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
2Introduction
3Synopsis
4Historical Context
5PREFACE TO THE ENGLISH TRANSLATION
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6INTRODUCTION
7BOOK I THE DERIVATIONS OF MAGIC
8CHAPTER I FABULOUS SOURCES
9CHAPTER II MAGIC OF THE MAGI
10CHAPTER III MAGIC IN INDIA
11CHAPTER IV HERMETIC MAGIC
12CHAPTER V MAGIC IN GREECE
13CHAPTER VI MATHEMATICAL MAGIC OF PYTHAGORAS
14CHAPTER VII THE HOLY KABALAH
15BOOK II FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF DOGMAS
16CHAPTER I PRIMITIVE SYMBOLISM OF HISTORY
17CHAPTER II MYSTICISM
18CHAPTER III INITIATIONS AND ORDEALS
19CHAPTER IV THE MAGIC OF PUBLIC WORSHIP
20CHAPTER V MYSTERIES OF VIRGINITY
21CHAPTER VI SUPERSTITIONS
22CHAPTER VII MAGICAL MONUMENTS
23BOOK III DIVINE SYNTHESIS AND REALISATION OF MAGIA BY THE CHRISTIAN REVELATION
24CHAPTER I CHRIST ACCUSED OF MAGIC BY THE JEWS
25CHAPTER II THE WITNESS OF MAGIC TO CHRISTIANITY
26CHAPTER III THE DEVIL
27CHAPTER IV THE LAST PAGANS
28CHAPTER V LEGENDS
29CHAPTER VI SOME KABALISTIC PAINTINGS AND SACREDEMBLEMS
30CHAPTER VII PHILOSOPHERS OF THE ALEXANDRIAN SCHOOL
31BOOK IV MAGIC AND CIVILISATION
32CHAPTER I MAGIC AMONG BARBARIANS
33CHAPTER II INFLUENCE OF WOMEN
34CHAPTER III THE SALIC LAWS AGAINST SORCERERS
35CHAPTER IV LEGENDS OF THE REIGN OF CHARLEMAGNE
36CHAPTER V MAGICIANS
37CHAPTER VI SOME FAMOUS PROSECUTIONS
38CHAPTER VII SUPERSTITIONS RELATING TO THE DEVIL
39BOOK V THE ADEPTS AND THE PRIESTHOOD
40CHAPTER I PRIESTS AND POPES ACCUSED OF MAGIC
41CHAPTER II APPEARANCE OF THE BOHEMIAN NOMADS
42CHAPTER III LEGEND AND HISTORY OF RAYMUND LULLY
43CHAPTER IV ON CERTAIN ALCHEMISTS
44CHAPTER V SOME FAMOUS SORCERERS AND MAGICIANS
45CHAPTER VI SOME MAGICAL PROSECUTIONS
46CHAPTER VII THE MAGICAL ORIGIN OF FREEMASONRY
47BOOK VI MAGIC AND THE REVOLUTION
48CHAPTER I REMARKABLE AUTHORS OF THE EIGHTEENTHCENTURY
49CHAPTER II THAUMATURGIC PERSONALITIES OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY
50CHAPTER III PROPHECIES OF CAZOTTE
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