The Element Encyclopedia of 1000 Spells: A Concise Reference Book for the Magical Arts

The Element Encyclopedia of 1000 Spells: A Concise Reference Book for the Magical Arts
Judika Illes

The definitive magic reference book for Witches, Wiccans and all devotees of the magical arts. This is the real version of the archetypal master spell book of fantasy that has a place in our collective imagination.Today there are many books of spells for specific needs and occasions for the practising Wiccan/witch, but no comprehensive and inclusive magic reference book exists.The Element Encyclopedia of 1000 spells is the magical equivalent of a prize and inspirational cookbook: nothing is too basic to be explained and yet sophisticated tastes as well as emergency situations are catered for.This book goes beyond merely the Wiccan tradition to include a multitude of eastern and western magical traditions whilst fulfilling the archetypal fantasy of the grand grimoire (master spell book). This book is that fantasy made real.

The Element Encyclopedia of 1000 Spells

Judika Illes

Dedication (#ulink_cd1978ef-9df1-5131-a215-1a8811abde11)

For Herta and Zoltan Illes, and Rachel and Jordan Nagengast, without whose love, patience, and support, this book could never have been written.

Table of Contents

Cover Page (#u48dc1cef-df37-5f5b-a7b4-56cefc374f92)

Title Page (#uc953255a-7a13-54a4-a439-f515f4a52ff6)

Dedication (#ub2d421e0-4936-5eb4-8244-2f954f372482)

WARNING! (#u31120ac3-0032-5822-8e25-4a63793c13ab)

Preface (#u9d7fc498-0aae-5806-94aa-7202377280d8)

Introduction (#u919cc347-1fa5-5e6b-9e12-26ec9f6cb6db)

Elements of Magic Spells (#u4501725a-f29a-5d0e-8bac-5dba4dc793aa)

Spell-casting (#u816cde6c-7b9d-59f1-a568-764af0f67dea)

Key Concepts for Casting Magic Spells (#u5d6c5eac-14a3-500c-8b54-6b54c501d59b)

Ritual Tools and Techniques (#litres_trial_promo)

Animal Spells (#litres_trial_promo)

Banishing Spells (#litres_trial_promo)

Better Business and Professional Success Spells (#litres_trial_promo)

Cleansing Spells (#litres_trial_promo)

Death Spells (#litres_trial_promo)

Dream Spells (#litres_trial_promo)

The Evil Eye (#litres_trial_promo)

Fertility: Spells for Conception and Contraception (#litres_trial_promo)

Happy Home Spells (#litres_trial_promo)

Healing Spells (#litres_trial_promo)

Hexes and Their Antidotes (#litres_trial_promo)

Love Magic (#litres_trial_promo)

Luck and Success Spells (#litres_trial_promo)

Marriage and Divorce Spells (#litres_trial_promo)

Money Spells (#litres_trial_promo)

Pregnancy and Childbirth Spells (#litres_trial_promo)

Protection Spells (#litres_trial_promo)

Unblocking Spells (#litres_trial_promo)

Youth, Beauty, and Longevity Spells (#litres_trial_promo)

Formulary (#litres_trial_promo)

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)

About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)

WARNING! (#ulink_6e6978f8-bf56-5d55-a349-ed3605b26432)

The Element Encyclopedia of 1000 Spells contains an overview of magical spells and practices from a multitude of eras, traditions, and places. It is intended as an inclusive encyclopedia and reference book. Many of the spells contained within these pages are not to be used and should not be reproduced. Some involve dangerous, potentially harmful, and deadly poisonous botanicals. The author and the publisher strongly advise against using any spells containing noxious substances or poisonous botanicals, or spells containing blood (the use of which could result in the transmission of blood-borne diseases which may be fatal). These spells are only reproduced here to provide a historical context.

Any reader uses the spells entirely at their own risk and the author and publisher accept no liability if the spells do not have the desired effect or if adverse affects are caused.

THIS BOOK IS NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN.

Preface (#ulink_6535f253-27bd-5408-b506-729109fcbffe)

The image is so familiar as to qualify as an archetype. It appears in countless movies, television shows, and theatrical productions. If you’re of a literary bent, you’ll find it in countless novels, too. Although there may be variations on the theme, the core image remains consistent: someone, usually but not always a witch or wizard, faced with a serious dilemma, reaches for a massive book of magic spells.

The contents of this book are rarely displayed. (An exception occurs on the television series, Sabrina the Teenage Witch. As befitting a twenty-first-century witch, Sabrina’s edition is interactive.) Oversized, well-worn, and clearly used, this book is obviously no coffee-table book but a familiar companion—in every sense of the word “familiar.” Sabrina’s book makes almost as many appearances as her black cat, and consistently proves more reliable.

The book’s very presence transmits subliminal messages. If there were previously any doubts regarding someone’s identity, then the act of reaching for the book, mere possession of this book in fact, is usually sufficient to establish occult credentials. Consider depictions of Merlin or Morgan le Fay: their big books of spells are as much a part and parcel of their magical trappings as any animal familiar, crystal ball, or wizard’s robes. Millions of kitschy statues feature an elderly gray-bearded man clutching a massive book. He may or may not be wearing his peaked wizard’s hat but his identity is clear. How do we know he’s a wizard? By the book that he holds.

This book thus signals that its reader is a metaphysician or is striving to be one. If the reader handles the book with comfort and ease, the implication is that he or she is a person of power. The book, however, can also compensate for the reader’s very lack of experience and knowledge. One frequent variation on the theme depicts a complete novice discovering sophisticated magical solutions within the book’s pages. Typically the novice is in way over his head in disaster. The very appearance of the book signals that salvation is at hand: the secrets of salvation are contained within the book’s pages, if only the novice will follow its directions. (Conversely, Mickey Mouse’s inability to use such a book for anything other than a flotation device in The Sorcerer’s Apprentice only underscores his magical ineptitude and general incompetence.)

This spell book thus possesses transformative powers. It can transform anyone (well, Mickey excepted) into a magical adept. Its aged, well-worn appearance also indicates that this book is timeless: it never outlives its usefulness.

This archetypal book is based on both fact and fantasy.