Éditions Cernunnos
Mystic - An illustrated history of magic, divination & the occult
Reading the future in cards or palm lines, turning lead into gold, casting spells, or even aspiring to immortality… For millennia, humans have sought to understand the hidden mysteries of the world to better control their destiny. In this relentless quest, they recorded their knowledge and experiences in enigmatic objects, coded manuscripts, and through the teachings of secret brotherhoods.
This book, beautifully illustrated with rare archives, explores these fascinating mysteries. It takes you through the ancient esoteric traditions of ancient Egypt, the secrets of medieval alchemists, and contemporary practices. A true historical fresco, it traces the evolution of magic, divination, and occult sciences, revealing the lasting impact of this knowledge on human imagination and spirituality.
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Information & features
- Author: Peter Forshaw
- Publication date: October 2024
- Size: 24.4cm x 17.7cm
- Weight: 882g
- ISBN: 978‑2‑37495‑178‑2
- Version:
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Deciphering the lines of the hand to reveal the future, interpreting the messages of the cards, transforming lead into gold through alchemy, casting spells to influence the course of events, or even aspiring to immortality... Since the dawn of time, humanity has sought to uncover the secrets of the invisible world to better understand its destiny. This quest, at the crossroads of curiosity, faith, and mystery, has led people to record their experiences and discoveries in enigmatic objects, encrypted manuscripts, and within secret brotherhoods, far from profane eyes.
This richly illustrated work, featuring rare archives and fascinating documents, invites you on a journey through the history of esoteric and magical traditions. From the rites and beliefs of ancient Egypt to the secret practices of medieval alchemists, through the occult sciences of the Renaissance and up to contemporary approaches to magic and divination, this book offers a unique immersion into a world that blends ancient knowledge with modern inquiries.
Each page reveals the mysteries of these enigmatic disciplines, whether it be the study of the stars, mystical invocations, or rituals aimed at interacting with invisible forces. You will discover how these practices, although on the margins of mainstream academic sciences, have influenced human thought, art, and even some scientific discoveries.
More than a simple historical fresco, this work offers a deep dive into the evolution of magic, divination, and occult sciences, revealing their lasting impact on collective imagination and spirituality. A captivating exploration for all those who wish to understand how these mysterious knowledges have endured through the ages, nourished curious minds, and continue to fascinate today.
Peter Forshaw is a British researcher and writer, specializing in the history of alchemy, magic, Kabbalah, astrology, rituals, and esotericism. He is currently an associate professor of Western esotericism at the University of Amsterdam, within the Centre for the History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents.
He studied Sanskrit, Tibetan, and Indian philosophy at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London (1982-1986). After several years spent in France, India, Thailand, and Japan, he returned to the UK to earn a master's degree in Renaissance studies at Birkbeck, University of London. He also completed his PhD in intellectual history there, focusing on alchemy, magic, and Kabbalah in the work of Heinrich Khunrath.
After his doctorate, he received a postdoctoral fellowship from the British Academy for his research on the history of ritual magic in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. He then held research positions at the universities of Strathclyde and Cambridge, working on projects related to alchemy and astrology in the early modern period.
In 2009, he was appointed lecturer in the history of Western esotericism at the University of Amsterdam. He served as editor-in-chief of the journal Aries: Journal for the Study of Western Esotericism for ten years and has edited several volumes.
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— The Carnets d'Aeternum , practices and history of Magic.
A condensed collection of knowledge to feed your magical curiosity.
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