The Ancestral Power of Amulets
Nigel Pennick’s books never disappoint – he has published over 50 – and The Ancestral Power of Amulets, Talismans, and Mascots is certainly no exception being both well-researched and extremely eloquently written.
Illustrated with lots of black and white photos as well as some wonderful full colour images in the centre of the book, Pennick’s latest book is a fascinating glimpse into the history of the British Isles and the folklore, beliefs, practices and legislation from times long gone to the present day.
Packed with far too many fascinating facts to pick one or two to detail briefly in a review; I found myself saying “Did you know …?” or otherwise sharing bits of engaging information with whoever was in the room as I read the book.
The Ancestral Power of Amulets, Talismans, and Mascots begins with an introduction which includes the difference between an amulet and a talisman, then continues to look briefly at the functions and uses of amulets, talismans, charms and mascots before detailing a multitude of examples. And it ends with a postscript that leaves the reader with much for consideration after reading the author’s thoughts on ‘A Clash of Worldviews between ‘Magicians and Museums’.
Nigel Pennick is described by Caitlín Matthews as, “one of the great wisdom keepers of British lore”. A description with which I would agree; the depth of his knowledge is astounding and his books are peerless in the way they present authentic explorations of this particular field, making compelling and very accessible reading.
Book Details: Nigel Pennick. The Ancestral Power of Amulets, Talismans, and Mascots. Destiny Books (10 Jun. 2021) ISBN: 978-1644112205
Review Details: The Ancestral Power of Amulets, Talismans, and Mascots was reviewed by June Kent, editor of Indie Shaman magazine and this review was published in Issue 50.
