This extensive volume, which
Introducing readers to the fascinating and complex history of witchcraft , from the mythologies of goddesses in ancient cultures to the contemporary adoption of the craft by modern artists and activists, it conjures a stunning overview of a millennia-old tradition. The archetype of the witch, rooted in legend, folklore, and myth, has evolved from the stories of Ulysses and Circe, the seductive Celt Cerridwen, and the myth of Hecate, fierce ruler of the moonlit night.
Witchcraft Her many incarnations since then are reviewed, as she changes shape throughout the centuries, transforming alternately into mother, nymph and harpy, seductive and destructive.
This captivating visual chronicle, edited by
Jessica Hundley and co-edited by writer, academic and practitioner Pam Grossman, it is the first of its kind, a
A deep dive into the complex symbolism behind witchcraft traditions, explored through the history of art. Witches have been muses for great artists throughout history, from the dark seductions of Francisco José de Goya and Albrecht Dürer to the elegant ode to feminine magic reinterpreted by the surrealist circle of Remedios Varo, Leonora Carrington, and Leonor Fini. Witches have also cast spells through folk tales and dramatic literature, from the poisoned apples of the Brothers Grimm to the strange sisters gathered around their black cauldron in
Macbeth from Shakespeare, to L. Frank Baum's iconic Wicked Witch of the West, who mocks Dorothy's fate.
Throughout this fascinating visual journey, we will also witness how witches were persecuted and evolved into empowerment, a contemporary symbol of bold defiance and powerful nonconformity.
Featuring insightful essays from modern practitioners such as Kristen J. Sollée and Judika Illes, as well as interviews with authors and scholars such as Madeline Miller and Juliet Diaz,
Witchcraft includes
a wide range of cultural traditions that adopt magic as a mode of spiritual exploration and creative catharsis.
