# Medieval European magic

By [uuuno](https://paragraph.com/@uuuno) · 2024-06-17

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Magic practices such as divination, interpretation of omens, sorcery, and use of charms had been specifically forbidden in Mosaic Law and condemned in Biblical histories of the kings. Many of these practices were spoken against in the New Testament as well. The model of the magician in Christian thought was provided by [Simon Magus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Magus), (Simon the Magician), a figure who opposed [Saint Peter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Peter) in both the [Acts of the Apostles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acts_of_the_Apostles) and the apocryphal yet influential [Acts of Peter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acts_of_Peter).

The historian Michael D. Bailey stated that in medieval Europe, magic was a "relatively broad and encompassing category". Christian theologians believed that there were multiple different forms of magic, the majority of which were types of [divination](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divination), for instance, [Isidore of Seville](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isidore_of_Seville) produced a catalogue of things he regarded as magic in which he listed divination by the four elements i.e. [geomancy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geomancy), [hydromancy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydromancy), [aeromancy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeromancy), and [pyromancy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyromancy), as well as by observation of natural phenomena e.g. the flight of birds and astrology. He also mentioned [enchantment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incantation) and ligatures (the medical use of magical objects bound to the patient) as being magical. Medieval Europe also saw magic come to be associated with the Old Testament figure of [Solomon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon); various [grimoires](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grimoire), or books outlining magical practices, were written that claimed to have been written by Solomon, most notably the [Key of Solomon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_of_Solomon).

In early medieval Europe, _magia_ was a term of condemnation. In medieval Europe, Christians often suspected Muslims and Jews of engaging in magical practices; in certain cases, these perceived magical rites—including the [alleged Jewish sacrifice of Christian children](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_libel)—resulted in Christians massacring these religious minorities. Christian groups often also accused other, rival Christian groups such as the [Hussites](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hussites)—which they regarded as [heretical](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heresy)—of engaging in magical activities. Medieval Europe also saw the term _maleficium_ applied to forms of magic that were conducted with the intention of causing harm. The later Middle Ages saw words for these practitioners of harmful magical acts appear in various European languages: _sorcière_ in French, _Hexe_ in German, _strega_ in Italian, and _bruja_ in Spanish. The English term for malevolent practitioners of magic, witch, derived from the earlier [Old English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_English) term _wicce_.

Magic is a major component and supporting contribution to the belief and practice of spiritual, and in many cases, physical healing throughout the Middle Ages. Emanating from many modern interpretations lies a trail of misconceptions about magic, one of the largest revolving around wickedness or the existence of nefarious beings who practice it. These misinterpretations stem from numerous acts or rituals that have been performed throughout antiquity, and due to their exoticism from the commoner's perspective, the rituals invoked uneasiness and an even stronger sense of dismissal.

![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/c59e8831cd1b7b0b23c2c606982cbb24.jpg)

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*Originally published on [uuuno](https://paragraph.com/@uuuno/medieval-european-magic)*