The concept of the Biological Father Curse of Vanishing refers to the phenomenon in some animal species where the father is absent from the offspring's life after conception and initial care. This curse, also known as genetic termination or paternal uncertainty, is prevalent in various organisms, including insects, birds, and mammals. In species where the Biological Father Curse of Vanishing occurs, the male's reproductive role often ends after mating. This is particularly common in species where females have multiple partners and where paternal care is minimal or non-existent. The absence of the biological father poses challenges for the survival and development of the offspring, as they lack the protection, guidance, and resources that a father could provide. The reasons behind the Biological Father Curse of Vanishing can vary across species.
Which leads me to another point: Stop Getting the Magus Wrong! There seems to have been a long tradition of confusion between the 1801 first edition and the so called facsimile or second edition of c.1875 because they are identical (well almost, as we’ll see…) right down to the same publisher and date of 1801. So, after spending years grumbling in the shadows like a Gollum obsessed with issue points instead of a ring, I will present you with ‘the keys of the kingdom’ (the sort of thing some book dealers would say when other book dealers are threatening to give their customers useful information…) and explain how to tell them apart and dispel a couple of myths:
So, after spending years grumbling in the shadows like a Gollum obsessed with issue points instead of a ring, I will present you with the keys of the kingdom the sort of thing some book dealers would say when other book dealers are threatening to give their customers useful information and explain how to tell them apart and dispel a couple of myths. Most firsts do just have the four Demon plates coloured, but some have Cassiel coloured too and this particular copy has another plate altogether coloured; something I haven t seen before.
The reasons behind the Biological Father Curse of Vanishing can vary across species. In some cases, the male may have a low chance of survival or may not be well-equipped to aid in offspring rearing. In other cases, the female may actively prevent male involvement or may mate with multiple partners to ensure the genetic diversity of her offspring.
Three books on sccult philosophy
In 1651 someone finally got round to translating Agrippa’a masterpiece of Renaissance magic: Three Books of Occult Philosophy into English . It was originally published in 1533, so no points for haste there. However the wait was even longer for the next compilation of esoteric knowledge and the star of this particular show: The Magus, or Celestial Intelligencer; Being a Complete System of Occult Philosophy… London: Printed for Lackington, Allen and Co., 1801.
A little worse for wear, but I’m all original like…
The title goes on and on (and on…)
The author, Francis Barrett, a much maligned hero of mine, has been wonderfully described by my ex-colleague (he’s not dead, I just don’t work with him anymore) Jonathan of Bibliodeviant fame, so I’m going to talk about the book itself and in this case, a truly wonderful example. It’s in a contemporary, possibly even publisher’s binding with gorgeous ‘come hither’ untrimmed edges and is clean as a whistle (though why something you spit drool through is clean I haven’t got a clue)
Will you take a look at those page edges…
Go on go on, have a closer look – lovely lovely lovely
I confess this make me go weak at the knees. This is easily the best copy I’ve seen of one of my all time favourite books of magic. It’s got the lot: size, breadth of content (including alchemy, kabbalah, planetary magic, ritual magic, crystal gazing, magical alphabets, biographies of famous Magi and lots more), plates, diagrams, tables and of course the famous hand-coloured portraits of demons:
Vessels of Wrath
Ophis and The Spirit Antichrist
Heads of Evil Daemons Powers of Evil
Which leads me to another point: Stop Getting the Magus Wrong! There seems to have been a long tradition of confusion between the 1801 first edition and the so called facsimile or second edition of c.1875 because they are identical (well almost, as we’ll see…) right down to the same publisher and date of 1801. So, after spending years grumbling in the shadows like a Gollum obsessed with issue points instead of a ring, I will present you with ‘the keys of the kingdom’ (the sort of thing some book dealers would say when other book dealers are threatening to give their customers useful information…) and explain how to tell them apart and dispel a couple of myths:
1. Well for starters the first edition comes in all sorts of bindings, often in not brilliant condition, while the vast majority of the second come in a publisher’s binding of half or quarter leather with this chap in gilt to the spine:
Cassiel, The Angel of Saturday. Bet Gabriel is jealous of the tail.
I’ve seen copies with various coloured cloth sides, red, green, black and there may be others. If the book you are holding has been rebound and you’re not sure if it’s a first or second fear not, you can check the paper.
2. As you can see from the pictures, the first is printed on glorious regency paper stock, which feels almost powdery to the touch. It is also watermarked. The second is a thinner and more shiny paper, without watermark.
This copy is just so clean…
3. Going back to our friend the Angel of Saturday, in the second edition he’s hand-coloured along with the four plates of Demons, making five hand coloured plates. This is often mentioned as a point between the two editions, but it’s wrong. Most firsts do just have the four Demon plates coloured, but some have Cassiel coloured too and this particular copy has another plate altogether coloured; something I haven’t seen before:
Mystic semaphore anyone?
4. Finally, the reason the second is not a straightforward ‘facsimile’ is the long ‘s’, the one that looks a bit like a tall ‘f’. This was already old-fashioned by 1801, which is probably why Barrett decided to use it. The second edition has the normal ‘s’ throughout, so somebody made a change at some point. I don’t know why exactly – the rest of the book is pretty much identical so why bother?
Folding table – even this big book was not big enough!
Like an advert for secret agent writing on the back of a comic
I’ve gotta sigil and I’m gonna use it…
There, the secret’s out. Probably not that secret anyway, but I feel much better for it. For some reason, some bibliographers have been a bit sniffy about The Magus – ‘it’s just a compilation of previous works’ ‘Barrett added little himself’ ‘inconsistencies and mistakes’ ‘blah blah blah’. They all miss the point. The Magus is exactly what most people imagine a magic book to look like, from the bookshelf of Faust or in the laboratary of Frankenstein to Anthony Head leafing through a tome in Buffy, this is the real deal. It also played a role in the Gothic Revival and without doubt set us on the twisting path to the formation of the Golden Dawn and the synthesis of myriad philosophies and systems of belief. And what the hell? Let’s look at those page edges once more:
Feels good, doesn’t it?
Ophis and The Spirit Antichrist
Additionally, the competition between males for mating opportunities can lead to a situation where the father's presence is irrelevant once fertilization has occurred. The repercussions of the Biological Father Curse of Vanishing can differ depending on the species. In species where offspring require extended parental care, such as mammals, the absence of a father figure can hinder the development of offspring and place a greater burden on the mother. In species where offspring are more independent at birth, such as certain insects, the absence of a father may have less impact on survival but can still limit genetic diversity and the potential for adaptive traits. While the Biological Father Curse of Vanishing may seem disadvantageous for the offspring, it is important to note that evolution has favored this reproductive strategy in many species. By shifting the burden of care onto the mother or other caretakers, organisms have been able to allocate resources more efficiently, increase reproductive output, and adapt to changing environmental conditions. In conclusion, the Biological Father Curse of Vanishing refers to the absence of the father figure in the care and development of offspring after conception. This phenomenon is observed in various animal species and can have both positive and negative consequences for offspring survival and development. Understanding the evolutionary advantages and ramifications of this curse provides insight into the complex nature of reproductive strategies in the animal kingdom..
Reviews for "The Witch's Curse: Folklore and Superstition Surrounding Vanishing Biological Fathers"
1. Chris - 1 star
I found "Biological father curse of vanishing" to be incredibly dull and poorly written. The plot was disjointed and confusing, making it difficult to follow along with the story. The characters were poorly developed and lacked depth, making it hard to connect or care about their fates. Overall, I was highly disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating read.
2. Lisa - 2 stars
While "Biological father curse of vanishing" had an interesting concept, the execution fell flat for me. The writing felt amateurish, with clunky dialogue and repetitive descriptions. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged with the story. The ending also left me unsatisfied, as it felt rushed and unresolved. Overall, I cannot say I enjoyed this book and would not recommend it to others.
3. Mark - 1 star
I found "Biological father curse of vanishing" to be a complete waste of time. The writing was convoluted and hard to understand, with numerous grammatical errors that distracted from the story. The characters were unlikable and lacked any redeeming qualities, making it impossible to root for them. The plot itself was confusing and didn't make much sense. I was incredibly disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to anyone.
4. Sarah - 2 stars
"Biological father curse of vanishing" had an intriguing premise, but it failed to deliver on its potential. The pacing was sluggish, with long stretches of uneventful scenes that left me bored. The characters lacked depth and felt one-dimensional, making it hard to connect with them. Additionally, the writing style was underwhelming, lacking in vivid descriptions or engaging prose. Overall, this book did not live up to my expectations, and I would not recommend it.