Synopses & Reviews
Witchcraft's great secret stems from the fact that few people understand its true essence. Here's the book that explains how Wicca, the religion of witchcraft, came into existence. A detailed discussion of witchcraft's origins begins with accounts from ancient civilizations, then progresses forward to describe present-day manifestations of the art. Although witches and witchcraft are a part of popular culture and favorite subjects in film and TV, this spiritual movement's true history should not be confused with tales of wart-nosed hags who fly through the night on broomsticks. This history of witchcraft includes: Witchcraft in Judea during the reign of King Solomon . . . Medea and Circe, legendary witches of ancient Greece . . . The place of witchcraft among barbarian tribes in ancient northern Europe . . . The seventeenth-century New England trials of the witches of Salem . . . Gerald Gardner and the birth of modern Wicca as a nature religion . . . Witchcraft as it is taught and practiced today. This book points out how modern witchcraft has evolved into a benevolent religion, a spiritual expression of feminism, and a practice that encourages reverence toward nature. More than 200 full-color illustrations enhance an intensely readable text.
Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references (p. 192) and index.
About the Author
Michael Streeter is a freelance writer and television researcher with over 20 years' experience in journalism. A former reporter on the London Independent, he has written and researched books and documentaries on subjects as diverse as the weather, medieval crime, and the occult. He was most recently editor of the Scottish Daily Express. Michael is married to a journalist and lives in London.