NECROMANCY: ORIGINS, CHARACTERISTICS, FAMOUS NECROMANCERS - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The necromancy or necromancy is a method of divination that involves communication with the spirits. It derives from the Greek terms nekro, which indicates "body or matter"; and manteía, which means "divination" or "prophecy." Formerly it was a common practice in civilizations such as Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Roman, Greek and Persian.

This practice was used especially for the prediction of the future, to demonstrate the survival of the soul after death or for the acquisition of some type of superior knowledge. It was carried out by means of the manipulation of viscera or any property of the deceased.

It was also carried out through rituals for the invocation of spirits; that is why it is considered a branch of divination. Nowadays necromancy is associated with black magic, mythology, demonology and witchcraft; it is even linked to ritualistic practices from Africa such as voodoo and other branches of spiritism.

Origins and history

Necromancy is a common practice of the oldest civilizations. To such an extent that it is not possible to establish the origin of this practice with precision.

The historian Strabo in his work Geographica refers to the term nekromantia when indicating the practice related to divination through the dead used by the Persians.

However, evidence of its existence has also been found in Babylon and Egypt. In fact, it is believed that the origins of necromancy comes from the embalming process of mummies.

For example, in Mesopotamia rituals were complex and intricate processes performed by the Manzazuu, a kind of Babylonian priests in charge of invoking spirits.

On the other hand, in Ancient Rome necromancy was called "aruspicina", which was intended to divination or prediction of the future through the study of the viscera of animals sacrificed in honor of the gods.

There are even records where it is stated that Roman emperors such as Drusco, Nero and Caracalla were practitioners of necromancy.

In both Greece and Rome it was thought that the best places for communication with the dead were in caves, volcanic regions or near lakes and rivers, since they were points that were near Hades.

Appearance of the word

The word's first appearance was in Homer's play The Odyssey. In the story, Ulysses - under the instructions of the powerful priestess Circe - descends to the underworld through the invocation of spirits to find out the reasons why he cannot return home.

A number of necromantic elements are described in the book:

- Performing rites around a well with fire at night.

- Potions with various ingredients, such as the blood of animals sacrificed to contact the spirits.

- Prayers to invoke spirits and gods of the underworld.

Necromancy, the Bible, and Christianity

In the Bible the practice of necromancy is prohibited, considering it as an insult and an abomination towards God. The prohibition was to such an extent that death could be considered a punishment for whoever did it.

However, the best-known case of necromancy is the story of King Saul, who invokes the spirit of Samuel.

The Philistines had surrounded Israel and Saul sought advice from God, but God did not answer him. In despair, Saul went to Endor in search of a priestess who would allow him to communicate with Samuel's soul.

Saúl managed to recognize it thanks to the descriptions of the woman and, when the soul of the deceased appeared, Samuel told him that due to his disobedience he would be defeated and killed.

Necromancy and religion

Although Christianity does not use the word necromancy, some authors believe that religion does consider some aspects of this practice. In fact, there are books where the performance of rituals and practices is recommended as a product of cultural exchange that occurred with the pagan peoples.

It should be noted that for some experts, the prophecies are an interpretation of divinatory processes. However, they are concepts that still provoke discussion.

Main features

- The rituals are extremely elaborate since, in most cases, they include talismans, magic circles, melancholic and dark locations, and even special clothes for the occasion.

- The main figure in the process was the necromancer, a kind of magician in charge of performing the rituals.

- Today there are religions that still practice necromancy, such as voodoo, Santeria and palo mayombe.

- Both Christians and Catholics disapprove of necromancy as a defiance of God's laws.

- Although initially the term refers to contact with the dead, the alteration of etymology (necromancy of “black”), made it change its meaning and began to be associated with black magic, witchcraft and even alchemy.

- Despite the controversy generated by the practice of necromancy in the Middle Ages, many clerics considered it a serious area of ​​study. This arose in order to communicate with the dead, manipulate the minds of others, and learn the secrets of life after death.

- It was believed that the best time for rituals should be at midnight and during a storm, because it was thought that this environment helped spirits to manifest more easily.

- The current necromancy deals with talking to the dead, but not reviving them.

Famous necromancers

- Roman emperors like Drusco, Nero and Caracalla.

- The grammarian Apion used to try to contact the soul of Homer.

- It is believed that the writer of The Divine Comedy, Dante Alighieri, used to secretly practice necromancy.

- The French magician Alphose Constant, also known as Eliphas Lévi, promoted and performed all kinds of occult practices.

- Another writer and great occult enthusiast was the Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa.

Necromancy Literature

For readers and regulars of necromancy and the dark arts, the works of occultist Helena Blavatsky are a must.

Notably, Blavatsky's works also served to inspire HP Lovecraft, one of the most important science fiction and horror writers of the modern era.

References

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