The World of the the Witches – Julio Caro Baroja

Dr. Caro Baroja is well known as the author of the classic ethnography of the Basques, whose activities in witchcraft inspired this book. Beginning with an analysis of the basic aspects of the mentality of those who have believed in magic or practised the magic arts, he launches into an absorbing and original study of witchcraft which upsets many popular theories about the nature and history of the subject.

An illuminating look at the nature of the witch in Greek and Roman times precedes the startling rise of witchcraft in Britain, Spain, Italy, Germany and France in the middle ages. There follows an in-depth account of the crisis of witchcraft in the Basque country at the time of the Spanish Inquisition, ending with the decline of witchcraft in modern times, and a look at witchcraft in art and literature. Importantly, Caro Baroja shows how the psychology and beliefs of the witches themselves and their accusers, and the historical and social environments in which they exist, throw light on the nature of witchcraft and, ultimately, on reality itself.

Much fascinating material from art and literature and ecclesiastical and legal documents is used to clarify the issues and suggest solutions to questions of perennial interest.