Witchcraft and Magic in Europe, Volume 6: The Twentieth Century - Ingram Academic — Witchcraft Wicca

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Witchcraft and Magic in Europe, Volume 6: The Twentieth Century - Ingram Academic

Name: Witchcraft and Magic in Europe, Volume 6: The Twentieth Century - Ingram Academic
Price: 34.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780812217070

✍️ Bengt Ankarloo, Stuart Clark

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$34.95

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

This concluding volume in a landmark series delves into the fascinating evolution of witchcraft and magical beliefs across Europe during the turbulent 20th century. It meticulously traces the emergence of modern movements like English Wicca, offering a foundational historical account of its development. Furthermore, the text critically examines the social and cultural contexts in which terms like 'Satanist' gained traction as labels. Through scholarly analysis, it illuminates how ancient esoteric traditions continued to manifest, adapt, and profoundly influence contemporary European societies and their collective imagination, proving their persistent relevance in a modern world.

Ankarloo, Bengt; , Clark, Stuart

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Witchcraft & Wicca

Praise for this book

“Although the volumes are intended mainly for scholars, there is much in them to interest the common reader.”

— New Yorker

🏛 University of Pennsylvania Press 📅 1999 📖 256 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780812217070

Fun Fact

This capstone volume brilliantly navigates the intricate landscape of 20th-century European magic, offering an indispensable scholarly lens on Wicca's origins and the cultural impact of labels like 'Satanist.' Its strength lies in its rigorous historical and anthropological synthesis, making it essential for academic libraries and serious researchers. Those seeking a light read or practical magical instruction will be disappointed, as its dense, analytical style demands commitment. Nevertheless, it firmly cements its position as a definitive and authoritative contribution to the study of modern esotericism.

📝 Description: Witchcraft and Magic in Europe, Volume 6: The Twentieth Century - Ingram Academic

The roots of European witchcraft and magic lie in Hebrew and other ancient Near Eastern cultures and in the Celtic, Nordic, and Germanic traditions of the Continent. For two millennia, European folklore and ritual have been imbued with the belief in the supernatural, yielding a rich trove of histories and images. A series that combines traditional approaches of political, legal, and social historians with critical syntheses of cultural anthropology, historical psychology, and gender studies, Witchcraft and Magic in Europe provides a modern, scholarly survey of the supernatural beliefs of Europeans from ancient times to the present day. Each of the six volumes in the series contains the work of distinguished scholars chosen for their expertise in a particular era or region. Witchcraft today continues to play a role in European societies and imaginations. This concluding volume includes a major new history of the origins and development of English "Wicca" and an account of the circumstances in which the term 'Satanist' has been used to label individuals or groups. The widespread prevalence of such phenomena proves the contemporary reality of beliefs in witchcraft and its threats. Other volumes in the series Witchcraft and Magic in Europe: Ancient Greece and Rome The Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries Biblical and Pagan Societies The Middle Ages The Period of the Witch Trials

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

This academic text provides a meticulous, scholarly analysis of twentieth-century European witchcraft, making it valuable for researchers and serious students of esoteric history. However, it is explicitly not suited for casual readers seeking accessible narratives or practical magical instruction. The dense, critical examination of social contexts and the emergence of modern movements requires a high level of academic engagement. Those looking for lighthearted stories or simple guides to Wiccan practice will likely find the tone too dry and the focus on historiography unappealing. It is strictly for those willing to engage with complex historical arguments about how ancient traditions manifested in the modern world.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Scholars, historians of religion, and dedicated practitioners of modern Pagan traditions will find this text indispensable for its rigorous examination of the twentieth century. It offers a foundational historical account of movements like English Wicca while critically analyzing how labels such as 'Satanist' gained traction in social contexts. Readers interested in the persistent relevance of ancient esoteric traditions in contemporary European society will appreciate how the authors illuminate the enduring societal impact and collective imagination surrounding these practices. This book is essential for understanding how magical beliefs evolved through turbulent times, providing a deep, scholarly perspective on the intersection of history, culture, and magic that enriches both academic study and personal spiritual historical awareness.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you're a serious student of esoteric history, a scholar of modern paganism, or simply captivated by the enduring presence of magic in a secularizing world, this volume offers unparalleled insight. It's for those who seek rigorous academic exploration of complex cultural phenomena.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

This academic text provides a meticulous, scholarly analysis of twentieth-century European witchcraft, making it valuable for researchers and serious students of esoteric history. However, it is explicitly not suited for casual readers seeking accessible narratives or practical magical instruction. The dense, critical examination of social contexts and the emergence of modern movements requires a high level of academic engagement. Those looking for lighthearted stories or simple guides to Wiccan practice will likely find the tone too dry and the focus on historiography unappealing. It is strictly for those willing to engage with complex historical arguments about how ancient traditions manifested in the modern world.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While it discusses the rise of Wicca, the book primarily focuses on the historical, social, and cultural contexts of beliefs in magic and witchcraft, rather than offering practical instruction or detailed ritual descriptions.

While part of a series, each volume is designed to stand alone for its particular era. However, having a broader understanding of the historical trajectory of European magic from earlier volumes would enrich your reading experience.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Modern Wicca's Genesis

Explore the foundational history of English Wicca, understanding its origins, key figures, and the cultural landscape that allowed it to flourish. This book provides an essential scholarly framework for comprehending how this contemporary pagan tradition took root and began its journey towards global recognition.

The 'Satanist' Label

Investigate the complex and often contentious use of the 'Satanist' label throughout the 20th century. The volume dissects the societal fears, moral panics, and historical circumstances that led to individuals or groups being identified with this term, offering a nuanced perspective on its cultural deployment.

Enduring Supernatural Beliefs

Discover how belief in witchcraft and magic persisted and transformed in modern European society. This volume argues for the continued contemporary reality of such phenomena, demonstrating their ongoing influence on folklore, ritual, and the collective psyche, even amidst rapid societal change.

📜 Historical context

As the final installment in a six-volume compendium, this work stands as the culmination of a sweeping historical and anthropological analysis of European magical traditions. It grounds 20th-century developments in a rich lineage tracing back to ancient Near Eastern, Celtic, and Germanic roots, providing a comprehensive, modern survey from antiquity to the present.

📚 Glossary

Wicca
Satanist
Esoteric Traditions

📔 Questions to reflect on

How might the rise of formalized magical traditions like Wicca in the 20th century reflect broader societal shifts or needs?
Consider how the media or popular culture in your own lifetime has influenced perceptions of 'witchcraft' or 'Satanism.' How does this align with or diverge from the historical accounts presented?
In what ways do you believe 'supernatural beliefs' continue to manifest in contemporary society, even beyond explicit magical practices?