Customer Reviews
A book I wish I had years ago! - By: C. Westberg, 03 Nov 2008 
This book probably contains a selection of the most interesting things & I personally find it hard to put it down. I've never read a dictionary from start to end, but this one I have. haha
Most of the things that are mentionedin the book are a longer introduction to what everything are & what they are about. This is most likely because each thing mentionedin the book could, & also do, have books after books fully dedicated to them. So just as for a normal dictionary the subjects has been forced to be abreviated but it's a great one at that. I couldn't recommend this book more. It's simply such a great treasurein the bookcase for me that am interestedin the craft, the supernatural, medical herbs, & so on. And thankfully, even though it's a big book with many pages, it's a joy to go back to & find different spells, herbs, people etc, in. It's so easy.
rainbow tree comment - By: V. Crabtree, 19 Aug 2007 My daughter bought this for me from amazon as a present & I have to say it is the most amazing record of just about everything anyone would want to know about witchcraft. Ms Illes has managed to relay how witchcraft has evolved throughout the ages & contrary to popular belief anyone can source the information & use it to complement their lives. Buy it & you won't regeret it!
Excellent - a fantastic overview of witchcraft, in all of its aspects - By: Brida, 13 Jun 2007 This encyclopedia is a companion to the ENCYCLOPEDIA OF 5000 SPELLS, also by the same author.
When I first received this volume, I was surprisedin some ways: I had been expecting it to be organised by A-Z reference. In a sense it is, but Judika has actually arranged subject areas into alphabetical order, rather than absolutely everything there is to know about witchcraftin general - a much better way of going about it.
The encyclopedia begins with an informative introduction. I urge everyone who picks up this encyclopedia, especially those with perhaps limited knowledge about Wicca & witchcraft, to read this first. Judika highlightsin here that, as with beauty, "what constitutes witchcraft is dependent upon the eye of its beholder" (p.1). Quite an obvious onbsevation, but one that definitely warrants discussion, evenin today's world.
Following the introduction, there is then a section about the elements of aitchcraft. Again, I would urge you to read this before delving into the late pages. Topics covered here are the roots of witchcraft, animism, the worship of goddesses & the image of the sacred female plus dualism.
Some of the subjects includedin the reference section of the encyclopedia include Animals, Books of Magic & Witchcraft, Calendar of Revelry & Sacred Days, Fairies, Creative Arts, Women's Mysteries & Wormwood & Garlic: Dangers & Protection.
As another reviewer said, this book is really a work to be used as a point of reference. It is not a how-to of witchcraft - patly becausein order to do that, it would have to take on a certain stance, or tradition, & I see this book as more a general reference to witchcraft. This volume would be a good starting point for someone who has no or a little knowledge & would like to develop that knowledge. By Judika providing an extensive bibliography, you would certainly be able to use itin such a way. Likewise, because the index is also included, it enables you to use this book as a very accessible first point of call for when you may want information quickly.
This is a brilliant encyclopedia. It serves its purpose very well. I am incredibly pleased that I purchased it. Good, informative books are not always easy to come by - books on Wicca & witchcraft can either be fabulous or very prescripted - whereas this helps you to learn more about such a wide subject with the chance to go away & develop your knowledge by further research. Highly recommended.
A magical tour de force - By: Lee Ann Day-Whistler, 25 Apr 2007 What we all needin our lives today is something to believein & something magical. This book will bring you both, if you turn the pages with an open mind. A sense of being a part of something great & special. Connection back to nature & our planet which we have lost.
Harry Potter has re-awakened mankind's yearning to believein something more magical than ourselves. Much that we have forgotten or strayed away fromin our urgency to have it all is actually just what we need most now.
Judika has researched, prepared & tended this book with a great love & knowledge of all kinds of magic. If you believe & are seeking to know more this is the one current book that can help you. She pays respect to all of the sorcerors who came before & takes the magic of yesteryears right into the NOW. Read it, enjoy & learn.
This is not just hocus pocus. There is a serious side & it is also fun, beautiful & bright. Imbibed with life.
VERY good!!!! - By: Whimsical Witch, 17 Oct 2006 This is an excellent encyclopedia!!!! And the very best one of its kind. It has information on every magical person that has ever lived & has been created. Movies, books, history & fantasy. No stone has been left unturned & it's been well researched! Brilliant!!!
For every magical enquiery you ever have, this will be the book to turn to! Simply fantastic!
Not to mention its a gorgeous book!
