Magic, Body and the Self in Eighteenth-Century Sweden (Studies in Medieval and Reformation Traditions)

Contrary to previous assumptions, magic remained an integral part of everyday life in Enlightenment Europe. This book demonstrates that the endurance of magical practices, both benevolent and malevolent, was grounded in early modern perceptions of an interconnected body, self and spiritual cosmos. Drawing on eighteenth-century Swedish witchcraft trials, which are exceptionally detailed, these notions of embodiment and selfhood are explored in depth. The nuanced analysis of healing magic, the role of emotions, the politics of evidence and proof and the very ambiguity of magical rituals reveals a surprising syncretism of Christian and pre-Christian elements. The book provides a unique insight to the history of magic and witchcraft, the study of eighteenth-century religion and culture, and to our understanding of body and self in the past. "Contrary to previous assumptions, magic remained an integral part of everyday life in Enlightenment Europe. This book demonstrates that the endurance of magical practices, both benevolent and malevolent, was grounded in early modern perceptions of an interconnected body, self and spiritual cosmos. Drawing on eighteenth-century Swedish witchcraft trials, which are exceptionally detailed, these notions of embodiment and selfhood are explored in depth. The nuanced analysis of healing magic, the role of emotions, the politics of evidence and proof and the very ambiguity of magical rituals reveals a surprising syncretism of Christian and pre-Christian elements. This book provides a unique insight to the history of magic and witchcraft, the study of eighteenth-century religion and culture, and to our understanding of body and self in the past."--Jacket Providing a unique insight into early modern notions of body and self, this book offers a comprehensive interpretation of Swedish witchcraft in the eighteenth century and its endurance as every day social practice in the age of Enlightenment. Contents Acknowledgements Introduction 1 Honour and Social Control in Witchcraft Trials 2 The Fluid Self 3 Magic and the Body 4 Healing as Counter-Magic 5 The Ambiguity of Magic Conclusion Bibliography Index Introduction One honour and social control in witchcraft trials The fluid self Magic and the body Healing as counter-magic The ambiguity of magic.