Customer Reviews:
 A nice idea, I suppose. September 2, 2008
2 out of 5 found this review helpful
I have to disagree with some of the other reviews here, raving about this book's comprehensive nature. Sure, I know, there's no way to fit EVERYTHING in, but many of the entries don't even give the interested reader enough specific information for further research. It's aggravating.
Oh, and you WILL want further research, because the inaccuracies here range from the slight--images of two Egyptian deities doubtless accidentally swapped, a good number of those homonym typos that mean human eyes did not proofread this, etc--to the absolutely baroque--half of the description of the Sigil of Ameth (which is PICTURED, even!) concerns the "unusual" nature of the six-pointed star within it, speculating on its difference from a standard six-pointed star and its possible symbolism. Yes, I'll admit... it's "unusual". Not many six-pointed stars have seven points, do they?
There are enough errors in the entries for the subjects I am familiar with that I immediately distrust the entries for things unfamiliar to me. One buys books like this to try to avoid buying giant towers of books specific to each referenced culture, to get a general overview, but perhaps such shortcuts are the path to Hell.
Speaking of culture-specific, perhaps it's my imagination, but I sense an unwelcome "neo-pagan" tilt to some of this, too. Honestly, has anyone ever hurriedly melted an Almadel to escape discovery by The Man? [If so, I imagine it's the same person who believes an Almadel is an "amulet" to be inscribed with the names of "demons".] I thought that throwing the evidence into the fire as the dogs and/or angry clergy drew nearer was only something that happened in, y'know, the popular "pagan" imagination.
Still, it's entertaining browsing; I just dread the day where I see it listed as a research reference somewhere. I suspect she could've written a more worthwhile book with a narrower focus: what's she REALLY interested in, in all this?
 retraction of earlier review on the seller texasabilene August 18, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I ordered this book and had about given up hope on getting it, but it finally did come and was of the quality promised. I like the book but wish it had more depth, however, that is not the seller's fault. I'm writing this review to let everyone know that texasabilene did send the book and everything is fine. I cannot figure out how to get the older negative review of the seller out of the system so hopefully this replaces it and the seller will again be in good standing with everyone.
 Excellent reference material! August 18, 2008
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
Wow! Big Book! 684 pages, first published in London in 2008, this book covers all the stuff I heard about and tons more! Just a few of the many signs/symbols/terminology: The triangle (meaning, and other shapes), (major) alchemical symbols, aphrodisiacs (background, listings, why), Beckoning Cat (Japan/China--seen in many Asian restaurants), Caduceus (2 serpents entwining a staff in a figure 8), Choku Rei (spiral symbol used by Reiki healers), colors (how they resonate, symbolic meanings of each of 14 colors), Dhama Wheel (used in Hinduism and Buddhism), Dreamcatcher (Native American), Dreidel (Jewish), Druze Star (offshoot of Islam), FU ideogram (Chinese symbol of good luck), Globus Cruciger (early symbol of Christianity-globe with crucifix mounted on it), (16) Signs and Symbols of Freemasonry, Hand of Fatima (Muslim and Jewish), Holy Grail (chalice that held the blood of Christ/used at Last Supper-Christianity), Horns of Odin (Vikings), I Ching (ancient Chinese system of philosophical divination--may be as old as 8th century BC), Jerusalem Cross (used by the Crusaders), Kabbalah Seal of Solomon, Seal of the Knights Templar, Sefer Yetzirah Symbol (Kabbala), Sufi Winged Heart, The Tarot (and the cards and their meanings), and many, many more. With each sign/symbol/terminology is a decent and sometimes fairly detailed explanation. And this is just part 1! This is a pretty nifty book. This is NOT some far out book for witches, if that's what you are thinking; it is an excellent reference book and very interesting reading. As you can see from my small list above, the book includes many different cultures/beliefs/organized religions. So, if you want more info on ancient history through New Age, this book covers a wide range. You will find some symbols you saw before but never knew what they meant. You will find some you did know about but here is a little more info about where they came from or what they mean. Then you will find some info totally new to you.
There are additional sections which delve into: time/space/seasons/directions, animals, plants, birds, minerals/metals/gems, sacred geometry, sacred sounds, numbers and their meanings, the body as a sacred map, rites/rituals/customs/observances, and Dieties of various cultures, even various alphabets.
Don't try to practice your posture with this BIG book on your head. You'll break your neck! For reading only!
Awesome Book on Secret Symbols July 1, 2008
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
This is an excellent book on secret signs and secret symbols.It is not an academic book,by any means.Yet,it's loaded with the mystical symbols of the world,from the past and still used in the present.If you ever wondered about the meaning behind a particular symbol element ,this book gives a good interpretation of the sign.I think in the years to follow,this encyclopedia will gain in popularity among wiccans,pagans and magickians.My only wish is that more of the definitions were longer.But,the book is already at 700 pages long.It covers most,if not all, of the ancient symbols from around the world.If you're an occultist,how could you not be satisfied after slowly disgesting this book? I have to say ,that i really enjoyed investigating this exciting and charming book.
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