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lila80's review
3.0
i didn’t even actually read the whole thing i skimmed for stuff that interested me. has some great charts that help explain zodiacs chart.
ouija's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book and for anyone looking to begin learning about these topics, I’d suggest looking into it. A couple things to note:
This isn’t about pagan witchcraft or practices. This is purely through a Christian lens, both the beliefs discussed as well as, what I assume, a way to make some of the subject matter more palpable to a generation so closely tied to Christianity and Catholicism. I found this was much more interesting that way as it really gives you an idea as to the relationship between all of those elements and an understanding towards the ideology behind banning and judging and executing those who were thought to practice it.
I saw some comments mentioning “sexism” but I honestly never felt it so. And cavendish explicitly states in moments that these are all practices and thoughts that were derived during a time that held beliefs such as men being superior while women were inferior. Which removes him from holding such ideas.
Overall give it a go. I’d recommend it. 4 stars only because I thought the tarot and numerology sections were a bit too long, but that’s only in my opinion.
This isn’t about pagan witchcraft or practices. This is purely through a Christian lens, both the beliefs discussed as well as, what I assume, a way to make some of the subject matter more palpable to a generation so closely tied to Christianity and Catholicism. I found this was much more interesting that way as it really gives you an idea as to the relationship between all of those elements and an understanding towards the ideology behind banning and judging and executing those who were thought to practice it.
I saw some comments mentioning “sexism” but I honestly never felt it so. And cavendish explicitly states in moments that these are all practices and thoughts that were derived during a time that held beliefs such as men being superior while women were inferior. Which removes him from holding such ideas.
Overall give it a go. I’d recommend it. 4 stars only because I thought the tarot and numerology sections were a bit too long, but that’s only in my opinion.
and_it_spoke's review
4.0
What a great (if not a little outdated) introduction to the occult! Not condescending, not full of artificial 'WooooOOOoooo' nonsense, but well researched and objectively stated. It chooses a wonderful starting point with an analysis of the historical worldview of those who passed on what we know of magic and magical tradition, and segues into key areas and concepts.
These work in a building block fashion from least complicated to most. And while sections on numerology or tincture making can be a bit dry, they do serve purpose for the later subjects that one would consider the 'stars' of the show - demonology and witchcraft.
This is not practical handbook or a spiritual tract. Just a nobly comprehensive overview of what have been historically accounted as the black arts. If you're looking for a starting point that doesn't overwhelm you with 'flavor' or an expectation to believe the unbelievable, you could do so much worse than this book. I recommend if you're looking to survey the topic to see what areas you may want to peruse next.
These work in a building block fashion from least complicated to most. And while sections on numerology or tincture making can be a bit dry, they do serve purpose for the later subjects that one would consider the 'stars' of the show - demonology and witchcraft.
This is not practical handbook or a spiritual tract. Just a nobly comprehensive overview of what have been historically accounted as the black arts. If you're looking for a starting point that doesn't overwhelm you with 'flavor' or an expectation to believe the unbelievable, you could do so much worse than this book. I recommend if you're looking to survey the topic to see what areas you may want to peruse next.
readertasha's review against another edition
2.0
DISCLAIMER: this book has misinformation and is very harmful to marginalized groups in the spiritual spectrum. Be careful.
this book isnt what I thought it was going to be. the reviews on amazon are so far from what this book is. nothing witchcraft in this, I was doing research for my WIP and thought this will be a good book. it was not, its honestly all Christianly/religious talk. skip this book and look for something better please.
this book isnt what I thought it was going to be. the reviews on amazon are so far from what this book is. nothing witchcraft in this, I was doing research for my WIP and thought this will be a good book. it was not, its honestly all Christianly/religious talk. skip this book and look for something better please.
mirwen's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.0
All in all, it's an interesting book that contains a lot of information on all things magic. It gives the historical background of the subjects discussed, and tries to be as complete as it can with the matters it explains. For the most part, I enjoyed it. Now and then, it was tough to get through as the book and part of its subjects are quite sexist; all things male are good, all things female are bad. It also seems to view women as usable objects..
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Sexism
Minor: Torture, Violence, and Sexual violence
yeats_motel's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
slow-paced
4.25
This book was really fascinating but a very challenging read; I feel like there was quite a bit that went over my head. Definitely recommend if you’re interested in the history, symbolism, and psychology of (mostly Western) magical practices.
Also, reading this made me wish contemporary fantasy writers put as much thought into the metaphysics of the magic in their books as they do the physics.
Also, reading this made me wish contemporary fantasy writers put as much thought into the metaphysics of the magic in their books as they do the physics.