Taboo, Magic, Spirits: A Study Of Primitive Elements In Roman Religion

By Eli Edward Burriss

"A study of primitive elements in Roman religion, this deals with such topics as witchcraft, taboo, incantations, magic, and the superstitions that affected every part of everyday life. Thoroughly well-researched, while avoiding being 'heavy' reading. Even Christians will find this interesting reading as the sections on prayer, blood sacrifices and raising the hands sets the contextual backdrop for much of the New Testament." (Quote from willyfogg.com) Table of Contents PREFACE CHAPTER I: MANA, MAGIC AND ANIMISM CHAPTER II: POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE MANA (TABOO) CHAPTER III: MISCELLANEOUS TABOOS CHAPTER IV: MAGIC ACTS: THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES CHAPTER V: REMOVING EVILS BY MAGIC ACTS CHAPTER VI: INCANTATION AND PRAYER CHAPTER VII: NATURALISM AND ANIMISM "In the early stage of his development man has no conception of a superior being on whom he is dependent, whose will he must win; but he believes that by performing some mysterious action, usually imitating the action desired, and often assisted by an incantation or charm--whether it be an amulet for defense or a talisman for offense--he can force the desired result. This mysterious action and incantation, passing under the name of magic, arises, as we have seen, from a curious twist in thinking which leads a person to believe that the effect is the same thing as the cause, that something like a person or thing is the person or thing itself, that similarity in thought is similarity in fact, and that something which has touched a person is still in contact with him."

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1506168957
• ISBN13: 9781506168951
• Release Date: January 2015
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 200 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.5" x 6.0"