The Centre for Magic and Esotericism
  • The Centre for Magic and Esotericism

    Welcome

    An interdisciplinary centre at the University of Exeter, the Centre for Magic and Esotericism explores topics related to the history of magic, occult, and esoteric literatures using a ground-breaking approach by studying many different cultures and languages all in dialogue with one another. This site showcases the University of Exeter’s leading role in the study of these previously neglected subjects which are rapidly growing in importance among scholars and students today. Topics of research include, but are not limited to, witchcraft, Western Esotericism, Occult texts in Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, European folklore, magic in Greece and Rome, and the history of science and medicine.


    News


    The Donkey King

    Asinine Symbology in Ancient and Medieval Magic Emily Selove https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009076234 The 13th-century Arabic grimoire, al-Sakkākī’s Kitāb al-Shāmil (Book of the Complete), provides numerous methods of contacting jinn. The first such...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 13 December 2023


    MA in Magic and Occult Sciences

    https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/arabislamic/magic-occult-science/

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 27 October 2023


    Alternative Rationalities and Esoteric Practices from a Global Perspective

    https://cas-e.de/ See their lecture series here: https://cas-e.de/2023/09/04/lecture-series-winter-semester-2023-24/ Mission Statement “The Center for Advanced Studies in the Humanities and Social Sciences Alternative Rationalities and Esoteric Practices from a Global Perspective undertakes the investigation of...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 23 October 2023


    Four of Swords presents OEDIPUS

    This October FOUR OF SWORDS leads you back into the belly of the earth to witness a terrifying tale of fate versus free will. The legendary riddle-master Oedipus does battle...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 16 October 2023


    ENSIE 2024 Call for Papers: Dreams and Visions in Islam

    Dreams and Visions in Islam 2024 Meeting of the European Network for the Study of Islam and Esotericism (ENSIE)2-3 July 2024University of Exeter, EnglandDeadline for submissions: February 15, 2024 http://ensie.site/conferences.html...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 13 October 2023


    MAGIC, SECRECY AND REVELATION

    BRIAN RAPPERT Exeter Phoenix’s conjuror-in-residence, Professor Brian Rappert, is back for a new round of shows that use entertainment magic to ask questions about how we experience the world. Magic,...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 28 September 2023


    MAGEIA Research Fellowships

    Reposted from Earl Fontainelle’s notice here: https://ancientesotericism.com/2023/07/31/mageia-research-fellowships/ “Students of ancient esotericism with their ear to the ground will have heard about the new MagEIA project, which promises to be a doozy...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 26 September 2023


    Occulture Conference: A Master’s Degree in Magic

    https://occultureconference.com/dr-emily-selove/ 19-22 OCTOBER – BERLIN A MASTERS DEGREE IN MAGIC: THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER’S NEW INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAM The University of Exeter will launch a new Master’s Degree program on Magic...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 15 September 2023


    Apocalyptic Times: Spirituality in Global Revolt

    deadline for the call for papers to Monday 31st July – please contact Iona (ir299@exeter.ac.uk) for more information 7-8th September 2023, University of Exeter and Online https://sites.exeter.ac.uk/criticalspirituality/ “In recent years,...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 18 July 2023


    Praise For Wonders and Rarities

    The Marvelous Book That Traveled the World and Mapped the Cosmos by Travis Zadeh https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674258457 Emily Selove’s informal review: This is a remarkable book, in that it is extremely academically...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 15 July 2023


    MA in Magic and Occult Sciences

    We are delighted to announce a new MA in Magic and Occult Sciences launching in September, 2024.  This is a flexible degree, which provides you the freedom to design you...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 27 June 2023


    Magic and Witchcraft: Evolving beliefs, practices and attitudes

    Thu, 22 Jun 2023 09:30 – Fri, 23 Jun 2023 17:30 BST Organised by Tabitha Stanmore and Debora Moretti Attendees are welcome to join in-person in York or online. (King’s...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 25 May 2023


    The European Witch Hunt in World Context, with Prof Ronald Hutton

    https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-european-witch-hunt-in-world-context-with-prof-ronald-hutton-tickets-433585795787 The European Witch Hunt in World Context: Some Further Thoughts Professor Ronald Hutton 3:30pm, Wednesday 1st March, Lecture Theatre D, Streatham Court (University of Exeter). Followed by a drinks...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 22 February 2023


    Earth Spells: Witches of the Anthropocene

    11 February 2023 – 7 May 2023 Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter https://rammuseum.org.uk/whats-on/earth-spells-witches-of-the-anthropocene/ “Artists: Caroline Achaintre, Emma Hart, Kris Lemsalu, Mercedes Mühleisen, Grace Ndiritu, Florence Peake, Kiki Smith, and Lucy...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 31 January 2023


    University of Exeter Library Resource Guide

    https://libguides.exeter.ac.uk/archives/esotericism-magical-tradition “This resource guide is based on a reading list for a seminar (ARAM251) created by Dr James Downs, and provides an overview of resources held by the University of...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 16 January 2023


    The Sorcerer’s Handbook: Dirt from the crossroads in the 13th-century

    November 28th 6-8 PM Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-sorcerers-handbook-dirt-from-the-crossroads-in-the-13th-century-tickets-462520740987 A sheep heart full of pins, a graveyard at midnight, a contract...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 9 November 2022


    The Marks We Leave: Devotion, Damage and Debauchery in Sacred Spaces

    Being Human Café in Bristol to discuss the use of spiritual spaces – both natural and constructed – throughout history. Date and time Sat, 12 November 2022, 15:00 – 17:00 GMT...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 19 October 2022


    Curating Magic, British Art Network

    https://britishartnetwork.org.uk/event/curating-magic-october-2022/ The organisers for this event are currently inviting calls for papers. Seminar exploring magic as content, theory and/or practice in exhibition making Saturday, 29th October 2022 | day-time BST...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 4 October 2022


    Societas Magica Conference Sessions

    MAGIC UN/DISCIPLINED International Conference, Societas Magica University of South Carolina, September 2-4, 2022 Hybrid format Showcasing recent cross-cultural and interdisciplinary advances in the history and anthropology of “magic,” this international conference...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 1 July 2022


    Imaginative Landscapes and Otherworlds

     22nd June: Online The purpose of this online conference is to discuss and further explore the relationship between tangible and imaginative landscapes, co-organised by University of Exeter and Canterbury Christ...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 3 June 2022


    Feminine power: the divine to the demonic

    British Museum Exhibition 19 May – 25 September 2022 https://www.britishmuseum.org/exhibitions/feminine-power-divine-demonic “The first exhibition of its kind, Feminine power takes a cross-cultural look at the profound influence of female spiritual beings...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 20 March 2022


    Law, Politics, and Magic in Islam: The Strange Case of Mirza Muhammad Nishaburi

    University of Exeter’s Professor Rob Gleaves in a presentation to the Department of Classics & Religion UCalgary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilyAlJjGDDA&t=2s “Magic (and occult practice more widely) has held a debated position in...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 8 February 2022


    The Witch of Edmonton: A Known True Story

    LIVE online | 5 -20 March 2022 https://creationtheatre.co.uk/the-witch-of-edmonton/#1634803979184-feeffcd6-1027 “If every poor old Woman be trod on thus, reviled, kicked, beaten, as I am daily, she to be revenged had need...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 27 January 2022


    Medicine, Magic, and Healing

    Monday, November 29 Hotel Du Vin Exeter 1:30–3 p.m.  Panel 1: Emily Selove, “Sleep in the Shāmil of Sirāj al-Dīn al-Sakkākī (d. 1229)” Bink Hallum, “From Invincibility to Immunity: The...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 7 December 2021


    An Interview with an Astrologer

    Molly Batchelor, University of Exeter MA student in Medieval Studies, conducted a thought-provoking interview with practicing astrologer Rebecca Law, reflecting on the differences between ancient, medieval, and modern astrology, and on...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 7 October 2021


    BLODDEUWEDD UNTOLD

    https://www.wegottickets.com/event/516190/?mc_cid=d7ee6fec89&mc_eid=d862eafb3c# Exeter Cygnet Theatre October 9, 7:30 pm Artemis Storytelling presents Jo Blake and Dr Martin Shaw. Unearth the unwritten Blodeuwedd, the Frankenstein of flowers. Captured in the pages of a...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 2 October 2021


    Call for papers – project fringe at IMC 2022

    Fringe Expertise? Cross-Cultural Readings of Occult Practices in Premodern Eurasia International Medieval Congress, Leeds, 4-7 July 2022 Sponsored by The Sorcerer’s Handbook: Medieval Arabic Magic in Context Project Organisers: Dr Sarah...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 2 August 2021


    Exclamation! Dreams, Visions and Mindscapes

    A free digital conference with presentations by Magic and Esotericism research group members Sarah Scaife and Dorka Tamas: In Panel 2: Fantasy & Imagination, introduced here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocPEhK-pKx0 Dorka Támas – Supernatural Vision...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 22 July 2021


    Sylvia Plath’s reimagination of the Grimms’ fairy tales in postwar American culture

    A new publication by Magic and Esotericism Research Group member Dorka Tamás https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/24692921.2021.1947081 This article discusses Sylvia Plath’s overlooked juvenilia poems and contextualizes them in postwar American culture. The fairy...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 5 July 2021


    Songdreaming for Albion (Songlines) 2021

    July 13th-17th About this event As long as there have been people on this land there has been song, and as long as we dwell upon this land a timeless,...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 2 July 2021


    ​The Witch Studies Reader ​Call for Proposals

    Co-edited by Soma Chaudhuri and Jane Ward Deadline to submit a 500 to 750-word abstract: August 1st, 2021 https://www.janewardphd.com/the-witch-studies-reader.html “…we are calling for chapter proposals that illuminate how feminists can make sense...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 28 June 2021


    Bringing the Complete Book off the Page

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_UYo1bOFLQ This is a love talisman from a book of lunar mansions, widely circulated in the medieval world. It is meant to be carved out of ebony, which is way...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 28 June 2021


    The Devil’s in the Details

    Sakkaki’s Magic Book of Everything (April 30th 2021) Dr. Emily Selove, Senior Lecturer of Medieval Arabic Language and Literature, at the University of Exeter, discusses her Leverhulme-funded research project, “A...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 23 April 2021


    Magic, Healing, and Religion Workshop

    McMaster University (Online) May 26th https://religiousstudies.mcmaster.ca/news/magicworkshop/?fbclid=IwAR1yDwFnCmyBfZOlZ0JjFURAlkx6bO4nAmpBwTnHD6Z-KKdj_tGX3udZX2k This workshop proposes an interdisciplinary and inter-religious approach to healing in religious traditions. Religious healing can be syncretic between traditions, relegated to the margins...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 6 April 2021


    Medicines of Uncertainty (slow radio for wellbeing)

    By Sarah Scaife http://www.sarahscaife.co.uk/ Uncertainty can be an unsettling aspect of ill health. Come on a gentle journey into more hopeful ways of being with not knowing. Can uncertainty become a...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 14 March 2021


    Beliefs, Ritual, and Popular Myths

    Ex Historia- Humanities Forum Roundtable Discussion- Beliefs, Ritual, and Popular Myths Date/Time: Feb. 18th from 5:30-6:30pm Event Link: https://Universityofexeter.zoom.us/j/97721900257?pwd=TEYycFpJRVJuWXBQcTV6c0NpcHVTZz09 Panelists’ Bios   Ryan Denson- Classics, and Ancient History  Ryan’s research centers...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 12 February 2021


    Do not read the Latin: Latin as satanic signifier in supernatural horror cinema

    An article by Nicholas Banner in the Classical Receptions Journal “This article examines the tropological use of the Latin language to evoke the diabolical in supernatural horror cinema. When Latin is...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 8 January 2021


    Experiencing Magic: What the Buddha might have to say in an age of lockdowns

    Date/Time Thursday 7 January  and Sunday 17 January 2021, 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm Book Now: £10 or £8 or £5 – email boxoffice@ashburtonarts.org.uk http://ashburtonarts.org.uk/whats-on/ Join our conjuror-in-residence,for a highly interactive,...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 29 December 2020


    Magical Fiction Forum

    ONLINE VIA ZOOM, 27 FEBRUARY 2021. The Magickal Women Partnership proudly presents the Magical Fiction Forum: Fairy tales, fantasy, magical realism, surreal fiction: this forum aims to bring together leading...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 9 December 2020


    Popular Magic Café: Follow Up

    Missed the Popular Magic Cafe? Never worry, you can watch the discussion on YouTube, HERE There were so many fascinating questions, that Crystal and I decided to compile a reading...

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    Posted by Mark on 18 November 2020


    Popular Magic: Then and Now

    Date And Time Tue, 17 November 2020 18:00 – 19:30 GMT https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/popular-magic-then-and-now-tickets-122826516417 This conversation about popular magic and folk customs is open to everyone and forms part of the Being...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 26 October 2020


    The Sorcerer’s Handbook: Medieval Arabic Magic in Context

    A Leverhulme-funded research project, University of Exeter, 2019-2022. This project focuses on a collection of magical texts attributed to an influential medieval scholar of the Arabic language, Sirāj al-Dīn al-Sakkākī...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 24 September 2020


    Arcane: The History of Magic

    A new podcast by Magic and Esotericism Group member Samuel P. Gillis Hogan. Check out the introductory episode here!: https://arcanehistory.podbean.com/e/episode-0-welcometo-arcane/?fbclid=IwAR08BaJA0CPCaTr521K2HEeq3Y66ioK2h74v4BIP7lk_LoYkMmA0mpxDFd4 “Magic has been practiced throughout our history, yet many people...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 15 September 2020


    OGOM Conference 2021

    ‘Ill met by moonlight’: Gothic encounters with enchantment and the Faerie realm in literature and culture University of Hertfordshire, 8‒10 April 2021 http://www.opengravesopenminds.com/ill-met-by-moonlight-2021/

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 19 August 2020


    Ashburton Arts Centre Events

    Magic: Who Cares? Truth and Deception                              Belief and Incredulity Secrecy and Revelation                         Regard and Distraction Cooperation and Conflict                        Hope and Gloom Join Prof Brian Rappert in this highly interactive,...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 4 August 2020


    Plath and Witchcraft

    Magic and Esotericism research group member Dorka Tamas discusses the work of Sylvia Plath, focusing on witchcraft, witch imagery, and different cultural and literary influences in Plath’s poetry. Listen here...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 27 July 2020


    ‘Mystery, Science and the Divine’

    University College London Summer School in Ancient Philosophy Monday 13 July to Friday 17 July 2020 The UCL Ancient Philosophy Summer School is offering exceptional one-week intensive courses this summer...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 22 June 2020


    Refresh the page to see a new shelfie from one of our members!

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 22 June 2020


    Visions as practice in practice-based research

    A presentation by Sarah Scaife given to the Exeter University Magic & Esotericism Research Group on 27 May 2020. This work was catalysed by Dr Emily Selove’s presentation, Dangerous Books,...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 21 June 2020


    MAGIC IN AN AGE OF PRETENCE

    Truths and lies Concealment and revelation Chaos and oder Why not? These are challenging times. How we communicate, how we look at one another, and how we perceive our everyday...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 19 May 2020


    A (somewhat belated) look at the 2nd Issue of Hellebore.

    Hellebore is a folk horror and occult zine, whose editor Maria J. Pérez Cuervo and art wizard Nathaniel Winter-Hébert compile tantalising morsels for a wide but discerning audience. Contributions include...

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    Posted by Mark on 16 May 2020


    Is Occult Science Science?

    Watch the full interview conducted by Professor Sajjad Rizvi here:

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 12 May 2020


    Siraj al-Din al-Sakkaki’s Dangerous Books

    A Youtube video about some of the issues explored by Emily Selove’s Leverhulme-funded Sorcerer’s Handbook research project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZbP4By6jI4 And an interview on the Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast on...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 6 April 2020


    First Hermetic International Film Festival

    Venice, Italy ” A truly unique film festival overtly dedicated to the domain of Hermetica: The Unorthodoxy underlying the mainstream intellectual history, the neglected Heterodoxy rooted in our cultural legacy, the eternal...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 18 February 2020


    Vixen Tor: a one-day symposium celebrating the fierce women of folklore

     Saturday 20 June, Exeter Phoenix (Studio 74) 10.00 am – late. Talks and workshops from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm, followed by a live performance of Circle of Spears production...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 27 January 2020


    Magical Deceptions

    An event by Magic and Esotericism research group member Professor Brian Rappert: https://brianrappert.net/magic/public-shows/magical-deceptions Dates: 2 & 9 February 2020 Time: 18:30-20:30 Location: Ashburton Arts Centre 15 West Street TQ13 7DT...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 23 January 2020


    Signs of Life: Protective Art Painted by Women

    Signs of Life in Occupied Kairouan: Protective Art Painted by Women An “Insta essay” by Professor William Gallois which tells the untold story of protective paintings made by women artists in...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 13 December 2019


    Event Calendar 2020

    A list of conferences and talks that may be of interest. Feel free to email the magic@exeter.ac.uk list if you have an event that is not on the list. December...

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    Posted by Mark on 20 November 2019


    DEVON WITCHCRAFT

    Sun 10 Nov 2019 | 12pm | £7* (£6*) Tracey Norman (researcher, author and performer in her play The Witch) is giving a talk on witchcraft, with particular focus on its...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 7 November 2019


    DOCTOR DRACULA

    Dates: 23rd October – 2nd November 2019  Times: 6:30pm & 8:30pm  Price: £17.50 Location: Knightshayes, Tiverton, Devon EX16 7RG http://four-of-swords.com/ “FOUR OF SWORDS, in collaboration with THE WELLCOME TRUST, EXETER...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 19 October 2019


    CFP: Mind, Body, Magic: Sensory And Emotional Approaches To Magic In The Roman World

    Open University, Milton Keynes (UK) Friday 27th March 2020 The four centuries of the Roman imperial period saw massive shifts in all aspects of life for people across the Mediterranean...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 11 October 2019


    The Equinox Colloquium at the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic

    Over the past couple of years, the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic has been devoting attention to the academic study of magic and the occult, most visible in the launch...

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    Posted by Mark on 23 September 2019


    A Sorcerer’s Handbook: Medieval Arabic Magic in Context

    Postdoctoral Research Fellow Needed to Participate in “Sorcerer’s Handbook” Project https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/BUH360/postdoctoral-research-fellow The Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to participate...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 15 May 2019


    Medieval Magic: Future Directions

    June 26, 2019 by UCL Institute of Advanced Studies The recently published Routledge History of Medieval Magic (January 2019) brought together the work of scholars from across Europe and North...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 8 May 2019


    Amuletic Art in North Africa, 1880-1920

    The Painters of the City: North Africa 1880-1920 An exhibition by Professor William Gallois https://www.exeter.ac.uk/news/events/details/index.php?event=9327 An Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies exhibition Date 9 May – 2 August 2019...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 8 May 2019


    Light in Darkness: The Mystical Philosophy of Jacob Böhme

    ON MONDAY, 29 APRIL 2019 AT 7 P.M. COVENTRY CATHEDRAL, CHAPEL OF CHRIST THE SERVANT On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the twin city relationship between Coventry and...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 1 May 2019


    March 20th: Magic and the Occult in Islam

    Please join us for a workshop on Magic and the Occult in Islam hosted by the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies’ Centre for the Study of Islam. In honour...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 27 February 2019


    The Routledge History of Medieval Magic: Reflections on a Big Editing Project

    Check out Catherine Rider’s new blog post about editing the Routledge History of Medieval Magic! http://blogs.exeter.ac.uk/medievalstudies/

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 21 February 2019


    Symposium: Persecution and Possibility

    A day of artistic and academic discussion – Wed 24 Apr 2019 -Wed 24 Apr 2019 10am – 4.45pm, Reed Hall, University of Exeter, EX4 4QR. £30/35 This event is...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 29 January 2019


    January Deadlines and Events of Interest

    Trickery, Poetry, Intoxication: The Magic of Medieval Arabic Literature Emily Selove (IAIS, Exeter) A Centre for Medieval Studies seminar Date 30 January 2019 Time 16:00 to 18:00 Place Digital Humanities...

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    Posted by Emily Selove on 30 November 2018


    November 29th at Cambridge University

    Literature as Magic, Magic as Literature: Sirāj al-Dīn al-Sakkākī’s Complete Book and a Fragment of Spells Venue: Rooms 8 & 9, Faculty of Asian & Middle Eastern Studies Event date:...

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    Posted by Mark on 22 November 2018