
The God of the Witches
Margaret A. Murray(Author)
Oxford University Press Inc
Published on 11. February 1970
Book
Paperback/Softback
224 pages
978-0-19-501270-5 (ISBN)
Description
This celebrated study of witchcraft in Europe traces the worship of the pre-Christian and prehistoric Horned God from paleolithic times to the medieval period. Murray, the first to turn a scholarly eye on the mysteries of witchcraft, enables us to see its existence in the Middle Ages not as an isolated and terrifying phenomenon, but as the survival of a religion nearly as old as humankind itself, whose devotees held passionately to a view of life threatened by an
alien creed. The findings she sets forth, once thought of as provocative and implausible, are now regarded as irrefutable by folklorists and scholars in related fields. Exploring the rites and
ceremonies associated with witchcraft, Murray establishes the concept of the "dying god"--the priest-king who was ritually killed to ensure the country and its people a continuity of fertility and strength. In this light, she considers such figures as Thomas a Becket, Joan of Arc, and Gilles de Rais as spiritual leaders whose deaths were ritually imposed. Truly a classic work of anthropology, and written in a clear, accessible style that anyone can enjoy, The God of the
Witches forces us to reevaluate our thoughts about an ancient and vital religion.
alien creed. The findings she sets forth, once thought of as provocative and implausible, are now regarded as irrefutable by folklorists and scholars in related fields. Exploring the rites and
ceremonies associated with witchcraft, Murray establishes the concept of the "dying god"--the priest-king who was ritually killed to ensure the country and its people a continuity of fertility and strength. In this light, she considers such figures as Thomas a Becket, Joan of Arc, and Gilles de Rais as spiritual leaders whose deaths were ritually imposed. Truly a classic work of anthropology, and written in a clear, accessible style that anyone can enjoy, The God of the
Witches forces us to reevaluate our thoughts about an ancient and vital religion.
Reviews / Votes
"An important and fascinating book."--New Statesman and Nation"A book of absorbing interest."--Psychic News
More details
Series
332
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
plates
Dimensions
Height: 204 mm
Width: 136 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
195 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-501270-5 (9780195012705)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
The late Margaret Murray is the author of The Witch Cult in Western Europe, also available from Oxford.