Guiley, Rosemary Ellen. The Encyclopedia of Witches and
Witchcraft Facts on File. Jun. 1989. c.488p. illus. bibliog.
index. ISBN 0-8160-1793-X. $45
[REFERENCE]
Consisting of over 500 essay entries and 100 photographs,
this encyclopedia is an excellent source of information on
witchcraft for all ages. It presents well-researched entries on
modern Wiccan philosophy, practices, and beliefs plus a wealth of
historical information on the various witch trials in Europe and
America during the period of persecution of folk magic
practitioners, midwives, and healers known as the "Burning
Times." It also offers an impressive collection of current
biographies of contemporary 20th-century witches including
Gerald Gardner, Janet and Stewart Farrar, Starhawk, Selena Fox,
Z. Budapest, and Otter and Morning Glory Zell, among others, as
well as famous witches of the past. Also included are the
histories and philosophies of Pagan and Neo-Pagan organizations
such as Circle Sanctuary, Covenant of the Goddess, and the Church
of All Worlds and descriptions of various goddesses (Inanna,
Isis, Hecate, etc.) Druids, the Kabbalah, covens, Tarot,
familiars, possession, Santerķa, and Voudoun. Most public
libraries will want this in reference collections. A good
companion volume to T.A. Water's Encyclopedia of Magic and
Magicians (LJ, 2/15/88).
Kevin M. Roddy, Oakland Public Library, California