• The pact with the devil

  • Jul 29 2024
  • Length: 16 mins
  • Podcast

The pact with the devil

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  • Summary

  • The magical ability most emblematic of the medieval wizard and witch is the evocation of demons, and more precisely, the Devil himself. This association might seem like a product of contemporary imagination, but it's actually a cultural cornerstone of European folklore from the year 1000 onwards.The concept of making deals with the Devil as a shortcut to gain advantages arose during the Middle Ages. This period saw a confluence of ancient superstitions and burgeoning economic and commercial activity, leading to a metaphorical "legalized exchange" between mortals and supernatural beings.While there are certainly older examples of supernatural evocations, as evidenced by the necromancers and psychagogues of Ancient Greece, the legal concept behind the pact with the devil is rooted in the contractual instruments and legal system of the Middle Ages. This system arrogantly permeated all aspects of daily life, including religious and esoteric ones.The idea that a divine or otherworldly being would require a signed document to enforce agreements with humans might seem strange today. However, in the Middle Ages, the concept of contracts, both written and oral, became increasingly important for dealings with demons. This shift in thinking can be seen by some historians as the origin of capitalism.
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