Treasure Books in Moravia in the 18th and 19th Centuries: An Analysis of Spell Texts

• Authors: Grůzová Anna

Title variants

CS

Pokladové knihy na Moravě 18. a 19. století: analýza zaklínacích textů

• Languages of publication: CS

Abstracts

EN

Texts using magical practices formed an important part of everyday life, especially for the lower classes of society in the 18th and 19th centuries. Spellbooks straddle the boundary between prayer (i.e. a permitted expression) and magic (i.e. a not permitted expression). The text of a manuscript book often changed with the person of the scribe. The analysis of the different phases of the search has shown the variety of treasure texts content, which is usually not defined by the magical means used, the localization, the scribe, the subject, or the title. Nor do similar types of books show similarities: texts addressing the same saint (e.g. Saint Christopher books), texts following a similar theme (so-called edvartky), texts from the pen of the same author, or texts using the same “search” means. The text schematization is only manifested in the basic parameters, i.e. the search for treasure through establishing a relationship with otherworldly entities using various means. However, the texts make abundant use of fundamental aspects of traditional religiosity and belief in God. Thus, despite the presence of incantations and other practices, the treasure books are a manifestation of pious behaviour affirming man’s submission to the divine destiny

Keywords

EN

Magic; superstitions; manuscripts; treasure books; folk piety

• Publisher: The National Institute of Folk Culture
• Journal: Národopisná revue (Journal of Ethnology)
• Year: 2023
• Volume: 33
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 92 - 102

Contributors

author

Grůzová Anna