Review: The New Encyclopedia of the Occult, by John Michael Greer (2)

The New Encyclopedia of the Occult
Llewellyn Worldwide, 1567183360, 608 pp., 2004

Written in clear and unambiguous language, entries are factual and concise covering a wide range of topics in a more or less unbiased manner. Materials covered from ancient times to more recent, though Greer has opted not to include biographies still living, probably a wise choice.

It covers major and minor occult topics from Aarab Tzereq to the Gaia hypothesis to Wilhelm Reich to Zosimus of Panopolis and just about everything in between. Though with such a massive body of knowledge to cover, it’s not surprising that a few subjects are missing, such as servitors, werewolves or shape-shifting in shamanic rites.

A useful reference work covering damn near all aspects of the occult with an extensive bibliography, this is the most up to date occult compilation available.

Psyche serves as the editor for Spiral Nature, and has been published in numerous journals, including The Cauldron, PanGaia, Witches & Pagans. “Strategic Magick” appeared in Manifesting Prosperity (Megalithica, 2008).