Book Description
The most famous compendium of information on the occult and the first comprehensive work of its kind, this volume originally appeared in 1920. Compiled by Lewis Spence, a scholar of occult-related topics, it organizes a truly vast amount of information into 2,500 dictionary-style entries (many of which run to several pages). These entries encompass both familiar terms ("abracadabra," "poltergeist," "spells," "vampire") and more arcane topics ("Martian language," "bottle imps," "magic darts," "tinker's talk"). Numerous profiles of historical figures with ties to the occult include John Dee, Mary Baker Eddy, and Catherine de Medici. An oft-cited resource and a classic of its genre, this remarkable compilation of history and lore offers an essential tool for a fuller understanding of occult subjects. Index.
Encyclopedia of Occultism ANNOTATION
Since its intitial publication in 1920, this book has remained the supreme arbiter in all matters of dispute concerning the occult. Contains 2,500 entries and articles summarizing the entire history of the subject.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
The most famous compendium of information on the occult and the first comprehensive work of its kind, this volume originally appeared in 1920. Compiled by Lewis Spence, a scholar of occult-related topics, it organizes a truly vast amount of information into 2,500 dictionary-style entries (many of which run to several pages). These entries encompass both familiar terms ("abracadabra," "poltergeist," "spells," "vampire") and more arcane topics ("Martian language," "bottle imps," "magic darts," "tinker's talk"). Numerous profiles of historical figures with ties to the occult include John Dee, Mary Baker Eddy, and Catherine de Medici. An oft-cited resource and a classic of its genre, this remarkable compilation of history and lore offers an essential tool for a fuller understanding of occult subjects.
SYNOPSIS
Touted as "the first comprehensive work of its kind on the subject," this paperbound edition of a 1920 work contains some 2500 entries from Ab, a Semitic magical month, to Zulu witch finders, a "caste" allegedly instituted among the "savage people" to sniff out witches. As is evident from the latter entry, a similar project written today would likely entail significant changes. The original subtitle of the work was A compendium of Information on the Occult Sciences, Occult Personalities, Psychic Science, Magic, Demonology, Spiritism, and Mysticism. Annotation ©2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
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