The Greek occult papyri are a group of texts that date back to the Hellenistic period of ancient Greece. These papyri contain a range of magical and mystical practices, including spells, rituals, divination, and astrology. The main idea behind the Greek occult papyri is the belief in the power of magic and the desire to harness this power for various purposes. These texts provide insight into the beliefs and practices of ancient Greek society, as well as the interactions between different cultures during this time period. One of the most well-known collections of Greek occult papyri is the Greek Magical Papyri, also known as the Papyri Graecae Magicae. This collection includes a wide variety of magical spells and rituals, ranging from love spells to curses and healing rituals.
The present project could not have succeeded without the unfailing loyalty and generosity of the members of the team, both contributors and consultants. Among these should be named Professors Jan Bergman, Walter Burkert, Franco Maltomini, and P. J. Sijpesteijn. The research specialists of the project, Professor William C. Grese (1977-80), and Mr. Roy Kotansky and Ms. Marjorie Menaul (1980-83), not only helped to carry the burdens of administration and editorship, but made substantial contributions to the project as well. To all of them sincere thanks are due.
To us in the twentieth century, terms such as underground literature and suppressed literature are well known as descriptions of contemporary phenomena. The Greek Magical Papyri in Transition is an invaluable resource for scholars in a wide variety of fields, from the history of religions to the classical languages and literatures, and it will fascinate those with a general interest in the occult and the history of magic.
This collection includes a wide variety of magical spells and rituals, ranging from love spells to curses and healing rituals. The Greek occult papyri also contain references to various gods and goddesses, including Hermes, Hekate, and Isis. These deities were often invoked in magical practices, as they were believed to have special powers and the ability to influence the natural world.
The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation – A Review
So, let’s talk about ancient magic. No one does it quite like the greeks and Egyptians, and for good reason as those as some of the oldest civilizations where there is written record of their practices. Time and again they are referenced, from the Book of the Dead to the Three Occult Books of Philosophy, not just due to the nature of the work, but also the inherit mysticism that surrounds them. I mean, who isn’t intrigued by seeing spells that are thousands of years old?
The Greek Magical Papyri is a collection of magical spells, formulas, and rituals from Greco-Roman Egypt. Dating from the second century B.C. to the fifth century A.D., these papyri have survived everything from the forces of nature to the efforts of ancient cults to destroy such documents. This book contains the Greek Papyri, the Demotic texts, as well as the Coptic text, and is considered the most comprehensive collection of this type of literature ever recorded. Being easily available on Amazon and other booksellers for a reasonable rate (I only paid like $50), this is a great document to help see what the ancients believed and practiced.
Now this book is actually what it says, a book filled with rituals, spells, drawings, hymns, etc. Some of the spells include love spells, invisibility spells, spells for finding treasure, spells of death and spells of becoming a king. In other words, a spell for literally anything. That being said, it is not an easy book to reference as there is no real table of contents or an index. While there are pages stating what type of charms and spells are in the book, there is nothing notating what page it is on or page range it covers. Instead, it categorizes and references the spells via who the translator was. While not something I personally enjoyed, once I got the understanding of the layout it wasn’t too difficult to navigate my way through, however it is still not something I appreciated the extra headache over.
The spells however are indeed worth it and, most importantly, FASCINATING. There are spells for literally everything, and even better, spells you would never have even thought of (for example, a spell to have a dog fetch a missing item for you, and another one to cause either a dog bite or a sting from a venomous animal/insect). That being said, these spells are indeed ancient, like BEFORE MODERN MEDICINE AND KNOWLEDGE. No spell in this book should really be done without CAREFULLY researching every part of it for safety. I say that as some of these spells call for the collection and use of feces of various animals, plants known to be poisonous and cause hallucinations, and sometimes calls for personal harm or putting your health and safety at risk. That being said, this book has given me great ideas into new spells, new spell formats, and has really let me experiment with the nature of the spells in this book and trying to bring them into the modern era.
Over this is a wonderful book for any practicing occultist. Not only is it a great conversation piece, but it is filled with actually useful information. While it was written primarily for academic and research purposes, it definitely would be a welcome addition to any library. That being said, expect some frustration due to the way the book is written, and the fact that some spells and papyri were damaged, causing lost information (this is notated in the book in the section if something was damaged or was unable to be fully translated). A small headache for a mountain of wealth and information? I found it more than worth it.
Hans Dieter Betz
In addition to spells and rituals, the Greek occult papyri also include astrological texts, which provide instructions for interpreting celestial movements and their impact on human affairs. Astrology was widely practiced in ancient Greece, and these texts demonstrate the importance of astrology in the lives of ancient Greeks. Overall, the Greek occult papyri offer a fascinating glimpse into the beliefs and practices of ancient Greek society. These texts provide evidence of the widespread belief in magic and the desire to harness its power for personal gain. They also highlight the importance of gods and goddesses in these magical practices and the role of astrology in understanding the natural world..
Reviews for "Puzzling Symbols and Cryptic Scripts: Deciphering the Greek Occult Papyri"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Greek Occult Papyri". While the topic and concept seemed intriguing, the execution fell flat. The book lacked depth and critical analysis, instead offering a superficial overview of the subject. I was hoping for more in-depth explanations and interpretations of the various occult practices mentioned in the papyri, but it felt like the author merely scratched the surface. Overall, it left me wanting more, and I don't think I would recommend it to others looking for a comprehensive exploration of Greek occultism.
2. Sarah - 3 stars - "The Greek Occult Papyri" didn't live up to my expectations. The writing style felt dry and academic, making it a bit of a chore to read. Additionally, I found the organization of the book to be confusing, with the chapters jumping between different time periods and topics without clear transitions. While the content was informative, it lacked the engaging narrative that would have made it a more enjoyable read. If you're looking for a scholarly overview of Greek occult papyri, this might work for you, but if you're seeking a more accessible and engaging exploration, I'd recommend looking elsewhere.
3. Alex - 2 stars - Unfortunately, "The Greek Occult Papyri" failed to capture my interest. It was a struggle to get through the book as it delved into overly technical and esoteric details without providing enough context for someone unfamiliar with the subject matter. The author seemed more focused on impressing fellow scholars than making the content accessible to a wider audience. The lack of clear explanations and relatable examples made it difficult for me to connect with the material. I wouldn't recommend it to casual readers or those new to the topic of Greek occultism.