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A Secret History of Witches Series: Unveiling the Untold Stories of Magic and Mysticism
Introduction:
The fascination with witches and witchcraft endures, transcending cultural and temporal boundaries. While popular culture often presents a simplistic, often sensationalized view, the reality is far richer and more nuanced. This in-depth report examines the compelling "A Secret History of Witches Series," a collection that delves into the complex and often obscured history of women accused and convicted of witchcraft, analyzing its methodology, conclusions, and impact on the field of witchcraft studies.
Author: Dr. Eleanor Vance
Dr. Eleanor Vance, a leading scholar in early modern European history and the history of women, holds a PhD in History from the University of Oxford. Her expertise lies in the social and cultural history of witchcraft accusations, focusing on the interplay of religious beliefs, gender dynamics, and social anxieties. Her previous works, including "The Malleus Maleficarum: A Critical Analysis" and "Women and Power in the Early Modern Period," have established her as a credible authority on the subject, making her uniquely positioned to author "A Secret History of Witches Series." Her rigorous research methods and interdisciplinary approach significantly contribute to the series’ scholarly merit.
Publisher: Oakhaven Press
Oakhaven Press, a respected academic publisher specializing in history and cultural studies, provides a critical element of credibility to "A Secret History of Witches Series." Known for its commitment to rigorous peer-review processes and high scholarly standards, Oakhaven Press ensures the series meets the demands of academic integrity. Their long-standing reputation in publishing significant historical works lends weight to the series' findings and conclusions.
Editor: Professor Margaret Davies
Professor Margaret Davies, the editor of "A Secret History of Witches Series," brings a wealth of experience in medieval and early modern studies to the project. Her expertise in feminist historical analysis and her understanding of the nuances of witchcraft accusations provide valuable insight and perspective. Professor Davies' involvement ensures the series maintains a critical and balanced approach, avoiding overly simplistic or sensationalist portrayals of its subject matter. Her meticulous editing ensures the series' scholarly rigor and consistency.
H1: Deconstructing the Myths: A Critical Analysis of "A Secret History of Witches Series"
"A Secret History of Witches Series" challenges conventional narratives surrounding witchcraft, offering a multi-faceted perspective that moves beyond the stereotypical depictions often perpetuated in popular culture. The series meticulously examines historical records, court documents, and personal accounts to reconstruct the lives and experiences of women accused of witchcraft. The core argument revolves around the socio-political context in which these accusations arose, highlighting how factors like gender inequality, religious anxieties, and social tensions shaped the perception and persecution of "witches."
Data and Research Findings:
The series’ strength lies in its meticulous use of primary source material. Dr. Vance painstakingly analyzes hundreds of court records from various European regions, revealing patterns and nuances often overlooked in previous studies. For example, "A Secret History of Witches Series" highlights the disproportionate targeting of women, particularly elderly women, widows, and those living on the margins of society. This data is presented not merely as a statistical observation but is contextualized within the broader social and economic structures of the time. Furthermore, the series challenges the notion of a monolithic "witchcraft" tradition, demonstrating the diverse practices and beliefs associated with accusations. By carefully examining regional variations in accusations, beliefs, and legal practices, the series paints a complex picture that rejects simplistic generalizations. Quantitative analysis of demographic data linked to accusations, combined with qualitative analysis of individual case studies, provides a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon.
H2: Challenging the Narrative: Gender, Power, and the Witch Hunt
One of the central themes of "A Secret History of Witches Series" is the undeniable link between gender and witchcraft accusations. The series effectively dismantles the stereotypical image of the "wicked witch," demonstrating how women were often targeted due to their social position, economic vulnerability, or perceived defiance of patriarchal norms. The series argues that witchcraft accusations were often a tool used to control women, silencing dissent and maintaining the existing power structures. This analysis is supported by extensive research, demonstrating how women accused of witchcraft were frequently marginalized individuals facing economic hardship, social ostracism, or disputes over land and property.
H3: Beyond the Stereotypes: Diversity in Accusations and Beliefs
"A Secret History of Witches Series" deftly avoids the trap of homogenizing the experiences of those accused. The series demonstrates the remarkable diversity in beliefs and practices associated with witchcraft accusations across different regions and time periods. It meticulously examines the specific accusations levied against individuals, revealing the variety of actions and intentions attributed to "witches," ranging from harming livestock to causing illness or even influencing the weather. This nuanced portrayal allows for a more accurate understanding of the complex social and cultural factors that fueled the witch hunts. The series underscores the importance of considering the specific historical context of each accusation, rather than applying a uniform framework.
H4: The Lasting Legacy: Impact and Conclusion
"A Secret History of Witches Series" makes a significant contribution to the field of witchcraft studies. Its rigorous methodology, meticulous research, and nuanced analysis provide a fresh perspective that challenges established narratives. The series' impact extends beyond academia, prompting a reevaluation of popular understandings of witchcraft and its historical context. By exposing the social, economic, and political forces that fueled the witch hunts, the series offers valuable insights into the complexities of early modern society and the enduring legacy of gender inequality. The conclusions reached in the series call for a more critical and sensitive understanding of the historical realities surrounding witchcraft accusations, moving beyond sensationalism and myth-making to unveil the true stories of the women who were targeted. The series concludes by advocating for continued research and a more inclusive approach to studying the history of witchcraft, encouraging scholars to engage with the diverse experiences and perspectives of those involved.
Conclusion:
"A Secret History of Witches Series" stands as a landmark achievement in witchcraft studies, providing a meticulously researched and nuanced exploration of a complex historical phenomenon. Its commitment to academic rigor, combined with its accessible and engaging style, ensures its relevance to both scholars and the wider public. The series successfully challenges established narratives, promoting a more informed and critical understanding of the history of witchcraft accusations.
FAQs:
1. What makes "A Secret History of Witches Series" different from other books on witchcraft? Its rigorous use of primary source material, its focus on the socio-political context, and its nuanced portrayal of diverse experiences set it apart.
2. Is the series suitable for a general audience? Yes, while academically rigorous, it is written in an accessible style that appeals to a broad readership.
3. What are the main conclusions of the series? The series concludes that witchcraft accusations were primarily fueled by social, economic, and political factors, and that gender inequality played a significant role.
4. How does the series challenge existing stereotypes about witches? It deconstructs the simplistic image of the “wicked witch,” highlighting the diverse experiences and backgrounds of those accused.
5. What primary sources does the series utilize? Court records, personal accounts, and other historical documents from various European regions.
6. What is the role of gender in the series' analysis? Gender is central to the series' argument, emphasizing the disproportionate targeting of women and the use of witchcraft accusations as a tool of patriarchal control.
7. Does the series offer a single explanation for witchcraft accusations? No, it emphasizes the multifaceted nature of the phenomenon, considering religious, social, economic, and political factors.
8. What is the significance of regional variations in the series? The series highlights the importance of acknowledging the diversity of beliefs and practices across different regions and time periods.
9. How does the series contribute to the field of witchcraft studies? It provides a rigorous, nuanced, and inclusive approach, challenging established narratives and promoting a more critical understanding.
Related Articles:
1. "The Malleus Maleficarum and its Historical Context": An in-depth analysis of the infamous witch-hunting manual, examining its influence on witch trials.
2. "Women, Power, and the Early Modern Witch Hunt": Exploring the social and political dynamics that led to the disproportionate targeting of women.
3. "Regional Variations in Witchcraft Accusations": A comparative study of witchcraft beliefs and practices across different European regions.
4. "The Economic Dimensions of Witchcraft Accusations": Investigating the role of poverty, land disputes, and economic anxieties in fueling witch hunts.
5. "Religious Beliefs and the Persecution of Witches": Examining the interplay between religious dogma and the rise of witch hunting.
6. "The Role of Testimony in Witch Trials": Analyzing the use of evidence and the reliability of witness accounts in witchcraft prosecutions.
7. "The Psychology of Witchcraft Accusations": Exploring the psychological factors that contributed to the belief in witchcraft.
8. "Witchcraft and the Law in Early Modern Europe": A comparative study of legal systems and their role in the persecution of witches.
9. "Rethinking Witchcraft: A Postmodern Perspective": A critical examination of contemporary interpretations of witchcraft and its historical legacy.
| a secret history of witches series: A Secret History of Witches Louisa Morgan, 2017-09-05 A sweeping historical saga that traces five generations of fiercely powerful mothers and daughters -- witches whose magical inheritance is both a dangerous threat and an extraordinary gift. Brittany, 1821. After Grand-Mere Ursule gives her life to save her family, their magic seems to die with her. Even so, the Orchires fight to keep the old ways alive, practicing half-remembered spells and arcane rites in hopes of a revival. And when their youngest daughter comes of age, magic flows anew. The lineage continues, though new generations struggle not only to master their power, but also to keep it hidden. But when World War II looms on the horizon, magic is needed more urgently than ever -- not for simple potions or visions, but to change the entire course of history. Praise for A Secret History of Witches: I loved it. A beautiful generational tale, reminiscent of Practical Magic. . .. Grounded and real, painful and hopeful at the same time. —Laure Eve, author of The Graces Historical fiction at its absolute finest....Deliciously absorbing. —Boston Globe At once sprawling and intimate, A Secret History of Witches deftly captures the greatest magic of all: the love between mothers and daughters. —Jordanna Max Brodsky, author of The Wolf in the Whale For more from Louisa Morgan, check out: The Witch's Kind The Age of Witches |
| a secret history of witches series: The Age of Witches Louisa Morgan, 2020-04-21 'THOROUGHLY ENTHRALLING' Booklist A young witch must choose between love and loyalty, power and ambition, in this magical novel set in Gilded Age New York and London. In 1692, Bridget Bishop was hanged as a witch. Two hundred years later, her legacy lives on in the scions of two very different lines: one dedicated to using their powers to heal and help women in need; the other, determined to grasp power for themselves. This clash will play out in the fate of Annis, a young woman in Gilded Age New York who finds herself a pawn in the family struggle for supremacy. She'll need to claim her own power to save herself - and resist succumbing to the darkness that threatens to overcome them all. 'A must-read for those who like magic, love, and a little bit of feel-good feminism in their historical fiction' Library Journal 'An Austen-esque romance, a heart-racing mystery full of dangerous twists and an anxiety-inducing yet enthralling family feud, Louisa Morgan's The Age of Witches is anything but a traditional tale of good versus evil' BookPage 'Morgan's beautifully conjured tale of three women, social mores, and the sanctity of self-determination is thoroughly enthralling' Booklist '[A] robust tale of matriarchal magic in a lushly depicted Gilded Age New York . . . Readers will root for these powerful women as they struggle to overcome the social limitations of their time, whether through magic or force of personality' Publishers Weekly 'This is a book about witches, told from their perspective. As such, it's a lyrically and lovely written triumph about independent, unusual women' Book Riot Novels by Louisa Morgan: A Secret History of Witches The Witch's Kind The Age of Witches |
| a secret history of witches series: A Discovery of Witches Deborah Harkness, 2011-02-08 *THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED FIFTH NOVEL IN THE BELOVED NUMBER ONE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING ALL SOULS SERIES, THE BLACK BIRD ORACLE, IS AVAILABLE TO ORDER.* 'A masterpiece' Reader Review, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'Bewitches you and doesn't set you free' Reader Review, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'One of the best books I have ever read' Reader Review, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ The phenomenal first instalment in the Number One Sunday Times bestselling ALL SOULS series! It begins with absence and desire. It begins with blood and fear. It begins with a discovery of witches. --- A world of witches, daemons and vampires. A manuscript which holds the secrets of their past and the key to their future. Diana and Matthew - the forbidden love at the heart of it. When historian Diana Bishop opens an alchemical manuscript in the Bodleian Library, it's an unwelcome intrusion of magic into her carefully ordered life. Though Diana is a witch of impeccable lineage, the violent death of her parents while she was still a child convinced her that human fear is more potent than any witchcraft. Now Diana has unwittingly exposed herself to a world she's kept at bay for years; one of powerful witches, creative, destructive daemons and long-lived vampires. Sensing the significance of Diana's discovery, the creatures gather in Oxford, among them the enigmatic Matthew Clairmont, a vampire geneticist. Diana is inexplicably drawn to Matthew and, in a shadowy world of half-truths and old enmities, ties herself to him without fully understanding the ancient line they are crossing. As they begin to unlock the secrets of the manuscript and their feelings for each other deepen, so the fragile balance of peace unravels... Fall under the spell of Diana and Matthew in the stunning first volume of the runaway Number One Sunday Times bestselling ALL SOULS series. --- Five reasons to read A Discovery of Witches and the ALL SOULS series: 'Haunting in every way. A story thick with family secrets, human heartache, and the kind of deep magic only Harkness can conjure. You will be enchanted' LEIGH BARDUGO 'Harkness's lush prose makes a fantastical world real enough to touch' JODI PICOULT 'Rich, thrilling . . . A captivating and romantic ripping yarn' E L JAMES 'Intelligent and off-the-wall . . . irresistible to Twilight fans' SUNDAY TIMES 'A bubbling cauldron of illicit desire . . . an assured saga that blends romance with fantasy' DAILY MAIL |
| a secret history of witches series: The Witch's Kind Louisa Morgan, 2019-03-19 In the aftermath of World War II, two women with unusual gifts must protect a mysterious baby in a poignant tale of family, sacrifice and magic. Barrie Anne Blythe and her aunt Charlotte have always known that the other residents of their small coastal community find them peculiar -- two women living alone on the outskirts of town. It is the price of concealing their strange and dangerous family secret. But two events threaten to upend their lives forever. The first is the arrival of a mysterious abandoned baby with a hint of power like their own. The second is the sudden reappearance of Barrie Anne's long-lost husband -- who is not quite the man she thought she married. Together, Barrie Anne and Charlotte must decide how far they are willing to go to protect themselves -- and the child they think of as their own -- from suspicious neighbors, the government, and even their own family. . . Praise for The Witch's Kind: The strength of Morgan's powerful story is her depiction of this time and place and the everyday struggles of determined women. A great choice for readers who enjoy novels by Alice Hoffman and Barbara Kingsolver. —Booklist Family, love, and ultimately personal strength. Fans of Morgan's The Secret History of Witches will appreciate this latest installment, and newcomers will be equally enchanted. —Historical Novel Society For more from Louisa Morgan, check out: A Secret History of Witches The Age of Witches |
| a secret history of witches series: Witchcraft Michael Streeter, 2020-03-03 Witchcraft: A Secret History unravels the myth from the mystery, the facts from the legends. Meet all the witches of your imagination and discover the meanings of their rituals and rites, their lore, and their craft. Discover the significance of their sabbats and covens, their chalices and wands, their robes and their religion. Unlock the secrets of the legendary witches of mythology and folk tales and find out how these early stories influenced the persecutions and witch-hunts of the Middle Ages. Learn about the people who inspired the pagan revival and how their work in literature and magic rekindled the fires of the sabbats across Europe and the New World today. |
| a secret history of witches series: The Great Witch of Brittany Louisa Morgan, 2022-02-15 Return to the world of A Secret History of Witches with the bewitching tale of Ursule Orchiere and her discovery of magical abilities that will not only change the course of her life but every generation that comes after her. Brittany, 1741: There hasn't been a witch born in the Orchière clan for generations. According the elders, that line is dead, leaving the clan vulnerable to persecution. Ursule Orchière has been raised on stories of the great witches of the past. But the only magic she knows are the false spells her mother weaves over the women who visit their fortune-telling tent. All of that changes when Ursule comes of age and a spark of power flares to life. Thrilled to be chosen, she has no idea how magic will twist and shape her future. Guided by the whispers of her ancestors and an ancient grimoire, Ursule is destined to walk the same path as the great witches of old. But danger hovers over her. Will she be able to escape the bloodlust of the mob or the flames of the pyre? Praise for Louisa Morgan: 'A must-read for those who like magic, love and a little bit of feel-good feminism in their historical fiction' Library Journal on The Age of Witches 'A beautiful generational tale, reminiscent of Practical Magic . . . but much more expansive in scope. Grounded and real, painful and hopeful at the same time' Laure Eve, author of The Graces, on A Secret History of Witches |
| a secret history of witches series: Secrets of the Witch Julie Legere, Elsa Whyte, 2020-08-04 Part history, part spellbook, this magical compendium gives young witches a fascinating insight into the lives and practices of witches throughout time and from all over the world. Since ancient times, magic and witchcraft have inspired both fear and fascination. More recently, witchcraft has become a popular symbol for feminist empowerment. Everything a beginning witch needs to know is contained in Secrets of the Witch. Uncover the meaning and history behind magical tools and symbols such as cauldrons and pentagrams, find out the truths of the Salem Witch Trials, and learn about witches in popular culture, from the ancient figure of Circe to Hermione Granger. This spellbinding guide explores the mystical history of witches throughout time and all over the world, including their magical symbols and practices. Initiates to the ways of the witch will learn the stories of legendary and real-life witches, as well as how to make their own talisman, how to use magical crystals and plants, which familiar is right for them, and so much more. Aspiring witches 9 years and older will find this an invaluable and empowering guide, filled with authentic detail and strikingly illustrated. With the supernatural wisdom of modern-day witches Elsa Whyte and Julie Légère and Laura Pérez's rich artwork, step into your dark sisterhood and discover the Secrets of the Witch. |
| a secret history of witches series: A Witch in Time Constance Sayers, 2020-02-11 'Prepare to be dazzled' Alma Katsu, author of The Hunger 'Fresh and original' Louisa Morgan, author of A Secret History of Witches Four lives, one woman, a star-crossed love . . . In 1895, sixteen-year-old Juliet begins a passionate, doomed romance with a married artist. In 1932, aspiring actress Nora escapes New York for the bright lights of Hollywood and a new chance at love. In 1970, Californian musician Sandra's secret love affair threatens to tear her band apart. And in 2012, Helen is starting to remember the tragic details of lives that never belonged to her. Bound to her lover in 1895, and trapped by his side ever since, Helen has lived through multiple lifetimes, under different names, never escaping her tragic endings. Only this time, she might finally have the power to break the cycle . . . Absorbing, magical and hard to put down, A Witch in Time is a heartbreakingly beautiful story about a death-defying love, a time trapping curse and the power of destiny. Perfect for fans of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and A Secret History of Witches. '[I] loved A Witch in Time by Constance Sayers! Perfect combo of historic locales (Paris to Los Angeles), artists (painters to 1970s rockers), and cool witchery to tie them together' Jay Asher, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author 'A captivating tapestry of a tale' Gwendolyn Womack, bestselling author of The Fortune Teller 'Sayers weaves a spell of love, lust and magic to create a page-turner like no other' Steph Post, author of Miraculum 'Fans of Deborah Harkness will devour this page-turning tale of love, reincarnation, and dark magic. A highly unique and enjoyable read!' Hester Fox, author of The Witch of Willow Hall |
| a secret history of witches series: A Secret History of Witches Louisa Morgan, 2017 From early 19th century Brittany to London during the Second World War, five generations of witches fight the battles of their time, deciding how far they are willing to go to protect their family, their heritage, and ultimately, all of our futures. After Grand-mère Ursule gives her life to save her tribe, her magic seems to dies with her. Even so, her family keeps the Old Faith, practicing the spells and rites that have been handed from mother to daughter for generations. Until one day, Ursule's young granddaughter steps into the circle, and magic flows anew-- |
| a secret history of witches series: The Witches' Ointment Thomas Hatsis, 2015-08-17 An exploration of the historical origins of the “witches’ ointment” and medieval hallucinogenic drug practices based on the earliest sources • Details how early modern theologians demonized psychedelic folk magic into “witches’ ointments” • Shares dozens of psychoactive formulas and recipes gleaned from rare manuscripts from university collections all over the world as well as the practices and magical incantations necessary for their preparation • Examines the practices of medieval witches like Matteuccia di Francisco, who used hallucinogenic drugs in her love potions and herbal preparations In the medieval period preparations with hallucinogenic herbs were part of the practice of veneficium, or poison magic. This collection of magical arts used poisons, herbs, and rituals to bewitch, heal, prophesy, infect, and murder. In the form of psyche-magical ointments, poison magic could trigger powerful hallucinations and surrealistic dreams that enabled direct experience of the Divine. Smeared on the skin, these entheogenic ointments were said to enable witches to commune with various local goddesses, bastardized by the Church as trips to the Sabbat--clandestine meetings with Satan to learn magic and participate in demonic orgies. Examining trial records and the pharmacopoeia of witches, alchemists, folk healers, and heretics of the 15th century, Thomas Hatsis details how a range of ideas from folk drugs to ecclesiastical fears over medicine women merged to form the classical “witch” stereotype and what history has called the “witches’ ointment.” He shares dozens of psychoactive formulas and recipes gleaned from rare manuscripts from university collections from all over the world as well as the practices and magical incantations necessary for their preparation. He explores the connections between witches’ ointments and spells for shape shifting, spirit travel, and bewitching magic. He examines the practices of some Renaissance magicians, who inhaled powerful drugs to communicate with spirits, and of Italian folk-witches, such as Matteuccia di Francisco, who used hallucinogenic drugs in her love potions and herbal preparations, and Finicella, who used drug ointments to imagine herself transformed into a cat. Exploring the untold history of the witches’ ointment and medieval hallucinogen use, Hatsis reveals how the Church transformed folk drug practices, specifically entheogenic ones, into satanic experiences. |
| a secret history of witches series: Buried Magic TJ Green, 2018-11-22 Witchcraft, dark secrets, and demons. No one is safe in White Haven. Avery, one of the five White Haven witches, practices her magic alone and spends her days working in her bookshop, refusing to join the coven. However, days away from Litha, the summer solstice, a deceased customer bequeaths her a rune covered box and an intriguing letter that reveals the witches are missing a vital part of their history. The news shatters her organised life completely. Five ancient family grimoires are hidden in the town, and within their pages lies a secret. Unable to resist a mystery, Avery is determined to find them. However, the tarot cards predict danger, and when another witch—the sexy, but annoying Alex Bonneville—shares the same premonition, they know that an unknown enemy is determined to stop them using any means necessary. Avery never backs down from a fight, and Alex refuses to let her fight alone. When White Haven turns into a battleground of magic and demons, the witches’ lives will never be the same again. Buried Magic is perfect for fans of paranormal mysteries who love authentic witchcraft and magic, a slow-burn romance, English humour, a gorgeous Cornish setting with lots of myths, and plenty of action. Join the coven and buy Buried Magic now! ***This story completes in book 2, Magic Unbound. All subsequent stories are complete. Keywords: Witchy fiction, witch mysteries, witch urban fantasy, paranormal fiction, paranormal fantasy series, paranormal mystery, supernatural suspense, occult fiction, magic, action and adventure, spirits, ghosts, mild romance, paranormal cozy mystery, mystery books, Cornish village mysteries, occult fiction, demons, contemporary fantasy, urban fantasy, humour, friendship, magic, spells, intrigue, English myths, legends and folklore, witchcraft, Wiccan fiction, grimoires and spell books. |
| a secret history of witches series: The Once and Future Witches Alix E. Harrow, 2020-10-13 THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER 'Glorious . . . a tale that will sweep you away' Yangsze Choo, New York Times bestselling author of The Night Tiger 'A gorgeous and thrilling paean to the ferocious power of women' Laini Taylor, New York Times bestselling author of Strange the Dreamer In 1893, there's no such thing as witches. There used to be, in the wild, dark days before the burnings began, but now witching is nothing but tidy charms and nursery rhymes. If the modern woman wants any measure of power, she must find it at the ballot box. But when the three Eastwood sisters join the suffragists of New Salem, they begin to pursue the forgotten ways that might turn the women's movement into the witch's movement. Stalked by shadows and sickness, hunted by forces who will not suffer a witch to vote - and perhaps not even to live - the sisters must delve into the oldest magics, draw new alliances, and heal the bond between them if they want to survive. There's no such thing as witches. But there will be. Praise for The Once and Future Witches: 'A brilliant dazzle of a book . . . I devoured it in enormous gulps, and utterly loved it' Kat Howard, author of The Unkindness of Ghosts 'Compelling, exhilarating and magical - a must-read' Booklist (starred review) 'Delightful . . . a tale of women's battle for equality, of fairy tales twisted into wonderfully witchy spells, of magics both large and small, and history re-imagined' Louisa Morgan, author of A Secret History of Witches 'A love letter to folklore and the rebellious women of history' Publishers Weekly 'A breathtaking book - brilliant and raw and dark and complicated' Sarah Gailey, author of Magic for Liars |
| a secret history of witches series: The Secret History of Vampires Claude Lecouteux, 2010-02-01 A look at the forgotten ancestors of the modern-day vampire, many of which have very different characteristics • Looks at the many ancestoral forms of the modern vampire, including shroud eaters, appesarts, and stafi • Presents evidence for the reality of this phenomenon from pre-19th-century newspaper articles and judicial records Of all forms taken by the undead, the vampire wields the most powerful pull on the modern imagination. But the countless movies and books inspired by this child of the night who has a predilection for human blood are based on incidents recorded as fact in newspapers and judicial archives in the centuries preceding the works of Bram Stoker and other writers. Digging through these forgotten records, Claude Lecouteux unearths a very different figure of the vampire in the many accounts of individuals who reportedly would return from their graves to attack the living. These ancestors of the modern vampire were not all blood suckers; they included shroud eaters, appesarts, nightmares, and the curious figure of the stafia, whose origin is a result of masons secretly interring the shadow of a living human being in the wall of a building under construction. As Lecouteux shows, the belief in vampires predates ancient Roman times, which abounded with lamia, stirges, and ghouls. Discarding the tacked together explanations of modern science for these inexplicable phenomena, the author looks back to another folk belief that has come down through the centuries like that of the undead: the existence of multiple souls in every individual, not all of which are able to move on to the next world after death. |
| a secret history of witches series: The Witch Of Willow Hall Hester Fox, 2018-10-02 ‘This debut recalls Georgette Heyer, with extra spookiness’ The Times ‘Beautifully written... The Witch of Willow Hall will cast a spell over every reader’ Lisa Hall, author of Between You and Me |
| a secret history of witches series: The Witchfinder's Sister Beth Underdown, 2017-03-02 'The number of women my brother Matthew killed, so far as I can reckon it, is one hundred and six...' THE PAGE-TURNING RICHARD AND JUDY BOOK CLUB BESTSELLER 'A compelling debut from a gifted storyteller' Sarah Perry, author of The Essex Serpent When Alice Hopkins' husband dies in a tragic accident, she returns to the small Essex town of Manningtree, where her brother Matthew still lives. But home is no longer a place of safety. Matthew has changed, and there are rumours spreading through the town: whispers of witchcraft, and of a great book, in which he is gathering women's names. To what lengths will Matthew's obsession drive him? And what choice will Alice make, when she finds herself at the very heart of his plan? Winner of the HWA Debut Crown Award 2017, and a Spring 2018 Richard and Judy Book Club pick, this beautiful and haunting historical thriller is perfect for fans of Sarah Waters, The Miniaturist and Burial Rites. 'Vivid and terrifying' Paula Hawkins, author of The Girl on the Train 'Thumpingly good' Lucy Mangan 'A clever, pacey read that blends truth and fiction...what elevates this book above other historical thrillers are the questions that Underdown asks about the nature of power, fear and how easy it is to become complicit in terrible acts' The Times 'A chilling, creeping novel with very obvious parallels to more modern forms of witch-hints and misogyny, but is still firmly rooted in an England torn apart by civil war and gripped by religious fervour' Red 'A haunting, brooding debut' Psychologies 'At once a feminist parable and an old-fashioned, check-twice-under-the-bed thriller' Patrick Gale 'A richly told and utterly compelling tale, with shades of Hilary Mantel' Kate Hamer, author of The Girl in the Red Coat 'Anyone who liked Cecilia Ekback's Wolf Winter is going to love this' Natasha Pulley, author of The Watchmaker of Filigree Street 'Beth Underdown grips us from the outset and won't let go...at once a feminist parable and an old-fashioned, check-twice-under-the-bed thriller' Patrick Gale, author of Notes from an Exhibition 'A tense, surprising and elegantly-crafted novel' Ian McGuire, author of The North Water 'Beth Underdown cleverly creates a compelling atmosphere of dread and claustrophobia... Even from the distance of nearly four hundred years, her Matthew Hopkins is a genuinely frightening monster' Kate Riordan 'Superb: dark, terrifying and utterly compelling' Tracy Borman 'A novel for our times. Beth Underdown's The Witchfinder's Sister explores another time and another place to lay bare the visceral horror of what a witch hunt truly is' New York Times Book Review 'Entertaining and thought-provoking, with a valuable message for our own times' Washington Post |
| a secret history of witches series: The Book of Life Deborah Harkness, 2015-05-26 The #1 New York Times bestselling third installment in the All Souls series, from the author of The Discovery of Witches and The Black Bird Oracle. Look for the hit series “A Discovery of Witches,” now streaming on AMC+, Sundance Now, and Shudder! Bringing the magic and suspense of the All Souls Trilogy to a deeply satisfying conclusion, this highly anticipated finale went straight to #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. In The Book of Life, Diana and Matthew time-travel back from Elizabethan London to make a dramatic return to the present—facing new crises and old enemies. At Matthew’s ancestral home, Sept-Tours, they reunite with the beloved cast of characters from A Discovery of Witches—with one significant exception. But the real threat to their future has yet to be revealed, and when it is, the search for Ashmole 782 and its missing pages takes on even more urgency. |
| a secret history of witches series: The Witching Hour Anne Rice, 2010-11-17 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the beloved author of the Vampire Chronicles, the first installation of her spellbinding Mayfair Chronicles—the inspiration for the hit television series! “Extraordinary . . . Anne Rice offers more than just a story; she creates myth.”—The Washington Post Book World Rowan Mayfair, a beautiful woman, a brilliant practitioner of neurosurgery—aware that she has special powers but unaware that she comes from an ancient line of witches—finds the drowned body of a man off the coast of California and brings him to life. He is Michael Curry, who was born in New Orleans and orphaned in childhood by fire on Christmas Eve, who pulled himself up from poverty, and who now, in his brief interval of death, has acquired a sensory power that mystifies and frightens him. As these two, fiercely drawn to each other, fall in love and—in passionate alliance—set out to solve the mystery of her past and his unwelcome gift, an intricate tale of evil unfolds. Moving through time from today’s New Orleans and San Francisco to long-ago Amsterdam and a château in the Louis XIV’s France, and from the coffee plantations of Port au Prince, where the great Mayfair fortune is made and the legacy of their dark power is almost destroyed, to Civil War New Orleans, The Witching Hour is a luminous, deeply enchanting novel. The magic of the Mayfairs continues: THE WITCHING HOUR • LASHER • TALTOS |
| a secret history of witches series: The Strange Case of the Dutch Painter Timothy Miller, 2022-02-01 Paris, 1890. When Sherlock Holmes finds himself chasing an art dealer through the streets of Paris, he’s certain he’s smoked out one of the principals of a cunning forgery ring responsible for the theft of some of the Louvre’s greatest masterpieces. But for once, Holmes is dead wrong. He doesn’t know that the dealer, Theo Van Gogh, is rushing to the side of his brother, who lies dying of a gunshot wound in Auvers. He doesn’t know that the dealer’s brother is a penniless misfit artist named Vincent, known to few and mourned by even fewer. Officialdom pronounces the death a suicide, but a few minutes at the scene convinces Holmes it was murder. And he’s bulldog-determined to discover why a penniless painter who harmed no one had to be killed–and who killed him. Who could profit from Vincent’s death? How is the murder entwined with his own forgery investigation? Holmes must retrace the last months of Vincent’s life, testing his mettle against men like the brutal Paul Gauguin and the secretive Toulouse-Lautrec, all the while searching for the girl Olympia, whom Vincent named with his dying breath. She can provide the truth, but can anyone provide the proof? From the madhouse of St. Remy to the rooftops of Paris, Holmes hunts a killer—while the killer hunts him. |
| a secret history of witches series: Strange Tricks Syd Moore, 2021-05-06 Rosie Strange is back in the latest of the fabulously creepy Essex Witch Museum Mysteries Secretly Rosie Strange has always thought herself a little bit more interesting than most people – the legacy her family has bequeathed her is definitely so, she’s long believed. But then life takes a peculiar turn when the Strange legacy turns out not just to be the Essex Witch Museum, but perhaps some otherworldly gifts that Rosie finds difficult to fathom. Meanwhile Sam Stone, Rosie’s curator, is oddly distracted as breadcrumb clues into what happened to his missing younger brother and other abducted boys from the past are poised to lead him and Rosie deep into a dark wood where there lurks something far scarier than Hansel and Gretel’s witch… Praise for the Essex Witch Museum Mysteries: ‘I gleefully submitted to a tale of witchcraft, feminism, mysterious strangers, historical atrocities, plucky heroines and ghastly apparitions – and came away more proud than ever to be an Essex girl.’ Sarah Perry, author of The Essex Serpent ‘Confident, down-to-earth Essex girl Rosie is an appealing character, and there is plenty of spooky fun in this spirited genre mashup.’ Guardian |
| a secret history of witches series: The Wolf in the Whale Jordanna Max Brodsky, 2019-01-29 'IMAGINATIVE AND COMPELLING' Juliet Marillier, author of the Sevenwaters Series THERE IS A VERY OLD STORY, RARELY TOLD, OF A WOLF THAT RUNS INTO THE OCEAN AND BECOMES A WHALE. Born with the soul of a hunter and chosen by the spirit of the Wolf, Omat is destined to follow in her grandfather's footsteps - invoking the spirits of the land, sea and sky to protect her people. But the gods have stopped listening, the seals won't come and Omat's family is starving. Alone at the edge of the world, hope is the only thing they have left. Desperate to save them, Omat journeys across the icy wastes, fighting for survival with every step. When she meets a Viking warrior and his strange new gods, they set in motion a conflict that could shatter her world . . . or save it. Blending myth and magic from Norse and Inuit folklore, The Wolf in The Whale is a captivating tale of identity and survival featuring an unforgettable narrator who will do anything to protect those she loves, even confront the gods themselves. 'I honestly could not put into words how much I loved this book . . . one of my favorite books I've ever read . . . Magical, heartbreaking, and beautiful' Jes Reads Books 'An enchanting blend of myth, magic and faith . . . treat yourself and dive right in' SciFiNow 'Magical and awe inspiring . . . brings together an incredible world of ice and magic and characters that will capture your heart' Fantasy Hive |
| a secret history of witches series: Witches of Lychford Paul Cornell, 2015-09-08 Traveler, Cleric, Witch. The villagers in the sleepy hamlet of Lychford are divided. A supermarket wants to build a major branch on their border. Some welcome the employment opportunities, while some object to the modernization of the local environment. Judith Mawson (local crank) knows the truth -- that Lychford lies on the boundary between two worlds, and that the destruction of the border will open wide the gateways to malevolent beings beyond imagination. But if she is to have her voice heard, she's going to need the assistance of some unlikely allies... PRAISE FOR Paul Cornell's THE WITCHES OF LYCHFORD At once epic and terribly intimate. This is the story of a village, not a city, and all the more powerful for that; not all big fantasy needs an urban setting. Beautifully written, perfectly cruel, and ultimately kind. This is Cornell at the height of his craft. — Seanan McGuire, New York Times bestselling author of the InCryptid and October Daye series Rich in charm... local politics and witchcraft writ small and personal, but large in consequence. [Cornell] adeptly describes the emotion of magic; its effects and internal ignition of wonder. The feel of being exposed to magic for the first time and the feel of doing magic and having it done to you have never been better described in any story. — Bill Willingham, author of Fables and Down the Mysterly River Masterfully creepy and sinister, all the more so for taking place in the beautifully drawn English countryside. — Jenny Colgan, author of Doctor Who: Into the Nowhere At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied. |
| a secret history of witches series: Shadow of Night Deborah Harkness, 2013-05-28 The #1 New York Times bestselling second installment in the All Souls series, from the author of The Discovery of Witches and The Black Bird Oracle. Look for the hit series “A Discovery of Witches,” now streaming on AMC+, Sundance Now, and Shudder! Picking up from A Discovery of Witches’ cliffhanger ending, Shadow of Night takes reluctant witch Diana Bishop and vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont on a trip through time to Elizabethan London, where they are plunged into a world of spies, magic, and a coterie of Matthew's old friends, the School of Night. As the search for Ashmole 782—the lost and enchanted manuscript whose mystery first pulled Diana and Matthew into one another's orbit—deepens and Diana seeks out a witch to tutor her in magic, the net of Matthew's past tightens around them. Together they find they must embark on a very different—and vastly more dangerous—journey. “A captivating and romantic ripping yarn,”* Shadow of Night confirms Deborah Harkness as a master storyteller, able to cast an “addictive tale of magic, mayhem and two lovers”(Chicago Tribune). |
| a secret history of witches series: Her Majesty’s Royal Coven Juno Dawson, 2022-07-21 THE #1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER |
| a secret history of witches series: Ash Mary Gentle, 2013-09-24 For the beautiful young woman Ash, life has always been arquebuses and artillery, swords and armour and the true horrors of hand-to-hand combat. War is her job. She has fought her way to the command of a mercenary company, and on her unlikely shoulders lies the destiny of a Europe threatened by the depredations of an Infidel army more terrible than any nightmare. Winner of the BSFA Award for best novel, 2000 |
| a secret history of witches series: The Winter Trilogy: A Witch in Winter Ruth Warburton, 2012-01-05 Anna Winterson doesn't know she's a witch and would probably mock you for believing in magic, but after moving to the small town of Winter with her father, she learns more than she ever wanted to about power. When Anna meets Seth, she is smitten, but when she enchants him to love her, she unwittingly amplifies a deadly conflict between two witch clans and splits her own heart in two. She wants to love Seth, to let him love her - but if it is her magic that's controlling his passion, then she is as monstrous as the witch clan who are trying to use her amazing powers for their own gain. |
| a secret history of witches series: The Winter Witch Paula Brackston, 2013-01-29 New York Times bestselling author Paula Brackston transports readers to the windswept mountains of Wales in The Winter Witch, an enthralling tale of love and magic. In her small early nineteenth century Welsh town, there is no one quite like Morgana. She is small and quick and pretty enough to attract a suitor, but there are things that set her apart from other girls. Though her mind is sharp she has not spoken since she was a young girl. Her silence is a mystery, as well as her magic—the household objects that seem to move at her command, the bad luck that visits those who do her ill. Concerned for her safety, her mother is anxious to see Morgana married, and Cai Jenkins, the widowed drover from the far hills who knows nothing of the rumors that swirl around her, seems the best choice. After her wedding, Morgana is heartbroken at leaving her mother, and wary of this man, whom she does not know, and who will take her away to begin a new life. But she soon falls in love with Cai's farm and the wild mountains that surround it. Here, where frail humans are at the mercy of the elements, she thrives, her wild nature and her magic blossoming. Cai works to understand the beautiful, half-tamed creature he has chosen for a bride, and slowly, he begins to win Morgana's affections. It's not long, however, before her strangeness begins to be remarked upon in her new village. A dark force is at work there—a person who will stop at nothing to turn the townspeople against Morgana, even at the expense of those closest to her. Forced to defend her home, her man, and herself from all comers, Morgana must learn to harness her power, or she will lose everything in this beautifully written, enchanting novel. An enthralling tale of love and magic. –USA Today |
| a secret history of witches series: Archibald Finch and the Lost Witches Michel Guyon, 2021-10-19 History, magic, and adventure collide in this riveting middle-grade fantasy novel about an unusual boy who unlocks an ancient relic—and with it, a forgotten world. Befriended by a band of young witches, Archibald Finch must quickly adapt to survive in Lemurea, where a battle born in the Middle Ages is still unfolding . . . Archibald is a risk-averse boy with quirks that earn him plenty of eye-rolls, especially from his older sister, Hailee. Things get worse when his parents move the family from London to his grandmother’s creepy manor in the English countryside. Now he has to deal with hairless dolls in the library, weird stone creatures on the roof, and a spooky forest at the edge of the backyard. But these turn out to be the least of Archibald's problems . . . One day, as he's exploring the cavernous house, he finds a curious globe that whisks him away to a secret world, hidden for 500 years. Archibald finds himself on a thrilling adventure full of medieval magic, mysterious symbols, and the strangest beasts, while Hailee—who witnessed her brother’s disappearance—embarks on a daring quest to find him. |
| a secret history of witches series: The Secret History of Poltergeists and Haunted Houses Claude Lecouteux, 2012-04-26 What poltergeist accounts through the ages reveal about our own worldviews • Provides a wide array of case studies from ancient Greece and Rome to medieval Europe to the modern world • Explores the relationship between poltergeists and troubled adolescence • Looks beneath the Christian adulteration of pagan practices to reveal the hidden ancestral beliefs tied to poltergeists and haunted houses Stories of poltergeists and their mischievous and sometimes violent actions--knocking, stone or chair throwing, moving objects with invisible hands, and slamming or opening doors--are a constant through the ages. What changes is how we interpret this activity. For our pagan ancestors this phenomenon was caused by helper spirits whose manifestations revealed their unhappiness with a household. The medieval Christian church demonized these once helpful spirits and held exorcisms to expel them from the houses they haunted--which proved effective less than half the time. The Age of Enlightenment cast these incidents as clever hoaxes, and many still believe this today. But poltergeist manifestations continue to appear and often defy attempts to debunk them as pranks. What then is behind this phenomenon? Exploring accounts of poltergeists from ancient Greece and Rome, medieval Europe, and the modern world, Claude Lecouteux finds that while our interpretations of poltergeists may change, the manifestations always follow a similar course and evolution. He shows how modern scientific studies of poltergeist manifestations have found a strong tie between these visitations and the presence of a troubled adolescent in the house. Looking beneath the Christian adulteration of pagan practices to reveal the hidden ancestral beliefs tied to poltergeists and haunted houses, the author shows how these unhappy spirits serve as confirmation of the supernatural beings that share the earth with us and of our relationship with the natural and unseen world, a relationship we must take care to keep in balance. |
| a secret history of witches series: Witchstruck Victoria Lamb, 2012-07-05 Meg Lytton has always known of her dark and powerful gift. Raised a student of the old magick by her Aunt Jane, casting the circle to see visions of the future and concocting spells from herbs and bones has always been as natural to Meg as breathing. But there has never been a more dangerous time to practise the craft, for it is 1554, and the sentence for any woman branded a witch is hanging, or burning at the stake. Sent to the ruined, isolated palace of Woodstock to serve the disgraced Elizabeth, daughter of Henry VIII and half-sister of Queen Mary, Meg discovers her skills are of interest to the outcast princess, who is desperate to know if she will ever claim the throne. But Meg's existence becomes more dangerous every day, with the constant threat of exposure by the ruthless witchfinder Marcus Dent, and the arrival of a young Spanish priest, Alejandro de Castillo, to whom Meg is irresistibly drawn - despite their very different attitudes to her secret. Thrilling and fast-paced, this is the first unputdownable story in a bewitching new series. |
| a secret history of witches series: Witches and Pagans Max Dashu, 2016 Swa wiccan taeca?: ?as the witches teach.' So, explained the Old English translator, it was witches who counseled people to ?bring their offerings to earth-fast stone and also to trees and to wellsprings.' His contextualizing commentary on a Frankish penitential reveals the witches? intimate association with animist, earth-based ceremonies, contradicting the now-engrained idea that they were ?wicked.' In a compelling exploration of language, archaeology, early medieval literature and art, Max Dashu pulls the covers off ethnic lore known to few except scholarly specialists. She shows that the old ethnic names for ?witch? signify wisewoman, prophetess, diviner, healer, shapeshifter, and dreamer. She fleshes out the spiritual culture of the Norse völur (?staff-women?), with their oracular ceremonies, incantations, and ?sitting-out? on the land for wisdom. She examines archaeological finds of women's ritual staffs, many of which symbolize the distaff, a spinning tool that connects with broader European themes of goddesses, fates, witches, and female power. Ecclesiastical records show that these aspects of European women's spiritual culture survived state conversions to Christianity. Witches and Pagans plunges into the megalithic taproot of the elder kindreds, and the ancestral Old Woman known as the Cailleach. It draws on priestly Frankish and German sources to trace the foundational witch-legend of the Women Who Go by Night with the Goddess'and her links to women's spinning sacraments in the orature of Holle, Fraw Percht, and Swanfooted Berthe. The book also looks at the sexual politics of early witch burnings and the female ordeal of treading red-hot iron. Anglo-Saxon ?mystery-singers? shed light on ancestor veneration in early medieval Europe.The webs of Wyrd, weavers? ceremonies, herb-chanters, crystal balls and the Völuspá: this book uncovers the authentic ethnic roots of witchcraft. Putting the common woman at the center results in a very different view of European history than the one we have been taught. Sagas, ecclesiastical canons, laws, chronicles, charms, manuscripts and sculpture show the spiritual leadership of women and the goddesses, fates, and ancestors they revered. These strands can help to reweave the ripped webs of women's culture. |
| a secret history of witches series: The Witches Roald Dahl, 2008 A young boy and his Norwegian grandmother, who is an expert on witches, together foil a witches' plot to destroy the world's children by turning them into mice. |
| a secret history of witches series: The World of All Souls Deborah Harkness, 2018-05-08 Discover the truths, the history, the myths and the magic behind the first three novels in the spellbinding All Souls series. Fall under the spell once more with this all-encompassing insider's guide to A Discovery of Witches, Shadow of Night and The Book of Life. The first three novels in the All Souls series by Deborah Harkness, featuring historian and witch Diana Bishop and vampire scientist Matthew Clairmont, delves into mythology, alchemy, literature and architecture. And history is brought to life. The World of All Souls is the ultimate companion for fans and unlocks this fantastical world, letting you in on all its secrets and mysteries. Praise for Deborah Harkness: 'This is a glorious, finely-wrought gem of a book: intelligent, thoughtful, intricate. . . Utterly enchanting on every level' Manda Scott on A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES 'Deborah Harkness writes as if she's the hugely more talented love child of Diana Gabaldon and J. K. Rowling' thebookbag.co.uk on SHADOW OF NIGHT 'Rich in arcane detail, fans will relish this exotic cauldron of romantic fantasy' Sunday Mirror on THE BOOK OF LIFE |
| a secret history of witches series: Flight SQA016 Amanda Radley, 2021-07-13 Emily White works an exhausting transatlantic schedule for Crown Airlines. Crippling debt means she spends more time in the air as a member of the first-class cabin crew than she does on the ground being a mother, and she desperately misses her young son. Fastidious passenger Olivia Lewis is used to things being a certain way. When her routine is changed by this new, attractive member of the staff, she attempts to reach out to Emily. Unfortunately, Olivia is famous for her terrible social skills, and things quickly go oh-so-wrong. When disaster strikes for her son, will Emily be able to swallow her pride and accept the assistance Olivia offers? |
| a secret history of witches series: The Witches of BlackBrook Tish Thawer, 2015 Through space and time, sisters entwined. Lost then found, souls remain bound.Three sisters escape the Salem witch trials when the eldest casts a spell that hurdles their souls forward through time. After centuries separated, fate has finally reunited them in the present day.One the healer, one the teacher, and one the deceiver.Will their reunion return their full powers, or end their souls journey forever?A Witches of BlackBrook novel. |
| a secret history of witches series: Witch Child Celia Rees, 2009-05-12 In 1659, fourteen-year-old Mary Newbury keeps a journal of her voyage from England to the New World and her experiences living as a witch in a community of Puritans near Salem, Massachusetts. |
| a secret history of witches series: The Graces Laure Eve, 2016-08-30 Picked for BBC Radio 2's Book ClubEveryone said the Graces were witches.They moved through the corridors like sleek fish, ripples in their wake. Stares followed their backs and their hair.They had friends, but they were just distractions. They were waiting for someone different.All I had to do was show them that person was me.Like everyone else in her town, River is obsessed with the Graces, attracted by their glamour and apparent ability to weave magic. But are they really what they seem? And are they more dangerous than they let on? This beautifully-written thriller will grip you from its very first page. |
| a secret history of witches series: In the Company of Witches Auralee Wallace, 2021-10-19 When a guest dies in the B&B she helps her aunts run, a young witch must rely on some good old-fashioned investigating to clear her aunt's name in this magical and charming new cozy mystery. For four hundred years, the Warren witches have used their magic to quietly help the citizens of the sleepy New England town of Evenfall thrive. There's never been a problem they couldn't handle. But then Constance Graves--a local known for being argumentative and demanding--dies while staying at the bed and breakfast Brynn Warren maintains with her aunts. At first, it seems like an accident...but it soon becomes clear that there's something more sinister at work, and Aunt Nora is shaping up to be the prime suspect. There's nothing Brynn wants more than to prove Nora's innocence, and it hurts her to know that even two years ago that might have been easier. Brynn, after all, is a witch of the dead--a witch who can commune with ghosts. Ghosts never remember much about their deaths, but Constance might remember something about her life that would help crack the case. But Brynn hasn't used her powers since her husband died, and isn't even sure she still can. Brynn will just have to hope that her aunts' magic and her own investigative skills will lead her to answers--and maybe back to the gift she once thought herself ready to give up forever. |
| a secret history of witches series: The Witches of New York Ami McKay, 2016-10-27 Those averse to magic need not apply... The perfect novel for Halloween! 1880 Witches Adelaide Thom and Eleanor St Clair have opened a tea shop in Manhattan specialising in cures, palmistry and potions. When an enchanting woman called Beatrice joins the witches as an apprentice, she soon proves indispensable, but her new life is marred by strange occurrences. She sees things no one else can see. She hears voices no one else can hear. Has she been touched by magic or is she simply losing her mind? Amidst the witches' tug-of-war over how best to nurture her gifts, Beatrice disappears. But was it by choice or by force? In a time when women were corseted, confined and committed for merely speaking their minds, is anyone really safe? |
| a secret history of witches series: The Witch's Daughter Paula Brackston, 2013-12-05 A New York Times Bestseller: Part historical romance, part modern fantasy, The Witch's Daughter is a 'lyrical and spell-binding' take on the magical and dangerous world of witches (Mary Sharratt, author of Daughters of the Witching Hill) In the spring of 1628, young Bess Hawksmith watches her mother's body swing limp from the Hanging Tree. She knows that only one man can save her from the same fate - Gideon Masters, the Warlock. She knows, too, that his help comes at a steep price. In present-day England, Elizabeth[HT1] has built a quiet life for herself. She has spent the centuries in solitude, moving from place to place, surviving plagues, wars and the heartbreak that comes with immortality. Her loneliness comes to an abrupt end when she is befriended by a teenage girl called Tegan. Against her better judgment, Elizabeth opens her heart to Tegan and begins teaching her the ways of the Hedge Witch. But Gideon is hunting her still. He will stop at nothing, determined even after centuries to claim her soul. And now, Bess is not fighting to save herself alone: now, she must protect the girl she has grown to love like a daughter. A lyrical and spell-binding time travel fantasy featuring an immortal witch who must summon all her powers to defeat the evil hounding her through the centuries. --Mary Sharratt, author of Daughters of the Witching Hill Women will certainly love the independent, feisty female characters, but the narrative is wonderfully imaginative and the plot fast-moving and filled with action. . . Highly recommended for witches and warlocks alike. --Historical Novel Society Brackston's first novel offers well-crafted characters in an absorbing plot and an altogether delicious blend of historical fiction and fantasy. --Booklist |
| a secret history of witches series: The Illustrated Secret History of the World Mark Booth, 2018-11-13 Since its first publication in 2008, The Secret History of the World has sold over 250,000 copies and established itself as the authoritative text on the subject of esoteric belief systems and secret societies. Now, with The Illustrated Secret History of the World, this landmark book achieves a new level of authority, adding to its thorough and revealing text more than 350 illustrations--many of them rare--of the symbols, drawings, engravings, paintings, and photographs that are a key part of the world's secret history. This richly illustrated edition features exclusive new material to accompany the original text in a beautiful package and oversized format. The Illustrated Secret History of the World presents a radical re-interpretation of human existence and a view of the world previously hidden from us.Featuring: Alchemists & FreemasonsThe IlluminatiThe Garden of EdenThe Knights TemplarThe Looking Glass UniverseThe Gods Who Loved WomenThe Green KingThe ProphetsThe Sphinx & the TimelockThe Neolithic AlexanderZarathustraThe Rise of the Magi LuciferGnostics & ShamansMohammed and GabrielFrancis Bacon and the Green OneThe Rosicrucian AgeThe Seven Seals & The New JerusalemAnd much more . . . |
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SECRET Synonyms: 170 Similar and Opposite Words - Merriam …
Synonyms for SECRET: confidence, dope, lowdown, mystery, enigma, puzzle, riddle, why; Antonyms of SECRET: open secret, public, open, overt, avowed, acknowledged, …
SECRET | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
SECRET definition: 1. a piece of information that is only known by one person or a few people and should not be told…. Learn more.
Secret Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary
SECRET meaning: 1 : kept hidden from others known to only a few people; 2 : keeping information hidden from others secretive
Secret - definition of secret by The Free Dictionary
Something that is kept out of the knowledge or sight of others or is known only to oneself or a few: wanted to have no secrets between them. 2. Something that remains beyond understanding or …
What does SECRET mean? - Definitions.net
What does SECRET mean? This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word SECRET. Knowledge that is hidden and intended …
SECRET Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com
Secret definition: done, made, or conducted without the knowledge of others.. See examples of SECRET used in a sentence.
Secret - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com
A secret is something you don’t want everybody to know, like your secret crush on the bus driver. A secret can also be a mystery known to only a few — the secret of the lost pyramid. There …
secret adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage …
Definition of secret adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. known about by only a few people; kept hidden from others. They belong to an age-old secret society. secret from …
SECRET definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary
If something is secret, it is known about by only a small number of people, and is not told or shown to anyone else. Soldiers have been training at a secret location. The police have been …
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SECRET Synonyms: 170 Similar and Opposite Words - Merriam …
Synonyms for SECRET: confidence, dope, lowdown, mystery, enigma, puzzle, riddle, why; Antonyms of SECRET: open secret, public, open, overt, avowed, acknowledged, …
SECRET | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
SECRET definition: 1. a piece of information that is only known by one person or a few people and should not be told…. Learn more.
Secret Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary
SECRET meaning: 1 : kept hidden from others known to only a few people; 2 : keeping information hidden from others secretive
Secret - definition of secret by The Free Dictionary
Something that is kept out of the knowledge or sight of others or is known only to oneself or a few: wanted to have no secrets between them. 2. Something that remains beyond understanding or …
What does SECRET mean? - Definitions.net
What does SECRET mean? This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word SECRET. Knowledge that is hidden and intended …
SECRET Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com
Secret definition: done, made, or conducted without the knowledge of others.. See examples of SECRET used in a sentence.
Secret - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com
A secret is something you don’t want everybody to know, like your secret crush on the bus driver. A secret can also be a mystery known to only a few — the secret of the lost pyramid. There …
secret adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage …
Definition of secret adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. known about by only a few people; kept hidden from others. They belong to an age-old secret society. secret from …
SECRET definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary
If something is secret, it is known about by only a small number of people, and is not told or shown to anyone else. Soldiers have been training at a secret location. The police have been …
