Once upon a time, magic and witchcraft were not at all the subject of jokes. People sincerely believed in the existence of otherworldly forces, with which they can contact in order to receive fame, money and other earthly benefits. And some not only believed, but also made every effort to really rise to the heights of success. Here are 7 real-life magicians and sorcerers who at different times terribly frightened ordinary people.
Eliphas Levi
Elfias Levi (real name - Alphonse Louis Constant) in his life has gone a strange path from a priest to a practicing magician. It is his pen that belongs to most of the books on the occult that have survived to our time. In addition, Levi created the image of "Baphomet", the very one to whom the Knights Templar sacrificed.
Mall Dyer
This woman lived in Maryland in the 18th century. The Moll cabin was on the outskirts, but the whole village willingly used the services of a healer. Unfortunately, the witch hunters had a different opinion: one rainy evening, the inquisitors burned a woman right in her hut.
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Raymond Buckland
Since the 60s of the last century, Raymond Buckland was fond of magic and even founded his own Wiccan lodge. The great magician is still alive today, but he rarely goes out to people. Buckland himself claims that he is engaged in extremely dangerous research in the field of magic and therefore does not want to endanger other people.
Agnes Waterhouse
Perhaps the most famous witch in England. Even the Church could not cope with it and Waterhouse had to fight with the secular court. Agnes openly confessed her ties to the devil and even demonstrated knowledge of the dark arts right at the trial.
Tamsin Blythe
And one more English witch who knew (according to eyewitness accounts) predicting the future. Tamsin Blythe married a respected magician, James Thomas. Together they developed their own system of curses - they assure that the most effective in all of England.
Alice Kiteler
All four of Alice's husbands were dying, leaving her their fortune, which could not but incur certain suspicions on the girl. In 1324 Ireland was a relatively safe place for sorcerers and witches, the Inquisition was not very powerful there. Nevertheless, a special commission was created especially for Kiteler, which decided the undeniable connection of the witch with the devilish forces. They say that right at the trial, the woman burst out laughing in the face of the inquisitors, and then jumped on the cat and flew out the window.
Aleister Crowley
This is the main black magician and Satanist of the XIX - XX centuries. The ideologist of the occult, the founder of the teachings of Thelema and the author of many mystical works, including the famous "Book of the Law". It was he who admired Adolf Hitler, who always had a penchant for mysticism.