Early Views of Magic and Witchcraft

Medieval (“Middle Ages”)

Early historical period divided into Early (500-1000), High (1000-1300), and Late (1300-1450). Boundaries are constructed and not fixed

Renaissance (1450-1600 CE)

Period following the Middle Ages marked by cultural and intellectual change

Early Modern (1600-1800 CE)

Time period when witch-hunts intensified and ideas about magic evolved

Magic

Widely neutral in belief and practice. Only later strongly associated with the devil

Popular magic

Everyday, practical magic integrated with Christianity (prayers, priests involved) and focused on results rather than theory

Forms of popular magic

• Healing magic (Early pharmacology, and included ritual preparation.

• Prayers, blessings, adjurations.

• Amulets and talismans (For protective purposes).

• Divination and astrology.

• Maleficium (harmful magic; punished like non-magical crimes).

• Love and weather magic.

Maleficium

Magic used for harmful ends.

• i) bodily harm.

• ii) love magic.

• iii) weather magic.

Learned magic

Magic practiced by educated elites, often involving texts and formal knowledge. Not worship of the devil, but use or coercion of demons

Natural magic (Learned magic)

Based on the assumption that certain things had hidden or “occult” powers in nature

Demonic magic (Learned magic)

Invocation of spirits, devils or demons (More common in learned magic)

Superstition (Augustine)

Practices that go against true religion and proper worship of God

Pact with the Devil

Agreement between a human and a demon for power or knowledge

Augustine’s View on Magic

Magic is superstition and idolatry; linked to demons and false religion

Regino of Prüm’s View

Beliefs in night flights and similar acts are demonic illusions

Demonic Illusion

False experiences or perceptions caused by demons

John of Salisbury’s View

Magic is deception caused by demons; emphasizes correction rather than punishment

Astronomy vs. Astrology (John of Salisbury)

Astronomy is legitimate study of stars; astrology is misleading and excessive

Omens (John of Salisbury)

Can be natural (from God) or demonic (from evil spirits)

Thomas Aquinas’s View on Magic

Magic produces real effects caused by demons

Aquinas on Intelligent Agents

Magical acts involving speech or knowledge must come from rational beings (demons)

Signs and Symbols in Magic

Used as communication with intelligent spiritual beings (demons)

Shift in Beliefs About Magic

Transition from magic as illusion to magic as a real demonic threat

Foundation for Witch-Hunts

Medieval ideas about demonic magic led to later persecution in the early modern period