Ritual Embodiment in Modern Western Magic

Becoming the Magician

Damon Zacharias Lycourinos, Garry Trompf, Jason BeDuhn , Jay Johnston

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English

Routledge
20 November 2017

Philosophy of religion; Eclectic & esoteric religions & belief systems; Magic, alchemy & hermetic thought; Anthropology

Series: Gnostica

In the Western world, magic has often functioned as an umbrella term for various religious beliefs and ritual practices that seek to influence events by harnessing supernatural power. The definition of these myriad occult and esoteric traditions have, however, usually come from those that are opposed to its practice; notably authorities in religious, legal and intellectual spheres. This book seeks to provide a new perspective, directly from the practitioners of modern Western magic, by exploring how a distinctive mode of embodiment and consciousness can produce a transition from an ‘ordinary’ to a ‘magical’ worldview.

Starting with an introduction to the study of magic in the Western academy, the book then presents the author’s own participant observation of five ethnographic case studies of modern Western magic. The focus of these ethnographic case studies is directed towards ideas and methods the informants employ to self-legitimise and self-represent as ‘magicians’. It concludes by discussing the phenomenological implications and issues around embodiment that are inherent to the contemporary practice of magic.

This is a unique insight into the lived experience of practitioners of modern magic. As such, it will be of keen interest to scholars of the Occult and New Religious Movements, as well as Religious Studies academics examining issues around the embodiment and the anthropology of religion.

By: Damon Zacharias Lycourinos
Series edited by: Garry Trompf, Jason BeDuhn, Jay Johnston
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
Weight: 480g
ISBN: 9781138574175
ISBN 10: 1138574171
Series: Gnostica
Pages: 230
Publication Date: 20 November 2017
Audience: College/higher education , Primary , A / AS level
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Damon Zacharias Lycourinos completed his PhD at the University of Edinburgh, UK, where he also acted as an instructor in Religious Studies. His main areas of interest are the study of ritual from the perspective of embodied cognition, subjectivity, and self-narrative; the concept of 'spirituality in the flesh'; and a phenomenological consideration of the subtle dimensions of religious experience.