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Witchcraft: A Secret History
Witchcraft unravels the myth from the mystery, the facts from the legends, in this bewitching introduction to witchcraft's lesser-known history. Spanning several centuries and comprising unbelievable facts and little-known legends, meet all the witches of your imagination and learn why, where and how it all began. Uncover the meanings of their rituals and rites, their lore, and their craft Discover the significance of their sabbats and covens, their chalices and wands, their robes and their religion. Unlock the secrets of the legendary witches of mythology and folk talesand find out how these early stories influenced the persecutions and witch hunts of the Middle Ages. Learn about the people who inspired the pagan revival and how their work in literature and magic rekindled the fires of the sabbats across Europe and the New World today. Features spell-binding historic and contemporary pictures that perfectly capture the key characters, events and wonders of this captivating, colourful and controversial history.
- GenresHistoryWitchcraft
256 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 31, 2024
A comprehensive guide detailing the belief of Witchcraft and how it has survived in the modern age. This book doesn’t shy away from describing the atrocity of the Burning Times and it ends with a hopeful note for the future.
October 11, 2024
This was a pretty basic, broad overview of the history of witches. I think it’s an okay book to read if it’s your first introduction to the topic or if you just want a very high-level overview and aren’t interested in a critical understanding.
I didn’t like how the author seemed to dismiss the very misogynistic history of witch-hunts. He seemed to be claiming that because some men were also tried as witches, witch hunts weren’t primarily used as a means to oppress and control women. That, to me, really disqualifies this book, and is why I can’t recommend it more strongly.
Nice graphic design though.
I didn’t like how the author seemed to dismiss the very misogynistic history of witch-hunts. He seemed to be claiming that because some men were also tried as witches, witch hunts weren’t primarily used as a means to oppress and control women. That, to me, really disqualifies this book, and is why I can’t recommend it more strongly.
Nice graphic design though.
April 3, 2026
Very anglo centric, would’ve been great to learn about witchcraft on continents other than Europe and North America
March 23, 2022
An easy to understand and fair-handed history of witchcraft, from how the concept of “magic” developed, to how attitudes towards believed magic users formed and changed over time. I particularly enjoyed the section on modern-day Wicca, and the included art and photos were absolutely top. Whoever laid out this edition of the book did a fantastic job. More historical quotations or excerpts on the topic would have been interesting, as there is little first hand accounts or example provided textually.
February 28, 2023
While interesting, especially in parts I haven't learned before, the author's stream on conscious was hard to follow. Also he was factually incorrect and didn't cite any sources. The historical artwork was nice tho.
June 24, 2023
cool drawings good history
September 18, 2026
Book Review: 'Witchcraft: A Secret History' by Michael Streeter
Genre: Non-Fiction, History, Witchcraft
Publisher: White Lion Publishing / Quarto Publishing Group
Release Date: 3rd March, 2020
As a history of witchcraft this book covers a lot. From the Middle Ages, Ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece, the Celtic and Germanic origins, the effect of Christianity on witches, the infamous Salem witch trials, all the way up to modern Wicca of the 1950s, links to feminism, and its continuation today. Like I said…a lot!
As someone who has already read many books focused on the history of witchcraft, studied Literature at University, and has been intrigued by all things Witchcraft, since reading The Crucible for drama class, this book adds nothing new to the witchcraft story. Therefore, I didn’t understand the subtitle of ‘A Secret History’. There is nothing in this book that has been hidden, or kept secret. It’s more of a detailed and concise history of witchcraft.
That being said, I enjoyed it. The paintings and images depicted throughout the book, from across the time periods covered, added further depth to the text and, as well as illustrating the ideas explored, were visually striking.
The author has provided a comprehensive reference list; books written on the topic of witches and witchcraft throughout its history. Meaning I now have a list of more books to read!
I would consider 'Witchcraft: A Secret History' suitable, not only for modern witches, but for anyone who has an interest in witchcraft and history. As well as being concise it is well structured; split in to clear chapters and within those, headings and subheadings. It appeals greatly to my brain’s need to organise, and allows you to dip into specific sections quite easily.
It is important to note something misleading the author mentions in the introduction. When defining modern witchcraft he refers to it as “Wicca”. For a time Wicca was seen as an alternate name for witchcraft, and although there may be some crossover between the two, Wicca and Witchcraft are two different and separate practices. It is especially important to learn more about these differences if you are new to a magical practice and are starting to explore the various paths.
Similarly the blurb is slightly misleading: “Discover the significance of [witches] sabbats and covens, their chalices and wands, their robes and their religion.” These ideas are not explored or developed within the book, they have been inserted randomly, between the other chapters, and don’t suit the purpose of the book. It felt like an after-thought. Therefore I would say this book is good for this history of witchcraft, but I would explore other options if you want more understanding of actual contemporary witchcraft practices and beliefs.
Towards the end of the book, the author looks at the future of Witchcraft. (I didn’t realise that it was only in the 1950s that the last anti-witchcraft legislation was repealed in America.) He thoughtfully considers the role feminism has played in a modern witchcraft resurgence. However, there is still a lot of prejudice and stigma surrounding Wicca and witchcraft.
So what does the future of witchcraft look like? Personally, I can appreciate the role the internet (particularly instagram) has played in my own practice. It has aided in the growth of Wicca and witchcraft; allowing free flowing discussion without fear of judgement. The community I have found online is a very positive one. However, even though I feel able to post about witchcraft on social media, it is still not something I freely discuss in real life. I am still fearful of judgement, even from family and friends.
That is the real ‘secret’ of witchcraft.
Most of us still keep our craft a secret. How do we come out of the broom closet and nurture the amazing community in the real world? How do we make it more accepted in society, rather than just an online culture? That’s the big secret…
[E-ARC was gifted by the publisher, Quarto Publishing Group, through NetGalley]
Genre: Non-Fiction, History, Witchcraft
Publisher: White Lion Publishing / Quarto Publishing Group
Release Date: 3rd March, 2020
As a history of witchcraft this book covers a lot. From the Middle Ages, Ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece, the Celtic and Germanic origins, the effect of Christianity on witches, the infamous Salem witch trials, all the way up to modern Wicca of the 1950s, links to feminism, and its continuation today. Like I said…a lot!
As someone who has already read many books focused on the history of witchcraft, studied Literature at University, and has been intrigued by all things Witchcraft, since reading The Crucible for drama class, this book adds nothing new to the witchcraft story. Therefore, I didn’t understand the subtitle of ‘A Secret History’. There is nothing in this book that has been hidden, or kept secret. It’s more of a detailed and concise history of witchcraft.
That being said, I enjoyed it. The paintings and images depicted throughout the book, from across the time periods covered, added further depth to the text and, as well as illustrating the ideas explored, were visually striking.
The author has provided a comprehensive reference list; books written on the topic of witches and witchcraft throughout its history. Meaning I now have a list of more books to read!
I would consider 'Witchcraft: A Secret History' suitable, not only for modern witches, but for anyone who has an interest in witchcraft and history. As well as being concise it is well structured; split in to clear chapters and within those, headings and subheadings. It appeals greatly to my brain’s need to organise, and allows you to dip into specific sections quite easily.
It is important to note something misleading the author mentions in the introduction. When defining modern witchcraft he refers to it as “Wicca”. For a time Wicca was seen as an alternate name for witchcraft, and although there may be some crossover between the two, Wicca and Witchcraft are two different and separate practices. It is especially important to learn more about these differences if you are new to a magical practice and are starting to explore the various paths.
Similarly the blurb is slightly misleading: “Discover the significance of [witches] sabbats and covens, their chalices and wands, their robes and their religion.” These ideas are not explored or developed within the book, they have been inserted randomly, between the other chapters, and don’t suit the purpose of the book. It felt like an after-thought. Therefore I would say this book is good for this history of witchcraft, but I would explore other options if you want more understanding of actual contemporary witchcraft practices and beliefs.
Towards the end of the book, the author looks at the future of Witchcraft. (I didn’t realise that it was only in the 1950s that the last anti-witchcraft legislation was repealed in America.) He thoughtfully considers the role feminism has played in a modern witchcraft resurgence. However, there is still a lot of prejudice and stigma surrounding Wicca and witchcraft.
So what does the future of witchcraft look like? Personally, I can appreciate the role the internet (particularly instagram) has played in my own practice. It has aided in the growth of Wicca and witchcraft; allowing free flowing discussion without fear of judgement. The community I have found online is a very positive one. However, even though I feel able to post about witchcraft on social media, it is still not something I freely discuss in real life. I am still fearful of judgement, even from family and friends.
That is the real ‘secret’ of witchcraft.
Most of us still keep our craft a secret. How do we come out of the broom closet and nurture the amazing community in the real world? How do we make it more accepted in society, rather than just an online culture? That’s the big secret…
[E-ARC was gifted by the publisher, Quarto Publishing Group, through NetGalley]
August 6, 2025
ᯓ★ witches, feminism, freedom, history ⋆˚꩜｡
i’ve just finished reading witchcraft: a secret history by michael streeter, a fascinating and very insightful book about the history of witches and witchcraft across the ages.
i’ve always been drawn to books about witches – there’s something about this theme that i find endlessly interesting, rich and thought-provoking. it’s a way to reflect on fear, power, freedom and especially the place of women in society.
the book takes both a historical and sociological approach: it traces the story of witchcraft through three main periods – antiquity, the middle ages and the modern era. i learned a lot, especially about the modern period, which i didn’t know much about.
usually i read these kinds of academic/sociological essays in french, so reading it in english was a different experience for me: sometimes a little demanding, but the writing is smooth and accessible, and because the book is relatively short, it’s easy to stay immersed.
i’ve just finished reading witchcraft: a secret history by michael streeter, a fascinating and very insightful book about the history of witches and witchcraft across the ages.
i’ve always been drawn to books about witches – there’s something about this theme that i find endlessly interesting, rich and thought-provoking. it’s a way to reflect on fear, power, freedom and especially the place of women in society.
the book takes both a historical and sociological approach: it traces the story of witchcraft through three main periods – antiquity, the middle ages and the modern era. i learned a lot, especially about the modern period, which i didn’t know much about.
usually i read these kinds of academic/sociological essays in french, so reading it in english was a different experience for me: sometimes a little demanding, but the writing is smooth and accessible, and because the book is relatively short, it’s easy to stay immersed.
April 17, 2024
A fast and informative read. A definite must-read for fans of the occult!
April 20, 2024
Quite good history of witches and witchcraft, updated with chapters on modern wicca.
January 13, 2025
Fascinating history.
June 8, 2025
A brilliant fast track through the history of Witchcraft. Super informative and easy to read.
October 7, 2025
Very Euro-centric lens, but cool read to start off October!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews