: Explanations of how witches supposedly caused storms, illness, and crop failure.
Focuses on the practical effects of sorcery, such as "soporific spells," "incendiary witchcraft," and the ability of witches to transport themselves through the air (transvection). It also contains detailed classifications of demons, largely based on the 11th-century work of Michael Psellus.
While the content is historically accurate in reflecting the panic of the era, it is entirely fictional and based on superstition. However, it remains a crucial primary source for several reasons:
Uniquely, the Compendium also offers practical advice for victims. Guazzo outlines blessed remedies, prayers, and formal exorcism rituals sanctioned by the Church to break curses and drive away demonic forces. The Famous Woodcuts and Visual Legacy