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The Meanings of Magic: From the Bible to Buffalo Bill - Ingram Academic — Occult Philosophy

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The Meanings of Magic: From the Bible to Buffalo Bill - Ingram Academic

Name: The Meanings of Magic: From the Bible to Buffalo Bill - Ingram Academic
Price: 135.00 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781845451783

✍️ Wygant, Amy

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

An academic collection tracing magic from biblical times to modern pop culture.

This volume challenges the notion that magic is merely a popular culture phenomenon by grounding it in historical reality. It moves beyond the glamour of figures like Harry Potter or footballers to examine the terrifying and complex roots of enchantment. The essays reveal how magic functioned as a tool for competition, healing, and cultural transformation across different eras. Readers will find detailed analyses of binding spells, pedagogical methods in France, and the performative magic of showmen. The text demonstrates that magical concepts are deeply embedded in social structures and religious debates.

Key Themes

biblical prophecy Greco-Roman curse tablets surrealism and magic

Literary Context

The book sits at the intersection of mind, body, spirit studies, magick studies, and general religion. It draws on sources ranging from the Bible to Buffalo Bill, covering periods from the Greco-Roman world through seventeenth-century France to modern pop culture phenomena.

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

Mircea Eliade · James Frazer · Walter Benjamin

🕯️

Occult Philosophy

Praise for this book

“While there is not clear theme that binds such a divers range of essays together, the book's diversity is in fact one of its pleasures. It will lead students and scholars into areas they might not be familiar with or in which they previously had not interest.”

— MLR

🏛 Berghahn Books 📅 2006 📖 252 pages 📔 Library Binding ISBN: 9781845451783

Fun Fact

Wygant's 'The Meanings of Magic' is a compelling, academically rigorous journey through the surprisingly mundane and utterly extraordinary aspects of magic. It excels at broadening the reader's perspective, proving that magic isn't just about wands and spells, but about charisma, belief, and cultural influence. While it will richly reward those interested in cultural studies and the philosophy of belief, readers seeking practical magical instruction or a romanticized view of witchcraft might find it too analytical. This work stands as an invaluable contribution to the scholarly understanding of magic's pervasive, often invisible, role in human society.

📝 Description: The Meanings of Magic: From the Bible to Buffalo Bill - Ingram Academic

Amy Wygant edits a collection that traces the evolution of magical concepts from biblical narratives to modern performance. The volume begins with Part I, Magic and God, which examines the intersection of faith and sorcery. David S. Katz discusses magic and the millennium, while Mark Brummitt analyzes the acts of biblical prophets as shamanic figures. John G. Gager investigates curse tablets in the Greco-Roman world, and Justin Meggitt explores healing practices within early Christianity. Part II shifts to Magic, Culture, and Science. Nicholas Hammond covers pedagogy at Port-Royal in seventeenth-century France, and Sara E. Melzer details efforts to transform indigenous populations into French Catholics. The collection also includes David Weston’s study of Professor John Ferguson’s library, Amy Wygant’s own chapter on Harry Potter, Ronald G. Walters’ comparison of Buffalo Bill and Houdini, and Alyce Mahon’s analysis of surrealism. This structure allows readers to see how magical ideas shifted from religious contexts to cultural and scientific frameworks. The book suits scholars interested in the historical and literary dimensions of magic rather than those seeking practical spellcasting guides. It offers a rigorous academic perspective on how enchantment has been portrayed in literature, theater, and religion. The contributors include Amy Wygant, who lectured in early modern literature at the University of Glasgow and edited Seventeenth-Century French Studies. Her expertise in witchcraft and demonology provides a solid foundation for these diverse essays.

📑 What's inside

Acknowledgements List of Illustrations
Introduction: Magic, Glamour, Curses Amy Wygant
PART I: MAGIC AND GOD
Chapter 1. Magic and the Millennium David S. Katz
Chapter 2. Showman or Shaman? The Acts of a Biblical Prophet Mark Brummitt
Chapter 3. Curse Tablets and Binding Spells in the Greco-Roman World John G. Gager
Chapter 4. Magic, Healing and Early Christianity: Consumption and Competition Justin Meggitt
PART II: MAGIC, CULTURE, SCIENCE
Chapter 5. All the Devils: Port-Royal and Pedagogy in Seventeenth-Century France Nicholas Hammond
Chapter 6. The Magic of French Culture: Transforming "Savages" into French Catholics in Seventeenth-Century France Sara E. Melzer
Chapter 7. A Magus of the North? Professor John Ferguson and his Library David Weston
Chapter 8. The Golden Fleece and Harry Potter Amy Wygant
Chapter 9. Cowboys and Magicians: Buffalo Bill, Houdini and Real Magic Ronald G. Walters
Chapter 10. The Search for a New Dimension: Surrealism and Magic Alyce Mahon
Notes on Contributors Index

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Amy Wygant delivers a rigorous academic examination of magic’s role in society, meticulously tracing its historical evolution from ancient scriptures to modern icons. While intellectually stimulating for scholars of religion and culture, this book is not suited for those seeking practical spellcasting guides or lighthearted fantasy entertainment. Readers expecting straightforward narratives may find the theoretical density demanding. However, for those willing to engage with complex ideas about enchantment and charisma, it offers a compelling, well-researched perspective on how mystical concepts continue to define our cultural identity in unexpected ways.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers fascinated by the intersection of history, theology, and pop culture will find profound value in this text. It offers a unique lens through which to view the persistent threads of enchantment that shape our daily lives, moving beyond simple fantasy narratives. By tracing how perceptions of the mystical have adapted over time, the book provides essential insight into why magic still inspires both wonder and dread. It is ideal for those seeking to understand the subtle terrors and hidden meanings that influence our modern world, offering a scholarly yet accessible exploration of charisma and awe in our cultural landscape.

⭐ 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 cultural impact of belief, the evolution of human thought, or the subtle ways 'magic' manifests in contemporary life, this book is for you. It's an essential read for anyone looking beyond simple fantasy to understand magic's pervasive influence.

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Amy Wygant delivers a rigorous academic examination of magic’s role in society, meticulously tracing its historical evolution from ancient scriptures to modern icons. While intellectually stimulating for scholars of religion and culture, this book is not suited for those seeking practical spellcasting guides or lighthearted fantasy entertainment. Readers expecting straightforward narratives may find the theoretical density demanding. However, for those willing to engage with complex ideas about enchantment and charisma, it offers a compelling, well-researched perspective on how mystical concepts continue to define our cultural identity in unexpected ways.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, this is an academic and cultural study of the *concept* of magic, not a practical guide or grimoire. It explores how magic is understood and perceived across history and popular culture.

While it references figures from a Western cultural context like Buffalo Bill and biblical texts, the scope is broad, examining the underlying notions of enchantment and power that resonate across various global understandings of 'magic' in different societies.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Magic's Modern Face

This book explores how contemporary society, from blockbuster films like Harry Potter to the compelling charisma of celebrities, is steeped in a pervasive, often unacknowledged, understanding of 'magic.' It highlights the enchantment and charm that define popular culture, revealing magic as a living, evolving concept.

Historical Arc of Enchantment

Wygant meticulously traces the evolution of magical thought and practice from its earliest mentions in biblical texts through various historical periods, up to figures like Buffalo Bill. This demonstrates magic's persistent presence and its shifting interpretations across diverse cultures and eras.

The Dual Nature of Power

The work examines the inherent paradox of magic, presenting it not only as a source of wonder, allure, and societal cohesion but also as a potent force capable of inspiring fear, control, and profound cultural unease. It delves into the 'terrifying' aspects of magical belief.

📜 Historical context

Sitting at the intersection of cultural studies, religious history, and social anthropology, Wygant's work continues a tradition of scholarship that examines magic not as a fringe activity but as a central component of human experience. It builds upon analyses of folklore, myth, and ritual, extending the discussion into modern, secularized contexts and popular culture, offering a fresh perspective on a timeless phenomenon.

📚 Glossary

Charisma
Enchantment
Esoteric

📔 Questions to reflect on

Reflect on a time you experienced something you might describe as 'magical' in a secular context. What elements contributed to that feeling?
Consider a public figure or celebrity you find particularly charismatic. How does their 'magic' manifest, and what societal role does it play?
In what ways do popular culture narratives, like superhero stories or fantasy series, shape our unconscious understanding of power and 'magic' in the real world?