Category Archives: Med. and Magic

Obviously, the origin of “occult” magic was the pre-Christian practice of calling directly on the old gods with prayers and charms. In a sense, the “occult” stage of magic in the medieval period represents a time in which the old … Continue reading →

As discussed in earlier entries, natural magic and “magical” magic were very much blurred in early times, when every principle of nature seemed like magic. Magnetic stones were magic, and so was garlic’s power against infections. The stars had magic … Continue reading →

Medieval Christians often feared that Jews were not bound by the same moral rules as Christians. Their helplessness in the face of disease or medical hocus-pocus made them suspicious that their medicine might be poison. Leprosy had already established medicine … Continue reading →

During the Middle Ages, Jews became prominent as doctors, but it took a few centuries for this to happen. There was no real Jewish medical tradition, apart from common sense patient care. The first step toward Jewish medicine was that … Continue reading →

When the Almohad Berber dynasty conquered most of Muslim Spain, their puritanical, tough-nomad attitudes brought persecution on religious minorities. They ended the practice of “dhimmi” minorities as a protected class paying a higher tax. Now, Christians and Jews had to … Continue reading →