Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
The British Museum Press, London (2000), Edition: First Edition, 144 pages
Description
Candace Savage presents a highly illustrated history of the witch and the different ways in which she has been portrayed from the 15th century to the present, linking historical evidence with literary and visual images.
User reviews
LibraryThing member katjevanloon
I think this book is a must-read for any would-be witch. The book doesn't teach religion; it teaches history -- actual, factual history, not the made-up stuff that still gets touted as fact in some pagan circles. It talks about the image of the witch through history and how that image is tied
Also a good book for feminists to read.
Only quibble: Savage conflates "Wicca" with "feminist witchraft". They are not the same. "Wicca" refers, specifically, to British Traditional Witchcraft -- is is an initiatory oathbound tradition and the details of it are not to be found in any book. The term Wicca gets tossed around loosely, but really "Neo-Wicca" should be used -- referring to those various traditions built upon the outer-court (ie, non-oathbound) material of British Traditional Witchcraft, or Wicca. "Feminist witchcraft" is an incredibly broad term that refers to any witchcraft tradition that is also feminist. As you can see, there is a fairly large difference there (and I wonder that Savage did not know this before finishing the book; she did do her research quite well otherwise).
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inextricably to the image (and fear) of women. An excellent primer to understanding many of the stranger turns in the story of the witch. Also a good book for feminists to read.
Only quibble: Savage conflates "Wicca" with "feminist witchraft". They are not the same. "Wicca" refers, specifically, to British Traditional Witchcraft -- is is an initiatory oathbound tradition and the details of it are not to be found in any book. The term Wicca gets tossed around loosely, but really "Neo-Wicca" should be used -- referring to those various traditions built upon the outer-court (ie, non-oathbound) material of British Traditional Witchcraft, or Wicca. "Feminist witchcraft" is an incredibly broad term that refers to any witchcraft tradition that is also feminist. As you can see, there is a fairly large difference there (and I wonder that Savage did not know this before finishing the book; she did do her research quite well otherwise).
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LibraryThing member KRaySaulis
Very well written. Very informative. Perfectly focused on the fact that the Salem Witch Trials, and other witch hunts of the time had very little to do with religion, and more to do with gender and hysteria.
LibraryThing member ritaer
Changes in social views of witchcraft
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
144 p.; 8.5 inches
ISBN
0714127604 / 9780714127606
Local notes
NWC
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