Land Of The Goat ~ Witchcraft in the Pyrenees

Description

Drawing on legal records, local history, and folklore. The Land of the Goat explores the Pyrenees Mountains of Spain, France, and Andorra. This is the birthplace of the primordial witch known as the bruxa. A supernatural figure who could communicate with spirits, cast spells, control weather, and serve as the Devil’s consort. It was here, in the dark, rugged alpine landscapes of the mountains that the first laws against witchcraft were passed in 1424.

Júlia Carreras Tort examines the Spirit-Double, veneficium the use of poisons, the diabolical orgy, and the witches’ nocturnal flight to the phantasmagoric Lande de Boc or ‘Land of the Goat‘.

Also explored are the bruxa‘s relationship to ancient goddesses of the night realm. These include the Basque Mari who was associated with the sky-flying Nocturnal Host and the unique forms of the Pyrenean Devil. Pre-dating the Christian Satan and known as Akerbeltz. The Black He-Goat, closely associated with Pyrenean shepherds and bearing the powers of death and fertility.

Extensively footnoted, it contains many sources appearing in English for the first time.

Three Hands Press ✢ Limited Hardover bound in black cloth with colour dust wraps, limited to 1,000 copies