The Complete Book Of Spells, Curses And Magical Recipes - Softcover

Ashley, Leonard R N

Softcover

ISBN 10: 156980110X ISBN 13: 9781569801109

Publisher: Barricade Books Inc, 1997

Synopsis

Describes magic spells from ancient times to the present, explains why people turn to magic, and shows how people have tried to use the supernatural to handle specific problems

About this title

Review

This marvellous tome is a fascinating collection of spells, curses and magical recipes from around the world and throughout history. As the author, Leonard Ashley, says, the book is meant for reading only: "You can just read about magic. I do not advise you to try it." With such information as the practicalities of selling one's soul to the devil, creating a zombie or raising demons contained within, Leonard Ashley's warnings seem rather mild, but he also includes cures for these ills should your spell casting go awry, and protects himself and his publishers with a very strongly worded legal disclaimer, where the reader is made entirely responsible for their own actions, in the spirit of the traditional witches' motto: "Do what you will, as long as you harm none." Warnings and mottoes dealt with, the reader is then free to turn to the delights of turning themselves into a hare, becoming invisible or making a witches' brew, only to discover that many of the ingredients required for spells are rare, mythological or downright illegal. It is Leonard Ashley's erudition and gentle wit that keep the reader totally engrossed in this book rather than any guarantee of success with spells. -- Claire Aloysia Ritson

Edition details

• Publisher: Barricade Books Inc
• Publication date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 156980110X
• ISBN 13: 9781569801109
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 384