The Mechanics of Ancient Egyptian Magical Practice
by Robert K Ritner
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Description
To date, no comprehensive treatment of Egyptian magic has focused on the practice of the magician. Both general studies and textual publications have emphasized instead the religious elements in the contents of recited spells, while the accompanying instructions, with their vignettes and lists of materials, instruments, and ritual actions, remained uninvestigated. This study represents the first critical examination of such "magical techniques," revealing their widespread appearance and show more pivotal significance for all Egyptian "religious" practices from the earliest periods through the Coptic era, influencing as well the Greco-Egyptian magical papyri. The author also discusses the "pagan-Egyptian" influence on Old and New Testament practices and in the lives of the Coptic Desert Fathers. The third edition is a reprinting of the second, which included minor corrections from the original edition. This volume is a significant revisionist approach to ancient Egyptian magic. As a result of a methodical analysis of both the textual and archaeological records, Ritner concludes that the boundaries between ancient Egyptian magic, religion, and medicine were not as strictly observed as modern commentators believe. Furthermore, he categorically denies the frequent attempts of moderns to define ancient Egyptian magic as a phenomenon dealing with the supernatural, practiced primarily for nefarious purposes sub rosa by strictly observed as modern commentators believe. Furthermore, he categorically denies the frequent attempts of moderns to define ancient Egyptian magic as a phenomenon dealing with the supernatural, practiced primarily for nefarious purposes sub rosa by individuals outside of the religious mainstream. Ritner's engaging prose style and felicitous exegesis of even the most arcane material make for easy reading. But more important still, the content of the work ensures that it will become a vital reference tool for all engaged in any aspect of ancient Egyptian religion. [From a review by R. S. Bianchi in Journal of the American Oriental Society 114 (1994) 513-14]. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
A must-read for anyone interested in the Egyptian Heka, structural approaches to magic, methods and tools of the trade etc. I would suggest reading it with all the references as they contain a bulk of interesting data that also points to the necessary Papyri and corpora of literature to enrich one's own practices. For an egyptologist it is a treasure, for a general reader of magic in history - a vivid historiography, for an egyptomaniac - something of interest, for a practicing theurgist - an array of tools that may be discerned and used in a reasonable manner.
A must-read for anyone interested in the Egyptian Heka, structural approaches to magic, methods and tools of the trade etc. I would suggest reading it with all the references as they contain a bulk of interesting data that also points to the necessary Papyri and corpora of literature to enrich one's own practices. For an egyptologist it is a treasure, for a general reader of magic in history - a vivid historiography, for an egyptomaniac - something of interest, for a practicing theurgist - an array of tools that may be discerned and used in a reasonable manner.
A must-read for anyone interested in the Egyptian Heka, structural approaches to magic, methods and tools of the trade etc. I would suggest reading it with all the references as they contain a bulk of interesting data that also points to the necessary Papyri and corpora of literature to enrich one's own practices. For an egyptologist it is a treasure, for a general reader of magic in history - a vivid historiography, for an egyptomaniac - something of interest, for a practicing theurgist - an array of tools that may be discerned and used in a reasonable manner.
A must-read for anyone interested in the Egyptian Heka, structural approaches to magic, methods and tools of the trade etc. I would suggest reading it with all the references as they contain a bulk of interesting data that also points to the necessary Papyri and corpora of literature to enrich one's own practices. For an egyptologist it is a treasure, for a general reader of magic in history - a vivid historiography, for an egyptomaniac - something of interest, for a practicing theurgist - an array of tools that may be discerned and used in a reasonable manner.
The author exhibits an excellent understanding of magic and its practice, with detailed descriptions of how the Egyptians did it. The best book i've seen on the subject of Egyptian magic, and a great book on general magical methodology, too.
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Mechanics of Ancient Egyptian Magical Practice
- Important places
- Egypt
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, History, General Nonfiction, Philosophy
- DDC/MDS
- 133.430932 — Philosophy and Psychology Parapsychology & occultism Specific topics in parapsychology and occultism Demonology and witchcraft Magic and witchcraft Standard subdivisions History, geographic treatment, biography Ancient World
- LCC
- BF1591 .R57 — Philosophy, Psychology and Religion Psychology Occult sciences Magic. Hermetics. Necromancy
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 69
- Popularity
- 451,811
- Reviews
- 5
- Rating
- (4.45)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 1
