Witches’ Potions And Spells
Paulsen, Ed.
With decorations by Maggie Jarvis
1971
Submitter: I want to state I am in absolutely no way making fun of this book or endorsing it. I’d think a true practitioner of witch craft would find this book either funny or possibly offensive as much of what’s in here is very stereotyped and seems lifted straight out of ignorant myths. I also don’t really want to scan a lot of it as some of the spells/potions call for killing innocent cats. Grrr. I somehow couldn’t resist it when I first saw it. I’m actually glad it fell into my hands as I would never do any of these. Especially the ones that involve killing animals. But I would love to hear the opinions on the book from someone who actually does practice.
Holly: I’m not a fan of books that take something serious, with serious information in it, and cutesie it up. If that were the point of the book, to be light and cute, fine. If it’s supposed to be a book about practicing Wicca, then it is kind of ridiculous (and yes, probably insulting). Unless it is the public’s favorite and it gets constant use, I’d weed it on age and presentation. The cat thing is pretty unsettling, too.
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