Techniques of Graeco-Egyptian Magic

Reading “The Greek Magical Papyri In Translation” by Hans Betz is like discovering an ancient artifact, broken and scattered to the winds of time. Examining each fragment, the reader can easily become overwhelmed as to how it all fits and what it might look like once pieced together. The PGM is a labyrinth of ancient spells and rites, prayers and invocations, charms and amulets often with no title, introduction or perceivable order.In “Techniques of Graeco-Egyptian Magic” (TGEM), Stephen Skinner pieces these fragments together and makes sense and order of an otherwise bewildering and complicated collection. The reader begins to better understand not just the spells and conjurations themselves but also how and why the PGM was used by magicians of old. In addition, 61 tables are provided which categorize the papyri so the reader can finally find and cross reference the PGM (including the Demotic texts) in a way never before possible.In the Acknowledgments, Skinner states that the TGEM is an “amplification” of one third of his doctoral thesis “on the transmission of magical methods and implements from the Graeco-Egyptian world to the grimoires” [From his website.] My own personal interest is in the history and development of magic from antiquity to the Renaissance and after reading TGEM I hope the remaining two thirds will one day be published.

I have another of Dr Skinner's books, and while good, it was a little slim on analysis. Dr Skinner is a well respected researcher and produces high quality books, but not everyone can afford every expensive book that comes out on these topics. There will be well heeled armchair occultists (specialist, collector or completist) who will buy this book and never read it. But many people, even now, are recognizing the (tremendous) importance, historical and practical, of the PGM. The PGM can be disorienting and discouraging to just start reading through. The material itself was begging to be organized and catalogued. Not to be filed away, but to be used and understood. I was worried initially that this book would be all charts and quotes without substantial analysis. This book is rich and meaty, well researched and engaging. It will be at my side as I study the philosophy and praxis of the PGM.I also have read Ritners Mechanics of Egyptian Magical Practice. Dr Skinner mentions Ritner favorably, and that book is a good companion to this one.Another good companion book is Algis Udavnys 'Theurgy as philosophical rite of rebirth.' Enjoy!

Great seller the dust cover had a minor tear but the book itself is pristine

The book is a masterful work. I'm not really interested in magic but like to read ror the exposure to the way of life of that time period. I learned a lot. Good information.

Mr skinner has done it again another great book. If you love his work, you won't be disappointed.

An excellent book for the serious student. Pulls together vast amounts of information in a manner which is much more concise than the source material.

The fact that it is direct translations of old manuscripts.

Excellent, a well organized and written work on the subject. I have to say that is organization of info is great.