National Geographic Book of Magic and the Occult

About National Geographic Book of Magic and the Occult

Blending the allure of the supernatural with keen historical insights and stunning photography, this enchanting chronicle of magic around the world will bewitch true believers and skeptics alike.

Magic and the occult have held humanity in their thrall for thousands of years. This sweeping history mines that realm, examining humanity’s complex relationship with the intersection between faith and nature and tracing its origins across time and culture—from the protective amulets of ancient Egypt to ceremonial magic in India, the grimoires of Iceland to the Knights of the Round Table, Celtic paganism to the science of modern magic tricks.

National Geographic Book of Magic and the Occult illuminates this enthralling world across more than 90,000 years of history. You’ll meet witches and wizards, healers and alchemists, magical creatures and bewitched beings, learning the legends behind them and how they have enriched modern culture. You’ll also encounter a host of spellbinding subjects, from potions and herbs to enchanted places, sacred objects, and powerful rituals. Filled with more than 500 vivid illustrations and dynamic maps, this book reveals why and how magical beliefs persist around the world. You’ll discover:

• Mystical moments, including spooky gatherings, strange happenings, and ghost stories
• Magic in pop culture, from Harry Houdini to Harry Potter
• Places of power, from Mount Fuji to “phantom” islands like Hy-Brasil
• Magical creatures like dragons and the Loch Ness Monster
• The art of divination, including the Chinese Zodiac, numerology, and tarot
• Modern magic, from neopaganism to astrology and herbalism