EVOCATING THE GODS
Divine Evocation in the Graeco-Egyptian Magical Papyri
by Christopher A. Plaisance
"Within the extant corpus of Hellenistic literature, there are a small number of attestations of a curious term: θεαγωγία (divine evocation). The use of the terms "evocation" and "invocation" within contemporary discourses on magic exhibit clear technical distinctions — with invocation being an activity proper to the supernal genera of beings occupying a higher place than the operator in the divine hierarchy (i.e. gods, angels), and evocation referring to activities proper to the infernal classes of beings beneath the operator in the hierarchy (i.e. daemons, spirits)." Christopher A. Plaisance
Evocating the Gods: Divine Evocation in the Græco-Egyptian Magical Papyri offers the first dedicated analysis of the practice and context of theagogy within the Late Antique world. This book is an in-depth exploration of the historical context of θεαγωγία (divine evocation) within the Papyri Graecæ magicæ (PGM), combined with a comprehensive examination and philological analysis of the technical terms found in the texts. Christopher A. Plaisance demonstrates that the practice of theagogy is part of a wider tradition, as well as being rooted in Western Esotericism.
The PGM spells in which the magician evokes deities were controversial and ambitious even at the time when they were written down. In this monograph, the author first explores essential terminology and their definitions before presenting detailed chapters on:
- Spells of Binding and Constraint
- Erotic Enchantments
- Psychagogy and Necromancy
- Evocating the Gods
Plaisance delves into the philosophical attitudes towards both theagogy and other magical practices within Middle and Late Platonism as part of this meticulous study. By drawing on a wide range of sources in the Western esoteric tradition, the author illustrates the contextual relationships between seemingly unrelated Late Antique magical practices such as theurgy, necromancy, erotic enchantments and binding curses. The exploration and philological analysis of the technical terms found in the Greek Magical Papyri, as well as the crucial differences between evocation and invocation, makes Evocating the Gods essential reading for all students of the Græco-Egyptian Magical Papyri.
2020, 160 pages. Paperback & Kindle editions available.
ISBN 978-1-910191-18-7
B&W 6.14 x 9.21 in or 234 x 156 mm (Royal 8vo) Perfect Bound on Creme w/Gloss Lam
Evocating the Gods by Christopher A. Plaisance
Author Christopher A. Plaisance is an independent humanities scholar researching topics within the fields of the history of philosophy, religion, and Western esotericism, from the methodological perspectives of classical philology and discursive archaeology. He holds an MA in Western Esotericism from the University of Exeter's Centre for the Study of Esotericism; and a BA in Philosophy from the American Military University. He works professionally as a cyber-threat hunter and lives in Southeastern Pennsylvania with his family.
Acknowledgements
INTRODUCTION
Methodology
Methodological Challenges
Essentialism in the Social Sciences
Linguisticism and Philology
Terms and Definitions
“Magical” Disjunctions
SPELLS OF BINDING AND CONSTRAINT
Defixiones
Curse Tablets in the Graeco-Roman World
Curse Tablet Materials
Creators of the Curse Tablets
Theory and Practice
Functional Classification
Classification by Modus Operandi
Unmediated Operations
Supernatural Mediation
Wish Formulae and Similia Similibus
Gods, Daemons, and Ghosts
Theology of the Curse Tablets
Daemonic Intermediaries
Origins in the Epic Period
Platonic Transformations
Hecate, Daemons, and the Dead
Intermediary Nexus
Case Study (PGM XV)
Ritual Mechanics
Connections to JeagwgÐa
EROTIC ENCHANTMENTS
Origins
Foundational Classifications
Early Examples
Sappho
Pindar
Connections to Bridal Theft Traditions
Mythological Roots
Historical Traditions
Erotic Spells and Bridal Theft
Connective Matrix
Etymological Questions
Physical and Emotional Bondage
Paired Effigies
Spells of Compulsion
Compulsion
Case Study (PGM IV–)
Structure of the Spell
Divine Compulsion
PSYCHAGOGY AND NECROMANCY
Compelling the Dead
Case Studies
Ritual Analysis
Corpse Animation and Soul Evocation
King Pitys the Necromancer
A Coactive Operation
The Necro-Daemon
Teleology
Necromantic Dream Divination
EVOCATING THE GODS
Linguistic Roots
Egyptian Magical Theory
Spells in the Demotic Corpus
Bilingual Graeco-Egyptian Spells
Lychnomancy
Later Platonism
Porphyry
Iamblichus
Impiety
Evocation and the Luminous Vehicle
Gregory of Nazianzus
Basil of Seleucia
Proclus
Michael Psellus
Gregory Palamas
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index Locorum
Index Nominum
Index Rerum
Index Verborum Demoticorum
Index Verborum Graecorum
Index Verborum Latinorum