Books like Spiritual & demonic magic by D. P. Walker

A satirical dictionary compiling witty and biting definitions of English words, first published in a newspaper in 1881 and later revised into book form.

"I invoke you, holy angels and holy names, join forces with this restraining spell and bind, tie up, block, strike, overthrow, harm, destroy, kill and shatter Eucherios the charioteer and all his horses tomorrow in the arena of Rome. Let the starting-gates not [open] properly. Let him not compete quickly. Let him not pass. Let him not make the turn properly. Let him not receive the honors. Let him not squeeze over and overpower. Let him not come from behind and pass but instead let him collapse, let him be bound, let him be broken up, and let him drag behind your power. Both in the early races and the later ones. Now, now! Quickly, quickly!" "In the ancient world, it was common practice to curse or bind an enemy or rival by writing an incantation, such as the one above, on a tablet and dedicating it to a god or spirit. These curses or binding spells, commonly called defixiones, were intended to bring other people under the power and control of those who commissioned them." "More than a thousand such texts, written between the fifth century B.C.E. and the fifth century C.E., have been discovered from North Africa to England, and from Syria to Spain. Extending into every aspect of ancient life - athletic and theatrical competitions, judicial proceedings, love affairs, business rivalries, and the recovery of stolen property - they shed new light on a previously neglected dimension of classical study. Potentially harmful to the entrenched reputations of classical Greece and Rome, as well as Judaism and Christianity, as bastions, respectively, of pure philosophy and true religion, these small tablets provide a fascinating perspective on the times as well as a rare, intimate look at the personal lives of the ancient Greeks and Romans." "Many of these texts have now been translated into English for the first time, with a substantial translator's introduction revealing the cultural, social, and historical context for the texts. Contributing to the ancient and modern debate about religion and "magic," this book will interest historians, classicists, scholars of religion, and those concerned with ancient magic."--Jacket.

Mark Booth challenges conventional history, arguing that hidden narratives by secret societies and mystery schools shape our past. He presents a 3,000‑year alternative view spanning Greek, Egyptian, Jewish, Christian, Freemason, and modern influences.

To date, no comprehensive treatment of Egyptian magic has focused on the practice of the magician. Both general studies and textual publications have emphasized instead the religious elements in the contents of recited spells, while the accompanying instructions, with their vignettes and lists of materials, instruments, and ritual actions, remained uninvestigated. This study represents the first critical examination of such "magical techniques," revealing their widespread appearance and pivotal significance for all Egyptian "religious" practices from the earliest periods through the Coptic era, influencing as well the Greco-Egyptian magical papyri. The author also discusses the "pagan-Egyptian" influence on Old and New Testament practices and in the lives of the Coptic Desert Fathers. The third edition is a reprinting of the second, which included minor corrections from the original edition. This volume is a significant revisionist approach to ancient Egyptian magic. As a result of a methodical analysis of both the textual and archaeological records, Ritner concludes that the boundaries between ancient Egyptian magic, religion, and medicine were not as strictly observed as modern commentators believe. Furthermore, he categorically denies the frequent attempts of moderns to define ancient Egyptian magic as a phenomenon dealing with the supernatural, practiced primarily for nefarious purposes sub rosa by strictly observed as modern commentators believe. Furthermore, he categorically denies the frequent attempts of moderns to define ancient Egyptian magic as a phenomenon dealing with the supernatural, practiced primarily for nefarious purposes sub rosa by individuals outside of the religious mainstream. Ritner's engaging prose style and felicitous exegesis of even the most arcane material make for easy reading. But more important still, the content of the work ensures that it will become a vital reference tool for all engaged in any aspect of ancient Egyptian religion.[From a review by R. S. Bianchi in Journal of the American Oriental Society 114 (1994) 513-14]. xviii + 322, 22 b/w figs, 2 tbs (Studies in Ancient Oriental Civilization 54, Oriental Institute 1993, revised edition 1997)