The History of Magic - Volume 1 — Ceremonial Magic

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⚜️ Ceremonial Magic

The History of Magic - Volume 1

Name: The History of Magic - Volume 1
Price: 69.00 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781108025614

✍️ Joseph Ennemoser, Mary Howitt, William Howitt

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A Tyrolean doctor's scientific history of magic from 1787 to 1854

Ennemoser applies his expertise in magnetism and hypnosis to analyze magical practices through a psychological framework. He argues for a direct link between mental states and physical well-being, treating magic as a subject for scientific inquiry rather than religious devotion. This perspective makes the text valuable for understanding the evolution of psychotherapy and the historical classification of paranormal activities by medical professionals.

Key Themes

magnetism hypnosis psychology

Literary Context

Ennemoser lived from 1787 to 1854 in Tyrol. He worked as a doctor and scientist during the early nineteenth century. His work predates Freud but anticipates his theories on the mind body connection. This volume represents a nineteenth-century attempt to rationalize occult subjects using emerging medical concepts.

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

Carl Jung · Fraser's Magic in History · Theosophical Society publications · Early paranormal research journals

⚜️

Ceremonial Magic

🏛 Cambridge University Press 📅 2011 📖 498 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781108025614

Fun Fact

Ennemoser's "History of Magic" is an indispensable resource for anyone seeking a comprehensive, scholarly overview of esoteric traditions from an early scientific perspective. It excels in its meticulous historical cataloging and its prescient exploration of psychological phenomena, bridging ancient beliefs and nascent modern thought. Those expecting a practical guide to magic or a purely occult text might be disappointed. Yet, its intellectual depth establishes it as a cornerstone in the study of historical esotericism and the pre-history of psychology.

📝 Description: The History of Magic - Volume 1

Joseph Ennemoser, a Tyrolean doctor and scientist active between 1787 and 1854, offers a historical examination of magic in this volume. His professional background included notable work with magnetism and hypnosis, which informed his later investigations into psychology. Ennemoser viewed the connection between the mind and physical health as central to understanding human experience, positioning him as an early forerunner to Freud. This scholarly approach brings a medical and scientific lens to the study of occult practices, distinguishing it from purely mystical or devotional texts. The book is organized into four hundred ninety-eight pages within a paperback format measuring two point eight two centimeters in height. It draws on various traditions and periods to construct its narrative, though the specific chapter titles are not listed in the provided metadata. The text relies on Ennemoser’s own observations and his established reputation as a scientist who bridged the gap between physiological health and mental states. Readers seeking a romanticized or esoteric guide will find this account too clinical. Those interested in the historical intersection of medicine, psychology, and magical theory will appreciate the rigorous documentation. Mary Howitt and William Howitt appear as contributors to this edition, likely providing translation or editorial context for the original German work. The publisher, Cambridge University Press, released this version on January twenty seventh, two thousand eleven. The physical copy weighs zero point six three kilograms. This volume suits academic researchers and historians of science who wish to understand how nineteenth-century medical professionals categorized supernatural phenomena. It does not suit casual readers looking for practical spellcasting instructions or spiritual guidance.

💎 Expert review

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💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

This volume is a dense, scholarly endeavor that may alienate casual readers or those seeking practical spellcasting instructions. It requires patience for its academic tone and historical analysis rather than mystical revelation. While valuable for historians of science and serious occultists, it lacks the narrative flair or practical utility desired by general audiences. Readers expecting straightforward esoteric instruction will likely find it dry and overly analytical. However, for those interested in the intersection of medicine, psychology, and magic during the 19th century, it offers a crucial, albeit difficult, perspective on how the unseen was once scientifically categorized.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers fascinated by the historical roots of occultism will find this text indispensable for understanding how early scholars approached magic. It appeals to those interested in the genealogy of psychological thought, offering a unique window into how physicians and scientists once categorized unseen forces. Ennemoser’s rigorous examination of magnetism and hypnosis provides valuable context for modern esoteric studies, bridging the gap between spiritual belief and scientific observation. Those seeking to comprehend the intellectual climate that shaped contemporary magical theory will appreciate this scholarly attempt to demystify humanity's enduring fascination with the inexplicable through a lens of early medical science.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

If you're fascinated by the historical interface of science, medicine, and the occult, or seek to understand the intellectual roots of psychology, this book is essential. Delve into a meticulously researched account of magic's place in human history and thought.

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

This volume is a dense, scholarly endeavor that may alienate casual readers or those seeking practical spellcasting instructions. It requires patience for its academic tone and historical analysis rather than mystical revelation. While valuable for historians of science and serious occultists, it lacks the narrative flair or practical utility desired by general audiences. Readers expecting straightforward esoteric instruction will likely find it dry and overly analytical. However, for those interested in the intersection of medicine, psychology, and magic during the 19th century, it offers a crucial, albeit difficult, perspective on how the unseen was once scientifically categorized.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Ennemoser, a doctor and scientist, approached magic from a perspective that combined historical inquiry with an early scientific lens, particularly focusing on the mind-body connection and phenomena like magnetism and hypnosis.

Primarily, it's a historical and analytical survey of magical beliefs and practices across different cultures and eras, examining the underlying principles from an intellectual and proto-scientific viewpoint rather than offering practical instructions.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Historical Occultism

Ennemoser meticulously chronicles the evolution of magical thought and practice across various cultures and eras. He investigates how different societies perceived and utilized what they understood as supernatural powers, from ancient rites to more formalized esoteric systems, offering a comprehensive overview of humanity's engagement with the mystical.

Mind-Body Connection

A central tenet of Ennemoser's work is the profound interplay between mental states and physical health. He explores how psychological forces, belief, and suggestion, particularly through concepts like animal magnetism and early hypnosis, were understood to influence physiological conditions, foreshadowing modern psychosomatic medicine and psychological theory.

Early Scientific Inquiry

This volume showcases a pivotal moment when nascent scientific methods began to grapple with phenomena previously relegated to superstition. Ennemoser attempts to systematize and analyze magical occurrences through a proto-scientific framework, blending empirical observation with philosophical speculation in an effort to demystify or rationalize esoteric practices.

📜 Historical context

Published in the mid-19th century, Ennemoser's work stands at a critical juncture where scientific rationalism began to challenge and investigate esoteric traditions. His exploration of magnetism and hypnotic states provided a bridge between ancient magical beliefs and emerging psychological understanding, positioning him as an important intellectual precursor to figures like Sigmund Freud in recognizing the subconscious mind's power.

📚 Glossary

Animal Magnetism
Hypnosis
Esotericism

📔 Questions to reflect on

How might Ennemoser's 19th-century understanding of 'magnetism' and 'suggestion' inform or challenge modern perspectives on energy healing or the placebo effect?
Consider a historical period or culture Ennemoser discusses. How did its specific societal structures influence the prevalent forms of magic or belief in unseen forces?
In what ways do you see the 'mind-body connection,' as explored by Ennemoser, manifesting in contemporary spiritual or wellness practices?