Historical Dictionary of Witchcraft (Historical Dictionaries of Religions, Philosophies, and Movements Series)

A great deal has been written about the history of witchcraft, but much of what has been written is unreliable, exaggerated, or inaccurate. This problem is especially acute in regard to modern witchcraft, or Wicca, and its supposed connections to historical witchcraft in medieval and early modern Europe. This __Dictionary__ provides a reliable reference source for both academics and general readers interested in the actual historical development of witchcraft in the western world. The focus of the dictionary is on Western Europe during the late-medieval and early modern periods, when the specific idea of diabolical witchcraft developed and when the so-called ''great witch-hunts'' occurred. Entries are also provided that deal with magic and witchcraft in the earlier Christian period and classical antiquity, as well as with the lingering belief in witchcraft in the modern world, and with the development of the modern, neo-pagan religion of witchcraft, also known as Wicca. For comparative purposes, some entries have been provided that deal with aspects and systems of magic found in other parts of the world that seem to bear some relation to the idea of witchcraft as it developed in Christian Europe. The regions dealt with are mainly Africa, along with such New-World practices as Voodoo and Santeria. Entries in the dictionary cover important people in the history of witchcraft, from the medieval inquisitors and early modern magistrates who developed the stereotype of the historical witch to the modern individuals who have developed the religion of Wicca. Also included are legal terms and concepts important to the prosecution of the supposed crime of witchcraft, and religious and theological concepts pertaining to the demonic elements that came to be associated with witchcraft, as well as more popular beliefs and aspects of common folklore and mythology that became attached to the developing idea of witchcraft. Geographic entries are also included, discussing the scope of witch-hunting in various regions of

the Only Single-volume, Scholarly Reference Work Available On This Subject, This Dictionary Provides Reliable Information On Magic And Witchcraft For The Entire Span Of Western History, From Classical Antiquity To Modern Wicca. Particular Attention Is Paid To The History Of Witchcraft In Europe In The 16th And 17th Centuries, The Era Of The Great Witch-hunts.

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this A-to-z Dictionary Focuses Almost Exclusively On The Historical Phenomenon Of Witchcraft As Defined And Constructed In Europe During The Era Of The Great Witch Hunts. Bailey (history, Iowa State Univ.; Battling Demons: Witchcraft, Heresy, And Reform In The Late Middle Ages) Concentrates Mainly On Medieval Concepts Of Witchcraft As Shaped By The Christian Culture Of Western Europe. The Introduction Examines The History Of Witchcraft In Early Times As Well As How The Concept Of Witches And Witchcraft Came To Signify Deviant Behavior And/or Malevolence. The Entries Cover A Wide Range Of Historical Figures, As Well As The Folklore, Mythology, And Theological Ideas Associated With Early Witchcraft And Witch Trials. Bailey's Definitions Are Accessible And Objective, But Only A Few Entries Touch On Witchcraft In The Modern World, And The Restricted Scope Makes This Work Best Suited To Academic And Special Collections. Public And School Libraries Would Be Better Served By Rosemary Ellen Guiley's More Comprehensive Encyclopedia Of Witches And Witchcraft.-mimi Davis, Broward Cty. Lib. Syst., Fort Lauderdale, Fl Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

"The focus of the dictionary is on Western Europe during the late medieval and early modern periods, when the specific idea of diabolical witchcraft developed and the so-called great witch-hunts occurred. Also provided are entries on magic and witchcraft in the early Christian period, as well as the lingering belief in witchcraft in the modern world and the development of the modern, neopagan religion of witchcraft, also knows as Wicca." "For comparative purposes, some entries deal with aspects and systems of magic found in other parts of the world, such as Africa, as well as the New-World practices of Voodoo and Santeria. Important people in the history of witchcraft are examined, from the medieval inquisitors and magistrates who developed the stereotype of the historical witch to the modern developers of Wicca. Also included are legal terms and concepts important to the prosecution of witchcraft, religious and theological concepts, and more popular beliefs and aspects of common folklore and mythology. Geographic entries are also incorporated, discussing the scope of witch-hunting and describing specific examples of major witch-hunts, such as those that occurred in Salem, Massachusetts."--BOOK JACKET. Much of what has been written about witchcraft in Europe is unreliable, exaggerated or inaccurate. Michael D. Bailey offers a scholarly text, focusing on the medieval and early modern periods, that seeks to show the development of diabolical witchcraft, its antecedents and its continuing legacy.