Lucifer Ascending

November 15, 2003
Witches, chain letters, lucky rabbit's feet, reverse table settings, Ouija boards: are these and similar occult phenomena deadly and satanic, to be feared and condemned, as some argue? In this follow-up to his Raising the Devil, Ellis (English & American studies, Pennsylvania State Univ., Hazleton) examines occult phenomena from the viewpoint of the people who actually practice them. He points out that the occult is more common than some would like to believe and argues that such practices are not about Satan worship or belief. Far from being in opposition to mainstream religion, such practices are a way for the marginalized or disenfranchised (e.g., adolescents, women, the lower classes) to empower themselves and participate directly in the religious or mythic realm. Rather than fear and condemn the occult, Ellis argues, we should see it in dialog with mainstream religion. This solidly written and serious study, which uses little known primary resources, is recommended for academic and public libraries alike as part of religion and sociology collections.-John Moryl, Yeshiva Univ. Lib., New York

Copyright 2003 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.