Greetings!
>But in Britain over the past 1000 years or so I think there is every
>indication that people who practiced magic were members of the
>Christian church (Catholic or Protestant according to the period they
>lived), and that they used Christian words and imagery in their rituals.
I believe this is true. I am currently researching an unpublished French
grimoire dating from the 18th Century where Christian powers such as
Jesus. Joseph and Mary are called upon to compel a genius loci to
appear. This spirit of the place is considered infernal, being summoned
from Hell, but is can be compelled to serve the Magician in useful ways.
The writer seems well aware that this is morally dubious and commences
by calling open demons ruling various senses to ensure no one sees,
hears or smells the proceedings.
The same approach is taken in the Grand Grimoire of Pope Honorius (also
French but earlier). Whilst both have Hebrew and Gnostic traces the
approach is basically of a Christian using Christianity to control
diabolical forces.
I am starting to wonder if the grimoire mentality may be considered a
heresy. However very different from others. It was not organised, it did
not challenge the authority of the church, there was no great moral
panic about it in its day. Indeed it would have been very surreptitious
so there would not have been much knowledge about it. The impression I
get is that beyond the material world there were thought be the powers
of Light, which were heavenly and the forces of Darkness which were
infernal. As a Christian the magician thought he could call upon the
powers of Light to control the powers of Darkness for his personal gain
With my best wishes
Ben
--
Ben Fernee
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