Magick Matters

24.02.2023

“The Secret Arts” by Time-Life Books (The Enchanted World 20)

Magick Matters

"This volume really acts as a companion piece to the first book, Wizards and Witches. In that first volume, it discussed three traditions of wizards — the lowest being the book-learned mage who sought answers of the beyond through grimoires and other magical texts. This book directly discusses the methods and tools used by that third tier of mage. This book examines the various methods of divination — looking at the entrails of sacrificed animals, ripples of rocks in water, palm-reading, crystal balls and polished skulls; the mediums of magic — through mommets, songs, and written curses; the tools of the mage — how to make a magic wand, construction of magic rings, uses of...>>

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24.02.2023

“Tales of Terror” by Time-Life Books (The Enchanted World 19)

Magick Matters

"There are thirteen chapters in this volume — Oooo spooky — as opposed to the normal three, and the stories are simply presented without much context. Occasionally a few of the chapters have one or more tales in them, especially the ones dealing with werewolves or ghostly travelers, but overall, the tales jump from chapter to chapter. Despite this, it is an easier read than some of the previous volumes — or perhaps the theme is just more terrifying. The tales come from all over. Ancient Greece, old Russia, war-torn Brittany, mythic Persia. Wherever a story or legend, might dip over into the realm of horror, where the protagonist usually comes to a bad end....>>

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24.02.2023

“Magical Justice” by Time-Life Books (The Enchanted World 16)

Magick Matters

"Volume 16 of The Enchanted World series focuses on the dubious term of Magical Justice. This is a great collection of old folk tales from all across the world. Some are very familiar — "The Tale of King Midas", "Gilgamesh and the Bull of Heaven", "The Emperor's New Clothes" — while many others like "A Celestial Usurper", "The Beggar’s Bride" were new and refreshing. The lack of rhyme or reason in this volume actually frees it to take the best from every culture and every time. And the book is better for it."...>>

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24.02.2023

“The Fall of Camelot” by Time-Life Books (The Enchanted World 15)

Magick Matters

"Volume 15 of The Enchanted World series, The Fall of Camelot, is a departure for the series pattern. Previously, each book had a specific theme and all the stories revolved around it, but they could come from any time and any region in the world. This however is very specific in date and place. The Fall of Camelot is a retelling of the Matter of Britain — that the lord of King Arthur from beginning to end, containing all the old characters you know. And while many of the previous volumes have stories from Arthurian Legend, none are repeated in this book. This book is a valid interpretation of the legends of King Arthur. It...>>

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24.02.2023

“The Book of Christmas” by Brendan Lehane (The Enchanted World 14)

Magick Matters

"Brendan Lehane's Book of Christmas opens with a brief retelling of the Nativity story told in the Gospels of Luke and Mark. It recounts Mary and Joseph going to Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus Christ but states that the pattern was already set. The fact that the birth of Jesus, the Sun of Righteousness, is celebrated in December is no accident. There are many winter festivals. Most people worshipped the sun as a god and so were afraid when winter came and it seemed that the lifegiving sun grew weak; thus they celebrated the Solstice, the winter day when the weakening sun regained its strength. In fact, many Christmas traditions have their roots...>>

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