The Mysteries of All Nations: Rise and Progress of Superstition, Laws Against and Trials of Witches, Ancient and Modern Delusions Together with Strange Customs, Fables, and TalesGrant, James (Archaeologist)
History
The Mysteries of All Nations: Rise and Progress of Superstition, Laws Against and Trials of Witches, Ancient and Modern Delusions Together with Strange Customs, Fables, and Tales
Grant, James (Archaeologist)
Occultism; Superstition; Trials (Witchcraft)
According to Suckford, the ancients believed that heroes and other
great men were transferred at death to some bright planet. In
consequence of such belief, eminent persons were deified. Julius Cæsar
was canonised, because it was thought he was translated to a new star,
discovered at the hour of his death.
DEMONOLOGY.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
First Ideas of Demonology--Rabbinical
Tradition--Adam's Marriage--The Wicked
Lilith--Demons--Egyptian Tradition--Arabian Worship of
Genii--Christians' Opinions of Demons--Forms assumed
by Evil Spirits--Demoniacal King--Duty of Inferior
Demons--Task of Benign Spirits--Schools of Magic--What
was taught in them--Circassian Opinions--Belief of
Indians--Situation of Hell--Men's Actions
recorded--Rewards and Punishments--How to frighten
Demons--Treatment of the Sick--Condemning Spirits to
Everlasting Punishment--Attendant Angels--Worship of
Gods--Foretelling Future Events--Small-pox propagated
by an Evil Genius--Souls of Deceased Persons--Dread of
Evil Spirits--Effect of Charms.
To the Chaldeans we are indebted for the first ideas of demonology.
From Chaldea the notions of demonology spread to Persia, Egypt, and
Greece; but, as stated in another part of these pages, a belief in
spirits or genii and of witchcraft prevailed at an early period of
man's existence. There is an ancient Rabbinical tradition, no doubt
very absurd, but illustrative of early notions of superstition, that
Adam was first married to a sorceress named Lilith, or the mother of
devils. She refused submission to Adam, and disregarded commandments
conveyed to her by angels. She persisted in her disobedience; and
having one day, in a more than ordinary state of impiety, invoked the
name of Jehovah, according to the rules of the Cabala, she ascended
into the air and disappeared. Lilith was feared by divers nations.
When children died of diseases not properly understood, their deaths
were attributed to Lilith, who was supposed to carry out her wicked
purposes as an aërial spectre. Newly married pairs were accustomed to
inscribe the names of angels on the inside partitions of their houses,
and the names of Adam and Eve and the words "Begone, Lilith," on the
outside walls. The name Lilith was given to women suspected of holding
intercourse with demons. The legends of Lilith were transmitted from
people to people until they came down to the Jews, who believed them.
This people were wont to inscribe on their bed-posts the words, "Et
zelo Chuizlilith," that the sleepers might be delivered by Lilith from
dreams.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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