The Witches Almanac

July 14, 2023
This is a biographical directory of witches, sorcerers, and individuals who practiced magical arts. Coverage is limited primarily to western cultures, beginning with ancient times in Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome, and continue through modern day Great Britain, Western Europe, and the United States. This isn't a straight A to Z listing, but rather a chronological approach, with alphabetical entries organized into sections representing broad swaths of history (the Middle Ages, the royal Courts of Europe, post-war Germany, the digital age, and so on). Each section is introduced by a multi-page essay that provides background context and sets the scene regarding the prevalence of witchcraft and its legal, religious, and social influence on everyday life. The introduction indicates that subjects are limited to people who actually existed, or at least were purported to have actually existed. Entries run anywhere from a paragraph to several pages, and include names, variations, and aliases, approximate dates and locales, and historical facts, such as they may be. Many of these accounts are surprisingly detailed, perhaps due to having been recorded in church records or legal proceedings, but researchers will need to take author Christian's word, because despite a lengthy list of recommended readings there are no chapter notes or references. There are occasional illustrations, but little other variation. Comprehensive occult collections may want to consider.

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Starred review from March 1, 2024

Christian, a British lawyer and award-winning journalist, has written a true compendium of who's who in the world of witchcraft throughout Western civilization. The book is organized chronologically, beginning with the known witches of Mesopotamia, ancient Greece, and Rome. Each chapter defines an era of how magic and witches were perceived, defined, accepted, or persecuted in Europe and North America. The book provides numerous known details about the lives of practitioners of magic, witches, and alchemists, from the Middle Ages to the age of TikTok. While acknowledging myths, colloquial beliefs, and rumors about some of the subjects, the author presents facts and dispels persistent untruths. Explored throughout are the power politics that drove the treatment of persons accused of witchcraft. Big epochs such as the Burning Times and Order of the Golden Dawn are covered, and so are the quieter times and lesser-known conjurers. The chronological order of the biographies serves to illustrate the cross-pollination of magical thought and practice throughout history to provide the foundation and legacy for modern witchcraft. VERDICT Extremely thorough and engagingly written, this title is an excellent historical reference for readers and students of the occult and witchcraft.--Janet Tapper

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