Magical and Mystical Sites: Europe and the British Isles (Abacus Books) - Softcover

Elizabeth Pepper; John Wilcock

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0349137196 ISBN 13: 9780349137193

Publisher: Sphere, 1978

Synopsis

Embark on a magical voyage to the enchanted sites of the ancient world, all associated with legends of mystery and power. From Stonehenge in England to the oracle of Apollo in Greece, Magical and Mystical Sites explores the most remarkable and significant places of antiquity -- temples, places of learning, monuments, ruins, and sacred groves -- and the legends that accompany them.

Filled with details of historical data and local information, this book is a wonderful companion for both the armchair traveler and the actual visitor. Magical and Mystical Sites explores the sacred and legendary places of the British Isles, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Greece, and more -- places like Delphi, Chartres, and Glastonbury. The discussions are highly readable yet consistently thorough, focusing not only on the lore and legends, but also covering archaeological discoveries, the nature of the old divinities, the relation of the sites to ancient culture and religion, and what these places are like today.

Rounded out with excellent photographs and maps, Magical and Mystical Sites is a complete historical and practical guide to the sacred sites of Europe and the British Isles. Illustrated.

About this title

Review:

A treat for those who just plain love to read, Magical and Mystical Sites was coedited by Elizabeth Pepper and John Wilcock. (Wilcock is a travel writer whose valise is covered with stickers from all over the world, including Venezuela, Japan, Greece, Vancouver, and occult guides to Britain and South America.) Also coeditors of the Witches' Almanac, Wilcock and Pepper turn their witty and seasoned eyes to the ancient world. Starting in Turkey, they explore the ruined city of Ephesus near present-day Smyrna to uncover every tad of information they can about the goddess Diana whose temple stood there for hundreds of years. The reader is shown what it was like then and what it is like now, plus loads of tidbits for those intending to visit. The journey wends its way to 28 spots between Turkey and Ireland, including some in Greece, Italy, Germany, France, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The chapter on Samos--containing a biographical sketch of its native son Pythagorus--is alone worth the fare. --P. Randall Cohan

About the Author:

Elizabeth Pepper was a well known and respected member of the occult community, as well as the editor of The Witches' Almanac from its founding in the 1970s until her death in 2005.

About this edition

• Publisher: Sphere
• Publication date: 1978
• ISBN 10: 0349137196
• ISBN 13: 9780349137193
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 416