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WITCHING HOUR REVIEWS
by Sharida Rizzuto
ALL WOMEN ARE HEALERS--A
COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO NATURAL HEALING
by Diane Stein
Thi Crossing Press
Freedom, CA
1990
Trade paperback
The book covers a considerable range
of information about natural healing--the practice of Reiki, polarity balancing,
Chinese medicine and acupressure, reflexology, vitamins & minerals, herbs,
homeopathy and more. The author discusses the role of women as healers and
how throughout the ages they have practiced many diverse forms of
healing only to be repressed again and again by the male dominated "powers
that be." Though some readers will be turned off by the feminist bias there
is certainly a tremendous amount of relevant information in the book.
THE COMPLETE BOOK OF INCENSE, OILS &
BREWS
by Scott
Cunningham
Llewellyn Publications
St. Paul, MN
1990
Trade paperback
Everything
you ever wanted to know about incense, oils and brews are in this book! The
author teaches the reader how to make different kinds of incense, oils,
ointments, ritual soaps, bath salts, etc. He also gives the principles of
magic so one is able to empower their blends of incense, oils, etc. to heal,
to attract, to promote, simulate, increase and/or heighten whatever one wants.
This is a book of positive magic, no negative stuff here.
DRAWING DOWN THE MOON--WITCHES, DRUIDS,
GODDESS--WORSHIP and OTHER PAGANS IN
AMERICA
by Margot Adler
Beacon Press
Boston, MA
1986
Trade paperback
The definitive book on
neo-paganism. Adler thoroughly covers the entire range of modern-day neo-pagans.
It's obvious she is an authority in her field. All occult enthusiasts and
practioners should read this one.
THE GOD of
the WITCHES
by Margaret A. Murray
Oxford University Press
NYC, NY
1970
Trade paperback
This book is a study of witchcraft
as practiced in Europe dating back to pre-Christian times to the paleolithic
period.
Murray, the late noted anthropologist discusses the idea that
certain individuals were ritually sacrificed to ensure the continued fertility
of a people and their land. She claims that it happened repeatedly throughout
history with such notable people as Thomas a Becket, Joan of Arc, Gilles
de Rais and others. Fascinating book.
LEAVES OF YGGDRASIL--A SYNTHESIS OF RUNES, GODS,
MAGIC, FEMININE MYSTERIES, FOLKLORE
by Freya Aswynn
Llewellyn Publications
St. Paul, MN
1990
Trade paperback
This book covers the runic alphabet,
divination and magic, use of runes in healing and more. Aswynn explains the
historical and cultural significance of runic magic. Detailed and
interesting.
MEPHISTOPHELES--THE DEVIL IN THE MODERN
WORLD
by Jeffrey Burton Russell
Cornell University Press
Ithaca, NY
1986
Trade paperback
It is Russell's fourth volume in a series about the
Christian historical concept of the Devil. The book begins with the Reformation
and continues on into the present. Russell discusses how the concept of the
Devil has been influenced by changes in society which include art, culture,
theology, literature, philosophy, etc. This is a scholarly work, not something
written from a Christian fundamentalist prospective. Good for research.
Interesting.
RIDING THE NIGHTMARE--WOMEN &
WITCHCRAFT FROM THE OLD WORLD TO COLONIAL SALEM
by Selma R. Williams and Pamela Williams Adelman
Harper Perennial/Harper Collins
NYC, NY
1978
Trade paperback
The authors' contention is since the
majority of those condemned for witchcraft (90%) in both Europe and America
were women that it was a case of discrimination pure and simple. They explain
that the society through the church, politics, popular distributed tracts,
etc., promoted the myth that women were evil incarnate and therefore capable
of practicing witchcraft. The authors make a strong case. However, it is
obvious that they have a strong feminist bias. While much of their evidence
is solid, the reader should keep in mind that further research is necessary
whenever there is a strong bias in any direction.
SANTERIA THE RELIGION--A LEGACY of
FAITH, RITES, and MAGIC
by Migene Gonzalez-Wippler
Harmony Books
NYC, NY
1989
Hardback
It is an interesting look at the world of Santeria--a
branch of voodoo. It is derived from the West African Yoruba people. When
some of these people made their way aboard slave ships bound for the New
World (Cuba), they brought their voodoo practices with them. Later it would
be incorporated with Catholicism. Eventually, Santeria would be adopted by
the Hispanic population in Cuba. Since those days it has spread across some
of the Caribbean and America.
A detailed account of the origins, development and spread of
Santeria are given in this book. It has become a very popular religion among
large segments of Black and Hispanic populations and even some whites ascribe
to it nowadays. Whether or not the reader believes in the powers of voodoo,
the subject is fascinating because of the social and cultural implications
if nothing else.
WITCHCRAFT AT SALEM
by Chadwick Hansen
Signet Books
NYC, NY
1969
Paperback
Hansen contents that witchcraft was indeed being practiced
in colonial Salem as it had been for centuries in Europe and elsewhere. He
acknowledges that the majority of those accused of witchcraft and executed
were innocent but adds that some of them were, indeed, guilty. However, he
does not condone the executions.
Much research went into the book and the author does not have
a Christian fundamentalist bias. It is worth tracking down a used copy
since it is not currently in print.
WITCHCRAFT IN ENGLAND
by Christine Hole
Collier Books
NYC, NY
1966
Paperback
This is a survey book of witchcraft as it was practiced
in England of the Middle Ages and after. The author covers diverse aspects
of its lore and history. Anyone interested in the history of witchcraft should
read the book. It is probably not in print so it will require locating a
used copy. It is informative and gives the reader an overview of what it
must have been like to live in those days.
WITCHCRAFT--THE OLD
RELIGION
by Dr. Leo Louis Martello
Citadel Press
Secaucus, NJ
(no date given)
Trade paperback
Dr. Martello gives much background
material about the traditions of witchcraft. He dispels myths about
witchcraft generally perpetrated by the Christian churches. He includes
historical background about the origins and development of witchcraft with
wit and wisdom. It is clearly written and definitely a no nonsense
book. Martello also wrote Black Magic, Satanism, Voodoo
-- another facinating read. This reviewer was contacted by Dr. Martello
in the mid-1980s. He furnished articles, books, and much general
information in assisting with our publication, The Salem Journal (now
Full Moon Journal). We recently learned that Martello passed
away a few years ago.
A WITCHES BIBLE
COMPLEAT
by Janet and Stewart Farrar
Magickal Childe Publishing, Inc. (This company may have recently gone
out-of-business.)
1984
Trade
The book is two in one. It consists of Eight Sabbats
for Witches and The Witches Way. The authors are well-known among occult
aficionados. They have practiced witchcraft for many years. This volume is
a must for anyone interested in learning about the practice of wicca. It
covers the rituals and information about spells, healing, clairvoyance,
reincarnation, operating a coven, the witches' tools and much more.
MORE TO COME!
