From raising the dead to foretelling the future, this historical tour of the occult offers a captivating exploration of sorcery and ceremonial magic. Prepared by a noted French historian, it ventures into virtually all of the classical arts, with 375 rare black-and-white illustrations derived from paintings, illuminated manuscripts, sculpture, and architecture. Reprint of the George Harrap and Company, London, 1931 edition.
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Witchcraft and Black Magic by Montague Summers Historical overview of demonology and the occult defines witchcraft and examines ceremonial practices, the casting of spells and conjuring, celebration of the Black Mass, and much more. A masterfully written, highly readable work for anyone interested in supernatural phenomena.
An Encyclopaedia of Occultism by Lewis Spence The most famous compendium of information on the occult and the first comprehensive work of its kind, this volume comprises 2,500 dictionary-style entries for familiar and arcane terms, in addition to profiling historical figures with ties to the occult.
Magic: A History of Its Rites, Rituals, and Mysteries by Éliphas Lévi, A. E. Waite A great literary work as well as a classic of occultism, this 1860 survey chronicles the practice of magic through the ages. Intriguing topics include hypnotism, astrology, and the Illuminati.
The Holy Kabbalah by A. E. Waite Enthusiastic in tone and grounded in scholarship, this extensive and lucid history embraces the literature of the Kabbalah, its foremost interpreters, its impact on Christian scholars, and its reputation as "the secret tradition."
An Examen of Witches by Henry Boguet, Montague Summers Compiled in the 16th century by France's most ruthless inquisitor, this is the definitive witch-hunter's handbook. It recounts the accusations and trials that led to the deaths of countless victims.
The History of Witchcraft and Demonology by Montague Summers This classic of esoterica, written by the field's foremost scholar, employs colorful, little-known anecdotes and historical accounts to explore witchcraft, sorcery, necromancy, damnation, Satanism, and every variety of magic.
Agrippa's Occult Philosophy : Natural Magic by Cornelius Agrippa In serious, educated, and accessible terms, this classic combines classical Neoplatonic and Hermetic philosophy with elements of Jewish Kabbalah and Christianity to form a systematic exposition of occult knowledge. 11 illustrations.
The Evil Eye: The Classic Account of an Ancient Superstition by Frederick Thomas Elworthy Classic text describes many afflictions said to result from being "stared at"—as observed from the days of the ancient Egyptians up to the late 19th century. Descriptions of gestures, charms, incantations and other protective acts used to ward off power of the "evil eye." 199 illus.
Egyptian Magic by E. A. Wallis Budge All that is known about magic in ancient Egypt: powerful amulets to ward off evil spirits, scarabs of immortality, wax images, formulas and spells, the secret name, much more.
The Malleus Maleficarum of Heinrich Kramer and James Sprenger by Montague Summers Full text of most important witchhunter's "bible," used by both Catholics and Protestants. First published in 1486, the book includes everything known at the time about cults, illicit sex, dealings with the devil, and more.