Magical practices through time Throughout history, humans have been fascinated by the idea of harnessing supernatural powers and using magic to manipulate the world around them. From ancient civilizations to modern-day occult practices, magic has intrigued and captivated people from all walks of life. Ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, believed in the existence of various gods and goddesses who had the power to control natural elements and influence human affairs. These cultures practiced rituals and ceremonies to evoke these deities and ask for their favor. In medieval Europe, the Christian church condemned magic as heresy and associated it with witchcraft. The fear and persecution of witches led to numerous trials, often resulting in the execution of innocent individuals accused of practicing dark arts.
In the past, it was believed that the shadow of a living being was its soul or part of its soul. In many languages, the word for "shadow" also carries the meaning of "spirit". Thus, numerous practices and rituals have been developed in order to influence a being by means of its shadow. By acting magically on the shadow, one acts on the being in question. Everything that happens to a person's shadow is said to somehow be felt in the physical body. The shadow was seen as the soul of the person in its living manifestation and, when the shadow was not visible, it was believed that the soul had retreated inside the body to enter a temporary state of hibernation. When the shadow reappeared, it was believed that the soul came out of the body, gaining consistency.
In the case where there is exactly one hole that opens, residual demonic energy from the other dimension can cling on to the spiritual entity that is being summoned to cross over to the world of the living to be resurrected. Court magicians thrilled royal patrons with tales of communing with the dead in moldering graveyards, alchemists labored in hidden laboratories tried to turn base metals into gold, and in the countryside, local cunning folk mixed herbs and made incantations.
The fear and persecution of witches led to numerous trials, often resulting in the execution of innocent individuals accused of practicing dark arts. However, magical beliefs persisted, with the rise of alchemy and the belief in the philosopher's stone, a mythical substance that was believed to grant immortality and turn base metals into gold. During the Renaissance, occult practices, such as astrology, divination, and ceremonial magic, experienced a resurgence.
British Folk Magic: The History of Magical Practices across Great Britain (Paperback)
*Includes pictures *Includes contemporary descriptions of various practices of magic *Includes online resources and a bibliography for further reading *Includes a table of contents "The Anglo-Saxon charms. are of outstanding importance because they provide more than vague references of exceptional and short texts. They cannot be said to reveal everything, for there are numerous points in which they lamentably fail us, but they are numerous enough and, taken as a body, complete enough to give more than a tantalising hint of a strange world. The veil of mystification enveloping magic appears to be thin and transparent here." - G. Storms, Anglo-Saxon Magic (1948) Great Britain is an ancient land steeped in history and tradition. Its rolling countryside is dotted with prehistoric burial mounds and stone circles. Brooding castles hold tales of bloodshed and honor. Medieval churches have elaborate stained glass windows and gruesome carvings, reflecting a mixture of hope and darkness. Through all of this runs a deep current of the practice of magic. Court magicians thrilled royal patrons with tales of communing with the dead in moldering graveyards, alchemists labored in hidden laboratories tried to turn base metals into gold, and in the countryside, local "cunning folk" mixed herbs and made incantations. These practices stand in contrast to high magic, including such occult arts as astrology, divination, necromancy, and alchemy, which required literacy, an extensive and expansive personal library, and a fair amount of education. As such, some magicians became important figures in the royal court, such as the famous John Dee, who practiced alchemy and wrote a dictionary documenting the language of angels. Most commoners were not literate and couldn't afford education or books, and thus their magic consisted of separate traditions and techniques that only occasionally overlapped with high magic. Before the 20th century, with its radios, televisions, and international travel, all levels of British society were fascinated by magic and superstition. At the same time, a comprehensive look at British folk magic is simply impossible. Large volumes have been written about the local beliefs in regions and individual counties, and there has been considerable variation of practices over space and time, but much has been lost. Since folk magicians were for the most part illiterate and worked in a hostile cultural environment throughout much of their history, little was written down. That said, there is still a rich body of literature about British folk magic. While the practitioners of folk magic may have been poor, the tradition in which they worked certainly was not. Many of their spells had ancient roots and expressed a deep knowledge of the people and the land in which they lived. It was an enduring system of magic that survived religious persecution, the laughter of the educated classes, and the march of modernism (at least to some extent). Traces of these folk practices have survived up to the present time, making it unlikely that they will ever die out completely. British Folk Magic: The History of Magical Practices across Great Britain offers a sampling of Britain's folk magic, including the common cures and spells carried out by regular people. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about British folk magic like never before.
- Europe - Great Britain - General
- Paperback (October 17th, 2017): $11.14
It was once believed that the spirit could leave the body for limited periods of time without causing the death of the individual, but this separation was dangerous. If someone intervened magically, that person could capture the soul and without its return to the body, the person would die. Other sorcerers could choose to work on the shadow in order to influence a particular person. As the suggestion to perform a certain action comes from within, acting on the shadow could mean acting on the spirit inside and determining the individual to do what the sorcerer wanted him to do in the first place, while thinking it was his own initiative. Following the same principle, some African tribes believed that a man could be killed by throwing a spear at his shadow, and dreams are seen as the unclear memories of the nocturnal journeys of the spirit.
Scholars and intellectuals, such as Johannes Kepler and John Dee, believed that the movements and positions of celestial bodies could influence human destiny. They also practiced rituals and used magical symbols to communicate with otherworldly beings. In more recent times, the popularity of magic grew with the rise of spiritualism and the occult in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Theosophy, founded by Helena Blavatsky, aimed to explore and understand the supernatural realms through the study of ancient wisdom and esoteric teachings. This led to the development of various magical systems, such as the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and Aleister Crowley's Thelema. Today, magic and magical practices continue to capture the imagination of many people worldwide. With the rise of the internet and access to information, individuals can explore and learn about different magical traditions and practices from the comfort of their own homes. Modern witches and occultists embrace a wide range of beliefs and practices, from Wicca and Tarot reading to chaos magic and spellcasting. Magical practices have evolved and transformed throughout time, influenced by cultural, religious, and societal beliefs. However, the underlying fascination with the supernatural and the desire to tap into unseen powers remains a constant. Whether ancient rituals, medieval alchemy, or modern Witchcraft, magic continues to be a source of wonder, curiosity, and self-discovery for those who explore its mysteries..
Reviews for "Ancient Egyptian Magic: Spells and Rituals for Everyday Life"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Magical practices through time". The book promised to be an insightful exploration of different forms of magic throughout history, but it fell short. The author barely scratched the surface of each topic and failed to provide any substantial historical context. The book was poorly organized, making it difficult to follow the progression of magical practices through time. Overall, I found it to be a superficial and unsatisfying read.
2. Alex - 1 star - "Magical practices through time" was a complete waste of my time. The author made generalizations and assumptions about magical practices without providing any evidence or sources to support their claims. It felt like a fantasy rather than a factual book. The writing style was also grating, filled with unnecessary metaphors and convoluted language. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an accurate and informative exploration of magical practices through history.
3. John - 2 stars - As someone interested in the history of magic, I was expecting a comprehensive and well-researched book when I picked up "Magical practices through time." Unfortunately, the book fell short of my expectations. It lacked depth and failed to provide a nuanced understanding of the various magical practices throughout history. The author seemed more focused on sensationalism and perpetuating myths rather than presenting reliable information. I was left feeling unsatisfied and wanting more substance from this book.
4. Laura - 3 stars - While "Magical practices through time" had some interesting anecdotes and stories about different magical practices, it lacked critical analysis and depth. The author seemed to rely heavily on personal speculation rather than solid research. The book also lacked a clear structure, making it difficult to follow the author's arguments or grasp the overall narrative. It had potential, but it failed to live up to my expectations.