A Chymical Dictionary

Græca Magia

Spirits celestial influences and signs · A Chymical Dictionary

At a Glance

The word. An illusion-producing art condemned as superstitious.

In the book. Magia’s general entry divides natural wisdom from an unlawful diabolical kind.

A place to read. The historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 24; facsimile PDF page 352.

Historical Definition

Græca Magia is a superstitious art invented by the Greeks, through which they made things appear that were did not really exist.

Meaning

The historical account combines an attribution, an action and a judgement. The art is attributed to the Greeks, is said to produce appearances without corresponding reality, and is called superstitious. Those are the compiler’s classifications, not independent conclusions supplied by this edition.

The appearance/reality contrast is the useful distinction for reading a passage. The definition does not describe a particular trick, instrument or ceremonial process.

Use in the Book

Magia’s general entry divides natural wisdom from an unlawful diabolical kind. Sortilegium concerns a presage by spirits, while Imaginatio receives its own astral definition. These related subjects should not simply replace Græca Magia’s specific account of deceptive appearance.

Places to Read

Imaginatio. Imagination described through human, celestial and supercelestial relations.

Magia. Magic divided into lawful natural wisdom and forbidden knowledge through evil spirits.

Sortilegium. Foretelling mediated by spirits.

In This Edition

The modernised definition retains the historical attribution without turning it into a general judgement about Greek thought or the practices of every Greek author.

Historical source: 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 24; facsimile PDF page 352 — Facsimile

Sources. A Chymicall Dictionary 1650, s.v. Græca Magia

See also. Imaginatio; Magia; Sortilegium