Witchcraft. The Library of Esoterica. Published by Librero publishing house (English language)

Readers are initiated into the fascinating and complex history of witchcraft, from the goddess mythologies of ancient cultures to the contemporary embrace of the craft by modern artists and activists. This extensive volume evokes a breathtaking overview of an age-old tradition. Rooted in legend, folklore and myth, the archetype of the witch evolved from the tales of Odysseus and Circe, the Celtic seductress Cerridwen and the myth of Hecate, the fierce ruler of the moonlit night. In Witchcraft, we watch her many incarnations since then, as she shapeshifts through the ages, transforming alternately into mother, nymph, and crone seductress and destroyer. Edited by Jessica Hundley and co-edited by author, scholar and practitioner Pam Grossman, this captivating visual chronicle is the first of its kind, a deep dive into the complex symbolisms behind witchcraft traditions, as explored through the history of the art itself. The witch has played muse for great artists throughout time, from the dark temptations of Francisco Jose de Goya and Albrecht Durer to the elegant paean to the magical feminine as reimagined by the surreal circle of Remedios Varo, Leonora Carrington and Leonor Fini. The witch is also enchanted by folk tales and dramatic literature, from The Brothers Grimm's poisonous apples, to the Weird Sisters gathered at their black cauldron in Shakespeare's Macbeth, to L. Frank Baum's iconic Wicked Witch of the West, cackling the fate of Dorothy. On this mesmerizing visual journey, we will also bear witness to the witch as she endures persecution and evolves into empowerment, a contemporary symbol of bold defiance and powerful nonconformity. Featuring illuminating essays from modern practitioners such as Kristen J. Sollee and Judika Illes, as well as interviews with authors and scholars such as Madeline Miller and Juliet Diaz, Witchcraft spans a wide range of cultural traditions that embrace magic as spiritual exploration and creative catharsis. About the Series The Library of Esoterica explores how centuries of artists have shaped mysticism, translating the mysterious and the obscure into enduring, visionary works of art. Each subject is showcased through both modern and archival imagery sourced from private collectors, libraries and museums around the world. The result is an inclusive visual history, a study of our primal power to dream and nightmare, and the creative ways we strive to connect with the divine.

Number of pages: 520
Author: Jessica Hundley
Pressure: 1
ISBN: 9783836585606
Nur: Unknown
Edition: Hardcover
Format: 240x170mm