• Author / Uploaded
• Faisal Ahmad

Citation preview

Black magic For other uses, see Black magic (disambiguation). “Dark magic” redirects here. For other uses, see Dark magic (disambiguation). Black magic or dark magic has traditionally referred

closeness with spiritual beings, the rituals that developed into modern “black magic” were designed to invoke those same spirits to produce beneficial outcomes for the practitioner. Place also provides a broad modern definition of both black and white magic, preferring instead to refer to them as “high magic” (white) and “low magic” (black) based primarily on intentions of the practitioner employing them. He acknowledges, though, that this broader definition (of “high” and “low”) suffers from prejudices as good-intentioned folk magic may be considered “low” while ceremonial magic involving expensive or exclusive components may be considered by some as “high magic”, regardless of intent.[3][4] See also: Renaissance magic During the Renaissance, many magical practices and rituals were considered evil or irreligious and by extension, “black magic” in the broad sense. Witchcraft and nonmainstream esoteric study were prohibited and targeted by the Inquisition.[5] As a result, natural magic developed as a way for thinkers and intellectuals, like Marsilio Ficino, abbot Johannes Trithemius and Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa, to advance esoteric and ritualistic study (though still often in secret) without significant persecution.[5] While “natural magic” became popular among the educated and upper classes of the 16th and 17th century, ritualistic magic and folk magic remained subject to persecution. 20th century author Montague Summers generally rejects the definitions of “white” and “black” magic as “contradictory”, though he highlights the extent to which magic in general, regardless of intent, was considered “dark” or “black” and cites William Perkins posthumous 1608 instructions in that regard:[6]

John Dee and Edward Kelley using a magic circle ritual to invoke a spirit in a church graveyard.

to the use of supernatural powers or magic for evil and selfish purposes.[1] With respect to the left-hand path and right-hand path dichotomy, black magic is the malicious, left-hand counterpart of benevolent white magic. In modern times, some find that the definition of “black magic” has been convoluted by people who define magic or ritualistic practices that they disapprove of as “black magic”.[2]

1

All witches “convicted by the Magistrate” should be executed. He allows no exception and under this condemnation fall “all Diviners, Charmers, Jugglers, all Wizards, commonly called wise men or wise women”. All those purported “good Witches which do not hurt but good, which do not spoil and destroy, but save and deliver” should come under the extreme sentence.

History

Like its counterpart white magic, the origins of black magic can be traced to the primitive, ritualistic worship of spirits as outlined in Robert M. Place's 2009 book, Magic and Alchemy.[3] Unlike white magic, in which Place sees parallels with primitive shamanistic efforts to achieve

In particular, though, the term was most commonly reserved for those accused of invoking demons and other evil spirits, those hexing or cursing their neighbours, those using magic to destroy crops and those capable of leaving their earthly bodies and travelling great distances 1

2

3 VOODOO

in spirit (to which the Malleus Maleficarum “devotes one long and important chapter”). Summers also highlights the etymological development of the term nigromancer, in common use from 1200 to approximately 1500, (Latin: Niger, black; Greek: Manteia, divination), broadly “one skilled in the black arts”.[6] In a modern context, the line between “white magic” and “black magic” is somewhat clearer and most modern definitions focus on intent rather than practice.[3] There is also an extent to which many modern Wicca and witchcraft practitioners have sought to distance themselves from those intent on practising black magic. Those who seek to do harm or evil are less likely to be accepted into mainstream Wiccan circles or covens in an era where benevolent magic is increasingly associated with new-age gnosticism and self-help spiritualism.[7]

2

Satanism and devil-worship

vocation of demons or spirits is an accepted part of black magic, this practice is distinct from the worship or deification of such spiritual beings.[7] Those lines, though, continue to be blurred by the inclusion of spirit rituals from otherwise “white magicians” in compilations of work related to Satanism. John Dee's 16th century rituals, for example, were included in Anton LaVey's The Satanic Bible (1969) and so some of his practises, otherwise considered white magic, have since been associated with black magic. Dee’s rituals themselves were designed to contact spirits in general and angels in particular, which he claimed to have been able to do with the assistance of colleague Edward Kelley. LaVey’s Bible, however, is a “complete contradiction” of Dee’s intentions but offers the same rituals as a means of contact with evil spirits and demons.[8] LaVey’s Church of Satan (with LaVey’s Bible at its centre), “officially denies the efficacy of occult ritual” but “affirms the subjective, psychological value of ritual practice”, drawing a clear distinction between.[8] LaVey himself was more specific: White magic is supposedly utilized only for good or unselfish purposes, and black magic, we are told, is used only for selfish or “evil” reasons. Satanism draws no such dividing line. Magic is magic, be it used to help or hinder. The Satanist, being the magician, should have the ability to decide what is just, and then apply the powers of magic to attain his goals. Satanism is not a white light religion; it is a religion of the flesh, the mundane, the carnal - all of which are ruled by Satan, the personification of the Left Hand Path. The latter quote, though, seems to have been directed toward the growing trends of Wiccanism and neo-paganism at the time.[8]

3 Voodoo Main article: Louisiana Voodoo

Illustration by Martin van Maële, of a Witches’ Sabbath, in the 1911 edition of La Sorciere, by Jules Michelet.

Voodoo, too, has been associated with modern “black magic"; drawn together in popular culture and fiction. However, while hexing or cursing may be accepted black magic practices, Voodoo has its own distinct history and traditions that have little to do with the traditions of modern witchcraft that developed with European practitioners like Gerald Gardner and Aleister Crowley.[7][9][10]

In fact, Voodoo tradition makes its own distinction between black and white magic, with sorcerers like the Bokor known for using magic and rituals of both. But The influence of popular culture has allowed other prac- their penchant for magic associated with curses, poisons tices to be drawn in under the broad banner of “black and zombies means they, and Voodoo in general, are regmagic” including the concept of Satanism. While the in- ularly associated with black magic in particular.[11] Main article: Satanism

3 • True name spells - the theory that knowing a person’s true name allows control over that person, making this wrong for the same reason. This can also be used as a connection to the other person, or to free them from another’s compulsion, so it is in the grey area.

A Voodoo doll.

4

Black magic and religion

The links and interaction between black magic and religion are many and varied. Beyond black magic’s links to organised Satanism or its historical persecution by Christianity and its inquisitions, there are links between religious and black magic rituals. The Black Mass, for example, is a sacrilegious parody of the Catholic Mass. Likewise, a saining, though primarily a practice of white magic, is a Wiccan ritual analogous to a christening or baptism for an infant.[12][13]

• Immortality rituals - from a Taoist perspective, life is finite, and wishing to live beyond one’s natural span is not with the flow of nature. Beyond this, there is a major issue with immortality. Because of the need to test the results, the subjects must be killed. Even a spell to extend life may not be entirely good, especially if it draws life energy from another to sustain the spell.[16] • Necromancy - for purposes of usage, this is defined not as general black magic, but as any magic having to do with death itself, either through divination of entrails, or the act of raising the dead body, as opposed to resurrection or CPR.[17] • Curses and hexes - a curse can be as simple as wishing something bad would happen to another, through a complex ritual.[18]

6 In popular culture and fiction

17th century priest, Étienne Guibourg, is said to have performed a series of Black Mass rituals with alleged witch Concepts related to black magic or described, even inaccurately, as “black magic” are a regular feature of books, Catherine Monvoisin for Madame de Montespan.[14] films and other popular culture. Examples include: In Islam, al-Fatiha al-Falaq, al-Nas and other Surahs are recited to protect against sorcery. They may be recited • Black Magic (Little Mix song) - Lead single by British and blown on Olive Oil or water. In addition, using a girl-group Little Mix released in May 2015, for their Taweez (talisman) containing some of the 99 Names of third studio album “Get Weird”. Allah, Quranic verses and/or names of Saints have been used for centuries and have origins in the Hadith. • The Devil Rides Out - a 1934 novel by Dennis Wheatley - made into a famous film by Hammer Studios in 1968

5

Practices and rituals

The lowest depths of black mysticism are well-nigh as difficult to plumb as it is arduous to scale the heights of sanctity. The Grand Masters of the witch covens are men of genius - a foul genius, crooked, distorted, disturbed, and diseased. Montague Summers Witchcraft and Black Magic During his period of scholarship, A. E. Waite provided a comprehensive account of black magic practices, rituals and traditions in The Book of Black Magic and Ceremonial Magic.[15] Other practitioners have expanded on these ideas and offered their own comprehensive lists of rituals and concepts. Black magic practices and rituals include:

• Rosemary’s Baby - a 1968 horror novel in which black magic is a central theme. • The Craft - a 1996 film featuring four friends who become involved in white witchcraft but turn to black magic rituals for personal gain. • The Harry Potter series - black magic, including various spells and curses, is referred to as "the dark arts" against which students are taught to defend themselves. • Final Fantasy - a video game in which white and black magic are simply used to distinguish between healing/defensive spells (such as a “cure”) and offensive/elemental spells (such as “fire”) and do not carry an inherent good or evil connotation.

4

8 • Charmed - a television series in which black magic is also known as “the black arts”, “dark arts”, “dark magic” or even “evil magic”, and is used by demons and other evil beings. • The Secret Circle - A short-lived television series featuring witches, in which there are two kinds of magic. While traditional magic helps you to connect to the energy around you, more lethal and dangerous dark magic is rooted in the anger, fear and negativity inside you. Only a few born with it can access dark magic and some are inherently stronger than others. • The Power of Five is an entire series by Anthony Horowitz about black magic and evil sorcerers. The antagonists are all black sorcerers and are all practitioners of black magic, black magic is a means of summoning the Old Ones from their prison, Hell. Black magic often takes the form of mass murder and animation of inanimate objects. • Night Watch - In the Night Watch book (and movie) series the magicians are grouped into two sides “Light Others” and “Dark Others”. The dark magicians are more motivated by selfish desires. • Supernatural (U.S. TV series) - The television series Supernatural features many events and characters that feature and participate in black magic. • The Hobbit (film series) - The films based on J. R. R. Tolkien's book The Hobbit feature elements of black magic centered on a character known as “the Necromancer”, however this is very seldom mentioned in the book. It later is discovered that the Necromancer is Sauron who is the principle dark character of the whole Lord of the Rings series. • The Lord of the Rings - The Lord of the Rings’ essential antagonist is Sauron. Sauron and his followers use black magic on many events such as the creation of many of his followers and the forging of the One Ring. • Sherlock Holmes (2009 film) - The first of the two Sherlock Holmes films directed by Guy Ritchie includes elements of black magic although they are later discovered to be false. • Versailles (band) released a short film in 2009 which depicted zombies that were resurrected by Jasmine You through black magic.

REFERENCES

7 See also • Demonology • Gray magic • Left-hand path and right-hand path • Magical texts • Maleficium (sorcery) • Necromancy • Seiðr • Ya sang

8 References [1] J. Gordon Melton, ed. (2001). “Black Magic”. Encyclopedia of Occultism & Parapsychology. Vol 1: A–L (Fifth ed.). Gale Research Inc. ISBN 0-8103-9488-X. [2] Jesper Aagaard Petersen (2009). Contemporary religious Satanism: A Critical Anthology. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. p. 220. ISBN 0-7546-5286-6. [3] Magic and Alchemy by Robert M. Place (Infobase Publishing, 2009) [4] Evans-Pritchard. “Sorcery and Native Opinion”. Africa: Journal of the International African Institute Vol. 4, No. 1 (Jan., 1931) , pp. 22-55. [5] White Magic, Black Magic in the European Renaissance by Paola Zambelli (BRILL, 2007) [6] Witchcraft and Black Magic by Montague Summers (1946; reprint Courier Dover Publications, 2000) [7] Magical Religion and Modern Witchcraft by James R. Lewis (SUNY Press, 1996) [8] Modern Satanism: Anatomy of a Radical Subculture by Chris Mathews (Greenwood Publishing Group, 2009) [9] “Voodoo 2.0.” Newsweek Global 163.9 (2014): 92-98. Academic Search Complete. Web. 19 Feb. 2015. [10] Long, Carolyn Morrow. “Perceptions of New Orleans Voodoo: Sin, Fraud, Entertainment, and Religion”. Nova Religion: The Journal of Alternative and Emergent Religions, Vol. 6, No. 1 (October 2002), pp. 86-101 [11] Voodoo Rituals: A User’s Guide by Heike Owusu (Sterling Publishing Company, 2002)

• Pizza II: Villa - An Indian Tamil suspense supernat[12] “Black Mass.” Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopeural thriller film, written and directed by debutant dia (2014): 1p. 1. Funk & Wagnalls New World EncyDeepan Chakravarthy. clopedia. Web. 11 Feb. 2015. • The Necromancers: The Best of Black Magic And [13] Macmullen, Ramsay, and Eugene Lane. “From Black Witchcraft - A collection of folklores and stories Magic To Mystical Awe.” Christian History 17.1 (1998): about black magic edited by Peter Haining. 37. History Reference Center. Web. 19 Feb. 2016.

5

[14] Geography of Witchcraft by Montague Summers (1927; reprint Kessinger Publishing, 2003) [15] The Book of Black Magic and Ceremonial Magic by Arthur Edward Waite (1911; reprint 2006) [16] “Immortality.” Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia (2014): 1p. 1. Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia. Web. 11 Feb. 2015. [17] “necromancy”. Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (11th ed.). Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster. April 2008. [18] “Hex.” Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6Th Edition (2013): 1. Literary Reference Center. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.

6

9 TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

9

Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

9.1

Text

• Black magic Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_magic?oldid=734465649 Contributors: The Anome, Infrogmation, Furrykef, Gurry, Finlay McWalter, Sam Spade, Lowellian, Yosri, Antandrus, Vishahu, Mike Rosoft, Jayjg, Dbachmann, Bender235, CamLewis, Edward Z. Yang, K12u, WoKrKmFK3lwz8BKvaB94, Flammifer, Eritain, Pearle, Alansohn, Snowolf, Samohyl Jan, Super-Magician, Ndteegarden, Arthur Warrington Thomas, Pytom, Brookie, Feezo, Woohookitty, WadeSimMiser, JRHorse, Ariamaki, Meneth, Ajshm, BD2412, Matt Deres, FlaBot, DaGizza, VolatileChemical, YurikBot, Borgx, 999~enwiki, Pigman, Kitabparast, Thiseye, Nsmith 84, RUL3R, Jkelly, Fatzebra, FF2010, 21655, Imaninjapirate, E Wing, Katieh5584, Serendipodous, SmackBot, Illuminattile, DCferret, McGeddon, Arny, Gjs238, Hbackman, Vassyana, Unint, Koor der, JonHarder, VMS Mosaic, Khoikhoi, Filpaul, Kalathalan, Kuru, Perfectblue97, Antireconciler, Funnybunny, Lenn0r, CzarB, Romuluscrohns, Shoeofdeath, Thesexualityofbereavement, Tawkerbot2, Conrad.Irwin, JForget, Galo1969X, KyraVixen, Karenjc, Cydebot, MC10, Chasingsol, Synergy, Kvitorm, Boboroshi, Dyanega, Bulmabriefs144, JamesAM, Thijs!bot, Epbr123, Igbale, I do not exist, James086, RickinBaltimore, Mentifisto, AntiVandalBot, Seaphoto, Julia Rossi, Arkayne Magii, JAnDbot, MER-C, Sreesog, Lemmiwinkss, Magioladitis, Grafton14, Bongwarrior, VoABot II, Knowledge for All, Tedickey, 28421u2232nfenfcenc, Allstarecho, DerHexer, JaGa, Stephenchou0722, Ksero, Bballoakie, LedgendGamer, J.delanoy, Neutron Jack, Ginsengbomb, Ian.thomson, Demon4738, Balsa10, McSly, Ourima, Lygophile, SJP, Natl1, Inter16, Idioma-bot, Funandtrvl, Deor, Fatsnowman, JohnBlackburne, Blaze The Movie Fan, Rei-bot, Anna Lincoln, Mehwoot, Josh12134, DesmondRavenstone, Edit-31, Madhero88, Butterscotch, Meters, Falcon8765, Sesshomaru, Shuvadip, AlleborgoBot, Jahunta07, SieBot, Srushe, Oda Mari, Belorix, Suomichris, Oxymoron83, Kumioko (renamed), Susan118, Pinkadelica, Denisarona, Martarius, ClueBot, Snigbrook, The Thing That Should Not Be, Wysprgr2005, HannahMiley, Lenrodman, Trivialist, Neverquick, Jusdafax, Streona, Ick33, Mikaey, Rds865, Acabashi, TripleQuadruple 2.0, AlanM1, XLinkBot, Valtyr, DrOxacropheles, MensaDropout, Ejosse1, Addbot, Some jerk on the Internet, Ronhjones, Fieldday-sunday, GD 6041, Download, Proxima Centauri, SomeUsr, Favonian, Tyler8779, Tide rolls, Luckas Blade, Zorrobot, Luckas-bot, Yobot, Otokorashii Fuyu, Fraggle81, Wikipedian2, Angel ivanov angelov, AnomieBOT, Anne McDermott, Hairhorn, Jim1138, Materialscientist, Kalimarston, ArthurBot, Jeffrey Mall, Tad Lincoln, Anonymous from the 21st century, J04n, Cpanthers1789, Bellerophon, Shadowjams, Metalindustrien, CrayolaHomie, George2001hi, Alxeedo, Jonathansuh, Ragha joshi, Xxglennxx, JAJCT3, Orland0love, Pinethicket, Elockid, 10metreh, Spidey104, Tomcat7, Teamawesomenola, Meaghan, Fumitol, White Shadows, Lotje, Stalwart111, No One of Consequence, Kh31311, DARTH SIDIOUS 2, Mean as custard, Wintonian, Slon02, Petrarca1304, Darkflame9, EmausBot, WikitanvirBot, T3dkjn89q00vl02Cxp1kqs3x7, Immunize, Gfoley4, Evilcosmo1, Racerx11, Slightsmile, Tommy2010, Wikipelli, AsceticRose, Thecheesykid, ZéroBot, Go2ruhul, Hypernazo212, Muhammad Ubaid, BigLenny123, Zloyvolsheb, Mcmatter, GeorgeBarnick, Joesteinhoff, ChuispastonBot, Crown Prince, 3manz, DASHBotAV, ClueBot NG, Chester Markel, HazelAB, Kevin Gorman, Phoenixred, St.HocusPocus, Helpful Pixie Bot, Wbm1058, DBigXray, Jeraphine Gryphon, Garygoh884, BG19bot, Charon77, Alexandra Medford, PTJoshua, EdwardZhao, PhnomPencil, Smcg8374, Jane Spofford, Rohanidoc, Mark Arsten, Snow Blizzard, H. 217.83, Thrillrider2, Tedeohge, Sk8erPrince, David.moreno72, Ryah280, GoShow, Zeeyanwiki, Mogism, Lilpeaches34, Numbermaniac, Graphium, Vanamonde93, Lemnaminor, Klaubtye, Tentinator, Varathras, Khalilmn, Vashikaran11, Zenibus, Kahtar, Jimbul2, JaconaFrere, Kohat456, Jessmo896, Vermillion Aether, Rahup007, Jayakumar RG, Creeperking8, XXQuichSc0pesXx, Ojhapeer1, Yomomabookk, DiscantX, Syednajmushshafi, Wpears2, Whalestate, 3 of Diamonds, CLCStudent, Nelsaj786, Gulumeemee, Kanika1908, Ramdeensharma002, Shubhamsverma, Ramdeenvermanaji, Molvibabaji01, Babamolviji011, Debasubhra and Anonymous: 456

9.2

Images

• File:Ambox_important.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b4/Ambox_important.svg License: Public domain Contributors: Own work, based off of Image:Ambox scales.svg Original artist: Dsmurat (talk · contribs) • File:Edit-clear.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f2/Edit-clear.svg License: Public domain Contributors: The Tango! Desktop Project. Original artist: The people from the Tango! project. And according to the meta-data in the file, specifically: “Andreas Nilsson, and Jakub Steiner (although minimally).” • File:Folder_Hexagonal_Icon.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/48/Folder_Hexagonal_Icon.svg License: Cc-bysa-3.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: ? • File:John_Dee_and_Edward_Keeley.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/John_Dee_and_Edward_ Keeley.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: The Astrologer of the Ninetenth Century Original artist: Ebenezer Sibley • File:Martin_van_Maele_-_La_Sorcière_06.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1a/Martin_van_Maele_ -_La_Sorci%C3%A8re_06.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: Illustration de La sorcière, de Jules Michelet. Original artist: Martin van Maële • File:Pentacle_2.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/97/Pentacle_2.svg License: Public domain Contributors: No machine-readable source provided. Own work assumed (based on copyright claims). Original artist: No machine-readable author provided. Nyo~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). • File:Portal-puzzle.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/fd/Portal-puzzle.svg License: Public domain Contributors: ? Original artist: ? • File:Question_book-new.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/99/Question_book-new.svg License: Cc-by-sa-3.0 Contributors: Created from scratch in Adobe Illustrator. Based on Image:Question book.png created by User:Equazcion Original artist: Tkgd2007 • File:Text_document_with_red_question_mark.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/Text_document_ with_red_question_mark.svg License: Public domain Contributors: Created by bdesham with Inkscape; based upon Text-x-generic.svg from the Tango project. Original artist: Benjamin D. Esham (bdesham) • File:Vudu.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/55/Vudu.jpg License: CC BY 2.0 Contributors: http://www. flickr.com/photos/eliogarcia/2486381001/ Original artist: http://www.flickr.com/photos/eliogarcia/ (nick in flickr:creo que soy yo)

9.3

9.3

Content license

Content license

• Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0

7