Specifications

Black-and-white photographs. Index. Bibliography. Cross-references.

Summary

Interest in magic and sorcery has been rekindled in recent years due to the success of popular fiction and films such as the Harry Potter novels and The Lord of the Rings. Surprisingly, much of that fancy is founded on fact, and now readers looking for the history and lore behind their favorite fantasies will have a resource on which to rely.

With more than 400 concise, expert entries, The Encyclopedia of Magic and Alchemy is a fascinating A-to-Z reference to the history of the Western magical and alchemical traditions, sorting history from myth and folklore and examining mystical beliefs through the ages. With roots reaching back to ancient Egypt, the classical world, and the Middle East, magic and alchemy have often played an integral part in science, politics, and religion. From the quest for the Philosopher's Stone to 20th-century wizards like Aleister Crowley to contemporary pagans and wiccans, the full range of Western magic and its influence on society is documented here. Topics covered include history, lore, famous people, philosophies, procedures, materials, rituals, and relationships to science.

Entries include:

• Astral travel
• Aleister Crowley
• Curses
• Divination
• Elementals
• Freemasonry
• Hermes Trismegistus
• Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
• Knights Templar
• Oracles and prophecy
• Philosopher's Stone
• Rituals
• Rosicrucianism
• Sacred names
• Compte de Saint-Germain
• Sorcery and witchcraft
• Tarot
• Tetragammaton
• and more.

About the Author(s)

Rosemary Ellen Guiley is the best-selling author of books on the paranormal, mystical and visionary experiences, and spirituality. Among her books for Facts On File and Checkmark Books are The Encyclopedia of Angels, Second Edition; The Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits, Third Edition; and The Encyclopedia of Vampires, Werewolves, and Other Monsters. She is an honorary life member of the Ghost Club of London. She lives in Connecticut.

Foreword author Donald Michael Kraig holds a degree in philosophy from UCLA and has taught extensively on kabalah, tarot, magic, and other subjects. He is the author of Modern Magick: Eleven Lessons in the High Magickal Arts.

Reviews

"Coverage is extensive...well written and researched...would be useful and interesting for patrons in all academic libraries as well as in large public libraries."—American Reference Books Annual - 3/26/2008

"...the definitive guide to magical and alchemical figures, literature, objects, and terms. Recommended."—Library Journal - 5/31/2007

"Recommended for public and academic libraries that have a high demand for this type of information."—Booklist - 3/30/2007

"...user-friendly, comprehensive, and informative...A well-assembled series of instructive black-and-white photos and illustrations enhance the usefulness of this work."—School Library Journal - 3/30/2007

"...[a] comprehensive compendium of magical lore and traditions..."—Reference & Research Book News - 12/26/2006

"It is difficult to imagine a reader approaching this book with a magically inclined question and walking away unsatisfied...could be the one place for a student to find reliable information on an obscure topic."—VOYA - 1/24/2007