Witchcraft Out of the Shadows is based on Leo Ruickbie's highly successful course, which has been favourably reviewed by major newspapers, websites and others.
"... the best." GraduatePlanet.com
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"Study witchcraft at WICA." The Guardian
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"I found your material engaging." Bloomsbury
"... an engaging book... the benchmark for all future analyses of the Craft." Alan Richardson
"... a fascinating read... I recommend the book..." Marty Dodge
"Unbedingt zu empfehlen!!!" Amazon.de reviewer
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"... an excellent job." Ed
"... thank you for sharing your knowledge." Briena
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Witchcraft...
Witchcraft is not the next big thing, it is the big thing.
Today witchcraft is on everyone's lips, on television, film and in literature, but few know, or even guess at, its shadowy history. My in-depth investigation spans the centuries to survey the dark-side of the human psyche, and discovers it to be more often directed against, than evident in, what we call witchcraft.
Discover how the ideas we have about witchcraft took shape thousands of years ago in the myths and religions of the ancient world, why they were expressed so violently during the era of the witch trials and how today they have become completely transformed into one of the most radical and fastest growing religions of our age—a religion of equality and compassion that still has the power to unsettle even the bravest amongst us.
This complete history of witchcraft from Ancient Greece to the present day charts the rise and development of witchcraft and the modern witchcraft religion of Wicca. With new analyses, fresh insights and previously unpublished material drawn from my doctoral research into the mysticism, magic and social meaning of Wicca, this is the first book to fully bring witchcraft...
...Out of the Shadows
CONTENTS
Introduction
One figure, above all, has haunted the human imagination since humans began to imagine: the witch. Witchcraft seems always to have been with us, but the curious will ask: where did it come from and where is it going?
Part One: Age of Shadows
The Early History of Witchcraft in Europe
 The Birthplace of All Sorceries:
Witchcraft in Ancient Greece
Beginning with the pre-eminent goddess of witchcraft, Hecate, we explore the character of ancient witchcraft through the mythological figures of Circe and Medea. How did Hecate become Goddess of the Underworld? Why did Circe use strange potions to enslave all those who set foot on her magic island? Why did Medea kill her own children? Why are such cruel and fantastic women associated with witchcraft?
 East of Midgard:
Witchcraft in Northern Europe
In the mythological imagination of the Northern Europeans, East of Midgard was their very own 'Birthplace of All Sorceries.' Almost entirely overlooked, this Northern heritage has significantly contributed to our current ideas of witchcraft.
 South of Heaven:
Witchcraft in Mediaeval & Early Modern Europe
The Witches of the European Dark Ages come flying towards us out of the past's stygian mire in a wild cavalcade, riding devils and broomsticks, followed by black cats and poisonous toads to be consumed in the fires, not of Hell, but of fear and hatred, greed and lust.
Part Two: Born of ShadowsThe Origins of Modern Witchcraft
 Celtic Twilight and Golden Dawn:
The Romantic Revival of Witchcraft and Magic
The European witch-hunts were over, but witchcraft and the idea of witchcraft would never die out. In the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries witchcraft was re-examined, re-interpreted and, ultimately, re-invented. But by whom and for why?
 The Craft of Invention:
The Creation of the Wiccan Religion
It is the Riddle of the Sphinx Lodge, the secret at the heart of Wicca. Where did Wicca come from? Who was Gerald Gardner? Was Freemasonry involved? Or something darker? What part did the 'Wickedest Man in the World' have to play?
 Out of the Cauldron, Into the Fire:
The Growth and Development of Wicca
Out of the seething cauldron of its inventor's fertile imagination, shameless plagiarism, energy and ambition came the most radical and fastest growing religion of the Twentieth and now Twenty-First Century. How did this happen? Who were the people who shaped this development?
Part Three: Empire of ShadowsWitchcraft in the World Today
 The Society of Witches:
A Profile of Modern Witches
It is time to shake the wand of serious, scientific research at the stereotypes that still haunt the perception of Witchcraft. It is time to dispel the sweet and fearful fantasy of evil and find out who are today's Witches. Are they, as Shakespeare called them, dark and midnight hags? The answer might surprise you.
 Calling Down the Moon:
Belief and Experience in Modern Witchcraft
Even today, long after the horrors of the witch trials, people still think they worship the Devil despite their protestations to the contrary, but the question is: what do today's Witches worship? What are their beliefs? What are the experiences that shape those beliefs? You will find their answers frank, revealing and extra-ordinary.
 Drawing the Magic Circle:
The Definition, Use and Effect of Magic in Witchcraft
Magic, the word itself conjures up the strangest ideas, but what does it mean to those who use it? What do they use it for? What effect does that use have on them? I asked the Witches themselves. Do you want to know what they said?
 Old Ways, New Directions:
Evaluating Witchcraft from its Earliest Beginnings to its Future Potentialities
Witches and Witchcraft are no longer what they were thought to be. Gone are the pacts with the Devil, the evil imp familiars and toe-curling curses. In their place we find a vital religion practising spiritual equality and seeking the improvement of the world. This new religion finds fertile soil for its rapid and increasing growth in today's social climate of post-Christianisation and re-enchantment.
Bibliography and Index
[Free Meta Index available for download here]
 I've written Witchcraft Out of the Shadows to do just that:
bring witchcraft out of the shadows of misunderstanding and confusion; to explain its real history and development.
Can you confidentally answer the following questions?
- When is witchcraft black magic?
- When is it Satanism?
- When is it ancient Paganism?
- Why are none of these things Wicca?
As you read my book you will discover:
- How our ideas about witchcraft originated in the ancient world.
- How and why the Christian chruch constructed Satanic witchcraft.
- How Wicca was invented by a retired civil servant.
- Who today's Witches are, what they do and why they do it.
- The future of witchcraft in a post-Christian, re-enchanted world.
In the USA click here for the pre-US publication edition.
Choose another country: France, Germany |
- Witchology.com
Information on Witchcraft and Wicca from current news and research to courses. Includes: archive, blog, forum, links...
- WitchWear.com
What every well-dressed Witch, Wiccan, Pagan and Magician is wearing. How do you wear your witchcraft?
- WitchcraftChronicles.com
The e-zine of contemporary of Witchcraft, Wicca and Magic.
- SpellsWizard.com
The online, interactive database of spells and magick spanning 4,000 years from ancient Mesopotamia to the modern world.
- OutOfTheShadows.co.uk
Witchcraft Out of the Shadows: A Complete History can also be accessed on www.out of the shadows .co.uk.
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