Magic and Superstition in Europe: A Concise History from Antiquity to the PresentThe only comprehensive, single-volume survey of magic available, this compelling book traces the history of magic, witchcraft, and superstitious practices such as popular spells or charms from antiquity to the present day. Focusing especially on Europe in the medieval and early modern eras, Michael Bailey also explores the ancient Near East, classical Greece and Rome, and the spread of magical systems_particularly modern witchcraft or Wicca_from Europe to the United States. He examines how magic and superstition have been defined in various historical eras and how these constructions have changed over time. He considers the ways in which specific categories of magic have been condemned, and how those identified as magicians or witches have been persecuted and prosecuted in various societies. Although conceptions of magic have changed over time, the author shows how magic has almost always served as a boundary marker separating socially acceptable actions from illicit ones, and more generally the known and understood from the unknown and occult. |
Contents
Roots in the Ancient World | 9 |
The Rise of Christianity and Early Medieval Europe to the Year 1000 | 43 |
Varieties of Magic in the High and Late Middle Ages 10001500 | 77 |
The Medieval Condemnation of Magic 10001500 | 107 |
Witchcraft and Witch Hunting in the Early Modern Period 15001800 | 141 |
From Renaissance to Enlightenment 14501800 | 179 |
Other editions - View all
Magic and Superstition in Europe: A Concise History from Antiquity to the ... Michael David Bailey No preview available - 2007 |
Common terms and phrases
accused alchemy ancient world aspects astrologers Augustine basic became beliefs and practices benandanti canon Episcopi Catholic certainly charms Christian Christian authorities church claimed clerical common magical practices conceptions of magic concerns condemnation of magic course courts cults culture cunning folk demonic magic demonic power developed divine power Eliphas Lévi Empire England Enlightenment essentially European example executed fifteenth century figure forms of magic German German Empire Greek harmful magic healing Hebrew heresy heretics Hermeticism history of magic human idea inquisitors intellectual Kabbalah later magic and superstition magic in Europe magical rites magicians magoi maleficium mechanical philosophy medieval Europe modern witchcraft natural necromancy neopagan Neoplatonic notion occult officials pagan performed priests Protestant Reformation regarded reigned religion religious Renaissance Renaissance magic ritual Roman sabbaths seventeenth century sixteenth skepticism society sorcery spells spiritual thought tion typically University Press Western Wicca Wiccan witch hunting witch trials witchcraft Wolfgang Behringer women
Popular passages
Page 1 - All things that move between the quiet poles Shall be at my command : emperors and kings Are but obeyed in their several provinces, Nor can they raise the wind or rend the clouds ; But his dominion that exceeds in this Stretcheth as far as doth the mind of man, A sound magician is a mighty god : Here, Faustus, tire thy brains to gain a deity.