Witchcraft, Magic and Alchemy (Dover Occult) [Paperback]

Emile Grillot de Givry (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dover Occult | Publication Date: June 22, 2009

From raising the dead to foretelling the future, this historical tour of the occult offers a captivating exploration of sorcery and ceremonial magic. Prepared by a noted French historian, it ventures into virtually all of the classical arts, with 375 rare black-and-white illustrations derived from paintings, illuminated manuscripts, sculpture, and architecture.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, French (translation)

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (June 22, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486224937
• ISBN-13: 978-0486224930
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #772,338 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Art History of Occult Traditions---and vice versa..., December 24, 2001

By 

Anita Fix (Alcazar in the Land of Enchantment) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Witchcraft, Magic and Alchemy (Dover Occult) (Paperback)

This is a classic photo-reproduction of the Artium Magister, Grillot de Givry's: 'Le Musee des sorciers, mages et alchemists' (1929). It is an Art Historical tour of the Occult heritage in virtually all the classical Arts; from painting and illuminated manuscript, to sculpture and architecture, as well as a vast body of Literature, including many extremely rare & beautiful manuscripts "writ in the sublimest poesy" found mostly in private French and Parisian libraries, the Bibliotheque de l'Arsenal, and from the exemplary Art Historian's own collection. Some 375-plus high-quality Black & White Illustrations on archival glossed paper make this a valuable document for both Occultists' and Artists/Art Historians of varied fields of inquiry. This is the book which more than any other inspired and taught the SURREALIST'S about all the Occult Arenas which were so much a part of their heritage dating back just a few decades before to the late 19th century 'European Occult Revival' which was infiltrated by the SYMBOLIST's-DECADENT's (perhaps the largest singular influence on the Surrealist's versatile agenda) who undertook the immense task of making ART THEIR OWN RELIGION by finding their individualized spiritual definitions in the magical world of Occultism.

Fulcanelli's 'Mystery of the Cathedrals' & 'Dwellings of the Philosophers'---of which de Givry's catalogue is a pictorial companion-piece---is the only other work(s) which so affected the Artistic Advanced Guards between the World Wars to an immeasurable degree and literally unlimited extent, especially those working in a non-literary medium.

For, the writers, both linear and poetic turned to the Occult Authors such as Eliphas Levi, or Paschal Beverly Randolph, or Paul Christian, and of course the Theosophical Madame, her big Russian self---and Steiner's Anthroposophist's...the list goes on & on.
But there is Nothing to compare too this pictorial archive as de Givry's assembled for the sheer bulk of their numbers and the high quality of the works he labored valiantly to include, reveling in the many mysteries abounding all over the European landscape, especially within the sculpture of the cathedrals from several historical era`s. Many criminally unknown (or just ignored) medieval & Renaissance Artist's that have somehow gotten buried by those ladies of T.S.'s still talking of Michelangelo are herein restored.

Occultist's/Occult Historians should find this book an immensely helpful anthology for use alongside such Classical scholars as the English dame Francis Amelia Yates' and D.P. Walker's works on the subject of Renaissance Hermeticism and both kinds of Magical professors. Or works dealing with any other era in European `Hidden History'.

All in all, this is a highly informative and absorbing compendium of a wide variety of works that would find a good home in so many differing disciplinarian's studios! Also, the translation by J. Courtenay Locke is excellent, as de Givry's prose is always insightful and has an down to earth romantic quality imbuing it as a whole, allowing for some rather fantastic humor which the translator has indeed caught well. The book is published by DOVER PRESS in photo-facsimile (the best mass Paperback Publishers still around when it comes to quality and unbeatable prices! It was originally pub. by Houghton Mifflin Co. in 1931) and it therefore has a whiff of ages about it which confers upon it an antiquated sense of thumbing through a tome from a far distant time, making it seem even more of a miracle such a unique Art Historical work as this is still so readily available in the early days of century number MMI.

Such an area of European Spiritual heritage has yet to be explored in any depth approaching the deeps which Grillot de Givry succeeds in delving to! As much as the Arts have a rich cultural heritage in Esotericism---so does Occultism have a long and flourishing tradition in the Arts; both are wondrous facets of a single fact this book documents well! I am surprised it is not more well-known?

If you like gazing at works with a very Gothique edge; with a definitely Sublime terror about their subject matter, and executed by the European continental likes of Goya, Bosch, Brueghel, Cranach, Rembrandt, Van Der Weyden, etc...to Paracelsus, Magnus, Barrett, Fludd, Kircher, etc... & all variety of Faustian caricatures and outtakes from innumerable incunabular texts of both Literary and Goetic/Theurgical origins...This is a visual Feast that will ravage your visions after you go to sleep just as much as you will frequent the hellish sights within its pages!

This book builds a bridge made to last, that many have already passed through...it should be a more frequented path in academia as well as independently trodden again, Amen!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Enjoyable, May 21, 2003

By 

Umbrarium (Western NYS, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Witchcraft, Magic and Alchemy (Dover Occult) (Paperback)

Givry gives an excellent overview of certain areas of occult study and a unique perspective since he substantiates much of his observation with data gleaned from art images of the time periods involved. Quaint and entertaining, and the narrative is delivered with a sort of good-natured offhand manner that makes it quite enjoyable to read.

Many fascinating bits of information and illustrations make this an all-time favourite of mine.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars worth reading just for the history and artwork, October 19, 2003

By 

S. Best "ladysayje2" (lawton, MI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Witchcraft, Magic and Alchemy (Dover Occult) (Paperback)

this book is an excellent investment both beginners and the well studied in alchemy. it is full of historical pictures (100's of them)and paintings relating to alchemy and conveys just how important alchemy's dicovery was and is. there is a lot of ancient lore associted with sorcery and witchcraft so if you are into the sheer chemical compositions of physical alchemy, this may not be the choice for you. however, for those interested in great and rare artwork depicting alchemical scenes, unusual information on witchcraft (including death spells and love philtres) and history associated with alchemy, this is the book for you. i have yet to come across a better book of alchemical history. a must have for any alchemist, historian, or witch.
*** i do not condone nor promote the usuage of any of the information in this book relating to "death spells" or any other harmful magick.