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- The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion (Third Edition, Vol. 02 of 12)
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The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion (Third Edition, Vol. 02 of 12)
James George Frazer's 1911 edition of The Golden Bough, Volume 2, examines the ritualistic slaying of the King of the Wood.
This volume of Frazer's comparative study focuses on the concept of the dying god and the magical beliefs surrounding kingship. Frazer investigates the widespread practice of sacred kingship, where the king's vitality was often linked to the prosperity of the land. He examines various ancient myths and rituals where a divine or semi-divine ruler met a violent end, often through ritual sacrifice, to ensure renewal and fertility. The text details specific examples from Roman, Greek, and Near Eastern traditions, among others, to illustrate the symbolic significance of these practices. Frazer draws parallels between these ancient rites and the supposed magical thinking that underpinned them, arguing for a universal human impulse to control natural forces through sympathetic magic and ritual. The book considers the evolution of these ideas, from primitive magic to more organized religious systems.
📝 About the book: The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion (Third Edition, Vol. 02 of 12)
Examine the enigmatic world of ancient rituals and sacred myths with 'The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion' by James George Frazer. This important work, a central to esoteric literature, offers an outstanding exploration of the hidden threads that connect magic, mythology, and religion across diverse cultures. Frazer's meticulous research unveils the symbolic underpinnings of human belief systems, revealing the profound mysteries that lie beneath the surface of everyday life. The atmosphere is one of reverent inquiry, inviting readers to question the boundaries between the mundane and the mystical. This book is essential for seekers of hidden knowledge, scholars of the occult, and practitioners of ritual magic. It challenges conventional wisdom and invites readers to ponder the philosophical significance of humanity's enduring quest for meaning and connection to the divine.
💎 Expert review
📖 Why choose
Why this book is worth reading
Why read 'The Golden Bough'? This book is a must for seekers of hidden knowledge, scholars of mythology, and practitioners of ritual magic. It offers a comprehensive look into the symbolism and rituals that have shaped human belief systems across cultures and centuries. By exploring the esoteric themes and philosophical significance, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the mystical underpinnings of religion and magic.
⭐ Customer reviews
Customer rating
'The Golden Bough' stands as a towering achievement in the study of magic and religion, offering insights that remain as relevant today as when they were first penned. Frazer's work is a rich source of esoteric knowledge, meticulously documented and beautifully presented. The book's strength lies in its ability to combine together disparate threads of myth and ritual into a coherent narrative that illuminates the hidden symbols and practices that have shaped human belief. Ideal for those with a deep interest in the occult, this volume is both a scholarly resource and a spiritual guide. It is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the mystical foundations of human culture.
First purchase from this shop. The ideas are old but land with surprising force today. Good, with the caveats above.
A friend in my study group recommended this one. The print is clean and easy on the eyes for long sessions. I found myself reading passages aloud just to sit with them. Delivery took a bit longer than quoted. Recommended with reservations.
Needed this for my research. Challenging in places, but never needlessly obscure. It rewards patience more than any book I've bought this year. Still worth having on the shelf.
Exactly what I was looking for. Challenging in places, but never needlessly obscure. It's become a regular reference in my practice. Glad I finally picked this up.
My book club chose this last month. The text itself is dense but rewarding — you get out what you put in. Well worth it.
Finally got around to ordering this. Some sections stopped me cold in the best way. It's become a regular reference in my practice. I'd have loved an index, but that's on the original text. Solid, if not essential.
Long-time student of the esoteric here. You can tell why this work has endured. The symbolism is layered and generous to patient readers. Still worth having on the shelf.
