The Rise of Magic in Early Medieval Europe
"A major piece of medieval scholarship..."
The author "argues that magic became an integral part of early medieval Christian culture through a conscious and deliberate 'rescue' of pre-Christian beliefs and practices. Recognizing 'the emotional need for that magic which sustains devotion and delight,' early medieval clerics carried out this rescue by developing acceptable forms of Christian magic to replace unacceptable forms of control over the irrational... a diligently researched and well-written survey of what antiquity and churchmen between the fifth and eleventh centuries had to say about magical beliefs and practices, and what the Church and State should do about them. The list of primary sources quoted and employed, many of them hitherto little known, is impressive. . . powerful work on magic in early medieval Europe. Flint shows how many of the more discerning leaders of the early medieval Church decided to promote non-Christian practices originally condemned as magical rather than repressing them or leaving them to waste away or "growl." These wise leaders actively and enthusiastically incorporated specific kinds of "magic" into the dominant culture not only to appease the contemporary non-Christian opposition but also to enhance Christianity itself.
Witchcraft in Europe, 400-1700:
This edition ( book 1 ) incorporates more recent research on witchcraft's role in early modern European history.
Witchcraft in Europe, 400-1700: A Documentary History
Witchcraft in Europe, 1100-1700:
This volume ( book 2 ) chronicles the rise and fall of the cult of witchcraft that swept through Europe between the 11th and 18th centuries.
"Comprehensive, original, scholarly, philosophically searching and meticulously prepared."
Witchcraft in Europe, 1100-1700 : A Documentary History
Witchcraft in the Middle Ages:
All the known theories and incidents of witchcraft in Western Europe from the fifth to the fifteenth century are brilliantly set forth in this engaging and comprehensive history.
Witchcraft in the Middle Ages
A World Lit Only by Fire:
A World Lit Only by Fire: The Medieval Mind & the Renaissance - Portrait of an Age
Manchester's marvelously vivid popular history humanizes the tumultuous span from the Dark Ages to the Renaissance. This book is a great read for the layman who is interested in a fun, and understandable look at the age that launched the world we have today. Highly recommended!
The twentieth anniversary edition of The Spiral Dance is a comprehensive overview of the growth, suppression, and modern-day reemergence of Wicca as a Goddess-worshipping religion, and the changes adapted and developed over the last twenty years.
The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Great Goddess
The World of the Druids
Witches and Neighbors: The Social and Cultural Context of European Witchcraft:
In his remarkable and compelling interpretation of the course and causes of the fear and persecution of witches that bedeviled Europe for centuries, Briggs draws on the latest research into the local realities underlying the phenomenon.
...reveals how ordinary people diverted ordinary and not-so-ordinary grievances into a complex structure of blaming and scapegoating, such as in Salem, Massachusetts. Villagers inhabited a harsh and dangerous world, where real and fantastic fears mingled.
This extraordinarily rich, lucidly written and careful study should certainly now be the first recourse for anyone who seeks to understand the persecution of the witch.
Witches and Neighbors: The Social and Cultural Context of European Witchcraft
History of Pagan Europe:
The arrival of Christianity not only didn't eliminate pagan religious and social traditions over a period of two thousand years, but co-exists with them today. In fact, the authors point out, paganism is undergoing a powerful revival in modern Europe ... and for that matter, in America as well. Odd as it may seem, the tie is to two movements: ecological concerns and the demand for feminine equality. From the Greek gods and oracles to the Druids, this book offers the most complete (and certainly most readable) study of paganism in all the countries of Europe. Especially notable is the careful analysis of the "re-rise'' of paganism.
History of Pagan Europe
Understanding Auras:
Everyone has an aura, a colored halo or field of energy that surrounds the body. Mystics have always considered auras important, now science is providing proof. This classic guide clearly explains what auras are and how understanding them will help you develop greater knowledge of yourself and others, treat deep-seated emotional problems and diagnose illness.
Understanding Auras: The Reality of the Human Aura
A Druid's Herbal for the Secret Earth Year:
A Druid's Herbal for the Secret Earth Year
This complete guide to the plant lore of the Druids covers the eight major festivals of the pagan year and the appropriate herbs and rituals to celebrate these sacred days. Rich in tradition and folklore, A Druid's Herbal will be an important resource for herbal and ritual wisdom during the round of the sacred year.
Gives complete instructions in both the medicinal and magical uses of the herbs associated with each season.
Includes chapters on herbal alchemy and the planets; ancient groves and stone circles; herbs for children; and information on the use of herbs for consecration and purification, for marriage, and for funerals.
Rare and Out of Print Books
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Travel through time from the comfort of your living room. Join us as we explore the history of Witchcraft and Druidism. Witchcraft is not what many people believe it to be. For centuries people have held misconceptions about witchcraft and witches, linking them with the Devil. Interestingly, many witches do not even believe in the Devil! Do you picture an old toothless hag living alone in the woods? In reality witches are often indistinguishable from others you pass on the street every day. Are they Satan worshippers who cast the "evil-eye", or nature lovers concerned about protecting the environment and all living things? Explore the world of Wicca and the reverence of "Mother Nature".
In the ancient world, it was common practice to curse or bind an enemy or rival by writing an incantation, such as the one above, on a tablet and dedicating it to a god or spirit. These curses or binding spells, commonly called defixiones, were intended to bring other people under the power and control of those who commissioned them. More than a thousand such texts, written between the fifth century B.C.E. and the fifth century C.E., have been discovered extending into every aspect of ancient life . The material is fascinating, and provides a view of antiquity from an unaccustomed angle.
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