A collectible edition of the classic, illustrated, and thorough history of magic and the occult.
In the occult classic The Mirror of Magic, the distinguished surrealist Kurt Seligmann (1900-1962) draws on his extensive knowledge and vast archaeological collection to provide a comprehensive, illustrated history of magic and the occult from Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt to the 18th century.
It explores the gods and divinatory arts of the legendary Sumerians and the astrological Babylonians, including the birth of astrology. Furthermore, it examines the beliefs about the afterlife of the ancient Egyptians and the practices of dream interpretation and prophecy of ancient Greece, including the mysteries of Eleusis and the magical philosophy of Plato, Socrates, and other Greeks.
It uncovers the roots of Gnosticism and the suppression and exile of magic by Christian emperors after the paganism of Rome. Seligmann reviews the principles of alchemy, sharing famous transformations and allegorical illustrations of the alchemical process, while also exploring Hermeticism and its notable representatives.
Examining the Middle Ages, the author discusses the work of European magicians of the era, including Albertus Magnus, Roger Bacon, Agrippa, Nostradamus, and Pico Della Mirandola. First published in 1948, this history of magic and the occult aims to "reflect" the magical worldview throughout the ages.
Beautifully illustrated with images from the author's rare library, this collectible edition features all the art—over 250 images—from the original 1948 edition.
