Witchcraft and Magic : Contemporary North America / Helen A. Berger.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Berger, Helen A., editor.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Magic--North America.

Magic.

Neopaganism--North America.

Neopaganism.

Witchcraft--North America.

Witchcraft.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (216 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Philadelphia : University of Pennsylvania Press, [2011]

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Magic, always part of the occult underground in North America, has experienced a resurgence since the 1960's. Although most contemporary magical religions have come from abroad, they have found fertile ground in which to develop in North America. Who are today's believers in Witchcraft and how do they worship? Alternative spiritual paths have increased the ranks of followers dramatically, particularly among well-educated middle-class individuals. Witchcraft and Magic conveys the richness of magical religious experiences found in today's culture, covering the continent of North America and the Caribbean. These original essays survey current and historical issues pertinent to religions that incorporate magical or occult beliefs and practices, and they examine contemporary responses to these religions. The relationship between Witchcraft and Neopaganism is explored, as is their intersection with established groups practicing goddess worship. Recent years have seen the growth in New Age magic and Afro-Caribbean religions, and these developments are also addressed in this volume. All the religions covered offer adherents an alternative worldview and rituals that are aimed at helping individuals redefine themselves and make their interactions with the environment more empowered. Many modern occult religions share an absence of dogma or central authority to determine orthodoxy, and have become a contemporary experience embracing modern concerns like feminism, environmentalism, civil rights, and gay rights. Afro-Caribbean religions such as Santería, Palo, and Curanderismo, which do have a more developed dogma and authority structure, offer their followers a religion steeped in African and Hispanic traditions. Responses to the growth of magical religions have varied, from acceptance to an unfounded concern about the growth of a satanic underground. And, as magical religions have flourished, increased interest has resulted in a growing commercialization, with its threat of trivialization.

Contents:

Front matter

Contents

Introduction / Berger, Helen A.

1. New Age and Magic / York, Michael

2. Witchcraft and Neopaganism / Berger, Helen A.

3. Webs of Women: Feminist Spiritualities / Griffin, Wendy

4. Shamanism and Magic / York, Michael

5. Lucumi: The Second Diaspora / Flores-Peña, Ysanlur M.

6. Satanic Cults, Ritual Abuse, and Moral Panic: Deconstructing a Modern Witch-Hunt / Wright, Stuart A.

7. The Commodification of Witchcraft / Foltz, Tanice G.

Notes

Works cited

Contributors

Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed 08. Jul 2019)

ISBN:

9786613211446

9781283211444

1283211440

9780812201253

0812201256

OCLC:

979744231