Witchcraft. The Library of Esoterica

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This is a well presented book with a lot of great art used to to illustrate the chapters. Each chapter covers whole areas of witchcraft in belief & practice, in myth and how it is significant in modern culture. Nice overview of the subject with chapters written by various informed scholars and authors. Amazing photos.

What makes a witch a witch, and what is witchcraft for? These are among the central questions explored in the lavishly illustrated Witchcraft, the latest release in Taschen’s Library of Esoterica series. Images of witches throughout the ages and in various styles are robustly represented, with visualizations of the coquettish and the stridently sexy appearing alongside hags of old and earth mothers of today. The illustrations are notable for being reproduced at remarkably high quality—which is essential, for often the artists have included key details buried in murky colors and shading. It’s wonderful to be able to notice what’s lurking in dark corners. I saw the whole of the Library of Esoterica in a bookshop window when I was down in London late last year and knew I had to have them, but I was running late for my train and almost forgot about them. Delves into the witch's complex history, symbols, and depictions across time... * hyperallergic.com *Initiating readers in the fascinating and complex history of witchcraft, from the goddess mythologies of ancient cultures to the contemporary embrace of the craft by modern artists and activists, this expansive tome conjures up a breathtaking overview of an age-old tradition. Rooted in legend, folklore, and myth, the archetype of the witch has evolved from the tales of Odysseus and Circe, the Celtic seductress Cerridwen, and the myth of Hecate, fierce ruler of the moonlit night. In Witchcraft we survey her many incarnations since, as she shape-shifts through the centuries, alternately transforming into mother, nymph, and crone―seductress and destroyer. Witchcraft The Library of Esoterica PDF A beautifully illustrated book that works as a survey of how witchcraft has been depicted throughout different periods and styles in art, but also as a survey to the practice and development of modern witchcraft. A visually vibrant volume that isn't so much a book as it is a spellbinding tribute to a figure and a practice that are as old as time. * cnn.com *

The fascinating and complex history of witchcraft, from the goddess mythologies of ancient cultures to contemporary artists and activists. Rooted in legend, folklore, and myth, the archetype of the witch has evolved from the tales of Odysseus and Circe, the Celtic seductress Cerridwen, and the myth of Hecate, fierce ruler of the moonlit night. Otra cosa que añadiría, aunque eso imagino que solo lo habrá echado de menos gente a la que le interesa el arte, es que se hubiera incluido en las descripciones de las obras de arte datos como los medios (óleo sobre lienzo, acuarela sobre papel, escultura en "lo que sea"....) y las dimensiones de las obras. Pero está bien que sólo aparezca el nombre, título, año y país.Ahora diré lo que no me ha gustado. No quiero que se entienda mal. Esta claro que la historia de las brujas ha estado ligada a la persecución sobretodo por parte de hombres, pero no me gusta el tono en el que está escrito el libro en ese sentido. Como digo, las brujas van ligadas al feminismo en cierto modo, pero al "feminismo de verdad" y no el que se ha propagado en los últimos tiempos. In this compendium of witchy women, from Renaissance paintings to modern Wicca, the caricature of the evil hag is turned upside down. * The Guardian * In this compendium of witchy women, from Renaissance paintings to modern Wicca, the caricature of the evil hag is turned upside down."-- "The Guardian" As with “Tarot,” one comes away with an understanding of astrology’s place in history, pop culture, art, mythology and psychology. Included are 15th century frescoes, 18th century etchings, Mucha posters, cigarette ads, assemblage work by Betye Saar in the 1960s, a 1970s psychedelic calendar, ’80s fantasy art, scientific charts and telescopic space photographs. Each chapter is anchored by the words of respected scholars and younger stars like Chani Nicholas and Jessica Lanyadoo. The book also promotes the leftist agenda under the surface of witchcraft. Whilst I am inclined to agree that there are some joining threads with leftism in witchcraft, I feel the authors were not balanced / critical enough of this. The authors should read more about the history of communism. It doesn’t end well for people.