The magical universe : everyday ritual and magic in pre-modern Europe / Stephen Wilson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Wilson, Stephen, 1941-

Contributor:

Horace Howard Furness Memorial Fund.

Horace Howard Furness Memorial Library (University of Pennsylvania)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Magic--Europe--History.

Magic.

Ritual--Europe--History.

Ritual.

History.

Europe.

Physical Description:

xxx, 546 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

London ; New York : Hambledon and London, 2000.

Summary:

The universality of the magical beliefs which have existed throughout Europe from the time of the Romans to the present has been hidden by a focus on the sensational aspects of magic, and on witch trials in particular. The Magical Universe shows how magical beliefs and practices permeated all aspects of work and of family life, and profoundly influenced the approach of men and women to health and healing, birth, marriage and death. Magic offered the hope of protection in a dangerous and uncertain world, if the correct rituals were observed. Magical beliefs borrowed from and were incorporated in church rites. Such beliefs, shared by the powerful as well as the poor, lasted remarkably late in many rural areas and have still not completely vanished.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [495]-532) and index.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Horace Howard Furness Memorial Fund.

ISBN:

1852852518

OCLC:

46513771