Synopses & Reviews
Intriguing, thoroughly researched volume provides expert historical view of demonology and the occult, drawing information from the Bible, literary classics, personal memoirs, correspondence, and court records. Scholarly, yet highly readable study defines witchcraft, then examines ceremonial practices, the casting of spells and conjuring, celebration of the Black Mass, and much more. A masterfully written work for anyone interested in supernatural phenomena, this book has been hailed by critic H. L. Mencken as "learned, honest, and amusing."
Synopsis
English historian, essayist, critic and biographer Montague Summers (1880-1948) was one of the foremost authorities on witchcraft and the occult. In this intriguing, thoroughly researched volume, he offers an expert historical view of witchcraft and black magic through the ages, drawing on a diverse array of sources ranging from the Bible and literary classics to personal memoirs, correspondence, and court records. Beginning with a definition of witchcraft and how one becomes a witch, Summers proceeds to discuss the origins of witchcraft, the familiar, ceremonial practices, spells and conjuring, covens, the Black Mass, and much more, all in well-documented detail. Summers wrote many popular books on witchcraft, vampirism, and demonology; anyone interested in witchcraft and the occult will find much of value in this masterly historical study, written in a scholarly yet readable style.
Synopsis
What is witchcraft? Who was the first witch? How does one become a practitioner of the "black arts?" These and many other questions are fully answered in this fascinating, expertly written historical overview of witchcraft and black magic. The work of noted English historian, essayist, critic, and biographer Montague Summers (1880 - 1948), one of the world's foremost authorities on the occult, the book draws on a wealth of diverse sources from the Bible and literary classics to personal memoirs, correspondence, and court records to explore the mysteries of sorcery and demonology.
Beginning with a definition of witchcraft, the author offers meticulous, thoroughly researched discussions of ceremonial practices, the casting of spells and conjuring practices, the use of wax images and figures, celebration of the Black Mass, the functions of incubi and succubi, the "evil eye," necromancy, the Sabbat, and much more.
A perplexing and puzzling figure during his lifetime, Summers maintained a sincere belief in the supernatural phenomena he so accurately described. These strong convictions helped to motivate the painstaking scholarship and devotion to detail of his works, including this highly regarded volume. Originally published in 1946, and hailed by critic H. L. Mencken as "learned, honest, and amusing," Summers's book is an indispensable resource for any devotee or student of the occult and the supernatural."
Synopsis
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.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER I
What is Witchcraft?
How does One become a Witch?
The Essential Pact
CHAPTER II
"The Familiar, in Human Shape and Animal "
How Acquired
The Sacrileges of Witches
The Reward of Blood
CHAPTER III
Witchcraft at Cambridge and Oxford
The Manichee Sorcerers
Revolutionary Witchcraft
The Witchcraft of the Templars
Witchcraft and Politics
CHAPTER IV
The Origins of Witchcraft
The Sons of God and the Daughters of Men
Who was the First Witch?
Assyrian and Egyptian Witchcraft
The Mummies
"The "Dianic Cult" "
CHAPTER V
The Library of the Witches
The Sibylline Books
The Grimoires
Ie Grand Albert
The Witches' Bible
Zekerboni
Printed and Manuscript Books of Spells
The Scene of Conjuration described by Restif de la Bretonne
CHAPTER VI
The Magus of Francis Barrett Today
Ceremonial Magic
The Evil Eye
Ranks of Demons
Necromancy
Evocations
Ebenezer Sibly
Satanism Today
Obeah
Witchcraft in Mauritius
CHAPTER VII
Sympathetic Magic
Wax Images
Figurines
The Covens
The Grand Master
Levitation
The Sabbat
Incubi and Succubae
The Black Mass