de Rais as spiritual leaders whose deaths were ritually imposed. Truly a classic work of anthropology, and written in a clear, accessible style that anyone can enjoy, The God of the Witches forces us to reevaluate our thoughts about an ancient and vital religion.

This book is intended for the general reader as well as for the student of anthropology. In this volume I have followed one line only of anthropological enquiry, the survival of an indigenous European cult and the interaction between it and the exotic religion which finally overwhelmed it. I have traced the worship of the Horned God onwards through the centuries from the Paleolithic prototypes, and I have shown that the survival of the cult was due to the survival of the races who adored that god, for this belief could not have held its own against the invasions of other peoples and religions unless a stratum of the population were strong enough to keep it alive...Dr Margaret Alice Murray

Discover the History, Magick & Myths of the Horned One Explore the deep spiritual roots of the Horned God and discover rituals and activities designed to help you get closer to him.Throughout history, horned deities have been honored as gods of nature, sex, fertility, passion, sacrifice, death, and rebirth. The Horned God of the Witches reveals the origins and features of their most common guises—Pan, Cernunnos, Herne, Elen of the Ways, the Green Man, and even the Devil. Whether you are interested in the Wiccan Horned God—a more contemporary composite of several deities—or in one of his many other forms, these rituals for meeting the powerful deity will help you achieve your magical goals. With hands-on techniques for divination, creating an altar, working magick, spiritual lovemaking, and receiving the gifts of the Witchfather, this book supports a transformative deepening of your relationship to the divine.

The author, one of the most highly respected scholars of historical anthropology, has undertaken extensive research on folk beliefs related to communication with the supernatural sphere. In this book, she examines the systems of such communication known by early modern Hungarians, and the role these systems played in the everyday life of the village. New types of mediators are identified such as "the neighborhood witch, " the healing witch, and the demons seen in dreams. Representing a major contribution to the most up-to-date international research, Eva Pocs draws on significant East European material and literature not previously coordinated with that from the West. In so doing, she makes a valuable contribution to a subject that has recently attracted the attention of several leading scholars.

From the best-known authors on witchcraft, a three-part reference for discovering and celebrating the Masculine Principle of Divinity. A companion to the Farrars’ The Witches’ Goddess, this volume documents the ancient balance between God and Goddess. In part one, they explore the numerous faces of God throughout history: the Anti-God, the Son/Lover God, the Vegetation God, the War God, and more. In part two, they examine twelve gods from history and feature an invoking ritual for each god. Finally, part three offers a comprehensive dictionary with over 1,000 gods from cultures all over the world and throughout time. With over 30,000 copies sold, this title is likely to become the standard work on the masculine god aspect. The Witches’ God is part of The Paranormal, a series that resurrects rare titles, classic publications, and out-of-print texts, as well as publishes new supernatural and otherworldly ebooks for the digital age. The series includes a range of paranormal subjects from angels, fairies, and UFOs to near-death experiences, vampires, ghosts, and witchcraft.

From the best-known authors on witchcraft, a three-part reference for discovering and celebrating the Female Principle of Divinity. The Witches’ Goddess is of great practical value in discovering and celebrating the transforming energy of the Female Principle of Divinity. A companion to The Witches’ God, this is an important, three-part work by the Farrars, providing an in-depth exploration of the Goddess in her many aspects at a time when Western Culture is awakening to the influence of Feminine Divinity, both individually and collectively. In part one, they outline the numerous faces of the Goddess: her presence throughout history, her Earth and Moon symbolism, her Madonna and Magdalene disguises, her revelation in Woman, and her influence today. In part two, they examine thirteen goddesses from history, including Ishtar, Isis, Hecate, and Aphrodite, and offer rituals for invoking them. Part three is a comprehensive dictionary of more than 1,000 goddesses from cultures all over the world and throughout time. Each section features helpful line drawings, diagrams, and photographic illustrations. The Witches’ Goddess is part of The Paranormal, a series that resurrects rare titles, classic publications, and out-of-print texts, as well as publishes new supernatural and otherworldly ebooks for the digital age. The series includes a range of paranormal subjects from angels, fairies, and UFOs to near-death experiences, vampires, ghosts, and witchcraft.

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