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56 of 57 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Excellent Overview of Witchcraft, 25 Sep 2005
Judika Illes is probably best known for her huge work The Element Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spells, a huge work containing references to anything to do with spell work. She has now completed her second huge undertaking, an encyclopedia on witchcraft. And it is just as huge as her first book.As I see it, this is not a how to book. It's more a collection of information that defines witchcraft in its many various forms. From how the outside world still views us in some cases to how we see ourselves, there is no particular path, no one personal agenda here. This gives the book a very even, open, very multi-dimensional appeal. We do not have just a well known author pushing his or her personal path or a new author experimenting with theirs. Rather, we have a book that combines the paths, combines the opinions and the points of view and blends it into a very readable and very useful tool. Approach with an open mind and look at all the possibilities. The bibliography reads like a "Who's Who" in the pagan community, combining well known material with very learned sources and including the little known/hardly referenced material to present very well rounded information that is gathered together in one place. I spent a lot of time paging through the book, reading the information, exploring the comments and following the way Ms. Illes put it all together in this book. Movie/TV reviews which are well thought out and discussed from both the Hollywood angle who's purpose is to draw an audience to how we on the other side tend to critique these same entertainment. Looking at the notes included with her contents; "Hecate, Hekate [...] endnote: Further Reading: Jacob Rabinowitz's The Rotting Goddess (Autonomedia, 1998)." This author has it together with her research. She notates her references and gives you more places to search if the included information is not enough for you. The topics covered connect directly to the practice of witchcraft. From the opening Introduction which discusses the many, many attempts to define the word "witch" from large variety of sources, I fell the material is appropriate, works well in the context given, and is in an easy to read/reference format. As I went over her basic research, she appears to have it very well documented. This information can take the form of material that sometimes we do not want to approach. We see both order and chaos here. And this is appropriate, as we do practice both sides of the balance. Some folks may not like this, but this is who we are. There are twenty-one topics. Each topic is broken down into its elements, as it applies to witchcraft. There are movie reviews, information on witches books, famous witches, not so famous witches, glossary of terms, Gods and Goddesses, witches holidays around the world, food and drink, even a travel guide with places of importance to witches. There is much more than I could possibly cover here in a reasonable amount of space. I would recommend picking the book up and looking at it even before you buy it to see how much really is contained in this broad work. The bibliography is extensive, and the index is huge to help you find exactly what you are looking for quickly and painlessly. I see this book as a reference for those who do not have the resources but need them. This book is not a replacement but a place to start. Read through the topic you are researching, find the books referenced and work forward from there. I see this as a general research book or for someone just starting on their path. If you can not have a huge library, this book can be a handy orientation. Well written, expertly reference, and easy to use. That is just about all you could ask for in an encyclopedia. And to have one that does covers many paths without bias, you have a book that is worth recommending. boudica
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by John Matthews
by Theresa Cheung
by John Michael Greer
