Magic and Mystery

Alfred Thompson's "Magic and Mystery" is a fine work that at once compiles folklore and details a bit about the history of some pagan and other practices. As a sign of its era, some of the rationalist arguments it employs (especially those of a scientific nature) are themselves arguably now classed more with folklore than the folklore it compiles.With sections as widely varied as folk medicine and homeopathy, to antiquity and the then-modern late 19th century, this is indeed a work of note for the occultist and skeptic alike.


Magic and Mystery: Popular History covers various aspects of the history of magic, mystery, superstition, mythological creatures, etc. Chapters include: Superstition; Magic; Mystery; Fairies And Devils; Faith-Healing And Medicine; Theosophy: Ancient And Modern; Death; Corpses And Funerals; Occult Forces: Animal Magnetism, Ether, And Mesmerism; Astrology And Alchemy; Spectral Illusions, Ghosts, And Second-Sight; Theology And The 'Isms'; and Religion And Religions.