Focuses on the problem of communication with the other world: the phenomenon of spirit possession and its changing historical interpretations, the imaginary schemes elaborated for giving accounts of the journeys to the other world, for communicating with the dead, and finally the historical archetypes of this kind of religious manifestation-trance prophecy, divination, and shamanism. Recognized historians and ethnologists analyze the relationship, coexistence and conflicts of popular belief systems, Judeo-Christian mythology and demonology in medieval and modern Europe. The essays address links between rites and beliefs, folklore and literature; the legacy of various pre-Christian mythologies; the syncretic forms of ancient, medieval and modern belief- and rite-systems; "pure" examples from religious-ethnological research outside Europe to elucidate European problems.

About the Author
Eva Pocs is Professor emeritus at the Department of Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology, University of Pecs, Hungary. Gabor Klaniczay is University Professor of Medieval Studies at the Central European University.

Reviews
"This volume offers essays dealing with demonic possession, visionary experiences, trance states, and shamanism... the volume effectively demonstrates the range of work being undertaken that can usefully brought together on topics of demonology, magic, superstition, and witchcraft." * Magic, Ritual & Witchcraft *



Book Information
ISBN 9789637326134
Author Eva Pocs
Format Hardback
Page Count 304
Imprint Central European University Press
Publisher Central European University Press
Weight(grams) 581g