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A Pictorial Anthology of Witchcraft, Magic and Alchemy
This is a new release of the original 1958 edition.
414 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1958
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 18, 2017
Written in the 1930's, this book contains everything you would ever want to know about witchcraft and magic in western history including details of spells and symbols. Part history, part art history and part spell book.
March 28, 2015
This book was more of an overview of ancient occult artwork than any in depth review of the subject. Also, having read A LOT of occult, the subjects this author chose for review and hints at a belief in were often silly (e.g. Seriously; witches flying up a chimney to the Black Sabbath, where they dance and have orgies with satyrs prior to eating babies? Really?). The only parts that really broke my heart were the many chilling descriptions of the horrible tortures those accused of witchcraft were subjected to; including girls as young as 8 (If memory serves) being burned alive. Tragic.
March 10, 2011
I read this book while doing research about alchemy for a novel. It was okay. There's a really cool engraving of a musical instrument like a keyboard, except you play it by yanking on the tails of cats that are imprisoned inside the machine.
January 13, 2018
My copy of this book was published back in 1971, being a reprint of the first English translation in 1931. But after a little Googling, it appears that the French original probably dates back to 1929.
The author appears to be passionate about the occult and witchcraft, since many of the reproductions or plates in the work mention being from the collection of some book in the author's possession. De Givry does a high-level history of various aspects of witchcraft, mostly putting things into a historical perspective. By this I mean that he talks about people who claimed to have powers, or about people being punished for being suspected of practicing magic or being a witch. But De Givry seems to be right on the edge of believing in everything that he's writing about. He often mentions certain practices as obviously being nonsense, while others are presented more factually.
The end result is mildly interesting, though it can bog down in some areas. (Many pages talking about the variations on diagrams used to contain demons when summoning them). The most interesting chapter--a description of Metoposcopy, or the art of ascertaining someone's future by reading the lines on their forehead.
The author appears to be passionate about the occult and witchcraft, since many of the reproductions or plates in the work mention being from the collection of some book in the author's possession. De Givry does a high-level history of various aspects of witchcraft, mostly putting things into a historical perspective. By this I mean that he talks about people who claimed to have powers, or about people being punished for being suspected of practicing magic or being a witch. But De Givry seems to be right on the edge of believing in everything that he's writing about. He often mentions certain practices as obviously being nonsense, while others are presented more factually.
The end result is mildly interesting, though it can bog down in some areas. (Many pages talking about the variations on diagrams used to contain demons when summoning them). The most interesting chapter--a description of Metoposcopy, or the art of ascertaining someone's future by reading the lines on their forehead.
February 3, 2022
Givry continued the medieval propaganda against Witchcraft and it took it a step further, as he considers that the art around witchcraft and magic depicts reality. Yes, you are not crazy, this is what he considers. So, previous writers considered that confessions (sic) of witches were real, he considers that painting depicted the truth. So, the book is full of very nice illustrations, which are commented by the author.
A catholic and a mason, who continues the Christian propaganda in the 20th century. Total loss of time and money, unless you are interested in the arguments of that side.
A catholic and a mason, who continues the Christian propaganda in the 20th century. Total loss of time and money, unless you are interested in the arguments of that side.
November 9, 2015
A wide-ranging classic of the occult. This book delves into the world of shadows, and humanity's urge to adventure within it.
It contains a remarkable collection of illutrations - reproductions of prints, pictures, manuscripts and so on - covering a wide time-span. My particular favourites are the Durer paintings of the fifteenth century, and the Goyas from the nineteenth. "Transformation of Sorcerers" by Goya is a masterpiece of spookiness.
Sorcerers, witches, demons, magic circles, astrology, the tarot... Perfect reading for a dark autumn evening.
It contains a remarkable collection of illutrations - reproductions of prints, pictures, manuscripts and so on - covering a wide time-span. My particular favourites are the Durer paintings of the fifteenth century, and the Goyas from the nineteenth. "Transformation of Sorcerers" by Goya is a masterpiece of spookiness.
Sorcerers, witches, demons, magic circles, astrology, the tarot... Perfect reading for a dark autumn evening.
November 24, 2009
Up next, Tobin's Spirit Guide.
December 2, 2013
This was my first book on the subject. Still have it. As history it's badly out of date, but it's still a fun read.
This is a hardbound edition from Bonanza Books.
This is a hardbound edition from Bonanza Books.
March 5, 2015
this was one of my Baby books of Witchcraft, my public Library in Madisonville, KY had a copy, that and A. E. Waite's "Book of Black Magic". :)
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews