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==In the Middle Ages== | ==In the Middle Ages== | ||
[[File:Bad Lord Soules.jpg|500px|thumb|Bad Lord Soules, a reputed witch and necromancer shown in the act of summoning a red cap]] | [[File:Bad Lord Soules.jpg|500px|thumb|Bad Lord Soules, a reputed witch and necromancer shown in the act of summoning a red cap]] | ||
Many medieval writers believed that actual resurrection required the assistance of God. They saw the practice of necromancy as conjuring demons who took the appearance of spirits. The practice became known explicitly as ''maleficium'', and the Catholic Church condemned it. Though the practitioners of necromancy were linked by many common threads, there is no evidence that these necromancers ever organized as a group. One noted commonality among practitioners of necromancy was usually the utilization of certain toxic and [[Recreational | Many medieval writers believed that actual resurrection required the assistance of God. They saw the practice of necromancy as conjuring demons who took the appearance of spirits. The practice became known explicitly as ''maleficium'', and the Catholic Church condemned it. Though the practitioners of necromancy were linked by many common threads, there is no evidence that these necromancers ever organized as a group. One noted commonality among practitioners of necromancy was usually the utilization of certain toxic and [[Recreational drug|hallucinogenic plants]] from the nightshade family such as black henbane, jimson weed, belladonna or mandrake, usually in magic salves or potions. | ||
Medieval necromancy is believed to be a synthesis of astral magic derived from Arabic influences and exorcism derived from [[Christianity|Christian]] and [[Judaism|Jewish]] teachings. Arabic influences are evident in rituals that involve moon phases, sun placement, day and time. Fumigation and the act of burying images are also found in both astral magic and necromancy. Christian and Jewish influences appear in the symbols and in the conjuration formulas used in summoning [[ritual magic|rituals]]. | Medieval necromancy is believed to be a synthesis of astral magic derived from Arabic influences and exorcism derived from [[Christianity|Christian]] and [[Judaism|Jewish]] teachings. Arabic influences are evident in rituals that involve moon phases, sun placement, day and time. Fumigation and the act of burying images are also found in both astral magic and necromancy. Christian and Jewish influences appear in the symbols and in the conjuration formulas used in summoning [[ritual magic|rituals]]. | ||
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==Modern usage== | ==Modern usage== | ||
In the present day, necromancy is more generally used as a term to describe manipulation of death and the dead, or the pretense thereof, often facilitated through the use of [[ritual magic]] or some other kind of [[occult]] ceremony. Contemporary séances, [[channeling]] and Spiritualism verge on necromancy when supposedly invoked spirits are asked to reveal future events or secret information. | In the present day, necromancy is more generally used as a term to describe manipulation of death and the dead, or the pretense thereof, often facilitated through the use of [[ritual magic]] or some other kind of [[occult]] ceremony. Contemporary séances, [[channeling]] and [[Spiritualism]] verge on necromancy when supposedly invoked spirits are asked to reveal future events or secret information. | ||
Many necromancers utilize [[Spatulamancy|human bones]], such as a skull, combined with [[meditation]] in their rituals. | Many necromancers utilize [[Spatulamancy|human bones]], such as a skull, combined with [[meditation]] in their rituals. | ||