Although the Middle Ages saw many advancements and inventions still in use today, such as the hourglass, printing press and eyeglasses, there are definite reasons why this period of time is also known as the Dark Ages. One such reason is the widespread belief in black magic that Europeans had at the time.
Black Magic Spells
During this time period, magic spells and rituals were rumored to be behind the cause of many occurrences such as disease, the ability to destroy buildings, and the power to raise a person from the dead. Invisibility was also claimed by sorcerers and was said to be accomplished with a compound of incinerated newborn infants, mixed with the blood of night birds.
Spells were also believed to be created with various ingredients including reptile venom, animal secretions, human blood and poisonous fruits. Magic rituals were rumored to include candles that were made from the fat of deceased people and formed into the shape of a cross.
Not only was it thought that spells were cast by people, the belief in the supernatural and evil caused people to think that the light from stars and the moon contained spells within their beams. Night time was credited to comprise of evil winds generated from the Netherworld.
History of Black Magic
According to historians, medieval Europe was known as a hotbed of sorcery. The South of France was particularly active, as was Spain, Italy and Germany. So, who was the perpetrator behind all of this dark magic? The entity is known by many names including:
- the devil;
- Black Raven;
- Hell-hound;
- the Black He-goat;
- the Dragon; and
- Hell-bolt.
The same deity who was worshiped, was believed to be the creator and source of all evil. The Greeks referred to this entity as the Python of the Greeks, while Jews saw him as the Jewish Serpent. He was also seen as the Goat-deity who was believed to have the head and legs of a goat, along with the bosom of a woman.
Black Magic Rituals
Whereas for the most part today, magic rituals are usually done in the form of white magic, during the Middle Ages, many macabre practices took place. These included animal and human sacrifices, particularly that of children.
The fear and belief in black magic was not limited to any particular social class. God-fearing members of the church, members of the social elite, as well as the poor, along with educated individuals believed in the power of black magic. Associated with suffering and death, dark magic showed no preference or mercy.
The Middle Ages was a great time for technological advances. It was also a very dark era for those who lived in fear of black magic and its rituals. Although today, magick is predominantly seen as a good force, during the time of the Middle Ages, it was viewed as something diabolically evil and something to be feared.
Source:
- The Encyclopedia of the Occult, Lewis Spence, (Bracken Books,) 1988.
Janis Masyk-Jackson - I'm here to seek out the truth about some of life's mysteries. There is nothing new about New Age beliefs. These are beliefs that have ...
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