La sorcellerie

The author surveys beliefs and practices labeled occult and witchcraft, tracing their manifestations from ancient theurgic rites and goetic malefic practices through medieval sorcery. He examines scriptural and legal references, contrasts the biblical portrayal of demonic agents with their later subservience to human operators, and outlines ceremonies, conjurations, talismans, and instruments attributed to practitioners. The text distinguishes ritual types, classifies magical arts, and describes social and ecclesiastical responses, including prohibitions and prosecutions, while attempting a rational taxonomy to bring order to folklore, legend, and historical testimony.