
Martin Del Rio
Investigations into Magic
Peter Maxwell-Stuart(Author)
Manchester University Press
Published on 7. August 2009
Book
Paperback/Softback
304 pages
978-0-7190-8053-1 (ISBN)
Description
This is the first English translation of one of the most important, interesting and comprehensive discussions of the occult sciences ever published. Investigations into magic deals not only with magic in all its forms, from the manipulation of angelic and demonic powers to straightforward conjuring and illusion, but also with witchcraft, alchemy, astrology, divination, prophecy, and possession by evil spirits. In addition, Del Rio gives judges and confessors practical advice on the most effective ways of dealing with people who are accused of practising magic, and enlivens his whole discussion with anecdotes drawn from a remarkable range of sources, including his own experience. Nothing so panoramic had ever appeared before, and for the next one hundred and fifty years Investigations into magic was the indispensable reference work on the subject. -- .
Reviews / Votes
'This volume represents an alliance between two meticulous bibliophiles, the demonologist del Rio and his editor Maxwell-Stuart, who has patiently identified most of the ancient, medieval and early modern texts upon which he relied for most of his source material. This translation makes accessible a major trove of source material as well as a famous polemical work.' Professor Ronald Hutton, Ecclesiastical HistoryMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Manchester
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
465 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7190-8053-1 (9780719080531)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
07/2024
1st Edition
Manchester University Press
from
€44.99
Available for download
Person
P. G. Maxwell-Stuart is a Research Fellow in the Department of History at the University of Aberdeen and an Honorary Lecturer in the Department of History in the University of St. Andrews -- .
Content
Introduction
Prologue, explaining why this treatise has been difficult to write, but why it was necessary to do so.
Book 1: Magic in general, and Natural and Artificial Magic in Particular.
Book 2: Magic involving Evil Spirits
Book 3: Harmful Magic and Superstition
Book 4: Divination
Book 5: The Duty of Judges in dealing with Workers of Harmful Magic; or, The Judicial Process in Relation to the Crime of Magic.
Book 6: The Duty of a Confessor -- .
Prologue, explaining why this treatise has been difficult to write, but why it was necessary to do so.
Book 1: Magic in general, and Natural and Artificial Magic in Particular.
Book 2: Magic involving Evil Spirits
Book 3: Harmful Magic and Superstition
Book 4: Divination
Book 5: The Duty of Judges in dealing with Workers of Harmful Magic; or, The Judicial Process in Relation to the Crime of Magic.
Book 6: The Duty of a Confessor -- .