The History of Magic, Volume 1 – Dr. Joseph Ennemoser.
Joseph Ennemoser (1787-1854) was an Tyrolean doctor and scientist, noted for his use of magnetism and hypnosis. He was a forerunner of Freud in his belief in the connection between the mind and physical health, and his interest in psychology led to investigations into the paranormal and magic. He became well known for his presentations about magic, delusions and apparently supernatural occurrences. He suggested that most of these phenomena appeared miraculous only because of a lack of understanding of the laws of nature.
The History of Magic was published in Leipzig in 1844, and translated into English in 1854 by William Howitt, a leading Spiritualist writer. Volume 1 deals with the different categories of magic and mysticism, and how they were viewed in ancient times. He discusses visions, dreams and soothsaying, and miracles in the Bible, and the link between classical medicine and oracles.
Index:
Editor’s Preface, Author’s Preface
Of Magic and its Branches in General:
Plato and Herocles, The Mythos, The Cabbalah, Exorcism, Visions, Spiritual Magic, Tumah, Ecstasy, Clairvoyance, Dreams, Symbolic Language, Universal Language, Primal Truth, Varieties of Language, The Prevalent Divine Idea, Christ the Mediator, Soothsaying, Seers, Somnambulism
Catalepsy, Convulsionairs, Benvenuto Celini’s Vision, Intoxicating Drugs, Magical Ecstasy and True Inspiration, True Inspiration and Magical Vision, Inspirations and Visions of the Saints, Maid of Orleans, Power of the Imagination, Bleeding Wounds, Long Fasting, Healing by Touch, Talismans, Influence of Stones, The Breath of the Young
Theoretical Views On Magic Among The Ancients
Magnetism Among the Ancient Nations; Especially the Orientals, Egyptians, and Israelites.
Magical Influences, Spiritual Appearances
Magic among the Orientals:
The Chinese, Infected Imaginations of the Lapps, etc., The Arabs
Magic among the Egyptians:
The Voluspa, The Egyptian Priesthood, Pictures and Statues relating to Magnetism, Heads of the Egyptian Belief
Magic among the Israelites:
Mosaic Account of Creation, Magnetic Power recorded in the Bible, The Magician’s Power, Prophets of Israel, The New Covenant, Miracles in the Gospels, Miracles of the Apostles, State of the World at the Christian Era, Miracles and Magnetism, The Great Miracle of Christianity
Magic among the Greeks and Romans:
Greek Inspiration, Gradual Belief in Demonology
Magic among the Greeks:
The Healing Art connected with the Priesthood, Temples of Esculapius, Ceremonies performed by the Sick, Votive Tablets and Inscriptions, Magnetic Nature of Aristides
Pythagoras, Plato’s Views regarding Numerals, Plato’s Original Man, Empedocles, Apollonius of Tyana, Plutarch regarding Oracles, The Kyphi
Magic among the Romans:
The Sybils, The Early Fathers and the Sybils, The Oracles, Magic in Mythology, New Platonists, Plotinus, Divine Dream of the Soul, lamblichus on the Force of Truth
