A comprehensive reference guide to all things occult, covering a broad range of magic tradition from Babylonian times to the present day. This authoritative reference text by linguist and occult expert Harry E. Wedeck offers a broad understanding of witchcraft, necromancy, paganism, the occult, and many of magic’s other manifestations. With in-depth information on essential concepts, practices, and vocabulary, Dictionary of the Occult also covers many of the most notable wizards and demonographers. Perhaps the most famous word in all of magic, Abracadabra is in fact a magic formula used in incantations against sickness or ill luck. Black Mass is a mass held in honor of the Devil. Geloscopy is the practice of divination through observing someone’s laughter. From A-to-Z, Wedeck covers magical names and terms from around the world and down through the ages.

With ovear 3000 cross-referenced entries this is an invaluable reference to the mystical and esoteric traditions. It gives succinct definitions in the fields of magic hermeticism, alchemy, spiritualism, parapsychology, eastern and western mysticism, mind and consciousness research divination, tarot, and a variety of less welll-known subjects. It also features biographies of leading figures in the field with details of their lives, philosophies and writings- from astrologer Evangeline Adams to the prophet Zarathustra.