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Books > Mind, Body & Spirit > The Occult > Witchcraft & Wicca
The Book of Black Magic is Arthur Edward Waite's magnum opus of
occult lore; this edition contains the author's original icons,
symbols, seals and drawings. This supreme guide to occultist
history, lore, magick, and ceremony is split into two parts: The
first is entitled ""The Literature of Ceremonial Magic."" Here,
Waite examines the ritualistic traditions which surrounding the
occult movement for centuries. He notes various texts, and how
these had a bearing upon the practice of the occult and of magical
ceremony. The second part, ""The Complete Grimoire,"" concerns how
those who practice black magic and occult ritual become versed in
the craft. The stringent physical and mental requirements, and the
need to practice a spiritual attunement and inner ablution, is
detailed. Astronomical knowledge of the planets and their movements
is a necessity, as is possession of a variety of instruments, plus
a deep knowledge of the various symbols and scripts used in
occultism.
Hood magic is an adaptation of urban magic, hoodoo and folk magic
blended into it's own unique blend.
"An Introduction to Wiccan Spells" allows the interested individual
and the skeptics as well to understand exactly what the practice of
Wicca is. It allows persons to realize what the myths are and what
the facts are, that surround this unique religion. Wicca is
something that has been around for quite a while and suffice it to
say that it is not understood by many individuals. Any individual
that acquires this text can learn all that Wicca has to offer and
more including how it started in the first place.
In The Discovery of Witches, Matthew Hopkins - the Witch Finder
General of England during the early 1600s - details the process by
which he found and captured suspected witches. Hopkins' treatise is
comprised of answers to various queries he had received by members
of the public curious about his investigatory techniques in finding
witches. This book answers a total of fourteen queries, with
replies ranging from a few sentences to a few paragraphs in length.
The book is an illustrative portrayal of a society fervently given
to superstitions about the powers of witchcraft. At three hundred
women killed, the efforts of Hopkins and his assistant John Stearne
were prolific. Accorded status, Hopkins encountered opposition to
his witch finding. That his 'investigations' required scant
evidence to secure death sentences dismayed figures in the Church
of England. Today, historians judge Hopkins as an opportunist who
took advantage of unfounded suspicions to advance his own fame.
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