By the late Middle Ages, the Church's stance on magic hardened, especially regarding demonic magic and witchcraft. This shift was influenced by social upheavals, the Black Death, and fears of heresy. Witchcraft and the Inquisition In the 13th century, the Church began targeting heretical groups and those accused of sorcery. The Inquisition was es

The Picatrix An influential medieval text on magic, the Picatrix is a 10th-11th century Arabic grimoire translated into Latin in the 12th century. It compiles astrological and magical knowledge, describing complex rituals for invoking planetary spirits and using talismans. The Picatrix was widely read by European magicians and became a foundati

While learned scholars debated the theoretical nature of magic, ordinary people across Europe practiced folk magic as part of daily life. These practices included: Healing rituals: Use of herbs, charms, and prayers to cure illness. Divination: Reading omens, interpreting dreams, and consulting oracles. Protective talismans: Amulets

The medieval worldview was shaped by a fusion of classical, Christian, and folkloric influences, creating fertile ground for magical beliefs. Classical and Neoplatonic Influences Medieval thinkers inherited the works of classical authors such as Plato, Aristotle, and Pythagoras, as well as Neoplatonic philosophers like Plotinus and Proclus. These