A copiously illustrated global history of magic books, from ancient papyri to pulp paperbacks
“A beautiful production: a typographic and calligraphic treat as treasurable as a rare magical text itself. Almost every page is filled with wonder.”—Suzi Feay, The Spectator
Grimoires, textbooks of magic and occult knowledge, have existed through the ages alongside other magic and religious texts in part because of the need to create a physical record of magical phenomena, but also to enact magic through spells and rituals. To understand the history of these texts is to understand the influence of the major religions, the development of early science, the cultural influence of print, the growth of literacy, the social impact of colonialism, and the expansion of esoteric cultures across the oceans.
In more than two hundred color illustrations from ancient times to the present, renowned scholar Owen Davies examines little-studied artistic qualities of grimoires, revealing a unique world of design and imagination. The book takes a global approach, considering Egyptian and Greek papyri, ancient Chinese bamboo scripts, South American pulp prints, and Japanese demon encyclopedias, among other examples.
This book will enchant readers interested in the history of magic and science, as well as in book and manuscript history.
From the Publisher
Ancient Greek Papyrus
Dating to the 4th century CE, this text includes a range of spells, mostly relating to matters of love, but also charms to restrain anger and for opening a door. This image, a cock-headed demon found in other love spells of the period, and the accompanying symbols were to be inscribed on a silver lamella and worn under one’s clothing to win favor and to be victorious in legal cases.
Cabala: Spiegel der Kunst und Natur, in Alchymia (Cabala: Mirror of Art and Nature, in Alchemy)
This European alchemical engraving published in 1615 concerns symbols of the states of physical matter (top), cabalistic diagrams (middle), and depictions of alchemical distillation and calcination (bottom). Alchemy was essentially an aspect of natural magic, and medieval alchemical manuscripts provided instructions in both theory and practice, with experimental advice on how to transmute base metals to precious metals, and how to seed the mythical philosopher’s stone, or elixir, that could mediate the transmutation.
O Pequeno Livro de São Cipriano (The Little Book of Saint Cyprian)
In keeping with the cigar-munching demon on the cover, a significant portion of this 64-page book is concerned with countering evil spirits through Orações (prayers), exorcisms, and riguals. It is distinctively Brazilian, in that it also contains instructions for countering macumbeiros—the practitioners of the Afro-Brazilian spirit religion knows as macumba.
Brihat Indrajala (The Big Art of Magic)
Written in Hindi, this book runs to several hundred pages and contains a range of incantations, talismans, magic squares, mantras, and yantras. This image represents Lord Kala Bhairav, the God of Time, and also an expression of Shiva, who has often been depicted riding on a dog. He is a punisher of sin and is worshipped for good fortune and protection against black magic.
Publisher : Yale University Press
Publication date : October 10, 2023
Edition : First Edition
Language : English
Print length : 256 pages
ISBN-10 : 0300272014
ISBN-13 : 978-0300272017
Item Weight : 2.4 pounds
Dimensions : 7.7 x 1.1 x 9.8 inches
Customers say
Customers find the book’s images well done, with one particularly appreciating the photos of different grimoire pages. Moreover, the information quality receives positive feedback, with one customer noting it’s a highly researched work with extensive illustrations. Additionally, the book’s pacing is well-received, with one customer praising the readability of Davies’ commentary.
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