Provides a brief history of witchcraft and the occult in Europe and colonial America. Accounts of injustice, false accusations, persecutions, and bigotry. The origins are clearly among those who had a knowledge of cures, philters, charms and potions, at times poisonous. They were at times loved and hated.

Archeologists find that in small hunting and gathering groups, women often hold positions of prominence. Her cycles and gathering of herbs laid the groundwork for preeminence in various crafts connected to nature, and reproduction. Hence the role of sexuality in so much of the practice and later persecutions.

The author highlights various facets -- in art, the familiars, the Sabbat, pacts and grimoires, divination, and famous witch trials. Concludes with current status -- modern black magic, Satanists, Voodoo, and practices in America, Africa and Australia.

While without footnotes or citations, the author has gone to the trouble to examine the original documents in many cases. Brilliantly illustrated by Jan Parker, who frankly scares me.