The Magic of the Middle Ages

"The Magic of the Middle Ages" by Viktor Rydberg is a historical account that investigates the complex spiritual and philosophical ideas of the Middle Ages. It concentrates on the relationship between the supernatural, the dominant religion, and how the church affected society during this period. Rydberg studied how people saw magic and the design of the universe, as well as the opposing ideas that influenced the time. Early on, the author presents the main cosmic philosophy of the Middle Ages, picturing a world before Copernicus where Earth was the center of everything, surrounded by celestial spheres and things in the sky. He describes how spiritual beings ruled these worlds and how people understood life because of this cosmology. The beginning also discusses important religious questions, such as how powerful God is and what roles angels and demons play in human events. Rydberg prepares for a detailed look at the church's acceptance of magical activities, as well as the witchcraft and alchemy that emerged because of the era's spiritual conflicts.