The Witch-cult in Western Europe: A Study in Anthropology

Name: The Witch-cult in Western Europe: A Study in Anthropology
Author: Margaret Alice Murray

By Margaret Alice Murray

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Archaeology & Anthropology History - British History - European Religion/Spirituality

About This Book

An anthropological study argues that European witchcraft records conceal the survival of a pre-Christian fertility cult centered on a horned male deity; it analyzes trial records and folklore to reconstruct initiation rites, assemblies (Sabbath and esbat), ceremonies (renunciation, baptism, oath, mark), ritual elements (dance, music, feasting, sacraments, sacrifices), organizational structure of covens and officers, and the role of familiars and alleged transformations; the book compares British evidence with French and Flemish sources and includes appendices on fairies, notable trials, flying ointments, and a bibliography.

About the Author

Margaret Alice Murray

Margaret Alice Murray was a British archaeologist and anthropologist known for her pioneering work in the study of ancient religions and witchcraft. She is particularly recognized for her influential book "The Witch-cult in Western Europe: A Study in Anthropology," where she proposed that witchcraft was a survival of a pre-Christian pagan religion. Her research contributed significantly to the understanding of folklore and mythology, especially in the context of ancient Egyptian legends, as seen in her work "Ancient Egyptian Legends." Murray's interdisciplinary approach combined archaeology, anthropology, and history, making her a notable figure in the fields of cultural studies and historical analysis.