The Weiser Field Guide to Witches

October 15, 2010

Illes (Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spells) here wrestles with the thorny issue of what exactly a witch is and points out that some form of witch/wise woman exists in every culture. She also acknowledges that those definitions vary from magical beings that wiggle their noses and turn their husbands into cats to wise women serving as herbalists and healers in their local communities. Illes blithely and intelligently embraces all of the above and annotates brief descriptions of all things witchy. Chapters include types of witches, famous witches of the past (real and mythological), the media's witch darlings, animal familiars, tools of the trade, and ideas for witchy travel destinations. Along the way, she clears up a few misconceptions--not all witches are Wiccan, and not all Wiccans consider themselves witches. VERDICT Well written and organized for ease of use, this small book should fly on its broomstick off the shelves of most public libraries.--Janet Tapper, Univ. of Western States, Portland, OR

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