Herbology in Rus'. From Witches and Spells to Amulets and Lukomorye

Our ancestors did not know magic schools. They had to master herbology, protection from evil spells, and other magical arts on their own to survive in a world full of dangers. This book tells about the magical beliefs of the Slavs and how closely these beliefs were tied to real life. Healing teeth, invoking rain, enchanting a beloved, pacifying a restless dead man, driving away a witch – there were remedies for every situation. Alexander Barkov weaves stories about them into an engaging narrative about what people in the past believed, feared, and perceived the world to be. Along the way, you will discover how spells work, what distinguishes a folk healer from a sorcerer, and why Pushkin's Lukomorye was actually a terrifying place.