Gypsy Sorcery and Fortune Telling

Illustrated by numerous incantations, specimens of medical magic, anecdotes and tales," this classic 19th-century treatise on the secret wisdom of the enigmatic European Gypsies is essential reading for all students of comparative mythology.The author, a renowned folklorist and president of the Gypsy-Lore Society, explores Gypsy belief and practices and places them in the context of global shamanistic tradition, discussing: the origins of witchcraft * vindictive and mischievous magic * charms and conjurations * Hungarian gypsy spells * pregnancy charms and folklore * love potions * Romanian and Transylvania gypsy lore * fortune telling * gypsy amulets * and much more. About the AuthorCharles Godfrey Leland was an American humorist and folklorist, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and educated at Princeton University, and in Europe. Leland worked in journalism, travelled extensively, and became interested in folklore and folk linguistics, publishing books and articles on American and European languages and folk traditions. By the end of his life shortly after the turn of the century, Leland had worked in a wide variety of trades, achieved recognition as an author of the comedic Hans Breitmann Ballads, fought in two conflicts, and had written what was to become a primary source text for Neopaganism half a century later, Aradia, or the Gospel of the Witches. Overview: The Gypsies, are a nomadic culture which originated in India during the Middle Ages. They migrated widely, particularly to Europe, where they worked as farm laborers, metalworkers, scrap dealers, and horse traders. the Gypsies have a long tradition of magic and shamanism. As Leland points out, these practices have parallels with those of other traditional pagan cultures around the world.