IMC 2009: Sessions

Session 516: Some Medieval European Ideas on Magic

Tuesday 14 July 2009, 09.00-10.30

Sponsor:	International Network on 'The Power of Words in Traditional European Cultures'
Organiser:	Jacqueline Borsje, School of Irish Language & Literature, University of Ulster / Art, Religion & Culture Studies, Universiteit van Amsterdam
Moderator/Chair:	Jacqueline Borsje, School of Irish Language & Literature, University of Ulster / Art, Religion & Culture Studies, Universiteit van Amsterdam
Paper 516-a	Magical Practices and Practitioners in Medieval Irish Law and Penitentials (Language: English) Bridgette Slavin, Centre for Medieval Studies, University of Sydney Index terms: Ecclesiastical History, Language and Literature - Celtic, Law, Performance Arts - Dance
Paper 516-b	Magic and Knowledge in the Otherworld (síd) (Language: English) Grigory Bondarenko, Research Institute for Irish & Celtic Studies, University of Ulster Index terms: Anthropology, Language and Literature - Celtic, Mentalities, Pagan Religions
Paper 516-c	Theoretical Foundations of the Belief in the Efficacy of Theurgy and Incantatory Magic in the Western Tradition (Language: English) Fionn Bennett, École Superieure de Chimie Organique et Minerale, Compiègne Index terms: Language and Literature - Comparative, Language and Literature - Greek, Learning (The Classical Inheritance), Philosophy
Abstract	This session consists of three papers discussing various European attitudes towards magic. Bridgette Slavin deals with the status of magic and its practitioners, the druids, in early medieval Irish laws and penitentials. The paper focuses on the social perceptions of magic. Grigory Bondarenko analyses the relationship between magic and the so-called Otherworld in medieval Irish literature. The medieval authors appear to perceive magic especially as 'knowledge' (fís). Fionn Bennett studies Hellenic and Hellenistic ideas on the efficacy of magic, and compares these with Indian and Celtic views.