The Greek Magical Papyri, also known as the Papyri Graecae Magicae, is a significant collection of magical spells, rituals, and formulas written in the Greek language. These papyri were discovered in various locations, including ancient Egypt, and date back to the 2nd century BCE to the 5th century CE. The magical papyri provide insights into the practice of magic and divination in the ancient Mediterranean world. They were used by practitioners of magic as a handbook or guidebook for conducting rituals and casting spells. The rituals and spells found in these papyri cover a wide range of topics, from love spells and healing charms to curses and necromancy. The papyri were written using a combination of Greek, Egyptian, and Semitic magical traditions, reflecting the cultural exchange and syncretism that occurred during this time period.
“Magicians are those who have long ago explored these dimensions of the human mind. Rather than decrying the facts, they have exploited them. Magicians have known all along that people’s religious need and expectations provide the greatest opportunity for the most effective of all deceptions.” (Betz, p. xlviii)
To make men who have been drinking at the symposium appear to have donkey snouts to outsiders, from afar In the dark take a wick from a lamp and dip it in donkey s blood; make a new lamp with the new wick and touch the drinkers. One could call upon the gods associated with what was needed, either through connection using mythological precedent or through threats using persuasion.
The papyri were written using a combination of Greek, Egyptian, and Semitic magical traditions, reflecting the cultural exchange and syncretism that occurred during this time period. The spells often include invocations to various gods and goddesses, as well as the use of amulets, talismans, and magical symbols to enhance their efficacy. Many of the spells in the magical papyri were intended to invoke supernatural powers and beings for practical purposes.
The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation – A Review
So, let’s talk about ancient magic. No one does it quite like the greeks and Egyptians, and for good reason as those as some of the oldest civilizations where there is written record of their practices. Time and again they are referenced, from the Book of the Dead to the Three Occult Books of Philosophy, not just due to the nature of the work, but also the inherit mysticism that surrounds them. I mean, who isn’t intrigued by seeing spells that are thousands of years old?
The Greek Magical Papyri is a collection of magical spells, formulas, and rituals from Greco-Roman Egypt. Dating from the second century B.C. to the fifth century A.D., these papyri have survived everything from the forces of nature to the efforts of ancient cults to destroy such documents. This book contains the Greek Papyri, the Demotic texts, as well as the Coptic text, and is considered the most comprehensive collection of this type of literature ever recorded. Being easily available on Amazon and other booksellers for a reasonable rate (I only paid like $50), this is a great document to help see what the ancients believed and practiced.
Now this book is actually what it says, a book filled with rituals, spells, drawings, hymns, etc. Some of the spells include love spells, invisibility spells, spells for finding treasure, spells of death and spells of becoming a king. In other words, a spell for literally anything. That being said, it is not an easy book to reference as there is no real table of contents or an index. While there are pages stating what type of charms and spells are in the book, there is nothing notating what page it is on or page range it covers. Instead, it categorizes and references the spells via who the translator was. While not something I personally enjoyed, once I got the understanding of the layout it wasn’t too difficult to navigate my way through, however it is still not something I appreciated the extra headache over.
The spells however are indeed worth it and, most importantly, FASCINATING. There are spells for literally everything, and even better, spells you would never have even thought of (for example, a spell to have a dog fetch a missing item for you, and another one to cause either a dog bite or a sting from a venomous animal/insect). That being said, these spells are indeed ancient, like BEFORE MODERN MEDICINE AND KNOWLEDGE. No spell in this book should really be done without CAREFULLY researching every part of it for safety. I say that as some of these spells call for the collection and use of feces of various animals, plants known to be poisonous and cause hallucinations, and sometimes calls for personal harm or putting your health and safety at risk. That being said, this book has given me great ideas into new spells, new spell formats, and has really let me experiment with the nature of the spells in this book and trying to bring them into the modern era.
Over this is a wonderful book for any practicing occultist. Not only is it a great conversation piece, but it is filled with actually useful information. While it was written primarily for academic and research purposes, it definitely would be a welcome addition to any library. That being said, expect some frustration due to the way the book is written, and the fact that some spells and papyri were damaged, causing lost information (this is notated in the book in the section if something was damaged or was unable to be fully translated). A small headache for a mountain of wealth and information? I found it more than worth it.
“Taking the egg of a falcon, gild half of it and smear the other half with cinnabar. Wearing this and you will be invisible when you say the Name.” (PGM XIII. 235)
Examples include spells to cure diseases, attract love or wealth, protect against evil spirits, or obtain favor from a particular deity. The papyri also contain instructions for creating and using magical tools, such as wands, potions, and incense. In addition to practical magic, the papyri also contain religious and philosophical texts, including hymns, prayers, and philosophical treatises. These texts reveal a complex and multifaceted worldview, blending elements of Egyptian, Greek, and even Jewish and Christian traditions. The Greek Magical Papyri have had a significant impact on the study of ancient magic and religion. They provide valuable insights into the beliefs, practices, and rituals of ancient magical practitioners, and shed light on the cultural and religious history of the Mediterranean world. The papyri continue to be a valuable source of information for scholars and researchers in the fields of classics, religious studies, and the history of magic..
Reviews for "The Preservation and Translation of the fgeek Magical Papyri"
1. Jane - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "The Geek Magical Papyri" given its intriguing premise, but I found myself disappointed. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with or root for them. The pacing was also slow, with too much focus on unnecessary details that did little to move the plot forward. Overall, I felt like the story had potential but failed to deliver on its promises.
2. Michael - 1/5 stars - "The Geek Magical Papyri" was a complete waste of time for me. The writing style was tedious and filled with clichés, making it difficult to engage with the story. The plot was predictable and lacked originality, relying on tired tropes and uninspired twists. The dialogue was also stilted and unnatural, further hindering my enjoyment. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a unique or captivating read.
3. Lisa - 2/5 stars - I wanted to like "The Geek Magical Papyri," but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The world-building felt shallow, with little explanation of the magical system or its rules. The protagonist was underdeveloped and lacked agency, often relying on others to solve her problems. The romantic subplot was forced and lacked chemistry, seeming to exist solely for the sake of having one. Overall, this book failed to capture my attention and left me feeling unsatisfied.