Witchcraft Goes Mainstream

Motivated by his personal experience in the drug and occult culture of the 60Us and his radical conversion to Christ, Alexander uses his background in law and journalism to authoritatively and clearly demonstrate the true nature of neopaganism.

"For nearly thirty years, during which it has been continuously in print, Jeffrey Russell?s 'A History of Witchcraft' has been the one authoritative concise illustrated history of witchcraft. Now, in collaboration with Brooks Alexander, who has conducted innovative researches in the field, this classic book has been fully revised with new chapters and illustrations" -- publisher website (June 2007).

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.

"Witches are gathering." When most people hear the word "witches," they think of horror films and Halloween, but to the nearly one million Americans who practice Paganism today, witchcraft is a nature-worshipping, polytheistic, and very real religion. So Alex Mar discovers when she sets out to film a documentary and finds herself drawn deep into the world of present-day magic. Witches of America follows Mar on her immersive five-year trip into the occult, charting modern Paganism from its roots in 1950s England to its current American mecca in the San Francisco Bay Area; from a gathering of more than a thousand witches in the Illinois woods to the New Orleans branch of one of the world's most influential magical societies. Along the way she takes part in dozens of rituals and becomes involved with a wild array of characters: a government employee who founds a California priesthood dedicated to a Celtic goddess of war; American disciples of Aleister Crowley, whose elaborate ceremonies turn the Catholic mass on its head; second-wave feminist Wiccans who practice a radical separatist witchcraft; a growing "mystery cult" whose initiates trace their rites back to a blind shaman in rural Oregon. This sprawling magical community compels Mar to confront what she believes is possible-or hopes might be. With keen intelligence and wit, Mar illuminates the world of witchcraft while grappling in fresh and unexpected ways with the question underlying every faith: Why do we choose to believe in anything at all? Whether evangelical Christian, Pagan priestess, or atheist, each of us craves a system of meaning to give structure to our lives. Sometimes we just find it in unexpected places.

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

Wicca is America’s fastest growing religion. By the year 2012, it’s projected to be the third largest religion in the United States. In Generation Hex, Marla Alupoaicei and Dillon Burroughs explore the history, culture, and practices of Wicca. As part of their research, they interviewed travelers to historic Salem, Massachusetts, consulted practitioners of leading neopagan conferences in the Pacific Northwest and Canada, and dialogued with several current and former adherents of Wicca and other forms of witchcraft to evaluate the past and present of this growing spiritual tradition. The result is a compelling account that will inform and equip Christians (especially parents) to understand Wiccan and New Age teachings. Readers will have confidence to explain this belief system to others and to communicate the gospel to those caught up in this practice. Generation Hex identifies with the spiritual hunger of a generation seeking truth, authenticity, and hope in a fragmented world. It’s perfect for personal study or as a gift for anyone interested or involved in Wicca.

"This complete self-study course in modern Wicca is a treasured classic - an essential and trusted guide that belongs in every witch's library."---Back cover

Everything You Need to Know to Start Practicing Magic and Witchcraft "Witchcraft" is a word that, for some, may inspire fantastical images of women flying through the night sky on broomsticks and shooting sparks out of a glimmering wand. Others mistakenly associate people who practice Witchcraft with the dark arts-believing that Witches go around hexing people, or use other "black magic" to cause trouble for people they dislike. The truth is, Witchcraft is not fantasy, and is not inherently malicious. It's a vibrant, nature-based spiritual practice that is alive and well in our modern times, just as it has been for longer than we've been recording history. Nonetheless, due to the persistence of these misconceptions in mainstream society, some Wiccans do not consider themselves to be practitioners of Witchcraft, and don't identify as Witches. This is despite the fact that Gerald Gardner, the founder of what became known as Wicca, described the religious activities of his coven in exactly these terms-they were Witches practicing Witchcraft! Whether you choose to call yourself a Witch, a Wiccan, both, or neither, Witchcraft is an enormous topic that can be overwhelming for those who are just starting to explore it. There's so much to learn, and there are many differing perspectives on what is "correct" or "incorrect" in terms of knowledge and practice. Truly, it may be the one of the most confounding of all possible areas of spirituality! Modern Witchcraft and Magic for Beginners was created to provide a fact-based, neutrally-oriented context for launching you on your exploration. Whether you feel called to study Wicca with a practicing coven, learn as much as you can on your own about a branch of Traditional Witchcraft, or forge an eclectic practice that combines several approaches, this book will help you navigate the various opinions, definitions, and perspectives you'll find in the wide, wide world of the Craft. Foundations of Western Witchcraft Wicca has become the most well-known form of the Craft, but it emerged in tandem with other forms. Many of these other traditions were influenced by, and had influence on, what we now know as Wicca. A basic understanding of the wider realm of Witchcraft allows you to broaden your knowledge and enhance your practice. In these pages, you'll find: An overview of the historical and cultural contexts in which contemporary Witchcraft has evolved A debunking of common misconceptions about Witchcraft as it is practiced today Core beliefs and practices found among a variety of forms of the Craft Clear distinctions between Wiccan, Traditional, and Eclectic paths Core concepts underlying the "why" and "how" of magic A brief look at a few common magical techniques-visualization, invocation, and candle magic Some example workings for you to try, if you feel so inclined Suggested references for further reading for those who want to explore these topics further Whether your curiosity about the Craft is intellectual, spiritual, or both, you'll find plenty of useful information in Modern Witchcraft and Magic for Beginners. After reading this book, you should have a better grounding in this fascinating field, and hopefully a clearer sense of where you'd like to go next! If you're ready to learn about Witchcraft and start practicing magic, scroll to the top of the page and select the buy button. Readers will also be treated to an exclusive free gift!