The Magic Historian The Magic Historian is a term that refers to a person who studies and chronicles the history of magic. Magic itself has a long and rich history that spans across cultures and time periods. From ancient civilizations to modern-day societies, magic has captivated people's imaginations and played a significant role in various aspects of life. The Magic Historian seeks to uncover the origins and development of magic practices throughout history. They delve into ancient texts, manuscripts, and artifacts to piece together the puzzle of how magic evolved and was practiced in different cultures. By studying the historical aspects of magic, these historians gain a deeper understanding of its cultural significance and relevance.
By studying the historical aspects of magic, these historians gain a deeper understanding of its cultural significance and relevance. One of the primary tasks of a Magic Historian is to examine the role of magic in different societies. They explore how magic was used in religious rituals, healing practices, divination, and storytelling.
Ten Strange Things You Didn’t Know About the History of Magic
When researching the stories, choosing the objects and creating the narrative for Harry Potter: A History of Magic, we have encountered magic round every corner.
Here we explore 10 strange things you might not know about magic, unravelling strange myths and weird traditions, and being charmed by the mysterious world of witchcraft and wizardry.
1. Making yourself invisible is easy… provided you know the right words
Forget the fact you don’t have an invisibility cloak to hand, according to one 17th-century manuscript, known as The Book of King Solomon called The Key of Knowledge, you could make yourself invisible simply by reciting the following words:
“Stabbon, Asen, Gabellum, Saneney, Noty, Enobal, Labonerem, Balametem, Balnon, Tygumel, Millegaly, Juneneis, Hearma, Hamorache, Yesa, Seya, Senoy, Henen, Barucatha, Acararas, Taracub, Bucarat, Caramy, by the mercy whitch you beare towardes mann kynde, make me to be invysible.”
These instructions are found in a chapter headed ‘Howe experyments to be invysible must bee preparedd’. The writer and scholar, Gabriel Harvey, owned this manuscript, and one account of his life states that he largely disappeared from view in the final decades of his life: maybe the invisibility charm worked for him!
"A phoenix rising from the ashes, in a bestiary A phoenix rising from the ashes, in a bestiary" (13th century)Первоисточник: Harley MS 4751.
2. A phoenix takes 9 days to rise from the ashes
Phoenixes are one of the most famous mythological birds and Dumbledore’s feathered friend Fawkes was a much-loved character in the books. Their behavior and life cycle was often described in medieval bestiaries (encyclopedias about animals real and imagined). In one tradition, it was said that the phoenix was native to Arabia, lived for 500 years, and in its old age would create its own funeral pyre from branches and plants. It would then fan the flames with its own wings, in order to be consumed by the fire, before rising again from the ashes after 9 days. This legendary ability has often been compared to the Resurrection of Christ.
"‘The signification of lines and other marks in the hands’, in Old Egyptian Fortune-Teller’s Last Legacy" (1775)Первоисточник: C.194.a.825(2).
3. Moles on the buttocks are especially auspicious
The Old Egyptian Fortune-Teller’s Last Legacy, published in London in 1775, contains lots of dubious advice on how to predict your future. We’re used to tea leaves in cups, but one other way to tell the future was by interpreting the moles on your face and body. For example, did you know that “a mole on the buttock denotes honor to a man and riches to a woman”? On another page, headed: "The signification of lines and other marks in the hands", we receive the news that certain lines denote “a trusty and faithful person”, while others indicate, “Let the party take care to avoid deep water”!
"Culpeper’s English Physician; and Complete Herbal" (1789)Первоисточник: 1601/42.
4. Nicholas Culpeper was a witch
Nicholas Culpeper’s Herbal, first published in 1652, is one of the most influential books to identify the medical uses of different plants. But Culpeper was frowned upon by the medical establishment. He was an unlicensed apothecary, and he came into frequent conflict with the College of Physicians, not least because he wrote in English (for the benefit of the masses) rather than the more traditional Latin. In 1642, Culpeper was apparently tried, but acquitted, for practising witchcraft, the penalty for which was death. Today, we would describe him as a ‘hedge witch’, a wise man or woman adept at providing remedies for illnesses and ailments.
"Kitāb mawādd al-‘ilāj (Arabic version of Dioscorides, Materia medica)" (14th century)Первоисточник: Or 3366.
5. Need to harvest a mandrake? Then find yourself a dog
A lesson in Herbology now – in the Middle Ages, it was believed that mandrakes could cure headaches, earache and gout. At the same time, it was supposed that this plant was hazardous to harvest, because its roots resembled the human form; when pulled from the ground, its shrieks could cause madness. This is why medieval plant-collectors devised an elaborate method to harvest mandrakes. The best way to obtain one safely was to unearth its roots with an ivory stake, attaching the plant to a dog with a cord. A horn should then be sounded, drowning out the shrieking while at the same time startling the dog, causing it to drag out the mandrake. Another piece of advice was to stuff your ears with clods of earth before attempting to pull the mandrake from the ground!
"Pierre Pomet, A Compleat History of Druggs" (1748)Первоисточник: 546.k.19..
6. Some of the best bezoar stones are found in the stomachs of goats
We all remember the bezoar Harry used to save Ron’s life after he sipped the poisoned mead in Professor Slughorn’s office, but what actually are they? Bezoars are a mass of undigested fibre formed in the stomach of certain animals, and are believed to be an antidote to poison. They were first introduced into medieval Europe by Arabic physicians. Wealthy collectors (including kings and popes) were willing to spend considerable sums to acquire the best ‘stones’. In A Compleat History of Druggs (first published in French in 1694), it was reported that the medicinal strength of a bezoar depended on the animal that produced it. For instance, those found in the guts of cows were nowhere near as good as those which came from the so-called ‘bezoar goat’. One of our colleagues recently acquired a bezoar stone from a llama, sourced from Bolivia. We hope we never need to try it out.
"Abū al-Qāsim al-‘Irāqī, Kitāb al-aqālīm al-ab‘ah (Book of the Seven Climes)" (18th century)Первоисточник: Add MS 25724.
7. This early alchemical illustration is in fact… a record of an ancient Egyptian monument
The Book of the Seven Climes, written in the 13th century by Abū al-Qāsim Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-‘Irāqī, focuses on alchemical illustrations. This picture was supposedly taken from a ‘Hidden Book’ attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, a legendary sage-king of ancient Egypt. He was believed to have mastered the secrets of alchemy and recorded them in hieroglyphs on the walls of tombs. Unbeknown to Al-‘Irāqī, this image actually reproduces an ancient monument erected in memory of King Amenemhat II, who ruled Egypt around 1922–1878 BC.
"Unicorns, in Pierre Pomet, Histoire générale des Drogues, traitant des plantes, des animaux et des mineraux" (1694)Первоисточник: 37.h.7..
8. A unicorn can have two horns
In recent years unicorns have appeared in our hair, on our toast and on our clothes, but our fascination for the horned horse goes back centuries. In 1694, Pierre Pomet, a French pharmacist, published his Histoire générale des Drogues. One of its illustrations shows five different species of unicorn, among them the camphor (a horned ass from Arabia) and the pirassoipi. The pirassoipi’s most distinctive feature is its twin horns (surely this is cheating), as seen in the lower left-hand corner of this image. Pomet reported that this two-horned unicorn was as large as a mule and as hairy as a bear. He also noted that unicorn horn was “well used, on account of the great properties attributed to it, principally against poisons”.
“Stabbon, Asen, Gabellum, Saneney, Noty, Enobal, Labonerem, Balametem, Balnon, Tygumel, Millegaly, Juneneis, Hearma, Hamorache, Yesa, Seya, Senoy, Henen, Barucatha, Acararas, Taracub, Bucarat, Caramy, by the mercy whitch you beare towardes mann kynde, make me to be invysible.”
By understanding the purposes and functions of magic in past societies, they can shed light on its enduring appeal and influence today. In addition to exploring the cultural aspects of magic, the Magic Historian also examines the techniques and methods used by magicians throughout history. They study the tricks, illusions, and sleight of hand that have captivated audiences for centuries. By understanding the techniques employed by historical magicians, they can trace the evolution of magic as an art form. The Magic Historian also plays a crucial role in debunking myths and legends surrounding magic. By examining historical evidence and separating fact from fiction, they help to dispel misconceptions and educate the public about the true nature of magic. Through their research and documentation, they contribute to the preservation and understanding of this ancient art form. In conclusion, the Magic Historian is a dedicated scholar who studies the history of magic. They dive into ancient texts and artifacts, investigate the cultural aspects of magic, and explore the techniques used by magicians throughout history. By doing so, they contribute to the preservation and understanding of this timeless art form..
Reviews for "From Street Magic to Grand Illusions: Exploring the Diversity of Magic Throughout History"
1. John - 2 stars
I found "The Magic Historian" to be quite disappointing. The storyline was convoluted and confusing, and the characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth. The book seemed to jump around from one event to another without providing any clear context or explanation. Overall, I felt disconnected from the story and found it hard to stay engaged. I don't understand the hype surrounding this book, as it did not live up to my expectations.
2. Emily - 1 star
I could not stand "The Magic Historian." The writing style was incredibly pretentious and overindulgent, making it a struggle to get through. The author seemed more interested in showcasing their own vocabulary and literary knowledge than in creating a compelling and enjoyable story. Additionally, the plot was predictable and offered no real surprises or twists. I would not recommend wasting your time on this book if you're looking for an engaging and well-written read.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
"The Magic Historian" fell flat for me. The pacing was incredibly slow, and it took far too long for the story to develop any kind of momentum. The characters were forgettable and lacked significant development, making it difficult to connect or empathize with them. The world-building felt half-hearted and inconsistent, and I struggled to immerse myself in the story. Overall, it was a lackluster read that left me feeling unsatisfied and uninterested in any potential sequels.
4. Mark - 2 stars
I have to admit that "The Magic Historian" didn't live up to the hype for me. The plot felt contrived and predictable, offering no real surprises or originality. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, making it hard to fully engage with the characters. Additionally, the pacing was off, with long stretches of exposition and minimal action. I was left feeling underwhelmed and wishing for a more compelling and dynamic story.