Magic and Divination in the Middle Ages
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A01=Charles Burnett
Arabic-Latin knowledge transfer
astrological manuscripts
Author_Charles Burnett
Category=DSBB
Category=NHT
Category=QRYX2
Category=QRYX5
Category=VXF
chiromancy techniques
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eq_biography-true-stories
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eq_mind-body-spirit
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Ergaphalau
Hermes
Hermetic magic transmission in Europe
medieval occult sciences
scapulimancy analysis
talismanic practices
Talismans
Product details
- ISBN 9780860786153
- Weight: 816g
- Dimensions: 150 x 224mm
- Publication Date: 19 Dec 1996
- Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
- Publication City/Country: GB
- Product Form: Hardback
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After discussing the terminology of talismanic magic (or necromancy) and its position in divisions of science in the Middle Ages, this book traces the history of talismanic texts from the Classical period through the Arabic world to the Latin Middle Ages. The principal authorities are Hermes and Aristotle, and the search for the ’secret knowledge’ of these ancient sages is shown to have been a catalyst for the translating activity from Arabic into Latin in 12th-century Spain. The second half of the volume is devoted to examples of the kinds of divination prevalent in Arabic and Latin-reading societies: chiromancy, onomancy, scapulimancy, geomancy and fortune-telling. The book ends with advice on when to practice alchemy and a prophetic letter of supposed Arabic provenance, warning of the coming of the Mongols. Several editions of previously unedited texts are included, with translations.
Charles Burnett is Professor of the History of Islamic Influences in Europe at the Warburg Institute, University of London, UK
