Reviews

Book Review-At The Borders of the Wondrous & Magical: Nature Spirits, Shapeshifters, and the Undead in the Never Ending Middle Ages by Claude Lecouteux

Book Review

At The Borders of the Wondrous & Magical: Nature Spirits, Shapeshifters, and the Undead in the Never Ending Middle Ages

By Claude Lecouteux

Publisher: Inner Traditions

273 Page E-Book

Release Date: January 7th, 2025

At The Borders of the Wondroud & Magical: Nature Spirits, Shapeshifters, and the Undead in the Never Ending Middle Ages is another wonderful addition to the body of Claude Lecouteux’s work, compiling folklore, magic, grimoires and more from many different periods of history, from more Archaic periods, to the Modern period, specifically as they spread throughout Europe. This book encapsulates a fascinating examination of spirits-where they be of land, of the dead, or something else entirely. Much of the folklore concerning Nature Spirits and the Dead from this era is the result of a mixing of two very disparate belief systems: the old Pagan beliefs of Europe, and the Christian beliefs from the Levant and Rome. These sparring beliefs led to an interesting amalgamation of folklore, and as it developed, it has slowly become the stuff of “old wives’ tales” and the like.

Much of the folklore we commonly see in the United States today can be traced back to two distinct sources, broadly speaking: the beliefs and folklore inherent within the indigenous peoples already here, and the European folklore that colonizers brought with them. Appalachian Folklore, as well as Pennsylvania Dutch Hexxenkraft are immigrant “spin offs” of such beliefs, as they were brought from Ireland, Scotland and Germany, respectively. I personally have ancestry within both of these traditions and can find many commonalities between what was presented to me via those traditions, and what I’ve read here.

At The Borders of the Wondrous & Magical is an excellent addition to any folklorists’ bookshelf (or E-Book shelf), as it encompasses the beliefs from the Middle Ages concerning all things spirits, whether corporeal or non-corporeal. Much of this folklore and belief has heavily influenced the beliefs we hold today concerning the same subjects, as can be seen in the Neo-Pagan movements flourishing today. I have absolutely no qualms with this book, and would recommend it to any folklorist, animist, witch, druid or anyone on a nature-based spiritual path. I give it 5/5 stars; a fascinating read that kept me glued from cover to cover.

Claude Lecouteux is a professor emeritus of medieval literature and civilization at the Sorbonne. He is the author of numerous books on beliefs, magic and traditions from this period, including Tales of Witchcraft and Wonder. He lives in Paris.

 

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Author Bio:

The Modern Merlin has been a Polytheist and Animist Pagan, Witch, Sorcerer, Poison Witch, Wizard, Druid, Mystic, Ceremonial Magician, Occultist, Shaman, Seer and Soothsayer for over 15 years, venerating and casting magick with deities and spirits from many cultures, including those from Ancient Greece, Rome, Norse & Germanic, Celtic, Slavic, Egyptian, Sumerian, as well as many Faeries, Nymphs, Dryads, Ancestors and other nature and land spirits and spirits of place. He is a Priest of Hecate, Diana, Hades, Lilith and Persephone, among others. He has experience in the Left and Right Hand Paths, working with both hands as needed. He currently practices Necromancy and Deathwalking, as well as Traditional Witchcraft, Druidry, Hellenism and Ceremonial Magick, incorporating all of them into a cohesive practice, with some shamanic touches. He studies and practices Astrology as well as Tarot and other forms of divination such as Runes, Palmistry and Ogham. He has also been investigating the paranormal for over 10 years and has a keen interest in researching various mythologies, cosmologies and folklore from around the world. He is the Co-Editor of PaganPages.Org and he has a personal blog where he shares Astrological, Pagan, and other magickal wisdom for free! He gives readings and other spiritual services on his Facebook Page, The Modern Merlin, as well other free informational posts for everyone to see!