Dictionary of Ancient Magic Words and Spells
From Abraxas to Zoar
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Inner Traditions Bear and Company
Published:19th Nov '15
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This extensive guide explores over 1,000 magical words and spells, revealing their historical significance and cultural impact. The Dictionary of Ancient Magic Words and Spells is a fascinating read.
The Dictionary of Ancient Magic Words and Spells serves as a comprehensive guide to over 1,000 magical words, phrases, symbols, and secret alphabets. This extensive collection highlights the evolution of magic words from ancient civilizations like Babylon, Egypt, and Greece to their presence in modern culture, including the popular spells of the Harry Potter series. These words have transcended their original contexts, becoming ingrained in the popular imagination of the Western world.
Scholar Claude Lecouteux reveals that the effectiveness of these magical words often lies in their complexity and obscurity. The Dictionary of Ancient Magic Words and Spells delves into a wealth of material on both common and obscure magical terms, providing readers with insights into their historical significance and practical applications. The book explores the rich traditions of ancient Scandinavia, the Hispano-Arabic magic practiced in Spain before the Reconquista, and the enduring practices that have persisted from ancient Egypt to the present day.
Through this exploration, Lecouteux not only catalogues the words themselves but also uncovers the rituals and beliefs that surround them. The Dictionary of Ancient Magic Words and Spells invites readers to discover the power of language and the deep-rooted connections between words, culture, and magic through the ages.
"Lecouteux has analyzed more than 7000 spells from numerous magical traditions. We find spells for protection, love, wealth and healing, with a charted evolution showing how a spell can morph down through the centuries. Presenting a wealth of material on magical words, signs and charms, Lecouteux also explores the magical words and spells of ancient Scandinavia, the Hispano-Arabic magic of Spain, the ancient Egyptian traditions and customs that have stayed in use until the present day." * The Witches’ Almanac, March 2016 *
“The anything-but-dry presentation by Lecouteux makes this book a must-add for someone curating careful resources for magic work. This belongs on a shelf between that favorite, oft-used herbal and that collection of favorite spells. The history, illustrations, and above all the words themselves beg for a reintroduction into living use--although, word of warning, few of them are actually rated as valid in Scrabble.” * Facing North, Diana Rajchel, March 2016 *
"...the Dictionary of Ancient Magic Words and Spells is a useful and trustworthy reference work, rooted in academic scholarship that will prove of interest to both researcher and magical practitioner alike." * Ross MacFarlane, Folklore Journal, UK *
ISBN: 9781620553749
Dimensions: 229mm x 152mm x 28mm
Weight: 730g
448 pages