Book Review - The Illustrated Anthology of Sorcery, Magic and Alchemy
Are you interested in the occult and the history of magic? If so, you might want to check out "The Witch's Book of Shadows" by Grillot de Givry. This book is a unique collection of 376 illustrations depicting sorcery, magic, astrology, cheiromancy, cartomancy, and alchemy, selected by the author from manuscripts, rare books, private collections, and museums. The illustrations range from the Middle Ages to the eve of the nineteenth century, and they are the most curious, characteristic, and rare graphics depicting the universe of the occult.
The author's primary purpose is to help readers understand the illustrations, which are the best way to learn about and understand the occult. Graphic expression is at the heart of the occult sciences, and these illustrations are clear, natural, and indubitable. More than any of the religions, the author shows, the occult sciences depend upon graphic, symbolic expression.
The book is divided into two parts. The first part is the occult world of sorcery, devils, and witches, which was the side of occultism that the Christian churches persecuted. The second part is the world of mages and alchemists, who continued to pursue the ancient wisdoms despite Christianity. The author devotes the second half of the book to these wise and learned men, and there are splendid chapters on Qabbalism, astrology, chiromancy, cartomancy, and alchemy, with rich illustrations and textual material to be found nowhere else. Particularly noteworthy is a remarkable chapter on the Tarot.
Grillot de Givry wrote and translated many hermetic and occult works, but this is the first to be translated into English. It took a long time for the true worth of this book to be appreciated. When it was first published in French in 1929 and in English in 1931, it fell dead from the presses. It was not applauded by his fellow occultists because its sanity and common sense, and its intellectual integrity, did not appeal to those who were making wild and grandiose claims for occultism. There was not another edition until 1963, 32 years later. The present edition is the first since that of 1931 in the original full size, giving full value to the illustrations.If you're interested in the occult, this book is a must-read. It provides a unique and fascinating insight into the history of magic and the graphic expression of the occult sciences.
