Everything You Wanted to Know About Witchcraft
(But Were Afraid to Ask)
Occult references ripple frequently through mainstream culture, Wiccan and witchcraft movements appear trendier than ever, and chances are that you're unknowingly acquainted with at least one witch. Drawing on her expertise as a magical practitioner and religious studies scholar, Thorn Mooney pulls back the curtain, introducing you to this complex world and helping you understand why it holds such intense appeal for so many.
Thorn answers all your questions and dispels common misconceptions while delving into what it means to be a witch, including beliefs and practices. Discover what magic really is and what casting it entails. Gain insights into Wicca's distinctions from witchcraft and how these communities are structured. With this fascinating yet concise guide, you can better understand the witches in your life and the reasons why magical thinking thrives.
By:
Thorn Mooney
Imprint: Llewellyn Publications,U.S.
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions:
Height: 203mm,
Width: 133mm,
ISBN: 9780738777375
ISBN 10: 0738777374
Pages: 240
Publication Date: 08 October 2024
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Contents Introduction 1 Chapter 1: What ""Witch"" Means … 9 Making Witchcraft a Religion 13 Spiritual but Not Religious 18 Witchcraft as a Practice 20 Witchcraft as an Identity 24 Suggested Reading 28 Chapter 2: Witchcraft in Context … 31 Separating Wicca and Witchcraft 32 Related Movements 35 Suggested Reading 52 Chapter 3: Many Types of Witchcraft … 55 The Influence of Wicca 58 Traditional Witchcrafts 63 Blended Traditions 70 Suggested Reading 76 Chapter 4: What Witches Do … 79 Doing Ritual 81 Doing Magic 84 Casting Spells 88 Divination 92 Healing 92 Sacred Time 94 Suggested Reading 99 Chapter 5: What Witches Believe … 103 A World Full of Spirits and Energy 104 Relationships with Gods 106 Ancestors and the Dead 112 Sacred Nature 114 Suggested Reading 118 Chapter 6: The Witch's Materials … 121 Altars and Sacred Space 123 Working Tools 127 Keeping Magical Books 132 Magic in the Mundane 137 Suggested Reading 139 Chapter 7: The Rules of Witchcraft … 141 Redes, Principles, and Oaths 143 Individualism and Personal Responsibility 145 Community and Sincerity 148 Witchcraft as Work 149 Suggested Reading 153 Chapter 8: Witch Communities … 155 Covens 157 Solitary Practitioners 161 Festivals and Conferences 165 Social Media and the Internet 167 Authority and Influence 168 Suggested Reading 172 Chapter 9: Witches in Conversation … 175 Belonging and Authenticity 176 Selling Witchcraft 178 Social Justice 180 Suggested Reading 182 Conclusion 185 Bibliography 193 Index 195
Thorn Mooney is a Wiccan writer and academic who holds graduate degrees in both religious studies and English literature. Thorn writes and lectures about magic, new religious movements, and spirituality in the United States, and has been creating blogs and videos about witchcraft and Paganism through her popular online platforms for more than a decade. Thorn has been featured on NPR affiliate WFAE’s Charlotte Talks, Anthony Padilla’s popular YouTube series I spent a day with…, and has also served as an academic advisor on the National Endowment for the Humanities funded podcast Magic in the United States. Visit her at ThornTheWitch.com.
Reviews for Witches Among Us: Understanding Contemporary Witchcraft and Wicca
"""This is the most thoughtful, intelligent, and sophisticated survey of contemporary witchcraft on both sides of the Atlantic available at present and also wonderfully concise. Newcomers will be perfectly served, and practitioners understand themselves and their fellows better."" --Ronald Hutton, historian and author of The Witch and The Triumph of the Moon"
