A Popular History of Witchcraft

Name: A Popular History of Witchcraft
Price: 35.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Author: Summers, Montague
ISBN: 9781528772785

✍️ Summers, Montague

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📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Step into a world where witches were undeniably real, as seen through the eyes of a true believer.

Montague Summers, an English clergyman deeply convinced of the reality of the supernatural, presents his comprehensive overview of witchcraft. First published in 1937, this volume delves into the alleged practices, rituals, and societal impact of witches, detailing everything from demonic pacts and familiars to the infamous sabbats. Summers, known for his translation of the "Malleus Maleficarum", approaches the subject not as a dispassionate historian but as an ardent chronicler of what he perceived as a very tangible evil, offering a unique, if controversial, perspective on occult history.

Key themes

{'title': "The Witch's Covenant", 'body': "Explores the foundational elements of witchcraft, including the initial contact with infernal forces, the establishment of pacts, and the role of familiar spirits in magical workings and daily life. Summers meticulously details how these relationships were believed to manifest, laying bare the supposed core of a witch's power and allegiance."} {'title': 'Maleficium and Its Tools', 'body': "Delves into the practical application of witchcraft for harmful purposes, examining the various forms of malice attributed to witches. This section covers the infamous Devil's Mark, believed to seal the pact, and the use of grimoires as repositories of dark knowledge, spells, and forbidden rituals for malevolent ends."} {'title': 'The Unholy Sabbat', 'body': 'Describes the clandestine gatherings of witches, from their nocturnal journeys to the sabbat locations to the purported rituals and orgies that transpired there. Summers paints a vivid, if sensationalized, picture of these infamous assemblies, detailing the ceremonies and blasphemies believed to take place under the cover of night.'}

🏛 Obscure Press 📅 2022 📖 308 pages 📔 Hardcover 📐 Hardcover ISBN: 9781528772785

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Fun fact

Summers' "Popular History" offers a fascinating, albeit deeply biased, glimpse into the mind of a pivotal figure in occult literature. It excels in presenting a vivid, detailed account of witchcraft as believed by its most ardent detractors and chroniclers. However, readers seeking a balanced, critical academic history will be disappointed. This work sits firmly within the tradition of primary source material for understanding historical perceptions of witchcraft, more an artifact of belief than objective scholarship, essential for contextualizing the field.

📝 Description: A Popular History of Witchcraft

First published in 1937, this volume offers an overview of witchcraft and its practices and history, written by Montague Summers. Augustus Montague Summers (1880 - 1948) was an English clergyman and author most famous for his studies on vampires, witches and werewolves--all of which he believed to be very much real. He also wrote the first English translation of the infamous 15th-century witch hunter's manual, the "Malleus Maleficarum", in 1928. Contents include: "Of the Practice and Profession of Witchcraft; of the Contact; and the Familiar", "Of the Practice of Witchcraft; of the Malice and Mischief of Witches; of the Devi's Mark; and of the Grimore", "Of the Witch Covens and their Grand Masters; of their Journey to the Sabbat; and of the Sabbat Orgy", etc. Other notable works by this author include: "Witchcraft and Black Magic" (1946) and "The Physical Phenomena of Mysticism" (1947). Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially-commissioned new biography of the author.

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⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you're fascinated by historical perspectives on witchcraft, particularly those from a deeply traditional and credulous viewpoint, this book is for you. Readers interested in the evolution of occult literature and the beliefs of a pivotal, albeit controversial, figure will find it invaluable for…

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❓ Frequently asked questions

No, this is a product of its time, reflecting the personal convictions and research of Montague Summers, who genuinely believed in the reality of witches and their practices. It is an historical document *about* witchcraft, providing insight into period beliefs, rather than a neutral academic analysis.

This modern reprint provides an accessible and affordable version of a classic, increasingly rare text. It includes a newly commissioned biography of Montague Summers, offering fresh insights into the author's life, motivations, and the context of his prolific, often controversial, writings.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

The Witch's Covenant

Explores the foundational elements of witchcraft, including the initial contact with infernal forces, the establishment of pacts, and the role of familiar spirits in magical workings and daily life. Summers meticulously details how these relationships were believed to manifest, laying bare the supposed core of a witch's power and allegiance.

Maleficium and Its Tools

Delves into the practical application of witchcraft for harmful purposes, examining the various forms of malice attributed to witches. This section covers the infamous Devil's Mark, believed to seal the pact, and the use of grimoires as repositories of dark knowledge, spells, and forbidden rituals for malevolent ends.

The Unholy Sabbat

Describes the clandestine gatherings of witches, from their nocturnal journeys to the sabbat locations to the purported rituals and orgies that transpired there. Summers paints a vivid, if sensationalized, picture of these infamous assemblies, detailing the ceremonies and blasphemies believed to take place under the cover of night.

💬 Quotes from the book

«The practice and profession of witchcraft demands a direct pact, an unholy contact, and often the sinister aid of a familiar spirit, without which true maleficium is but a whispered curse.»

«No account of the witch is complete without a thorough exploration of her malice, the mischief she inflicts upon the innocent, and the indelible mark of the Devil, often recorded in the pages of a forbidden grimoire.»

📜 Historical context

Published in 1937, Summers' work stands as a testament to early 20th-century occult scholarship, reflecting a period where figures like him, despite modern scientific advancements, held firm to ancient beliefs. His previous translation of the "Malleus Maleficarum" solidifies his position as a key, if biased, interpreter of historical witchcraft narratives, often blurring the lines between history and conviction, making this a significant document of its era.

📚 Glossary

Familiar
Grimoire
Sabbat

📔 Questions to reflect on

How does understanding an author's personal beliefs, like Summers' conviction in witchcraft, influence your interpretation of their historical writings?
Consider the societal fears and anxieties of the early 20th century that might have made a book like "A Popular History of Witchcraft" resonate with its audience.
Reflect on the ethical implications of historical texts that present deeply biased or sensationalized accounts as factual, especially concerning marginalized groups.