The Encyclopedia of Occultism & Parapsychology, a comprehensive compendium of information on the occult sciences, magic, demonology, superstitions, spiritism, mysticism, metaphysics, psychical science, and parapsychology, is edited by J. Gordon Melton. This fifth edition, published in 2001 by Gale Group, Inc., is a two-volume set, with the first volume (A-L) being the focus of this entry. The encyclopedia features biographical and bibliographical notes, as well as comprehensive indexes to aid in research.