WITCHCRAFT & MAGIC - Ultimate Collection


Book Description

WITCHCRAFT & MAGIC - Ultimate Collection stands as a monumental anthology that traverses the elusive and captivating world of witchcraft and magic through an array of literary styles and perspectives. The collection brings together an unprecedented array of essays, historical analyses, folk tales, and narratives, emboldened by the diversity of its contributors. From the grim historical accounts of witch trials to the mystical tales of magic that have coursed through cultures worldwide, the anthology reveals the multifaceted representations of witchcraft, magic, and their profound impact on societies and imaginations over centuries. The significance of the works included in this compilation lies not only in their thematic variances but also in their collective capacity to weave a comprehensive tapestry of the human fascination with the supernatural, including standout pieces that examine the socio-political ramifications of witch fantasies and realities alike. The contributing authors and editors, including luminaries such as Bram Stoker and Margaret Murray, hail from varied historical and cultural backgrounds, offering a rich mosaic of insights into the deeply entrenched beliefs and fears that have shaped human interactions with witchcraft and magic. This compilation aligns itself with key historical, cultural, and literary movementsranging from the Enlightenment's scientific scrutiny of magical beliefs to the Romantic fascination with the gothic and supernatural. The anthology benefits immeasurably from the contributors' diverse disciplinary backgrounds, their collective work fostering a deeper understanding of the historical roots and cultural narratives that have perpetuated the allure of the magical and the occult. WITCHCRAFT & MAGIC - Ultimate Collection invites readers into a realm of intrigue, history, and profound insight, offering a unique opportunity to explore a variety of perspectives, styles, and themes within a single volume. This anthology is not just a scholarly work; it's an educational journey that bridges the gap between the mystical past and the rational present, encouraging readers to delve into the shadows of history and emerge with a broader understanding of human nature and our perennial flirtation with the world beyond the empirical. It is an essential read for anyone interested in the dialogues that these varied authors' works foster, illuminating the complexities of witchcraft and magic as cultural phenomena that continue to fascinate and perplex humanity.




The True Story vs. Myth of Witchcraft


Book Description

The anthology 'The True Story vs. Myth of Witchcraft' offers a profound exploration into the intricate tapestry of historical truth and folklore surrounding witchcraft. Through a diverse collection of narratives ranging from scholarly essays to personal accounts, the volume traverses the broad spectrum of literary styles, presenting the subject matter from various angles. This carefully curated selection not only uncovers the historical realities of witchcraft accusations and trials but also delves into the mythologized versions of these events, standing out as a testament to the multifaceted nature of human belief and fear across cultures and epochs. The contributors, an illustrious ensemble of authors including Bram Stoker, Charles Mackay, and more, bring a wealth of perspectives to the anthology. Their backgrounds as pioneers of literature, history, and science lend the collection an authoritative voice that is both enlightening and engrossing. Hailing from different centuries and cultural contexts, these authors collectively span a wide array of literary movements, from Romanticism to Realism, offering insights into the evolution of societal attitudes towards witchcraft. This thematic diversity enriches the reader's comprehension of witchcraft's complex legacy. 'The True Story vs. Myth of Witchcraft' is an indispensable resource for anyone seeking to dissect the layers of history and folklore that have shaped our understanding of witchcraft. It promises a rich, educational experience, inviting readers to engage with a historical dialogue that is as nuanced as it is fascinating. This anthology not only serves as an academic tool but also as a nexus of narratives that challenge, entertain, and inspire curiosity about the darker corners of humanity's past.




The Witches of Fife


Book Description

Along the coast of Fife, in villages like Culross and Pittenweem, history records that some women were executed as witches. Nevertheless, the reality of what happened the night that Janet Cornfoot was lynched at Pittenweem is hard to grasp as one sits by the harbour watching the fishing boats unload their catch and the pleasure boats rising with the tide. How could people do this to an old woman? Why was no-one ever brought to justice? And why would anyone defend such a lynching? The task of the historian is to try to make events in the past come alive and seem less strange. The details of the witch-hunt are fascinating. Some of the anecdotes are strange. The modern reader finds it hard to imagine illness being blamed on the malevolence of a beggar woman denied charity, or the economic failure of a sea voyage being attributed to the village hag, not bad weather. Witch-hunting was related to ideas, values, attitudes and political events. It was a complicated process, involving religious and civil authorities, village tensions and the fears of the elite. The witch-hunt in Scotland also took place at a time when one of the main agendas was the creation of a righteous or godly society. As a result, religious authorities had control over aspects of people's lives which seem as strange to us today as beliefs about magic or witchcraft. It was not accidental that the witch-hunt in Scotland, and specifically in Fife, should have happened at this time. This book tells the story of what occurred over a period of a century and a half, and offers some explanation as to why it occurred.




The History of Witchcraft in Europe Throughout the Ages


Book Description

Witchcraft in Europe in Middle Ages and Early Modern Period was believed to be a combination of sorcery and heresy. While sorcery attempts to produce negative supernatural effects through formulas and rituals, heresy is the Christian contribution to witchcraft in which an individual makes a pact with the Devil. In addition, heresy denies witches the recognition of important Christian values such as baptism, salvation, Christ and sacraments. In Early Modern European tradition, witches were stereotypically, though not exclusively, women. European pagan belief in witchcraft was associated with the goddess Diana and dismissed as "diabolical fantasies" by medieval Christian authors. Witch-hunts first appeared in large numbers during the 14th and 15th centuries. It was commonly believed that individuals with power and prestige were involved in acts of witchcraft and even cannibalism. Table of Contents: The Superstitions of Witchcraft by Howard Williams The Devil in Britain and America by John Ashton Lives of the Necromancers by William Godwin Witch, Warlock, and Magician by W. H. Davenport Adams The Witch Mania by Charles Mackay Magic and Witchcraft by George Moir Witchcraft & Second Sight in the Highlands & Islands of Scotland by John G. Campbell Witchcraft and Superstitious Record in the South-Western District of Scotland by John Maxwell Wood Practitioners of Magic & Witchcraft and Clairvoyance by Bram Stoker Witch Stories by E. Lynn Linton Mary Schweidler, the Amber Witch by Wilhelm Meinhold Sidonia, the Sorceress by Wilhelm Meinhold Glimpses of the Supernatural – Witchcraft and Necromancy by Frederick George Lee Letters On Demonology And Witchcraft by Sir Walter Scott La Sorcière: The Witch of the Middle Ages by Jules Michelet Modern Magic by M. Schele de Vere




Witchcraft and Folk Belief in the Age of Enlightenment


Book Description

Taking an interdisciplinary perspective, Witchcraft and Folk Belief in the Age of Enlightenment represents the first in-depth investigation of Scottish witchcraft and witch belief post-1662, the period of supposed decline of such beliefs, an age which has been referred to as the 'long eighteenth century', coinciding with the Scottish Enlightenment. The late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries were undoubtedly a period of transition and redefinition of what constituted the supernatural, at the interface between folk belief and the philosophies of the learned. For the latter the eradication of such beliefs equated with progress and civilization but for others, such as the devout, witch belief was a matter of faith, such that fear and dread of witches and their craft lasted well beyond the era of the major witch-hunts. This study seeks to illuminate the distinctiveness of the Scottish experience, to assess the impact of enlightenment thought upon witch belief, and to understand how these beliefs operated across all levels of Scottish society.




Advent in Narnia


Book Description

"Walking into Advent can be like walking through the wardrobe." With its enchanting themes of snow and cold, light and darkness, meals and gifts, temptation and sin, forgiveness and hope--and even an appearance by Father Christmas--C. S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe fits naturally into the Advent season. As the reader seeks a storied king and anticipates the glorious coming of Christmas, these twenty-eight devotions alternate between Scripture and passages from the novel to prompt meditation on Advent themes. Each devotion also includes questions for reflection. The book also provides several resources for churches, including four sessions for small group discussion and ideas for creating a "Narnia Night" for families. Readers will ultimately come to know God better while journeying through Narnia.




Holy Solitude


Book Description

Our faith is full of heroes who experienced God powerfully in solitude. From Hagar and the Hebrew prophets to Jesus in the wilderness to Francis of Assisi and Catherine of Siena, we see how escape from the toil and temptations of daily life can open our eyes, ears, minds, and hearts to the still, small voice of God. In the vast desert or a tiny room, solitudeâ€"frightening for some and a welcome reprieve for othersâ€"is far from an antisocial self-indulgence but rather is an opportunity for transformation and empowerment to serve God's people ever more deeply. While most of us can't take weeksâ€"or even a few daysâ€"for private retreat, Holy Solitude offers readers thoughtful inspiration and practical devotional activities such as taking a solitary bus ride or baking a loaf of bread for a neighbor. Daily reflections introduce readers to figures in both Scripture and Christian history whose stories of discernment and discipline are a guide for our own spiritual practices as we seek to know God more fully and follow Christ more faithfully.     Â




Interpreting Legend (RLE Folklore)


Book Description

This book, first published in 1994, sets ‘repertoire against raconteur’ in order to explore one of the world’s largest collections of folk literature. The author’s findings, and his creative and synthetic methodologies, enhance greatly our understanding of the world of the legend, and especially the basic question of ‘Who tells what to whom in the form of a legend and why?’ This work is an in-depth exploration of rural Denmark, and provides us with an excellent vantage point from which to understand legends in their cultural contexts and within the lives of their tellers.




The Witch-cult in Western Europe: A Study in Anthropology


Book Description

This is a study of witchcraft based on practices in England as the author says records and information were more readily accessible, while practices in much of Western Europe are similar. The book is detailed, giving information on all aspects of the cult, including rites of passage, ceremonies and so on.




The Witch-Cult in Western Europe


Book Description

The Witch-Cult in Western Europe is an anthropological book by Margaret Murray in which she developed her theory about witches, also known as the witch-cult hypothesis. The theory suggests that the witch trials of Early Modern Christendom were an attempt to extinguish a surviving pre-Christian, pagan religion devoted to a Horned God.