Witchcraft offers a deep dive into the many facets of a centuries-old tradition in the Western world. * cnn.com * A lavish coffee-table book. [Witchcraft] surveys the shadow and the light the witch has cast across the Western imagination. * The New York Times *

Later when people were asking me what I wanted for Christmas, I remembered them and just had to get them all there and then. Growing up in the analog era, Grossman spent hours in her local library poring over a series called “Man, Myth & Magic.” She considers the Library of Esoterica to be “an updated, more stylish version of that.” The prospect, Grossman says, “makes the 14-year-old in me levitate with joy.”A tour de force, taking you all the way through the global history of witchcraft. * elitedaily.com * 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. It also explores the idea of witch in popular culture and the movement to rekindle ownership of the word witch, taking away the negative connotations that it has attracted and letting it become shorthand for strong, powerful and woman. A lavish coffee-table book. [Witchcraft] surveys the shadow and the light the witch has cast across the Western imagination."-- "The New York Times"

The Library of Esoterica by Taschen explores how centuries of artists have given form to mysticism, translating the arcane and the obscure into enduring, visionary works of art. Each subject is showcased through both modern and archival imagery culled from private collectors, libraries, and museums around the globe. The result forms an inclusive visual history, a study of our primal pull to dream and nightmare, and the creative ways we strive to connect to the divine. In this compendium of witchy women, from Renaissance paintings to modern Wicca, the caricature of the evil hag is turned upside down. * The Guardian *No real interest was given to any one subtopic, it contained historical statements which were inaccurate, descriptions of any popular practices were kept vague and vapid. 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. 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. They say never judge a book by its cover, but I totally judged this one with a stunning piece featuring the painting Circe Invidiosa by my artistic hero John William Waterhouse; and yes, the book’s contents are every bit as excellent as the cover.

So it will be for the next book in the series. Author, podcast host and professional witch Pam Grossman, who is co-editing the upcoming “Witchcraft” with Hundley, believes those multiple paths have always been key to witchcraft’s appeal. “There is no pope of witchcraft,” she says. “Everyone’s practice is extremely personal.” In Richards’ opinion, we are experiencing a new kind of spiritual awakening, in which intellectual rigor can coexist with the metaphysical. While writing the book, she recalls, “At one point I had this remarkable day. I had spoken with a scientist at NASA, an astrologer and a historian, and I was like, ‘that confluence of people is exactly what this book is.’ … Finally, I think people are ready to recognize that there are multiple paths to truth.” The Library of Esoterica explores how centuries of artists have given form to mysticism, translating the arcane and the obscure into enduring, visionary works of art. Each subject is showcased through both modern and archival imagery culled from private collectors, libraries, and museums around the globe. The result forms an inclusive visual history, a study of our primal pull to dream and nightmare, and the creative ways we strive to connect to the divine. Books You Might Be Interested In 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

My Book Notes

Astrology” focuses on what we know as the Western horoscopic system , codified in 539 BC when the Babylonians created and named the wheel of the zodiac. By charting the movements of five planets plus the sun and moon in relation to this wheel, they gave us a way to talk about our identities, our instincts, how we love and communicate. El libro me ha parecido súper interesante, a cualquiera que le interese el mundo de la brujería o el ocultismo le va a encantar. 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" A tour de force, taking you all the way through the global history of witchcraft."-- "elitedaily.com"

Beautiful book. Would recommend getting the whole set! The information is good the images are a great source . Witchcraft offers a deep dive into the many facets of a centuries-old tradition in the Western world."-- "cnn.com" Nice overview of the subject with chapters written by various informed scholars and authors. Amazing photos. 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. Beautiful art in these books. I have all three that the Library of Esoterica currently have in print and each is a delight and useful reference.In this compendium of witchy women, from Renaissance paintings to modern Wicca, the caricature of the evil hag is turned upside down."-- "The Guardian" When Taschen founder Benedikt Taschen suggested to managing editor Nina Wiener that the topic of “secret knowledge” was worth exploring more deeply, “Jessica was one of the first people I thought of to go to,” says Wiener.