hail queen margot!

Early Jewish Magic

Judaism has a rich tradition of magic going back over two thousand years [...]

asorblog.org

“Magic is a practice and its language is performative: words are a form of action. Rather than describing reality, magical speech strives at generating a defined change. But it also is intended to communicate. The Jewish worldview ascribes high significance to various hidden entities in general, and in particular to their influence on human life. Foremost among these is the Lord. Subordinated to Him are the archangels, countless hosts of heavenly angels and other heavenly powers, such as the constellations and planets (once thought of as living entities). On earth, myriads of demons and other maleficent spirits dwell side by side with human society. At the margins exist the deceased. These entities are directly addressed by the magical oaths or adjurations, through which the practitioner tries to gain control over and then to enlist them at his service, or to expel them.”