Bilder der Wunderkunst und des Aberglaubens by Karl Gräbner
"Bilder der Wunderkunst und des Aberglaubens" by Karl Gräbner is a historical account written in the early 19th century. The book delves into the traditions, beliefs, and practices related to magic, superstition, and the so-called black arts in Europe, with special attention to notable figures and legendary "magic books." It covers a wide spectrum of topics, from sorcery and ghost stories to methods of divination, amulets, and notorious witch trials, often approaching
these subjects with a rational and critical perspective. This work will likely interest readers curious about the historical development of superstition, folk magic, and the rational debunking of such beliefs. The opening of the book sets out its structure and purpose: it is divided into three main parts—the first addressing magic and sorcery, the second focusing on superstition, and the third presenting ghost stories with occasional natural explanations. The introduction stresses the difference between natural and so-called "supernatural" magic, emphasizing the rise of superstition from ignorance of natural causes and human fascination with the unknown. Early chapters survey notable magicians and supposed sorcerers, discuss the origins and history of magic, and outline various magical practices and supernatural beliefs such as necromancy, witchcraft, and the fabrication of magical objects like amulets and talismans. Throughout, the tone is critical; the author attributes belief in magic and witchcraft more to deception, self-delusion, and ignorance than to reality, laying the groundwork for a skeptical, yet thorough exploration of the magical and superstitious traditions of the past. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Reading ease score: 76.0 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
Credits
Peter Becker, Martin Oswald and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This transcription was produced from images generously made available by Bayerische Staatsbibliothek / Bavarian State Library.)
