The Hierarchy of Magic (or lack thereof) - Journal 3

     While reading pages 121-189 of A History of Magic, Witchcraft, and the Occult, I found the origins of almanacs to be especially interesting. I had never thought about how almanacs began, and really the only knowledge I have of almanacs was looking at one of the Farmers Almanacs in elementary school. Never would I have guessed that the history of almanacs lied in a book about magic, witches, and the occult. While reading about the creation of almanacs, it is clear that part of the reason they became so popular and widespread is because of their accessibility. It was cheap for them to be distributed rapidly, and many were specifically aimed towards "humble folk" (pg. 162). 

    And yet, in spite of this accessibility, almanacs also ended up in the hands of the aristocracy, and even into the library of a king (pg. 162). While I do not have extensive knowledge of the 16th and 17th centuries, I can harbor a guess that not many "humble folk" had equal access to what a king held in his library. I believe this demonstrates a greater trend in that magic does not necessarily conform to the hierarchies of this world. Part of the reason why almanacs got so much attention was because of their predictions of the future. This included predictions "dwelling on the date of the end of the world" (pg. 163). No one does not want to be privy to such details as when the world will end, which most likely contributed to the widespread popularity and distribution of almanacs. 

    This specific section of the chapter really just had me reflecting on how magic surpasses the boundaries that humans put up in society. Whether I actually believe in magic or not, I cannot negate the ability it has historically had in dramatically impacting societies and time periods. Kings, emperors, and other leaders would search far and wide for someone who could interpret their dreams (i.e. magicians). There were members of communities that would heal and help people with problems (i.e. cunning folk). While I would not go as far to say that magic brings people together, although I do think it has that capability as equally as it has the capability to split people into an "us" vs "them" mindset, I think the power magic has over populations is quite profound. 

    Another small part of this chapter that stuck out to me was on page 147, the story of Isaac Newton. Of course I have learned about Isaac Newton and his laws in my high school science classes, but I never learned that he believed he was chosen by God to divine truths about "the natural world and its forces" (pg. 147). This chapter touches more on the relationship between science and magic, aside from just Newton's story, and it leaves me questioning how much more gets left out of history and science books? How interesting to think that magic and science were once so intertwined, but now they almost combat one another. 

Comments

  1. williams.dan76September 18, 2024 at 9:31 AM

    Thanks, this is a thoughtful review of the chapter we read, and almanacs are a great example of how science and occult beliefs were so often mixed. Almanacs helped farmers (the humble folk) know when to plant their crops and how to defend again against evil. Magical belief certainly did not conform to rigid social hierarchies, but it's interesting in the ways elites and non-elites practiced their beliefs. The elite had doctors trained in medical practices, and the non-elite had cunning folk who mixed superstition with herbal remedies. The irony is that generally the non-elite had the better medical care, since the doctors often harmed as much as they cured. Great stuff, thanks.

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