Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spells
The Ultimate Reference Book for the Magical Arts
by Judika Illes
This book is HUGE. I mean that literally. This is one of the biggest books in my library and not one that I would want to carry around with me very much. If it weren't for the modern cover and paper, the brightness of the art, and the slick design, this could easily resemble one of those ancient tomes in movies that the wizard drops down on the table before his apprentice (usually coughing from the cloud of dust lifted) and the table creaks under the weight of it.
Enter the World of Folklore, Myth, and Magic. Discover binding spells and banishing spells, spells for love, luck, wealth, power, spiritual protection, physical healing, and enhanced fertility drawn from Earth's every corner and spanning 5,000 ears of magical history.
 | This Encyclopedia is 1108 pages long (not counting the table of contents, acknowledgements, and preface) and is broken down into sections and chapters. The 2 main sections are Part One: Elements of Magic Spells and Part Two: The Spells. I also count the index, appendices, and other information in the back as Part Three, though it is not labeled as such in the table of contents. Chapters in Part Two are categorized alphabetically and titled simply from Animal Spells to Youth, Beauty, and Longevity Spells. Not only is the book easily categorized but the 14 page index in the back leaves no room for confusion. |
Illustrations in the book are sparse however, spattered across almost every page are stars, pentacles, and little wands in place of bullet points.This smattering of images is wonderfully whimsical, witchy, and much appreciated.
I've run into a lot of people who sneer at spell books sold at book stores and claiming that the readers and practitioners that buy these books fall into that derogatory category of "Fluffy Bunny." I encountered that harsh judgement in my own home with regards to this very book. Its a rather large book, as I said, and its colors, size, and title are very evident on my book shelf no matter where I've lived. A friend came over with an acquaintance of hers that is an IT expert, a practicing witch, and says he is a descendant of the Romany people. He saw my book shelf as he was working on my computer (I'm hopeless when it comes to tech stuff it seems) and pointed out that I had a spell book. His tone was derisive and he looked me over saying "You know those books don't work. They don't explain why magick actually works."
I only smiled and asked how the computer work was going, unwilling to go into this conversation with a stranger that had a hold of my most expensive piece of property at the time.
I only smiled and asked how the computer work was going, unwilling to go into this conversation with a stranger that had a hold of my most expensive piece of property at the time.
The thing is, I sort of agree with him...sort of.
I don't usually buy spell books. Its not because I don't see their value but its like he said, they don't explain why this or that spell actually works (if it works at all). These are like books of recipes. Spell books tell you the tools you need (kitchen tools and ingredients), the words to say (turn you oven on 450), how to use the tools and dispose of the spell after (mixing, baking, how long, and clean up). They don't usually explain that the reason you are using citrine and cinnamon in your better business spell is because citrine is a strong manifestation stone and cinnamon draws in clients and money just like a recipe won't go into detail about why baking powder helps your cakes become fluffy and that the reason to use butter instead of margarine is flavor as well as moistness.
I don't usually buy spell books. Its not because I don't see their value but its like he said, they don't explain why this or that spell actually works (if it works at all). These are like books of recipes. Spell books tell you the tools you need (kitchen tools and ingredients), the words to say (turn you oven on 450), how to use the tools and dispose of the spell after (mixing, baking, how long, and clean up). They don't usually explain that the reason you are using citrine and cinnamon in your better business spell is because citrine is a strong manifestation stone and cinnamon draws in clients and money just like a recipe won't go into detail about why baking powder helps your cakes become fluffy and that the reason to use butter instead of margarine is flavor as well as moistness.
Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spells
is Not Your Ordinary Spell Book.
Simply reading the first part of the book, with its essays on using magickal tools to key concepts of how spells work, shows that this is not a recipe book. The jist of this whole matter can be summed up in the opening of the second chapter - Key Concepts for Casting Magic Spells:
"Although one can just start casting spells, learning by trial and error, understanding certain key concepts boost the changes of a spell-caster's success."
Judika does an excellent job at giving us those key concepts.
Even though every spell might not go in depth as to the why-fores and where-bys, there is an explanation to be found for the reason the author recommends goats milk for beauty and Galangal root for gambling spells. If the current spell you are reading doesn't have the explanation, a quick check in the index and the other spells or listings in that category will quickly point you to an explanation.
Even though every spell might not go in depth as to the why-fores and where-bys, there is an explanation to be found for the reason the author recommends goats milk for beauty and Galangal root for gambling spells. If the current spell you are reading doesn't have the explanation, a quick check in the index and the other spells or listings in that category will quickly point you to an explanation.
My favorite thing about this book isn't necessarily the spells however, its the recipes to make your own magickal ingredients. In the back of the book is a Formulary that has recipes for such spell ingredients as Florida Water, Crown of Success Oil, Dragons Blood Ink, and Kyphi. I love having recipes for these ingredients at hand with simple explanations of how to create it so that I don't have to rely solely on ordering off the internet for those items that I can't usually find around where I live. I also think its good practice for people to make their own magickal ingredients just as it is good for them to make their own magickal tools - not only does this add their own energies to the mix but it connects them to their spiritual heritage.
Favorite Spells from the Encyclopedia include:
Her recommendations for psychic enhancement such as the Oya Courage Spell, her dreama nd psychic vision incense recipes, and pretty much her whole chapter on the Evil Eye I love! Lately I've also been digging on her protection spells recorded for protecting children. Also, her recipe for Kyphi is one of the easier processes and certainly one of the best ones I've found so far when it comes to results.
A little warning for those of you who practice a form of magickal craft and belief system that shuns any spell work that 1) controls the free will of others or 2) has a negative effect on another person - you stand a chance at being offended by some of the spells in this book. Judika has proven herself to be well-versed in Hoodoo and folk magick as well as having knowledge of modern Western magickal practices of Wiccans and newer faiths. She doesn't skimp on spells from one system or another in this book and magick of all sorts can be found here.
Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spells by Judika Illes is an excellent resource for the home library of any magickal practitioner whether new or an old hand at spell craft.
I give Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spells 5 stars!
 | Judika IllesBorn in New York City, Judika Illes's interest in the metaphysical began in childhood. A lifetime pursuing and researching that interest ensued: astrology, mythology, herbalism, and divination as well as spiritual, magical, folkloric, and healing traditions from all over Earth. Illes, an independent scholar and teacher, is a graduate of Rutgers College and The Australaisian College of Herbal Studies. She is the author of the Encyclopedia of Spirits, Encyclopedia of Witchcraft, and Pure Magic. Visit the author online at www.judikailles.com |
*This is not a paid review, nor did I receive any book or other endorsement for my writing.
I did however use affiliate links. Thank you for your patronage.
I did however use affiliate links. Thank you for your patronage.
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