32 of 32 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A clever compendium of metaphysical icons, tools, practices, and even the great Hollywood witches., Oct 26 2010
By Dusty "Author The Easiest Way--EVER!! series ... - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Weiser Field Guide to Witches, The: From Hexes to Hermione Granger, From Salem to the Land of Oz (Paperback)
Reminiscent of Barbara Walker's classic Women's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets, Weiser has created a field guide relating specifically to witches and all things witchy. Far from an exhaustive compilation of known facts about the supernatural in myth and fact, this is more of a who's who in sorcery and magic. The text is academic but fun to read and easily digested by even the most casual observer but at no times pandering. Each entry, whether a famous magician (e.g. Crowley, Merlin, Agrippa), tool of the trade (broom, cauldron, candle), or deity is presented in a succinct synopsis that has been meticulously researched by the author. Inside these pages you will learn a great deal about the phenomenon of witchcraft: who witches really are, where they come from, and what they do generally. You will not learn how to do these things, and you will not be able to conjure up flying monkeys with this book, but you will walk away with a much better understanding of fact versus superstition and myth that has always surrounded witches. I say with all certainty that Judika Illes knows her stuff. Her examination of deities, magical heroes, and villains from all corners of the the world is a wonderful brochure to the worlds of magic that lie inside us all and simultaneously just outside our front doors, for every civilization has its magical traditions. The format of the book is a series of 1 to 2 page entries on each item or entity examined and contains just enough distilled facts to give you a rudimentary understanding of what you might find in the world around you and whet your appetite to do your own research on any that interest you. Judika has done her homework. As a lifelong student of metaphysics I can recommend this book with certainty. It belongs on your shelf for quick reference to magic both common and obscure. I only wish she had included a reference to eye of newt.
--Dusty White, author of The Easiest Way to Learn the Tarot--EVER!!
As always, thanks for reading
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Work!, Nov 3 2010
By DJ Martin "Author of Herbs: Medicinal, Magica... - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Weiser Field Guide to Witches, The: From Hexes to Hermione Granger, From Salem to the Land of Oz (Paperback)
Judika Illes has done it again! The Weiser Field Guide to Witches is not only fun to read, it's well-researched. Judika covers not just the better-known witches, goddesses, etc., of the Western world but enlightens us about those lesser-known from Africa, Asia and Mexico.
The travel section covers not only Salem, Massachusetts but some rather interesting places I'd love to visit in Europe. Even if I didn't already know I was a witch, the "test" at the end would seal the deal for me.
Highly, highly recommended.
~DJ Martin, aka Herby Lady, Author of Herbs: Medicinal, Magical, Marvelous!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating and Fun, Oct 21 2010
By Tracey J. Hancock "aka Tracey West" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Weiser Field Guide to Witches, The: From Hexes to Hermione Granger, From Salem to the Land of Oz (Paperback)
Few writers can combine meticulous research with a lively writing style, but Judika Illes succeeds on both counts. In this field guide she covers everything from famous real-life witches such as Sybil Leek to witches in literature, film, TV, and even comic books (and let's face it, what guide to witches would be complete without an entry on Samantha Stevens?) Each of the entries is a gem of fascinating information, including stuff I didn't know before. A super fun read, especially during this witchy time of year.