Witch: The Wild Ride from Wicked to Wicca

by Candace Savage

In an intelligent, richly layered and witty text, Candace Savage uncovers the many faces of the witch and the changes in her image over the passing centuries.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Witchcraft, Wicca, Spirituality, Folklore, Paganism

144 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Katje van Loon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book is a must-read for any would-be witch. The book doesn't teach religion; it teaches history -- actual, factual history, not the made-up stuff that still gets touted as fact in some pagan circles. It talks about the image of the witch through history and how that image is tied inextricably to the image (and fear) of women. An excellent primer to understanding many of the stranger turns in the story of the witch.

Also a good book for feminists to read.

Only quibble: Savage conflates "Wicca" with "feminist witchraft". They are not the same. "Wicca" refers, specifically, to British Traditional Witchcraft -- is is an initiatory oathbound tradition and the details of it are not to be found in any book. The term Wicca gets tossed around loosely, but really "Neo-Wicca" should be used -- referring to those various traditions built upon the outer-court (ie, non-oathbound) material of British Traditional Witchcraft, or Wicca. "Feminist witchcraft" is an incredibly broad term that refers to any witchcraft tradition that is also feminist. As you can see, there is a fairly large difference there (and I wonder that Savage did not know this before finishing the book; she did do her research quite well otherwise).

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though I am a Catholic, I FUCKING LOVE WITCHES! And this book was WAY more interesting than I thought! I was surprised and overwhelmed with all the information it had and how detailed the author wrote about the history! I could not stop reading this book, it was just nonstop surprises of fascinating facts I never knew! It really open my mind more about witches and now I feel like an expert about them! This book did have some bizarre and pretty disturbing stuff so it is only suitable for right reader. Some parts were a little hard to read/understand but I was getting the hang of it! Every chapter had so many fascinating information and I could not put the book down! Loved it!! This book does not talk about spells or potions or anything like that. It talks all about the history and how much witches have evolved. A great read and very mind-blowing! :D

[Alice H · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read as a quick overview of witchcraft and its evolution throughout early modern history. This book mostly covers a Western history of witchcraft, not diving too far into religions in other parts of the world, but this is definitely with staying along the narrative of witches in popular culture and in the ever-feared western ideas of witchcraft.
This book has a large bibliography, which proves the dedication of the author to creating a work that is well-informed. While this book could definitely be longer, it serves as a fantastic entry to the history of western witchcraft for those who haven't decided whether or not they want to completely dive into witchcraft.

[Courtney Bassett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, accessible and wry crash course on witch historiography. Nice to see the myth of Wicca origin debunked.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the premise of the book.

Females know there is more to life than the social structure taught and imposed on them. However, that same social structure both limits female possibility, i.e., confines females to motherhood and the tenets thereof, or it brutally uses the perceived/ascribed docile ness of females to reinforce church/male power.

Witch is the chronicle from the malevolent (and no-complacent) woman, to women re-discovering their mystery, roots and wonder on their own terms. I really enjoyed the resistance of the French Salonistes – though they did not challenge male authority/domination directly. However, they mocked it in their own way, and re-discovered that they had wit and humor, despite the social restriction and repression. In addition, I am piqued with the presentation and popularity of the Grimm’s (Brothers’) fairy tales present so-called ancient stories, but to suit social sensibilities and reinforce the place of females during the time in which the tales were (re) written. The characteristic similarity between Mother Goose and the witch, are striking too, but the similarities have a telling dual purpose.

Witch traces the history of the witch from Savage’s wondering and fascination with the witch, to the Inquisition; women’s place at that time; with the assistance of the Malleus Malificarum, and again, the contemporary place of women once the witch trials fervor died away, to the subsequent rebirth of the witch, this time, on women’s terms.

My only criticism of the book is while I like the pictures with the descriptions, they are distracting from the text.

Finally, during Margaret Murray’s time, witchcraft got a new lease in the public imagination though it was challenged. Women got to re-discover goddess cults and therefore, re-trace origins of magic from their respective cultures. A lot of that is still going on today. Wicca s the new incarnation of that, but although according to Savage, it is a feminist discipline, some followers would add that Wicca is to respect and utilize nature to bring balance between humanity and nature, the universe.

[Lauren Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

It really provided perspective for me. Initially, I had picked it up hoping for more information to explore Wicca and Witches as a religion and practice, but mostly it was just a history from then to now. There is so much that is unknown and has changed over the years regarding Witches and Wicca. Ultimately though, whether you believe in witchcraft or not, it explores such prevalent issues that are consistent from generation to generation. Definitely an informative read. The artwork and mini-stories were especially interesting as well.

[Petra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Considering the wealth of information and books written about the history of Witchcraft, Candace Savage does a reasonably good job squishing elements of history into this brief book. With emphasis on how ideas of ‘the Witch’ have changed through the first writings on the subject to the modern day, there are the usual subjects that can be followed up with more in-depth books. Perhaps the best thing about this book are the fantastic illustrations.

[Jenny 'Senden' Score · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read. Definitely had some passages that hit home and will require additional thought. Liked how it covered the history.

[Bskee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice overview. Accessible but a little difficult to track sources.

[Ky Simpson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yet another good textbook!

3.5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️🌜

[Shanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read. As other reviewers have said, it does read a bit like an essay, but I actually enjoyed this aspect of it. The author focuses on the witch and how she (and sometimes he) has been perceived throughout history. I had not looked at the witch craze from this perspective before, and so enjoyed considering the witch craze in this new way.

[Katrina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very well written. Very informative. Perfectly focused on the fact that the Salem Witch Trials, and other witch hunts of the time had very little to do with religion, and more to do with gender and hysteria.

[Caty · Rating 2 out of 5]

An essay masquerading as a book (fascinating prints & plates from all periods, though.) An essay that comes to some interesting conclusions, but I *really* didn't see enough primary texts to be convinced.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. A lot of good history and written in a way that kept me interested.

[Tonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great visuals and nice pace. The end left a bit to be desired.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good. Disturbing and sad, but beautiful, too.