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Witchcraft in Russia and Ukraine, 1000-1900: A Sourcebook — Witchcraft Wicca

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Witchcraft in Russia and Ukraine, 1000-1900: A Sourcebook

Name: Witchcraft in Russia and Ukraine, 1000-1900: A Sourcebook
Price: 38.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781501750656

✍️ Valerie A Kivelson, Christine D Worobec

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$38.95 ~~$45.00~~ Save $6.05 (13%)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

This groundbreaking volume offers the first systematic exploration of witchcraft, its legal frameworks, and associated trials across Russia and Ukraine from the medieval period through the late nineteenth century. It masterfully interweaves insightful scholarly commentary with a treasure trove of previously untranslated primary documents, including ancient laws, complete trial transcripts, and numerous magical incantations. This unique compilation not only sheds light on the evolution of legal systems and the intricate dance between church and state but also provides intimate glimpses into the daily lives and powerful magical beliefs of the era.

Kivelson, Valerie A; , Worobec, Christine D

📚 all books by this author (2) →

🌙

Witchcraft & Wicca

🏛 Northern Illinois University Press 📅 2020 📖 540 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781501750656

Fun Fact

This monumental work stands as the definitive resource for understanding witchcraft in early Russian and Ukrainian societies. Its meticulous translation of primary documents offers an unparalleled window into an under-explored field. While its scholarly depth might intimidate casual readers, serious students of history, law, and comparative magic will find it indispensable. It masterfully bridges the gap in our knowledge of Eastern European occult traditions, making it a cornerstone for future research.

📝 Description: Witchcraft in Russia and Ukraine, 1000-1900: A Sourcebook

For any serious scholar of Russian and Ukrainian witchcraft and magic, this volume is a 'must read.'... Scholars of folklore and popular culture also will find much of value. â- Folklorica This sourcebook provides the first systematic overview of witchcraft laws and trials in Russia and Ukraine from medieval times to the late nineteenth century. Witchcraft in Russia and Ukraine, 1000-1900 weaves scholarly commentary with never-before-published primary source materials translated from Polish, Russian, and Ukrainian. These sources include the earliest references to witchcraft and sorcery, secular and religious laws regarding witchcraft and possession, full trial transcripts, and a wealth of magical spells. The documents present a rich panorama of daily life and reveal the extraordinary power of magical words. Editors Valerie A. Kivelson and Christine D. Worobec present new analyses of the workings and evolution of legal systems, the interplay and tensions between church and state, and the prosaic concerns of the women and men involved in witchcraft proceedings. The extended documentary commentaries also explore the shifting boundaries and fraught political relations between Russia and Ukraine.

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Kivelson and Worobec have produced a rigorous academic compilation that prioritizes documentary evidence over narrative flair. While it is an essential reference for specialists in Russian and Ukrainian legal history or ecclesiastical studies, it may disappoint readers seeking a popular, accessible narrative of witchcraft. The text is dense with legal frameworks and untranslated source material, making it unsuitable for casual hobbyists or those looking for straightforward storytelling. It demands patience and academic interest, serving best as a research tool rather than leisure reading.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This book is an invaluable resource for serious scholars, students of Slavic studies, and those deeply invested in the comparative history of European witchcraft. By providing previously untranslated primary documents alongside systematic scholarly commentary, it offers a rare, unfiltered glimpse into the legal frameworks and daily magical lives of Russia and Ukraine from 1000 to 1900. Readers seeking to understand the intricate dance between church and state, or those researching the evolution of incantations and trials, will find this sourcebook indispensable for its depth and breadth of accessible historical evidence.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you're drawn to the enigmatic world of Eastern European magic, legal history, or the societal impact of witchcraft accusations, this meticulous volume offers unparalleled insight. It's essential for anyone seeking a deep dive into historical occult practices and their profound cultural…

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Kivelson and Worobec have produced a rigorous academic compilation that prioritizes documentary evidence over narrative flair. While it is an essential reference for specialists in Russian and Ukrainian legal history or ecclesiastical studies, it may disappoint readers seeking a popular, accessible narrative of witchcraft. The text is dense with legal frameworks and untranslated source material, making it unsuitable for casual hobbyists or those looking for straightforward storytelling. It demands patience and academic interest, serving best as a research tool rather than leisure reading.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Yes, it includes numerous translated magical incantations and charms, providing a direct window into the practical application of sorcery during the period covered.

While rigorously scholarly, its primary source translations and vivid narratives make it accessible and fascinating for any serious reader interested in historical magic, law, and culture.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Legal Systems & Witchcraft

Explore the intricate development of legal responses to sorcery, from early decrees to complex trial procedures. This book meticulously details how accusations were handled, penalties imposed, and the state's evolving role in defining and prosecuting magical practices across centuries of Eastern European history.

Church, State, & Magic

Delve into the often-tense relationship between ecclesiastical and secular authorities concerning witchcraft and possession. The work illuminates how religious dogma and state law intersected, conflicted, and influenced each other in attempts to control and interpret supernatural phenomena within the region.

Daily Life & Enchantment

Gain a vivid understanding of how magic permeated everyday existence for ordinary people. Through translated spells and trial testimonies, discover the practical applications of sorcery for love, protection, or harm, and how these beliefs shaped the social fabric of Russian and Ukrainian communities.

📜 Historical context

This work fills a critical void in the global study of witchcraft, moving beyond the well-documented Western European narratives. It provides a unique Eastern Slavic perspective, enriching our understanding of how distinct cultural, religious, and legal traditions shaped responses to perceived magic, offering invaluable comparative data for scholars of world history and occult traditions.

📚 Glossary

Sorcery
Possession
Primary Sources

📔 Questions to reflect on

How do the depictions of witchcraft in this Eastern European context compare or contrast with your understanding of Western European witch trials?
Reflect on the interplay between state law and religious doctrine in shaping responses to perceived magic. What does this reveal about societal control?
Considering the inclusion of actual spells, what insights do these practical magical workings offer into the everyday concerns and spiritual beliefs of the time?