The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation, Including the Demonic Spells, Vol. 1: Texts
by Hans Dieter Betz (Editor)
On This Page
Description
"The Greek magical papyri" is a collection of magical spells and formulas, hymns, and rituals from Greco-Roman Egypt, dating from the second century B.C. to the fifth century A.D. Containing a fresh translation of the Greek papyri, as well as Coptic and Demotic texts, this new translation has been brought up to date and is now the most comprehensive collection of this literature, and the first ever in English. The Greek Magical Papyri in Transition is an invaluable resource for scholars in a show more wide variety of fields, from the history of religions to the classical languages and literatures, and it will fascinate those with a general interest in the occult and the history of magic. "One of the major achievements of classical and related scholarship over the last decade."--Ioan P. Culianu, Journal for the Study of Judaism "The enormous value of this new volume lies in the fact that these texts will now be available to a much wider audience of readers, including historians or religion, anthropologists, and psychologists."--John G. Gager, Journal of Religion "[This book] shows care, skill and zest. . . . Any worker in the field will welcome this sterling performance."--Peter Parsons, Times Literary Supplement show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Recommendations
Member Reviews
This book is absolutely essential for the Hermetic library. Not only is it historically important, but practically as well. We can trace back many aspects of modern magic (such as the Bornless One Ritual, for just one example) to the texts contained in this book.
PGM IV. 2943-57
"Love-spell of attraction through wakefulness: Take the eyes of a bat and release it alive, and take a piece of unbaked dough or unmelted wax and mold a little dog; and put the right eye of the bat into the right eye of the little dog, implanting also in the same way the left one in the left. And take a needle, thread it with the magical material and stick it through the eyes of the little dog, so that the magical material is visible. And put the dog into a new drinking vessel, attach a papyrus strip to it and seal it with your own ring which has crocodiles with the backs of their heads attached, and deposit it at a crossroad after you have marked that spot so that, should you wish to recover it, you can find it." pg. show more 94
PGM XIII. 705-717
from "The Eighth, Hidden Book of Moses" - what to do after you have successfully conjured a god:
"Now when the god comes in do not stare at his face, but look at his feet while beseeching him, as written above, and giving thanks that he did not treat you contemptuously, but you were thought worthy of the things about to be said to you for correction of your life. You, then, ask, 'Master, what is fated for me?' And he will tell you even about your star, and what kind of daimon you have, and your horoscope and where you may live and where you will die. And if you hear something bad, do not cry out or weep, but ask that he may wash it off or circumvent it, for this god can do everything. Therefore, when you begin questioning, thank him for having heard you and not overlooked you. Always sacrifice to this god in this way and offer your pious devotions, for thus he will hear you." pg. 189
For How to Summon an Angel: https://maryoverton.wikispaces.com/How+to+Summon+an+Angel show less
"Love-spell of attraction through wakefulness: Take the eyes of a bat and release it alive, and take a piece of unbaked dough or unmelted wax and mold a little dog; and put the right eye of the bat into the right eye of the little dog, implanting also in the same way the left one in the left. And take a needle, thread it with the magical material and stick it through the eyes of the little dog, so that the magical material is visible. And put the dog into a new drinking vessel, attach a papyrus strip to it and seal it with your own ring which has crocodiles with the backs of their heads attached, and deposit it at a crossroad after you have marked that spot so that, should you wish to recover it, you can find it." pg. show more 94
PGM XIII. 705-717
from "The Eighth, Hidden Book of Moses" - what to do after you have successfully conjured a god:
"Now when the god comes in do not stare at his face, but look at his feet while beseeching him, as written above, and giving thanks that he did not treat you contemptuously, but you were thought worthy of the things about to be said to you for correction of your life. You, then, ask, 'Master, what is fated for me?' And he will tell you even about your star, and what kind of daimon you have, and your horoscope and where you may live and where you will die. And if you hear something bad, do not cry out or weep, but ask that he may wash it off or circumvent it, for this god can do everything. Therefore, when you begin questioning, thank him for having heard you and not overlooked you. Always sacrifice to this god in this way and offer your pious devotions, for thus he will hear you." pg. 189
For How to Summon an Angel: https://maryoverton.wikispaces.com/How+to+Summon+an+Angel show less
Ratings
Members
- Recently Added By
Lists
100 Books to Read in a Lifetime (That Are Older Than 200 Years)
415 works; 175 members
Telegram STK-Books
18 works; 1 member
The ESOTERICA Library by Dr. Justin Sledge (Foundational Primary Texts)
18 works; 1 member
The ESOTERICA Library by Dr. Justin Sledge (Ancient Magic)
11 works; 1 member
Best Books on Ancient Greek and Roman Magic and Divination
8 works; 1 member
Author Information
Work Relationships
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation, Including the Demonic Spells, Vol. 1: Texts
- Original publication date
- 1986
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, History, General Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 133.4 — Philosophy and Psychology Parapsychology & occultism Specific topics in parapsychology and occultism Demonology and witchcraft
- LCC
- BF1622 .G8 .G74 — Philosophy, Psychology and Religion Psychology Occult sciences Magic. Hermetics. Necromancy
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 385
- Popularity
- 80,639
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (4.46)
- Languages
- English, Greek (Ancient)
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 4
- ASINs
- 5
