Spells For Eternity

Keynote An accessible and beautifully illustrated introduction to the Books of the Dead the collections of magical spells on papyrus that the Egyptians believed would help them safely reach their afterlife. Sales points A concise introduction to the perennially fascinating subject of ancient Egyptian attitudes to death and the dead The British Museum holds an unequalled collection of Book of the Dead manuscripts on papyri New photography captures the exquisite detail of the painted vignettes that accompany the spells Published to accompany a major exhibition at the British Museum, 4 November 2010 6 March 2011 Description For most ancient Egyptians, life on earth was short. But death was not an end; it was merely the entering of a new phase of being. They believed that the afterlife was a real place, but various obstacles, torments and judgements had to be overcome to reach it. To ensure a safe passage, wealthy Egyptians took with them specially commissioned compilations of spells, written on papyrus rolls. There was a large number of spells to choose from: spells for obtaining air, food and water; for transforming your body into another form, such a bird or lotus; for warding off hostile snakes and crocodiles; for preventing your heart from disclosing all your sins; for not permitting others to steal your body parts and soul; for not doing work in the realm of the dead, and so on. Through these fragile papyrus texts and vignettes and a selection of other funerary objects, this book reveals what the ancient Egyptians believed lay between life and the afterlife. The Author John H. Taylor is a curator at the British Museum specializing in ancient Egyptian funerary archaeology.

With contributions from leading scholars and detailed catalog entries that interpret the spells and painted scenes, this fascinating and important work affords a greater understanding of ancient Egyptian belief systems and poignantly reveals the hopes and fears about the world beyond death.

Discover how the ancient Egyptians controlled their immortal destiny! This book, edited by Foy Scalf, explores what the Book of the Dead was believed to do, how it worked, how it was made, and what happened to it.

"This complete self-study course in modern Wicca is a treasured classic - an essential and trusted guide that belongs in every witch's library."---Back cover

An in-depth collection of ancient spells and magic practices drawn from rare and newly discovered texts • Presents more than 600 magical prescriptions for healing and protection from both pagan and Christian sources • Examines the practice of diagnosing illness through magic and explores ancient beliefs about curses and other evil spells and about devils, demons, and ghosts • Includes spells from the heavily guarded gypsy tradition of magic and healing, drawn from newly discovered materials Since the beginning of history, people have sought remedies for the many ills that have beset them, from illnesses afflicting the body to threats posed by evil and hostile individuals. In many folk healing and pagan traditions, it was believed that one must gain the assistance of the guardian spirit of a healing plant or substance through prayers or offerings before its chemical properties would be effective. The Church decried these spells and practices as pagan superstition but did not seek to exterminate these beliefs, instead transferring the responsibility for their healing powers to the apostles and saints. Drawing on his extensive knowledge of ancient texts, Claude Lecouteux presents more than 600 magical prescriptions from both pagan and Christian sources from the last 2,000 years, covering everything from abscesses and shingles to curses and healing animals. He examines the practice of diagnosing illness through magic and looks at the origins of disease according to the evolving beliefs of magic practitioners over the centuries. He explores ancient beliefs about curses and about devils, demons, and ghosts and provides an in-depth look at protection magic, including protection of health, animals, and cultivated land, protection against curses, witchcraft, bad weather, and beasts, protection of a home, and protection while traveling. He includes spells from the heavily guarded gypsy tradition of magic and healing, drawn from newly discovered materials collected by two Romanian ethnologists who lived and traveled with gypsies in Transylvania in the mid-19th century. The author also reproduces rare texts on magic healing from the 14th and 15th centuries. Revealing the vitality of these practices in the remoter areas of Eastern Europe, Lecouteux shows how the influence of this pagan worldview is still detectable in the work of modern folk healers in France and Scandinavia. He also shows how the condemnation of unorthodox methods of healing has not vanished from the contemporary world: the medieval legislation against healing by wizards and bonesetters is echoed in modern health codes that challenge the authority of naturopaths and faith healers.

"An unexpected read: exciting, dangerous, adventurous—everything we want from a good book." —Teen Librarian Toolbox Emma Guthrie expects this summer to be like any other in the South Carolina Lowcountry—hot and steamy with plenty of beach time alongside her best friend and secret crush, Cooper Beaumont, and Emma's ever-present twin brother, Jack. But then a mysterious eighteenth-century message in a bottle surfaces, revealing a hidden pirate bounty. Lured by the adventure, the trio discovers the treasure and unwittingly unleashes an ancient Gullah curse that attacks Jack with the wicked flesh-eating Creep and promises to steal Cooper's soul on his approaching sixteenth birthday. But when a strange girl bent on revenge appears, demon dogs become a threat, and Jack turns into a walking skeleton; Emma has no choice but to learn hoodoo magic to undo the hex, all before the last days of summer—and her friends—are lost forever. The Hoodoo Apprentice series is best enjoyed in order. Reading Order: Book #1 Conjure Book #2 Allure Book #3 Illusion

An exploration of one of the most universal human obsessions charts the rise of longevity science from its alchemical beginnings to modern-day genetic interventions and enters the world of those whose lives are shaped by a belief in immortality.