VAIRO, Leonardo

by Leonardo Vairo

£4,950 · Offered by Sokol Books

First edition in French translation of this important work on diabolic possession, one of the major works on the subject of the the sixteenth century; it was published simultaneously by Chesneau in 1583 in Latin as De fascino libri tres and again in 1589 in Latin by the Aldine press. Vairo, born in Spain, became a Benedictine, and later Bishop of Pozzuoli near Naples. The work deals with the question of diabolic possession and fascination by witches, which the author attributes to the influence of devils. Vairo defines "fascinum" as "a pernicious quality induced by art of demons because of tacit or express pact of men with the same demons". He denies fascination by power of imagination, by strength or morbidity of vision, by touch and contact, and observation of stars. In his last chapter Vairo treats of safeguards and amulets against the impostures and illusions of demons. Further early studies that associate fascination with witchcraft include Leonardo Vairo s De fascino libris tres. In these accounts, fascination is used almost as a synonym fro malignant influences brought about by a silent pact with the devil and black magic and is closely connected to visual enchantment. The belief in the evil or bewitching eye (the oculus fascinus), which could enthral, immobilise and even kill simply by a glance. Sibylle Baumbach Literature and Fascination .The work is also of particular interest for its focus on the link between demonic corruption and melancholy . The delusory powers

• Binding: Hardcover

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