Greek and Roman
Magic of Gnats and Scorpions
“He came to Antioch, and on being besought by the inhabitants (since Antioch was tormented with scorpions and gnats), he made a brass scorpion and buried it in the earth.” […]
Magic
Orient
To Answer Before Osiris
“I have not dammed a flowing stream,
I have not quenched a needed fire.
I have not neglected the days of meat offerings,
I have not detained cattle belonging to the god,
I have not stopped a god in his procession.
I am pure, I am pure, I am pure, I am pure!” […]
Supernatural
Tremble Before the Mighty Cow
“When you see the cow come at us, cast me at her, and it shall go one way or the other—that I shall lose my life, or she shall have her bane.” […]
Supernatural
Ragnar Lothbok Wins His Name
“The snake needed an old ox for each meal, and everyone thought it was the greatest monstrosity.” […]
Britons and Celts
The Language of Birds & Banalities
“For being on a time sitting at dinner in a house among his friends : he harkened diligently to a Sparrow that came flying and chirping to others that were about the house, & smiled to himself to hear her. When one of the company desired to know why he smiled : he told him the sparrow’s tale.” […]
Britons and Celts
Curse of the Irish Werewolf
“here is also in Ireland one nation, whereof for one man and woman are at every seven years end turned into wolves, and so continue in the woods the space of seven years and if they happen to live out the time, they return to their own form again.” […]
Britons and Celts
Ancient Magicks
“This is certainly a barbarous rite, without rime or reason.” […]
Supernatural
A Violent Brew
“And with this nourishment and [the brothers’] persuasion and everything else, Guttorm became so violent and fierce that he promised to do the deed.” […]
Britons and Celts
Beware the Red Swine
“They are so cunning that they can change the shapes of things as they list at their pleasure & so deceive the people thereby that an act was made in Ireland, that no man should buy any red swine.” […]
Humor
The Sexual Adventures of a Damned Magician
“He had lain with them naked and was certainly a man in all parts, except that they had not been able to understand his tongue. The wives said he had been very kind to them and had served them masterfully, once or six times–nay, even more often–in a night.” […]