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The History of Witchcraft and Demonology — Witchcraft Wicca

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The History of Witchcraft and Demonology

Name: The History of Witchcraft and Demonology
Price: 77.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780415568746

✍️ Summers, Montague

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A 380-page historical and sociological study of occultism, magick, and witchcraft by Montague Summers.

This volume reissues Montague Summers's examination of witchcraft and occultism, produced for C.K. Ogden's landmark social science series, The History of Civilization. Drawing on early twentieth-century research in anthropology, archaeology, history, and sociology, the text places magickal traditions alongside European and Judaeo-Christian historical developments. Presented in paperback by Routledge, it delivers reference material, essays, and historical theories regarding demonology and occult studies.

Key Themes

Witchcraft and demonology history Occultism and magick studies Social science reference essays

Literary Context

First published between 1920 and 1970, this volume formed part of C.K. Ogden's historical series, released during a period of major social science development and historical discovery.

Summers, Montague

📚 all books by this author (19) →

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

Gustav Meyrink · Arthur Machen · H.P. Lovecraft · The Malleus Maleficarum

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Witchcraft & Wicca

🏛 Routledge 📅 2009 📖 380 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780415568746

Fun Fact

Montague Summers' 'History' is not merely a book; it's an experience. Its strength lies in its exhaustive compilation of historical data, offering a deep dive into centuries of fear and fascination with the occult. However, those seeking a purely objective or secular analysis might find Summers' fervent, conviction-driven narrative challenging. It is a cornerstone text for anyone seriously studying the historical perception of witchcraft, though it undeniably reflects the biases and perspectives of its time, making it a crucial, yet complex, piece of occult scholarship.

📝 Description: The History of Witchcraft and Demonology

Montague Summers examines the topics of occultism, magick studies, demonology, and witchcraft within this 380-page volume from Routledge. Originally published as part of C. K. Ogden's landmark publishing endeavor, The History of Civilization, this text gathers early twentieth-century historical, anthropological, archaeological, and sociological findings. Summers approaches his subject through the lens of European, Judaeo-Christian, and broader regional civilizational histories, presenting reference material and analytical essays on occult practices. Organized as a single volume within a broader series that spans prehistory, historical ethnography, and classical civilizations, the text provides structured reference material for serious researchers. Summers compiles theories from the social sciences to detail the development of magickal beliefs and societal responses to witch trials and demonic lore across different historical eras. This paperback reprint suits academic readers, historians, and individuals looking for mid-twentieth-century sociological perspectives on occult traditions. It does not suit casual readers seeking modern Wiccan practice manuals, as the content focuses strictly on historical and reference analysis.

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Summers delivers a deeply personal and heavily researched exploration of demonology that is as fascinating as it is disturbing. While his argument for the real influence of diabolical forces may challenge modern secular sensibilities, his compilation of treatises offers unparalleled insight into historical perceptions of witchcraft. However, this volume does NOT suit readers seeking detached, dispassionate academic neutrality or those uncomfortable with explicit theological assertions of evil's reality. It is best approached as a passionate defense of historical orthodoxy rather than objective sociology. Readers who prefer light folklore over heavy legalistic analysis may find the tone overwhelming, but for those craving the weight of traditional occult historiography, it remains an unparalleled and gripping testament to the era’s fears.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a profound, albeit disturbing, dive into the historical reality of witchcraft will find this volume indispensable. Montague Summers offers more than a dry academic survey; he presents a meticulously researched narrative that compiles historical accounts and legal documents to argue for the tangible presence of diabolical forces. This book is ideal for those fascinated by the intersection of theology, law, and malevolence in human history. It serves as an essential resource for understanding the intense persecution of magic and the cultural fears that fueled it. For the dedicated occultist or historian, Summers’ unique lens provides a terrifying yet fascinating glimpse into the dark chronicles of magic, making it a vital addition to any serious collection on esoteric history.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

For those captivated by the darker currents of history, curious about the origins of occult beliefs, or seeking a comprehensive, albeit biased, historical account of witchcraft and demonology, this book offers an indispensable, albeit challenging, journey into the past.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Summers delivers a deeply personal and heavily researched exploration of demonology that is as fascinating as it is disturbing. While his argument for the real influence of diabolical forces may challenge modern secular sensibilities, his compilation of treatises offers unparalleled insight into historical perceptions of witchcraft. However, this volume does NOT suit readers seeking detached, dispassionate academic neutrality or those uncomfortable with explicit theological assertions of evil's reality. It is best approached as a passionate defense of historical orthodoxy rather than objective sociology. Readers who prefer light folklore over heavy legalistic analysis may find the tone overwhelming, but for those craving the weight of traditional occult historiography, it remains an unparalleled and gripping testament to the era’s fears.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Absolutely not. This is a historical and theological treatise examining the *history* and *beliefs* surrounding witchcraft and demonology, not a manual for their practice. It documents past perceptions and events, not contemporary instruction.

Montague Summers was a formidable scholar whose extensive research and unique perspective made this a foundational text. While his personal biases are evident, his meticulous compilation of historical sources provides an unparalleled, if controversial, overview of these complex subjects.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Historical Witchcraft Persecution

Summers meticulously documents the historical development of witchcraft beliefs and the subsequent, often brutal, persecution of those accused. He delves into the legal and ecclesiastical frameworks that enabled witch trials, providing a chilling account of societal fears and the mechanisms of justice, or injustice, employed against alleged practitioners of dark magic across centuries.

The Nature of Demonology

This volume offers a comprehensive examination of demonic lore, cataloging various infernal entities and their perceived roles in tempting humanity and influencing the material world. Summers explores theological perspectives on demons, their supposed powers, and their interactions with witches, drawing from a vast array of historical and religious texts to build his case for their pervasive influence.

The Occult in Society

Beyond mere historical fact, Summers explores how occult beliefs, particularly in witchcraft and demonology, have permeated and shaped human society, culture, and religious thought. He analyzes the profound impact these fears and fascinations had on everyday life, law, and morality, revealing a world deeply intertwined with the unseen forces of the supernatural.

📜 Historical context

Published in the early 20th century, Summers' work emerged during a period of burgeoning interest in the occult, yet it steadfastly defended traditional, often sensationalist, views on witchcraft. His scholarship, while rigorous in its historical sourcing, was colored by his personal convictions, placing him firmly in a unique niche among historians of his time, blurring the lines between objective academic study and fervent belief.

📚 Glossary

Witchcraft
Demonology
Occultism

📔 Questions to reflect on

How does Summers' historical account of witchcraft compare to modern understandings or narratives of the occult?
Consider the societal anxieties and religious beliefs of the periods Summers describes. How did these factors contribute to the intense fear and persecution of alleged witches?
Reflect on the author's apparent conviction in the reality of demons and witchcraft. How does a historian's personal belief system influence their interpretation and presentation of historical events?