collapse

* Recent Posts

Re: moses or mose by SunflowerP
[Today at 09:52:33 pm]


Re: moses or mose by SunflowerP
[Today at 09:48:58 pm]


moses or mose by Larix
[Today at 08:24:25 pm]


Re: "2001: A Space Odyssey" Becomes Real? by Ashmire
[March 14, 2024, 01:21:17 am]


Re: "2001: A Space Odyssey" Becomes Real? by atr
[March 14, 2024, 01:15:08 am]

Author Topic: The Weiser Field Guide to Witches: From Hexes to Hermione Granger, From Salem to the  (Read 1693 times)

RandallS

  • Site Admin
  • *
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Location: NE Ohio
  • Posts: 10311
  • Country: us
  • Total likes: 296
    • View Profile
  • Religion: Hellenic Pagan
{alt}
Title: The Weiser Field Guide to Witches: From Hexes to Hermione Granger, From Salem to the Land of Oz
Author(s): Judika Iles
Published 2010 by Weiser
ISBN: 1578634792
ISBN-13: 978-1578634798
Paperback, 272 pages
List: $14.95
View this Book on Amazon

Reviewer: Mike Gleason

I must state, here-and-now, that I disagree with Ms Iles concept that a witch can be of any religion or even no religion.  But I must also admit that I am "old school" and that colors my perceptions.  She also states that "Rede" (as in The Wiccan Rede) means "rule."  I was taught that it derives from a word meaning "advice" or "counsel."  Having stated those objections, I proceeded to read the book with a pretty much open mind.

Obviously, because of her own perceptions, there were going to be things I didn't agree with, such as inclusion of many individuals who may or may not have been considered witches by their contemporaries.

Unfortunately she repeats some allegations as fact, thus perpetuating some misconceptions (about Gardner and Crowley among others).  I have noticed a tendency among authors to "pass along" information without necessarily taking the time to verify it first.  In many cases, the information may be unverifiable, so that is understandable.  However, in other cases, the facts have been presented by those involved in one or more instances.

As well as providing descriptions of traditions and listing individual witches, she also discusses tools associated with witches, various arts and craft associated with witches and divinities which are often considered to be connected with witchcraft.

The chapter devoted to "Entertaining Witches" provides some examples from classic movies and plays, as well as literature (Narnia and Harry Potter are prime examples), comics and manga, and television (think Bewitched, Charmed, Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Willow).  It shows that witches have been feared, tolerated, and in some cases even admired - there is a bronze statue of Samantha Stevens in downtown Salem, Massachusetts.

In the chapter on "Animal Witches and Witches' Animals" it is made clear that worldwide there is a belief that witches can transform themselves into animals, and that in some cases (particularly in Japan) certain animals are themselves witches.  The "Witches' Animals" segment deals with the ever-popular idea of familiars.

The remaining segments of the book are devoted to "Hunting Witches" - a short collection of those who have been accused of, or executed as, witches; "Travel Tips for Witches" - which consists of a few physical places to learn more about witches; and a final segment called "Are you a Witch?" which primarily consists of medieval beliefs about witches as well as including some personality traits which you can look for in yourself (and others) to see if there is a predilection towards being a witch.

She also provides an extremely short list of further reading suggestions (less than 20 books, periodicals, and internet sources).

Overall, this was an interesting offering, although I'm not sure how useful one would find it to identify the local witch.  I have no hesitation, however, in recommending it as a useful source of general information about witches past and present.  It is easy to read, and the information contained within it is easily absorbed.


25[/hr]
[size=-1]Legal Notes: Some description text and item pictures in this post may come from Amazon.com and are used by permission. The Cauldron is an Amazon Affiliate and purchases made through the Amazon links in this message help support The Cauldron. List Price is as of the date this review was originally written and may not be current. The reviewer may have received a free copy of this book to review.[/size]

[size=-1]Discussion of this book is welcome. If you've read the book, please tell us what you think of it and why.[/size]
Randall
RetroRoleplaying [Blog]: Microlite74/75/78/81, BX Advanced, and Other Old School Tabletop RPGs
Microlite20: Lots of Rules Lite Tabletop RPGs -- Many Free

Tags:
 

Related Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies Last post
0 Replies
2097 Views
Last post January 06, 2014, 10:42:53 am
by RandallS
21 Replies
3847 Views
Last post June 22, 2014, 05:46:31 pm
by Demeter Hedgewitch
0 Replies
1219 Views
Last post April 24, 2014, 11:49:24 am
by Cabal
2 Replies
4460 Views
Last post August 23, 2014, 03:35:39 am
by Sophia C
0 Replies
1947 Views
Last post June 29, 2015, 02:32:16 pm
by RandallS

* Who's Online

  • Dot Guests: 72
  • Dot Hidden: 0
  • Dot Users: 0

There aren't any users online.

* Please Donate!

The Cauldron's server is expensive and requires monthly payments. Please become a Bronze, Silver or Gold Donor if you can. Donations are needed every month. Without member support, we can't afford the server.

* Shop & Support TC

The links below are affiliate links. When you click on one of these links you will go to the listed shopping site with The Cauldron's affiliate code. Any purchases you make during your visit will earn TC a tiny percentage of your purchase price at no extra cost to you.

* In Memoriam

Chavi (2006)
Elspeth (2010)
Marilyn (2013)

* Cauldron Staff

Host:
Sunflower

Message Board Staff
Board Coordinator:
Darkhawk

Assistant Board Coordinator:
Aster Breo

Senior Staff:
Aisling, Allaya, Jenett, Sefiru

Staff:
Ashmire, EclecticWheel, HarpingHawke, Kylara, PerditaPickle, rocquelaire

Discord Chat Staff
Chat Coordinator:
Morag

'Up All Night' Coordinator:
Altair

Cauldron Council:
Bob, Catja, Chatelaine, Emma-Eldritch, Fausta, Jubes, Kelly, LyricFox, Phouka, Sperran, Star, Steve, Tana

Site Administrator:
Randall

SimplePortal 2.3.6 © 2008-2014, SimplePortal