Mysteries of MagicIt is probable that the professional magician was originally one who, in the course of the evolution of society by birth, study and practice, acquired a powerful influence over his fellows. -C.J.S. Thompson, Chapter 1: The Genesis of Magic In this tremendously informative and entertaining sourcebook, first published in 1927, an historian of the occult introduces us to the magic traditions of the ancients, including the Babylonians, Egyptians, Celts, Arabs, Hindu, and Chinese, and then explores the many practices and powers attributed to the magician. Packed with tidbits on demonology and divination, crystal gazing, pentacles and perfumes, magical numbers, grimoires and magical manuscripts, and much more, this is a treat for fans of fantasy and students of the mysterious alike. British writer CHARLES JOHN SAMUEL THOMPSON (1862-1943) was the curator of the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons of England and author of a number of histories of the strange and the supernatural, including The Lure and Romance of Alchemy, The Mystery and Lore of Monsters, Poisons and Poisoners, The Quacks of Old London, and The Hand of Destiny. |
Contents
CHAPTER II | 9 |
CHAPTER III | 24 |
CHAPTER IV | 33 |
CHAPTER V | 46 |
CHAPTER VI | 61 |
GREEK AND ROMAN MAGIC | 74 |
CELTIC ARAB SLAV AND TEUTONIC MAGIC | 85 |
CHAPTER IX | 93 |
CHAPTER XVIII | 176 |
CHAPTER XX | 187 |
CHAPTER XXI | 196 |
LOVE AND MAGIC | 203 |
RECORDS OF MAGIC FROM THE FOURTH TO | 215 |
CHAPTER XXIV | 229 |
CHAPTER XXV | 241 |
CHAPTER XXVI | 256 |
CHAPTER X | 108 |
CHAPTER XI | 118 |
CHAPTER XII | 133 |
CHAPTER XIV | 142 |
THE MAGIC CRYSTALCRYSTAL GAZING | 151 |
CHAPTER XVI | 157 |
CHAPTER XVII | 167 |
CHAPTER XXVII | 262 |
CHAPTER XXVIII | 273 |
PAGE | 287 |
CHAPTER XXX | 298 |
CHAPTER XXXI | 304 |
BIBLIOGRAPHY | 315 |
Common terms and phrases
amulets ancient angels anointed appear believed blood Bodleian Library body British Museum called cause ceremonies charm Clavicle colour conjuration crystal death deity demons devil divination early earth Egyptians employed engraved Eridu evil spirits exorcism fairies familiar spirit figure fire formulæ frankincense fumigation Ghost glass gods gold Greeks hand hath Hebrew henbane herbs Hermes Trismegistus Holy incantation invocation invoked Kabbala Kelly King Lord MAGIC CIRCLE magical powers magician manuscript Middle Ages moon mysterious night parchment pentacle perfume person plant poison practised prayers priest probably ring rites ritual sacred seal secret seven Simon Forman sixteenth century Solomon sometimes sorcerer spell sprinkle St John's wort stone storax story supposed sword talismans Tetragrammaton thee things thou shalt unto vervain virgin wand wearer witchcraft witches woman words write written XVI century