Techniques of Graeco-Egyptian Magic Graeco-Egyptian magic refers to the syncretism of Egyptian and Greek magical traditions during the Hellenistic period, specifically between the 3rd century BCE and the 4th century CE. This fusion of cultural influences gave rise to a unique form of magic that combined elements from both traditions. One of the prominent techniques used in Graeco-Egyptian magic was the invocation of deities. Practitioners would call upon specific gods and goddesses to aid them in their magical endeavors. These invocations were often accompanied by rituals, offerings, and prayers, creating a link between the magician and the divine. The gods and goddesses invoked varied depending on the nature of the magical working and the desired outcome.
In recent years, though, there’s been a resurgent interest in witchcraft and the occult. From 1990 to 2008, Trinity College in Connecticut ran three religious surveys that showed that Wicca grew tremendously over this period, with an estimated 8,000 Wiccans in 1990, rising to 340,000 in 2008. It’s also still very much a youth movement – it’s not unusual to see headlines like “Why millennials are ditching religion for witchcraft and astrology” and “Season of the witch: why young women are flocking to the ancient craft” in newspapers and on newsfeeds, and with 2.7 million posts on the #witchesofinstagram hashtag, the internet and social media has played a momentous role in the spread of witchcraft today. Even if the era of major label occult albums is over, the sort of content you’d hear on those discs can still be found in the thriving online wiccan and occult communities of Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Tumblr.
And not shying away from American witchcraft sexiness in the slightest was the privately pressed 1974 LP The Art of Witchcraft by Babetta the Sexy Witch, a Los Angeles witch who designed spells specifically in the areas of love, wealth, and success. Even if the era of major label occult albums is over, the sort of content you d hear on those discs can still be found in the thriving online wiccan and occult communities of Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Tumblr.
The gods and goddesses invoked varied depending on the nature of the magical working and the desired outcome. Another technique used in Graeco-Egyptian magic was the use of amulets and talismans. These objects were believed to possess inherent magical properties and were used to bring about specific effects.
Last Person Executed as a Witch in Europe Gets a Museum
The last person executed for witchcraft in Europe has gained a museum in the place where she was beheaded more than two centuries ago, reports Daniel Fahey for Lonely Planet.
The museum, located in the canton of Glarus in Switzerland, is dedicated to Anna Göldi's life and legacy, as well as the culture of the witch-hunts in general, according to Fahey .
As Lars Gotsch reports for swissinfo.ch, Göldi's life was marked by hardship long before her execution . Born into poverty in 1734, as a teenager she began working as a maid in her home village to earn money. In her 30s, she met a mercenary whom she had a baby with in 1765, but only hours after giving birth, the child died. Though the death was an accident—the infant suffocated in its sleep—Gotsch was accused of murder and was forced to flee to the nearby canton of Glarus.
Some years past, and Göldi found herself in trouble again when needles were discovered in the milk of one of her wealthy employer's daughters . Göldi lost her job. Then, weeks later, one of the daughters claimed to have vomited metallic objects. This time, though she was no longer with the family, her former employer accused her of practicing some form of witchcraft on the child. Göldi was tortured until a confession could be extracted, and on June 13, 1782, she was decap itated with a sword. Göldi was 48 years old.
While executions for witchcraft had long been commonplace in Europe—witchcraft became a capital offense in Britain in 1563, for example—by the late 18th century, the Middle Age hysteria was finally nearing its last gasp. When word of Göldi's execution spread through Europe, her execution was condemned as barbaric. Even the officiants of the trial seemed to have been aware of how unjust the charges appeared, notes Atlas Obscura—Göldi was not officially charged witchcraft, rather she was accused of "poisoning," a crime that rarely resulted in execution.
Like so many others who had been accused of practicing witchcraft in the past, Göldi's cruel fate had nothing to do with magic. Rather, as Imogen Foulkes reported for BBC News in 2007, it appears Göldi had been involved with her wealthy employer. After she was fired from her job, she threatened to reveal the affair, an act that would have proved damaging to the man's burgeoning political career. He put a stop to that by demanding her execution.
Two hundred years after her death, a 1982 novel helped revive interest in Göldi's life and fate. Later, a lawyer and journalist in Glarus named Walter Hauser made it his mission to clear Göldi's name, Foulkes reported, and in 2008, he used evidence of the affair to petition the Glarus government to officially exonerate Göldi, according to a swissinfo.ch article.
Hauser is also behind the new Anna Göldi Museum, which officially opened its doors August 20. The museum isn't alone in delivering long-overdue justice to Göldi's name—come September, a new Anna Göldi musical will premiere in the canton of Schaffhausen, based on research by the Anna Göldi Foundation in Glarus.
Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.
While the UK may have set a more serious and educational tone to witchcraft and occult records, with a realistic documentary-style look into life as a practicing witch, across the waters in the USA, the majority of witchcraft and occult LPs were very different. American popular culture was somewhat more colourful, fun, and sexual in nature than the grey skies of gloomy England. They'd invented Hollywood, pop art, and rock ‘n’ roll, and weren’t as shy as the Brits about using sex to sell. Quite a few raunchy witchcraft LPs by ‘sexy witches’ were released, perhaps the most well known being by Louise Huebner, the ‘official witch of LA’. Her record Seduction Through Witchcraft, released on Warner Bros in 1969, is a wonderfully odd, quirky album that may have played into the ‘witchsploitation’ trend of the early 70s, but also features some seriously psychedelic early experimental electronic music, while Huebner’s raspy heavily reverberated voice makes for a deliciously spooky-kitsch trip. With track names such as “The Coleopterous Charm For Romantic Adventure”, “The Earthquake Spell For Unwanted Lovers”, and “Turkish Bean Spell For Tender Love”, it’s hard not to be seduced by Huebner’s charms.
Amulets made in the shape of animals, deities, or sacred symbols were worn or carried by individuals as a form of protection or to attract certain energies. Talismans, on the other hand, were inscribed with magical spells or symbols and were used to enhance one's abilities or to influence events. Divination was another important technique employed in Graeco-Egyptian magic. Practitioners would seek to gain insights into the future or to obtain guidance from the gods through various divination methods. This could include techniques such as scrying, astrology, dream interpretation, or the use of oracles. By deciphering the symbols and messages received during divination, practitioners could make informed decisions or prepare themselves for future events. The use of spells and incantations was also a common practice in Graeco-Egyptian magic. Spells were recited or written down and were believed to have the power to manipulate the natural forces and realities. These spells often incorporated specific words, formulae, or symbolic gestures to activate their effects. They were used for a variety of purposes, including healing, protection, love, or even cursing. Lastly, ritual practices played a significant role in Graeco-Egyptian magic. Rituals were performed to create a sacred space, establish a connection with the divine, and to channel and direct magical energies. These rituals often involved the use of specific ingredients, such as herbs, oils, and incense, as well as the performance of symbolic actions and gestures. The timing and sequencing of the ritual components were also important, with certain days, lunar phases, or astrological alignments considered to be more conducive to magic. In conclusion, the techniques of Graeco-Egyptian magic encompassed a wide range of practices, including invocation, the use of amulets and talismans, divination, spells and incantations, and ritual practices. These techniques were used to harness and manipulate supernatural forces and to create desired outcomes in the physical and spiritual realms. This fusion of Egyptian and Greek magical traditions gave rise to a rich and complex system of magic that continues to intrigue and inspire to this day..
Reviews for "The Concept of Fate in Graeco-Egyptian Magic: Techniques for Altering Destiny"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed after reading "Techniques of Graeco-Egyptian Magic". The book promised to provide in-depth explanations and practical advice on ancient magical practices, but it fell short on both accounts. The author failed to provide sufficient historical context or evidence for the techniques mentioned, making it difficult to determine their authenticity. Additionally, the instructions given for performing the rituals were often vague and unclear, leaving me feeling confused and frustrated. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about Graeco-Egyptian magic.
2. Sarah - 3/5 - As someone who has been studying ancient mystical practices for a while, I found "Techniques of Graeco-Egyptian Magic" to be a disappointment. The book lacked depth and failed to provide any new insights into the subject matter. The author relied heavily on existing sources and did not offer a fresh perspective or unique interpretation of the ancient techniques. While it may be a decent introductory read for beginners, those with a greater knowledge of the subject would find little value in this book. I would suggest looking for more comprehensive and scholarly works on the topic instead.
3. Michael - 2/5 - "Techniques of Graeco-Egyptian Magic" fell short of my expectations. The author claimed to present techniques that could be easily applied by modern practitioners, but I found them to be outdated and impractical. The instructions provided were confusing and lacked the necessary details to successfully execute the rituals. Moreover, the author failed to explain the historical and cultural significance of the techniques, making it challenging to fully grasp their meaning. I would recommend seeking alternative sources for a more accurate and informative understanding of Graeco-Egyptian magic.