About the author
Susan Greenwood is an anthropologist whose work focuses on the anthropology of magic and contemporary Paganism in Britain. Magic, Witchcraft and the Otherworld: An Anthropology (Routledge) examines modern magical practice among contemporary Pagans, arguing that anthropology's engagement with magic has been shaped by Western scientific assumptions about rationality, and focusing on what practitioners themselves describe as the essence of magic. Developing Magical Consciousness: A Theoretical and Practical Guide for the Expansion of Perception, published in a 2019 edition and a revised 2021 edition, builds on this fieldwork to propose that magical experience reflects a broadly human orientation of consciousness marginalized within Western academic thought, aiming to bridge anthropological theory with practitioners' own accounts. Her earlier book, The Amazing World of Witches, is a more general survey of witchcraft folklore and history. Greenwood writes primarily for readers in anthropology and religious studies.
📖 Where to start with Susan Greenwood
💬 What our editors say about Susan Greenwood's books
“Greenwood’s text is a significant contribution to ceremonial magic studies, redefining magic as a fundamental mode of consciousness rather than fantasy. However, it may not suit readers seeking simple spell instructions or those…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Developing Magical Consciousness: A Theoretical and Practical Guide for the Expansion of Perception
“Greenwood offers a compelling framework for viewing magic as a panhuman perceptual mode rather than mere fantasy. The integration of indigenous shamanic insights with modern theoretical discourse provides a fresh, vital…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Developing Magical Consciousness: A Theoretical and Practical Guide for the Expansion of Perception
“Greenwood delivers a rigorous critique of Western rationality, immersing readers in the ontological centralities of divine encounters. However, those expecting practical spell-casting instructions or lighthearted anecdotes will…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Magic, Witchcraft and the Otherworld: An Anthropology
📋 Editions by Susan Greenwood in the catalog
| Edition | Year | Publisher | Pages | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Developing Magical Consciousness: A Theoretical and Practical Gu | 2021 | Routledge | 226 | 9781032088617 |
| Developing Magical Consciousness: A Theoretical and Practical Gu | 2019 | Routledge | 206 | 9781138078697 |
| Magic, Witchcraft and the Otherworld: An Anthropology | — | Routledge | 248 | 9781859734452 |
| The Amazing World of Witches | — | Southwater Publishing | 64 | 9781844766697 |
| The Amazing History of Wizards & Witches: Discover a World of Ma | 2016 | Armadillo Music | 64 | 9781861477316 |
