Talk:Medieval European magic

Elves

Really, elves?Slatersteven (talk) 17:51, 24 May 2017 (UTC)

Most likely referring to elfshot. -165.234.252.11 (talk) 20:00, 24 May 2017 (UTC)

Says Kieckhefer: If the boundary between natural magic and religion is elusive in the case of medicinal herbs, it is all the harder to distinguish the magical from the religious in verbal formulas. These are of three basic types. First there are prayers, which have the form of requests and are directed to God, Christ, Mary, or a saint. Second there are blessings, which have the form of wishes and are addressed to the patients. Third there are adjurations or exorcisms, which have the form of commands and are directed to the sickness itself or to the worm, demon, elf, or other agent responsible for it.

and, several pages later: Elsewhere the formula of exorcism draws more heavily from folklore, as in one which begins by "conjuring" and "adjuring" the elves and all diabolical enemies that they may have no more power over the patient. The exorcist calls on all God's saints to cast these "accursed elves" into the eternal hellfire that is prepared for them. He implores Jesus to send his blessing so that these wretched elves will no longer harm the patient in head or brain, nose, neck, mouth, eyes, hands, and so forth through the various members and organs of the body. He commands Heradiana, the "deaf-mute mother of malignant elves," to depart. As the exorcism progresses it shifts at random, addressing now the patient, now the elves, and now the heavenly powers.

which in turn is sourced to a Latin manuscript (Sloane MS 962 ff. 9-10, charms against elves, serpents, malignant spirits and the toothache). So: yes, really, elves. -96.2.70.251 (talk) 23:27, 24 May 2017 (UTC)

Can we have it cited please then?Slatersteven (talk) 12:23, 25 May 2017 (UTC)

citations

Citations also need to page number, can those who have access to the works please provide then?Slatersteven (talk) 12:35, 25 May 2017 (UTC)

Sure, I'll take a stab at it this weekend. -96.2.70.251 (talk) 05:51, 26 May 2017 (UTC)

Whoops, ended up not having time -- I'm looking up page numbers now, but the article will still need improvement once that's done. -96.2.70.251 (talk) 21:04, 30 May 2017 (UTC)

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