The Mirror of Magic: A History of Magic in the Western World (Edition, Deluxe Collector's)
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Kurt Seligmann, a distinguished Surrealist artist and occult scholar, masterfully chronicles the Western world's magical traditions. This comprehensive volume, richly illustrated with 250 original plates, traces the evolution of esoteric beliefs and practices from their ancient origins in Mesopotamia and Egypt. Seligmann, drawing from his vast personal collection and practitioner's insight, guides readers through the divinatory arts of Sumer, the astrological wisdom of Babylon, Egyptian afterlife rituals, and the Greek oracles, culminating in the early modern secret societies. It's an indispensable journey through magic's intellectual and spiritual heritage.
Praise for this book
“The Mirror of Magic is an exceptionally important work. Its influence on art cannot be underestimated, from surrealism moving forward. Capturing the visuality of the traditions as well as underlining their continuing relevance, this book belongs in every library of art. Seeing it back in print is hopefully a harbinger of things to come.”
📝 Description: The Mirror of Magic: A History of Magic in the Western World (Edition, Deluxe Collector's)
📑 What's inside
- Note from the Publisher
- FOREWORD
- The Artist behind the Mirror of Magic
- BY CELIA RABINOVITCH
- PREFACE
- The Emancipatory Power of Magic
- BY GRAZINA SUBELYTE
- THE ORIGINAL TEXT
- THE MIRROR OF MAGIC
- A History of Magic in the Western World
- LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
- INTRODUCTORY NOTE
- MESOPOTAMIA
- THE FORGETFUL GODS
- DIVINATORY ARTS THE
- MYSTERY OF STARS AND NUMBERS
- THE TOWER OF BABEL
- PERSIA
- ZOROASTER
- MAGIC ABOUT HAIR AND NAILS
- CASTING OUT THE FLY DEMON
- THE HEBREWS
- JEHOVAH'S WARRIORS
- MAGIC IN HOLY WRIT
- EGYPT
- THE SPHINX
- MORTUARY MAGIC
- JOURNEY TO THE UNDERWORLD
- THE WORD
- ISIS
- GREECE
- MAGIC IN PHILOSOPHICAL GARB
- DREAMS, GHOSTS AND HEROES
- OMENS, ORACLES AND ASTROLOGY
- THE MYSTERIES OF ELEUSIS
- GNOSTICISM
- THE WAY TO BLESSEDNESS
- THE GNOSTIC SECTS
- THE ROMAN EMPIRE
- MAGIC UNDER THE ROMAN EMPERORS
- NEO-PLATONISM
- JULIAN THE APOSTATE
- THE RUIN OF PAGAN MAGIC
- ALCHEMY
- ORIGINS OF ALCHEMY
- HERMES TRISMEGISTUS
- HERMETICA
- THE PRINCIPLES OF ALCHEMY AND THE PHILOSOPHERS' STONE
- VAS INSIGNE ELECTIONIS
- HERMETIC ENIGMAS
- THE ALKAHEST
- EARLY ATTACKS ON ALCHEMY
- FAMOUS TRANSMUTATIONS
- THE INHERITANCE OF THE ACCURSED
- THE MIDDLE AGES
- MAGICAL MISCELLANY IN PRE-ARABIC TIMES
- THE ARABS
- MAGICIANS OF THE MIDDLE AGES
- ALBERTUS MAGNUS
- ROGER BACON
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💎 Expert review
📖 Why choose it
Why this book is worth reading
Readers with a deep passion for the hidden currents of Western esotericism will find this deluxe collector's edition an indispensable companion. Kurt Seligmann, leveraging his unique background as both a distinguished Surrealist artist and a practicing occult scholar, offers a meticulously illuminated journey through millennia of magical heritage. This volume is particularly rewarding for those who appreciate visual storytelling alongside historical analysis, as it traces the evolution of beliefs from ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt to early modern secret societies. It serves as a vital resource for understanding the intellectual and spiritual roots of divination, astrology, and ritual, making it essential for serious students of the occult who seek both aesthetic beauty and scholarly depth in their library.
⭐ Reader reviews
Reader rating
Seligmann’s comprehensive chronicle is a visual feast, richly illustrated with 250 original plates that bring ancient esoteric practices to life. However, this book is not suited for casual readers seeking quick, accessible summaries of magic; its density and focus on historical lineage require patience. It may also disappoint those looking for practical spells or modern Wiccan instruction, as it strictly examines the intellectual heritage of Western magic rather than offering contemporary application. While the artistic quality is undeniable, the text demands a reader willing to engage with complex historical contexts and artistic symbolism. It is best appreciated by those who view magic as a profound cultural and spiritual lineage rather than a mere hobby or simple folklore.
❓ Frequently asked questions
📖 Who should read this
If you are fascinated by the historical tapestry of esoteric thought, a student of comparative religion, or simply a curious mind seeking to understand the enduring human quest for hidden knowledge, this journey through millennia of magic is essential.
🎯 Key themes and symbolism
Ancient Magical Systems
Seligmann meticulously details the foundational magical practices of antiquity, exploring the divinatory methods of Sumerians, the astrological insights of Babylon, the complex afterlife beliefs of ancient Egypt, and the prophetic traditions and philosophical magic of Greece, including the Eleusinian Mysteries and figures like Plato.
The Suppression of Magic
The book examines the historical trajectory of magic's acceptance and rejection, particularly focusing on how early Christian emperors sought to dismantle and banish pagan magical traditions. This section sheds light on the ideological conflicts that shaped the perception and practice of magic throughout Western history.
Art and Occultism
As a Surrealist, Seligmann uniquely bridges the gap between artistic expression and esoteric knowledge. His work, enhanced by 250 original illustrations, demonstrates how visual culture and symbolic representation have always been integral to the understanding and transmission of magical thought, from ancient glyphs to alchemical diagrams.
📜 Historical context
📚 Glossary
- Gnosticism
- Divination
- Eleusinian Mysteries
📔 Questions to reflect on
- How might the suppression of magical practices by dominant religious or political powers have influenced the evolution of esoteric traditions?
- Consider the parallels between ancient divinatory arts and modern psychological or artistic approaches to understanding the subconscious.
- In what ways do you see the 'mirror of magic' reflecting contemporary human desires for meaning, control, or connection in a complex world?
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