As Above So Below
Magic
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Short study into the Medieval concepts of magic and what Christian fathers said about it.
Short study into the Magic Mirrors used by alchemists, kabbalists, diviners, sibyls, and fortune tellers for thousands of years.
Throughout all past time, credulity and superstition have constantly and strongly competed with the art of medicine.
What are these boasted resources of the Christ-worshipers? Their morality? It is the same as in all religions, but their cruel dogmas produced and taught persecution and trouble. Their miracles? But what people has not its own, and what wise men do not disdain these fables? Their prophecies? Have we not shown their falsity? Their morals? Are they not often infamous? The establishment of their religion? but did not fanaticism begin, and has not intrigue visibly sustained this edifice? The doctrine? but is it not the height of absurdity?
What are these boasted resources of the Christ-worshipers? Their morality? It is the same as in all religions, but their cruel dogmas produced and taught persecution and trouble. Their miracles? But what people has not its own, and what wise men do not disdain these fables? Their prophecies? Have we not shown their falsity? Their morals? Are they not often infamous? The establishment of their religion? but did not fanaticism begin, and has not intrigue visibly sustained this edifice? The doctrine? but is it not the height of absurdity?
Magic incantations from the ancient world, translated from Latin.
Completely different looks at psychic gifts and abilities.
The power of oil, the anointing oil, the magic of oil.... Oil was revered in early Semitic cultures.
Black magic, superstitions, charms, diviniations, signs, omens, etc.
A study of gazing that was practiced by the famous John Dee, alchemist, is still used in modern Egypt.
So universal is the belief in spiritual influences, and more especially in their malignant influences, that no race of men, no period of time, no region of the globe, have been exempt from it.
Any attempt at a scientific explanation of the phenomenon of "crystal seering," to use an irregular but comprehensive term, would perhaps fall short of completeness, and certainly would depend largely upon the exercise of what Professor Huxley was wont to call "the scientific imagination."
A short look at how magic has formed religion and our views of religions.
The Posthumous Writings Of The Celebrated Augustus Tomlinson, Professor Of Moral Philosophy In The University Of - Addressed To His Pupils