The Book of Spells

This longtime Barron’s best seller has been updated, given a handsome new cover, and set in an attractive new format. It’s written for readers who believe in magic—but also for those who just want to have fun with magic lore. Forty-two enticing, exotic, and sometimes slightly erotic magic spells promise to help readers prosper at work, at play, or in love. This “recipe-style” book presents spells from many different times and cultures. They include ancient Egyptian, Babylonian, Persian, Mayan, North American Indian, and Druidic charms, potions, dances, and incantations for looking and feeling one’s best, for catching and keeping a mate, for enhancing fertility, for repelling unwanted suitors, for gaining a measure of fame and fortune, for protecting against bad luck, and much more. Detailed explanations of potent herbs and their uses include rosemary, St. John’s Wort, garlic, mistletoe, ginger root, sage, and bay leaves. Six sealed pages contain spells reputed to have extraordinary magic powers. Features more than 300 full-color illustrations.

 

Nicola de Pulford grew up on a farm in rural England, where she learned herbal lore when she was very young. She regularly tours the U.K., performing medieval folk songs. She lives in Devon, England.