A Supernatural War: Magic, Divination, and Faith During the First World War

Name: A Supernatural War: Magic, Divination, and Faith During the First World War
Price: 37.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Author: Davies, Owen
ISBN: 9780198794554

✍️ Davies, Owen

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📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Uncover the hidden spiritual battlefield where faith and magic intertwined with the Great War.

Owen Davies masterfully reveals how the First World War ignited a fervent resurgence of esoteric and spiritual practices across society. From soldiers clutching talismans in the trenches to civilians consulting mediums for news of loved ones, this work explores the widespread reliance on the supernatural during an era of unprecedented crisis. It delves into the anxieties of religious institutions, the media's fascination with prophets, and the authorities' attempts to control burgeoning occult activity, offering a profound look at how societal upheaval shapes human belief systems in the face of the unknown.

Key themes

{'title': 'Wartime Spiritual Resurgence', 'body': "Davies illustrates how the immense trauma of WWI spurred a dramatic uptick in what was then deemed 'superstitious' behavior. He examines the widespread adoption of magical charms, divination, and spiritualist practices by ordinary people seeking protection, comfort, or insight amidst the chaos of conflict, demonstrating a profound societal turn towards the mystical."} {'title': 'Societal Reactions to Occultism', 'body': 'The book meticulously details the varied responses to this spiritual revival. It explores the alarm expressed by established churches, the sensationalist coverage by the international press, and the attempts by governmental authorities to suppress fortune-tellers and mediums, highlighting the tension between traditional institutions and burgeoning popular belief systems during wartime.'} {'title': 'The Psychology of Belief', 'body': 'Davies delves into the underlying psychological factors that drove individuals and communities to embrace magic and spiritualism. He analyzes how the intense stress of combat, the grief for lost loved ones, and the overwhelming uncertainty of the era fostered a desperate need for meaning, control, and connection with the unseen, shaping collective consciousness.'}

🏛 Oxford Univ PR 📅 2019 📖 304 pages 📔 Hardcover 📐 Hardcover ISBN: 9780198794554

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Fun fact

Owen Davies delivers a compelling and meticulously researched account, moving beyond mere anecdotes to reveal the profound spiritual landscape of WWI. This book excels at connecting historical events with human psychology and the enduring power of belief, even when deemed 'superstitious.' While not a battle-by-battle narrative, it is indispensable for social historians, occult scholars, and anyone interested in the human response to cataclysm. Those seeking a straightforward military history might be surprised, but those open to deeper cultural currents will find it richly rewarding.

📝 Description: A Supernatural War: Magic, Divination, and Faith During the First World War

It was a commonly expressed view during the First World War that the conflict had seen a major revival of "superstitious" beliefs and practices. Churches expressed concerns about the wearing of talismans and amulets, the international press paid considerable interest to the pronouncements of astrologers and prophets, and the authorities in several countries periodically clamped down on fortune tellers and mediums due to concerns over their effect on public morale. Out on the battlefields, soldiers of all nations sought to protect themselves through magical and religious rituals, and, on the home front, people sought out psychics and occult practitioners for news of the fate of their distant loved ones or communication with their spirits. Even away from concerns about the war, suspected witches continued to be abused and people continued to resort to magic and magical practitioners for personal protection, love, and success. Uncovering and examining beliefs, practices, and contemporary opinions regarding the role of the supernatural in the war years, Owen Davies explores the broader issues regarding early twentieth-century society in the West, the psychology of the supernatural during wartime, and the extent to which the war cast a spotlight on the widespread continuation of popular belief in magic. A Supernatural War reveals the surprising stories of extraordinary people in a world caught up with the promise of occult powers.

⭐ Reader reviews

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⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.8/5

★★★★★

If you're fascinated by the intersection of social history, wartime psychology, and the esoteric, this book offers a unique lens. Readers interested in how profound societal crises reshape belief systems will find this an essential and thought-provoking read.

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❓ Frequently asked questions

Generally no; churches often expressed concern over 'superstitious' beliefs, while authorities sometimes clamped down on practices like fortune-telling due to worries about public morale or exploitation.

The book reveals that interest in and practice of magic, divination, and spiritualism spanned across various social strata, with people from all walks of life seeking solace or answers during the war.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Wartime Spiritual Resurgence

Davies illustrates how the immense trauma of WWI spurred a dramatic uptick in what was then deemed 'superstitious' behavior. He examines the widespread adoption of magical charms, divination, and spiritualist practices by ordinary people seeking protection, comfort, or insight amidst the chaos of conflict, demonstrating a profound societal turn towards the mystical.

Societal Reactions to Occultism

The book meticulously details the varied responses to this spiritual revival. It explores the alarm expressed by established churches, the sensationalist coverage by the international press, and the attempts by governmental authorities to suppress fortune-tellers and mediums, highlighting the tension between traditional institutions and burgeoning popular belief systems during wartime.

The Psychology of Belief

Davies delves into the underlying psychological factors that drove individuals and communities to embrace magic and spiritualism. He analyzes how the intense stress of combat, the grief for lost loved ones, and the overwhelming uncertainty of the era fostered a desperate need for meaning, control, and connection with the unseen, shaping collective consciousness.

💬 Quotes from the book

«The trenches, soaked in dread, birthed a desperate faith in the unseen; a rabbit's foot or a whispered charm held more solace than any official decree could offer.»

«As the casualty lists grew, so too did the queues outside the clairvoyant's door, a silent testament to hope's refusal to be extinguished by grim reality.»

📜 Historical context

This work positions the supernatural fervor of WWI within the broader currents of late 19th and early 20th-century spiritualism and occult revival. It shows how the Great War acted as a powerful accelerant to these existing trends, pushing esoteric practices from the fringes into mainstream coping mechanisms, deepening the spiritualist movement's reach during a period of immense global upheaval.

📚 Glossary

Talisman
Mediumship
Divination

📔 Questions to reflect on

How might extreme societal stress, like a world war, alter an individual's personal belief system or openness to the 'supernatural'?
Consider contemporary global crises: Do you observe similar patterns of seeking solace or answers in non-traditional spiritual or magical practices today?
Reflect on the tension between official institutions (church, state) and popular belief during times of crisis. What does this reveal about authority and human agency?