Witchcraft Today

The Meaning of Witchcraft is a non-fiction book written by Gerald Gardner. Gardner, known to many in the modern sense as the "Father of Wicca", based the book around his experiences with the religion of Wicca and the New Forest Coven. He claimed he was allowed to tell more than ever before and cast light on the rituals and beliefs of witches. The book's main message was that neither the practices of witches nor their intents were harmful. The book tells the history of witchcraft in Europe. The author traces back to pre-Christian times, studies the rituals and beliefs of templars, and states that the belief in fairies in ancient, medieval, and early modern Europe was connected with a secretive pygmy race that lived alongside other communities. The preface to this book was Margaret Murray, who stated that witchcraft took its root in the pre-Christian religions and had nothing to do with spell-casting and other evil practices. Instead, Murray proposes to view witchcraft as "the sincere expression of that feeling towards God which is expressed, perhaps more decorously though not more sincerely, by modern Christianity in church services."

Praise for "The Truth about Witchcraft Today" ""A really good introduction to Witchcraft and Wicca. . . . I thought it was wonderful."" -Marian Zimmer Bradley, "The Mists of Avalon" ""... the first book I recommend to those seeking information about my religion." " -Ellen Cannon Reed, "The Witches'' Tarot" ""One of the best introductory books about Witchcraft and folk magic."" -The Broom Closet, BroomCloset.com Scott Cunningham authored more than fifty books, both fiction and non-fiction, including the classic "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner." He was a greatly respected teacher and one of the most influential members of the modern Craft movement.

Contains alphabetically arranged entries that provide information about the history and development, concepts, rituals, practices, and practitioners of the Wiccan and Neopagan movements.

Thought to be the father of modern witchcraft, Gerald Gardner published The Meaning of Witchcraft in 1959, not long after laws punishing witches were repealed. It was the first sympathetic book written from the point of view of a practicing witch. The Meaning of Witchcraft is an invaluable source book for witches today. Chapters include: Witch's Memories and Beliefs, The Stone Age Origins of Witchcraft, Druidism and the Aryan Celts, Magic Thinking, Curious Beliefs about Witches, Signs and Symbols, The Black Mass, Some Allegations Examined. The Meaning of Witchcraft is a record of witches' roots-and a tribute to a founding pioneer with the courage to set that record straight.

When I was a kid, every little girl wanted to be a princess. Nowadays, none of the girls want to be a princess. They all want to be a witch !! Here is how: William Seabrook addresses this book to rational people only. It consists of the candid adventures of a great reporter among living witches in the world today. It is one man's testimony to the existence and the limitations of witchcraft now. It is the low-down on actual sorcery (Black Magic and White Magic too) by one who confesses not merely to have witnessed the stuff, but to have been a practitioner himself, for both good and evil. Although this book may boil and bubble with the dirty doings of modern witches, white and black; the current sorcerers, incantations, human vampires on the Riviera; panther men in Africa and Satanists in Paris; Devil worshipers in New York; werewolves in Washington Square; witchcraft cures and killings dated 1940 in the United States -- take these things how you will, there are observed experiences which remain intractable and there are stories which for fascination and for candor beat anything that you have ever read. Witchcraft is not demonic. It is a specific real and dangerous force, evil when used for evil, mysterious in some of its manifestations, but always analyzable always understandable within the bounds of reason and combatable in consequence like crime snake bite insanity and yellow fever.

From Parks and Recreation star Aubrey Plaza and creative partner Dan Murphy comes the long lost tale of the Christmas Witch, Santa Claus's much misunderstood twin sister. The perfect gift for the holiday season and beyond! Gather ‘round the fire to hear a Christmas legend that has never been told before...until now. Each year a mysterious figure sweeps into town, leaving behind strange gifts in the night. No, not Santa Claus, but his sister… The Christmas Witch. Her story begins many, many years ago when her brother was torn away from her as a child. Raised alone by a witch of the woods, Kristtörn's powers of magic grew, as did her temper. Determined to find her long lost twin, she set out on a perilous journey across oceans to find him. But what she found instead was a deep-seated fear of her powers and a confrontation that would leave the fate of Christmas hanging in the balance. From award-winning producer and actress Aubrey Plaza and her creative partner Dan Murphy comes a holiday story unlike any told before. With all the richness of classic folklore, they’ve woven a tale of bravery, love and magic. Whatever you thought you knew about Christmas…think again.

Introduction to contemporary Wiccan practices.