Egyptian Magic (eBook)

‘Egyptian Magic’ is a well-known study by E.A. Wallis Budge, long curator of Egyptian antiquities at the British Museum, sums up everything that is known about the wonder-working of ancient Egypt. For millennia, Egypt, the dark land, has been considered the home of magic. Even their most severe critics, the ancient Hebrews, admitted the power of Egyptian magic. After a general discussion of the role of magic in Egyptian religion proper—Dr. Budge covers the powerful amulets that ward off evil spirits; the scarabs of immortality; the use of wax images and spirit placements; magical pictures and formulas; magic via the secret name; magic of sounds; rituals; curses; destruction of hostile magic; determination of fortunate dates, and many of the other practices of the ancient Nile dwellers. Dozens of magic formulas are given in full—both in the original Egyptian sounds, as far as they can be recreated—and in English; dozens of excerpts are also given from the magical papyri, tomb inscriptions, and other sources. Many wonderful tales are told in these Egyptian stories; mind control, enforcing will upon animals, suspended animation, calling up the dead, finding ancient books of incredible magical power, and other miraculous events that we may or may not believe.

• History