Liz Williams

A beautifully presented directory of occult history and artefacts and an essential guide for anyone interested in the occult. Explore the mysterious and fascinating world of the occult from ancient Egypt to London’s Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn in the 19th century with this visual cabinet of curiosities. Compendium of the Occult is divided into seven main sections: Ancient Origins, Divination, Ritual and Rites, Charms and Talismans, Curses and Hexes, Secret Societies and Sites of Significance. Each is packed with original manuscripts, sacred symbols and ritual objects to explore. Expert commentary on eclectic topics, ranging from Ancient Egyptian curses to the history of demonology, is further illuminated by excerpts from historical texts and a wide range of beautiful archive imagery. Unearth the meaning of the world 'occult' and the differences between occultism and magic; discover arcane rituals and the belief systems behind them; and unlock the mysteries of ancient customs, sacred sites and secret societies.

Miracles of Our Own Making is a historical overview of magic in the British Isles, from the ancient peoples of Britain to the rich and cosmopolitan landscape of contemporary paganism. We explore the beliefs of the Druids, the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, the alchemy of the Elizabethan court and the witch trials. We encounter grimoires, ceremonial magic and the Romantic revival of arcane deities. The influential and well-known - the Golden Dawn, Wicca and figures such as Aleister Crowley - are considered alongside the everyday `cunning folk' who formed the magical fabric of previous centuries. Ranging widely across literature, art, science and beyond, Liz Williams debunks many of the prevailing myths surrounding magical practice, past and present, while offering a rigorously researched and highly accessible account of what it means to be a pagan today.