Encyclopedia of Wicca & Witchcraft [Paperback]

This A-Z title describes the contemporary Wicca and witchcraft traditions. Many different groups (Black Forest Clan, Blue Star Wicca, Church of the World Tree) have entries ranging from a few paragraphs to a couple of two-columned pages. Prominent figures from the history of witchcraft also have entries, as do contemporary writers and practitioners. A number of the writers who are covered have been published by Llewellyn Publications, which is almost inevitable given Llewellyn's prominence in the publishing of occult and New Age material. Entries describing the origins of various traditions and certain historical controversies within the Wicca and witchcraft community strive to be fair to all sides, even to outside agencies that persecuted practitioners.This is a work by a believer for believers, although it has something to offer those outside the various traditions who seek to understand them. It describes various practices (although it does not offer detailed spells and instructions) and the significance of certain animals, plants, and objects. All of the descriptions are specific to their Wicca and witchcraft significance. Mythological characters, especially from British and Celtic mythology, are described, as are some deities and legendary figures from classical mythology who are significant in Wicca and witchcraft traditions. Appendixes provide "Classic Wiccan Verses" and lists of relevant periodicals, organizations, and merchants.This volume would be most useful to a public library that serves an active Wicca and witchcraft community or an academic library with an inclusive special interest. Those libraries that need a more general reference would probably do better with The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft [RBB Mr 1 00] by Rosemary Guiley, which is available in paperback for the same price. RBB
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Award-winning author Raven Grimassi is the author of seven books on Wicca and Witchcraft, including Wiccan Mysteries (awarded Best Book of the Year & Best Spirituality Book 1998 by the Coalition of Visionary Retailers), Wiccan Magick, Italian Witchcraft (previously titled Ways of the Strega), Hereditary Witchcraft, Encyclopedia of Wicca & Witchcraft (awarded Best Non-Fiction Book 2001 by the Coalition of Visionary Retailers), Beltane, and The Witches' Craft.Raven Grimassi has been a teacher and practitioner of the Craft for nearly 30 years. He is trained in the Family tradition of Italian Witchcraft (also known as Stregheria), and is also an initiate of several Wiccan Traditions, including Brittic Wicca and the Pictish-Gaelic Tradition. He is currently the Directing Elder of the Arician Ways. Raven considers it his life's work to ensure the survival of ancient witch lore and legend along with ancestral teachings of the Old Religion.Grimassi has worked as both a writer and editor for several magazines over the past decade, including The Shadow's Edge (a publication focusing on Italian Witchcraft) and Raven's Call (a journal of modern Wicca, Witchcraft and Magick).