Witchcraft

February 3, 2020
In this reference for the modern witch and the witchcraft-curious, British journalist Streeter (Behind Closed Doors) guides readers through the history of prejudices, religious fervor, and bad publicity surrounding witchcraft to reveal the spiritual and practical core of the craft. Each historical event and spiritual influence, including the rise of Christianity, the Salem witch trials, and the foundation of Wicca in the 20th century, is presented in brief, easily digestible sections. By tracing ancient practices, beliefs, and deities such as Lilitu, a female winged demon in early Sumerian mythology, who becomes the Hebrew demon Lilith—and later a modern feminist icon—Streeter shows how concepts have evolved to form what is today an ever-changing, pluralistic practice that emphasizes “each individual’s own relationship with the divine” as its only truly centralizing principle. The book focuses primarily on the development of witchcraft within the Western world with little focus on the rise of witchcraft in popular culture through the Internet age. However, Streeter’s analysis will be an insightful introduction for those interested in how modern witchcraft came to be.

March 27, 2020

British journalist and researcher Streeter (Psychic Pets) takes readers on a brief journey of the evolution of the witch through the ages, from the Druids to modern-day Wicca. The author compares essential figures in witchcraft to mainstay icons in both pagan and religious doctrines; for example, how Diana and even Mary resemble witchcraft's main deity, the Goddess, and Pan from Greek mythology is thought to have developed into the Horned God, the Goddess's consort. He also points out that from the beginning of human existence there was witchcraft, or those who practiced magic, and details how in each time period there was punishment of witches, and this culminated in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The work provides illustrations of tortuous practices and estimates how many men and women accused of witchcraft were put to death by hanging. These images, argues Streeter, have impacted how people see witches as dark and evil today. The book concludes with a succinct depiction of the birth of the modern-day witch. VERDICT A highly entertaining and educational, albeit condensed witchcraft 101 text, that unfortunately lacks the depth needed for readers seeking serious witchcraft studies.--Debbie Haupt, St. Charles City-Cty. Lib. Dist., St Peters, MO

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