Witches, sirens and soothsayers is an intriguing historical, literary and cultural account of the strange and mysterious world of those potent women who have outraged, enchanted and inspired the world with their abilities to see into the future and to commune with the spirits; to heal and magic with their potions; to change the course of events with their allure. This book illustrates how witchcraft has manifested itself through history across all cultures, drawing parallels and differences between them. It explains how our perception of the witch has changed over time, investigates the fortune of women deemed to be witches and explains the practices of witchcraft today. Also containing eye witness sightings, poetry and prose on witches, from classical sources and Shakespeare onward, charms and riddles to ward off witches and profiles of goddesses witches who have been called on for their power.