The History of Magic (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. From the Earliest Times to ModernityBy Éliphas Lévi
Length20h 7m
About this audiobook
In The History of Magic, Éliphas Lévi offers not a simple chronicle of occult practices but a grand interpretive synthesis of magic as a hidden current within religious, philosophical, and political history. Written in a richly allusive, aphoristic style, the work moves from antiquity and Kabbalah to medieval sorcery, ceremonial ritual, and revolutionary modernity. It belongs to the nineteenth-century occult revival, blending Romantic historicism, Catholic symbolism, esoteric speculation, and a polemical desire to distinguish "true" magic from superstition. Éliphas Lévi, born Alphonse Louis Constant in 1810, was a former seminarian, political radical, and visionary interpreter of Western esotericism. His theological training, fascination with Kabbalah, and experience of social upheaval in post-revolutionary France shaped his conviction that symbols conceal profound metaphysical laws. Lévi's writings helped systematize modern occultism, influencing later magical orders and writers who found in his work a bridge between mysticism, ritual, and philosophy. This book is recommended for readers interested in occult history, comparative religion, Romantic intellectual culture, and the genealogy of modern esotericism. Though best read critically, it remains indispensable for understanding how magic was reimagined as a serious philosophical tradition.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
GenreSpirituality and Religion
Length20 hrs 7 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateJan 24, 2022
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
34CHAPTER III THE SALIC LAWS AGAINST SORCERERS
2Introduction
35CHAPTER IV LEGENDS OF THE REIGN OF CHARLEMAGNE
3Synopsis
36CHAPTER V MAGICIANS
4Historical Context
37CHAPTER VI SOME FAMOUS PROSECUTIONS
5PREFACE TO THE ENGLISH TRANSLATION
38CHAPTER VII SUPERSTITIONS RELATING TO THE DEVIL
Show all chaptersShow less
6INTRODUCTION
39BOOK V THE ADEPTS AND THE PRIESTHOOD
7BOOK I THE DERIVATIONS OF MAGIC
40CHAPTER I PRIESTS AND POPES ACCUSED OF MAGIC
8CHAPTER I FABULOUS SOURCES
41CHAPTER II APPEARANCE OF THE BOHEMIAN NOMADS
9CHAPTER II MAGIC OF THE MAGI
42CHAPTER III LEGEND AND HISTORY OF RAYMUND LULLY
10CHAPTER III MAGIC IN INDIA
43CHAPTER IV ON CERTAIN ALCHEMISTS
11CHAPTER IV HERMETIC MAGIC
44CHAPTER V SOME FAMOUS SORCERERS AND MAGICIANS
12CHAPTER V MAGIC IN GREECE
45CHAPTER VI SOME MAGICAL PROSECUTIONS
13CHAPTER VI MATHEMATICAL MAGIC OF PYTHAGORAS
46CHAPTER VII THE MAGICAL ORIGIN OF FREEMASONRY
14CHAPTER VII THE HOLY KABALAH
47BOOK VI MAGIC AND THE REVOLUTION
15BOOK II FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF DOGMAS
48CHAPTER I REMARKABLE AUTHORS OF THE EIGHTEENTHCENTURY
16CHAPTER I PRIMITIVE SYMBOLISM OF HISTORY
49CHAPTER II THAUMATURGIC PERSONALITIES OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY
17CHAPTER II MYSTICISM
50CHAPTER III PROPHECIES OF CAZOTTE
18CHAPTER III INITIATIONS AND ORDEALS
51CHAPTER IV THE FRENCH REVOLUTION
19CHAPTER IV THE MAGIC OF PUBLIC WORSHIP
52CHAPTER V PHENOMENA OF MEDIOMANIA
20CHAPTER V MYSTERIES OF VIRGINITY
53CHAPTER VI THE GERMAN ILLUMINATI
21CHAPTER VI SUPERSTITIONS
54CHAPTER VII EMPIRE AND RESTORATION
22CHAPTER VII MAGICAL MONUMENTS
55BOOK VII MAGIC IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY
23BOOK III DIVINE SYNTHESIS AND REALISATION OF MAGIA BY THE CHRISTIAN REVELATION
56CHAPTER I MAGNETIC MYSTICS AND MATERIALISTS
24CHAPTER I CHRIST ACCUSED OF MAGIC BY THE JEWS
57CHAPTER II HALLUCINATIONS
25CHAPTER II THE WITNESS OF MAGIC TO CHRISTIANITY
58CHAPTER III MESMERISTS AND SOMNAMBULISTS
26CHAPTER III THE DEVIL
59CHAPTER IV THE FANTASTIC SIDE OF MAGICAL LITERATURE
27CHAPTER IV THE LAST PAGANS
60CHAPTER V SOME PRIVATE RECOLLECTIONS OF THE WRITER
28CHAPTER V LEGENDS
61CHAPTER VI THE OCCULT SCIENCES
29CHAPTER VI SOME KABALISTIC PAINTINGS AND SACREDEMBLEMS
62CHAPTER VII SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
30CHAPTER VII PHILOSOPHERS OF THE ALEXANDRIAN SCHOOL
63Analysis
31BOOK IV MAGIC AND CIVILISATION
64Reflection
32CHAPTER I MAGIC AMONG BARBARIANS
65Memorable Quotes
33CHAPTER II INFLUENCE OF WOMEN
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