The Enchanted World: Spells & Bindings

Time once again to return to the Time-LIFE series, The Enchanted World, and once again we deal with the topic of magic, in Spells and Bindings. Spells and Bindingsby Ellen Galford and Time-LIFE editors, 1985 (144 pages)ISBN 0809452413, 0809452421 (US Editions)Here we are treated to tales of magic, in particular spells cast that usually go awry.Chapter One: Double-Edged PowerThis chapter opens with one (of the thousands it seems) of the Celtic tales of star-crossed, ill-fated lovers. In this case, the tale of Tristan and Isolt (in this version, lots of variations of spellings). Here, a miscast spell, in the form of enchanted fairy wine, causes the two to fall in love and break their oaths to their sworn leaders. The Greeks treat us to the tale of Pygmalion and his statue, Galatea, though that name is not used here. His tale is compared to others of the ancient Egyptians, the Celts, and the French. I am reminded of the A. Merritt's tale "Burn, Witch, Burn" in which the protagonist, Dr.…