Magic has long been a subject of fascination and intrigue for humans. It can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where it was believed that certain individuals possessed the ability to manipulate supernatural forces to achieve desired outcomes. While magic is often portrayed in positive and negative contexts, the two most well-known forms are white and black magic. White magic, also known as light magic or benevolent magic, is often associated with goodness, healing, and positive intentions. Practitioners of white magic aim to channel positive energy and use it to help others or bring about positive change in the world. This form of magic is commonly used for healing, protection, love spells, and guidance.
They sacrifice their owne children to the divell before baptisme, holding them up in the aire unto him, and then thrust a needle into their braines . They use incestuous adulterie with spirits . They eate the flesh and drinke the bloud of men and children openlie . They kill mens cattell . They bewitch mens corne . They ride and flie in the aire, bring stormes, make tempests . They use venerie with a divell called Incubus and have children by them, which become the best witches .
In 1584, when there were few who would even defend witches against these charges, Reginald Scot went one step further. He actually set out to prove that witches did not and could not exist King James later found Scot's opinion so heretical that he ordered all copies of his book to be burned. But so rich and full of data on the charges against witches, on witch trials and on the actual practice of the black arts was Scot's Discoverie of Witchcraft that it remained a much-used source throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and is still one of the few primary sources for the study of witchcraft today.
At the heart of Scot's book are stories and charges pulled from the writers of the Inquisition about the supposed nature of witches. Scot believed that the utter absurdity of the facts would be enough to stop belief in witchcraft forever. But he also goes on to give opinions of medical authorities, interviews with those convicted of witchcraft, and details about the two-faced practices of those in charge of the inquisitions to show even further why the charges of witchcraft were simply not true. In later chapters Scot details the other side of the question through a study of the black arts that are not purely imaginary. He discusses poisoners, jugglers, conjurers, charmers, soothsayers, figure-casters, dreamers, alchemists, and astrologers and, in turn, sets down the actual practices of each group and shows how the acts depend not upon the devil but upon either trickery or skill. In the process, many of the magician's secrets and much other folk and professional lore of the time is made available to the reader of today.
Shortly after the Spanish Inquisition, directly in the wake of Sprenger and Kramer's Malleus Maleficarum, during the great upsurge of witch trials in Britain, Scot was a direct witness to the witchmonger in one of witch-hunting's bloodiest eras. Whatever your interest in witchcraft -- either historical, psychological, or sympathetic -- Scot, in his disproof, tells you much more about the subject than the many, many contemporary writers on the other side of the question.
Sewing binding for longer life, where the book block is actually sewn smythe sewn section sewn with thread before binding which results in a more durable type of binding. Whatever your interest in witchcraft -- either historical, psychological, or sympathetic -- Scot, in his disproof, tells you much more about the subject than the many, many contemporary writers on the other side of the question.
This form of magic is commonly used for healing, protection, love spells, and guidance. It is believed to be based on the principles of nature and the understanding that what goes around comes around. On the other hand, black magic, also known as dark magic or malevolent magic, is often associated with negativity and harmful intentions.
The Discoverie of Witchcraft (Dover Occult) (Paperback)
They sacrifice their owne children to the divell before baptisme, holding them up in the aire unto him, and then thrust a needle into their braines . They use incestuous adulterie with spirits . They eate the flesh and drinke the bloud of men and children openlie . They kill mens cattell . They bewitch mens corne . They ride and flie in the aire, bring stormes, make tempests . They use venerie with a divell called Incubus and have children by them, which become the best witches .
In 1584, when there were few who would even defend witches against these charges, Reginald Scot went one step further. He actually set out to prove that witches did not and could not exist King James later found Scot's opinion so heretical that he ordered all copies of his book to be burned. But so rich and full of data on the charges against witches, on witch trials and on the actual practice of the black arts was Scot's Discoverie of Witchcraft that it remained a much-used source throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and is still one of the few primary sources for the study of witchcraft today.
At the heart of Scot's book are stories and charges pulled from the writers of the Inquisition about the supposed nature of witches. Scot believed that the utter absurdity of the facts would be enough to stop belief in witchcraft forever. But he also goes on to give opinions of medical authorities, interviews with those convicted of witchcraft, and details about the two-faced practices of those in charge of the inquisitions to show even further why the charges of witchcraft were simply not true. In later chapters Scot details the other side of the question through a study of the black arts that are not purely imaginary. He discusses poisoners, jugglers, conjurers, charmers, soothsayers, figure-casters, dreamers, alchemists, and astrologers and, in turn, sets down the actual practices of each group and shows how the acts depend not upon the devil but upon either trickery or skill. In the process, many of the magician's secrets and much other folk and professional lore of the time is made available to the reader of today.
Shortly after the Spanish Inquisition, directly in the wake of Sprenger and Kramer's Malleus Maleficarum, during the great upsurge of witch trials in Britain, Scot was a direct witness to the witchmonger in one of witch-hunting's bloodiest eras. Whatever your interest in witchcraft -- either historical, psychological, or sympathetic -- Scot, in his disproof, tells you much more about the subject than the many, many contemporary writers on the other side of the question.
- Witchcraft (See Also Religion - Wicca)
- Modern - 16th Century
- Occultism
- Hardcover (October 26th, 2022): $43.95
- Paperback (November 1st, 2017): $60.90
- Paperback (October 26th, 2022): $31.95
- Paperback (November 13th, 2009): $47.75
- Hardcover$24.95
It is believed to involve the use of supernatural powers to cause harm, manipulate others, or gain personal power and control. Unlike white magic, black magic is often seen as morally ambiguous and can be used for personal gain or to inflict harm on others. It is often characterized by rituals, spells, and curses that aim to manipulate or control the natural order of things. Throughout history, both white and black magic have been subjects of fear and fascination. In many societies, they have been associated with witchcraft and sorcery, often leading to persecution and witch hunts. While white magic has been more widely accepted and embraced, black magic has often been deemed taboo or forbidden due to its association with negative intentions and harm. It is important to note that the practice of magic, whether white or black, is highly subjective and influenced by cultural, religious, and personal beliefs. What may be considered white magic in one culture or belief system may be considered black magic in another. It is also worth noting that the concept of white and black magic is not universally recognized, and different cultures and traditions may have their own classifications and interpretations of magical practices. In conclusion, white and black magic are two distinct forms of magic that are often associated with positive and negative intentions, respectively. While white magic aims to bring about positive change and help others, black magic is often associated with harmful intentions and personal gain. The practice and interpretation of magic vary greatly across different cultures and belief systems, making it a complex and diverse subject..
Reviews for "Evil Incarnate: Unmasking the Secrets of Black Magic"
1. John D. - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "White and Black Magic" based on the reviews I read, but I was sorely disappointed. The storytelling was lackluster, and the characters fell flat. The whole concept of mixing white and black magic had potential, but it was never fully explored or explained. The plot felt disjointed and confusing, leaving me frustrated and disconnected from the story. Overall, I found it to be a forgettable read.
2. Emily R. - 1 star - "White and Black Magic" was an absolute chore to get through. The writing style was clunky and repetitive, and I found myself constantly skipping ahead just to get to the end. The characters were poorly developed and lacked any depth or relatability. Additionally, the pacing was all over the place, with long stretches of nothing happening followed by rushed and confusing plot developments. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating magical fantasy read.
3. Sarah M. - 2 stars - Unfortunately, "White and Black Magic" did not live up to my expectations. The world-building was weak and lacked detail, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. The dialogue was also stilted and unnatural, making it hard to connect with the characters. The romance subplot felt forced and lacked chemistry, undermining the overall narrative. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointment and it failed to leave a lasting impression on me.