A Review of:Graham King: The British Book of Spells and Charms. Troy Books (2016)Thiscompilation of spells and charms is a treasure-trove in two senses. Firstly bybeing a compilation of spells and charms covering all possible areas, it beabout curing animals, love charms, protective charms and spells or forhealing. In this way it serves as bothpreserving legacy and also invite in inspiration for how to deal with particularissues grounded in traditional folk magic.Secondly thetreasure in this little book is found in the spread of spells and charms fromthe use of Solomonic elements and practical contemporary use exemplified inspells to bring misfortune to Hitler during the WWII there is also animpressive timeline here that embraces spells and charms dating back to the 9thCentury and up to WWII, this spread across this timeline is in itself somethingthat makes the book impressive as it allows us to see consistency anddifference across time and place and in this clearly see the constant presenceof vital elements involved in given workings.Amongst themany curiosities I will mention only one, a bone mending charm from the MerseburgCathedral Library in Germany (page 111)dating to the 10th Centurywhich translated from high Germanic reads as follows:Phol and Wodenwere riding in the woodsAnd Baldersfoal twisted its ankleThen Sindgunand Sunna, her sister,Chanted aspell over it:Then Frija,Vollas sister chanted a spell over it:Then Wodenchanted a spell over it as well as he could:Like thesprain of the boneSo the sprainof the bloodSo the sprainof the limbBone to bone,blood to bloodJoint tojoint, thus glued together be!This way ofcreating a mythical magical charm involving otherworldly beings remained apopular part of the arsenal of practitioners of folk magic as the many BlackBooks or Cyprian in Norway and Sweden should testify to where we there findsaints and apostles called upon in similar manner for various ends which initself testifies to the elegant fluidity and adaptability to powers for whatthey could do was truly a trait of the cunning ones. In TheBritish Book of Spells and Charms Graham King have in his own way ensured atransmission of wisdom, a wisdom both practical and inspiring, presented in amost clever and illuminating way. A person desires things of this world- but where is the difference ofdesiring the "Supreme Bliss"? Which is the more selfish? Which isnearer you? Which pleases the Creator more? Are you certain of the Creator'swill and are you sure of your own desire? Are you the Creator or just yourself,as you fondly imagine your contents?AOS The Bookof PleasureWorks oflove, works of binding love, works to dominate a beloved, works to get backlost love are probably the life situation people ask for magical aid in morethan any other. But when wespeak of love we need to be more precise, because love is bound in so manydifferent forms of relationships and sentiments. We know the Greeks had atleast six words for love and the form of love most praised seemed to be Philia, which is about the love thatinfuses and defines friendships. The philosophical work of Epicurus are allabout this form of love that he praised higher than anything and we find asimilar sentiment