Author: Joachim F. Quack
In: Journal of Ritual Studies, 24 (2010), No. 1. pp. 45-60.
Link to free pdf: https://archiv.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/propylaeumdok/2098/
Abstract
This study is based on a corpus of divination rituals as described in a number of Late-Antique magical papyri. The texts can be understood as manuals by the actual practitioners. They contain many specific descriptions of what has to be done correctly in order to achieve the desired effects. Also, the practitioners left many notes on how they perceived the efficacy of the individual rituals. While the theoretical background of the rituals is based on a spiritual level in accordance with the ideals of an Egyptian priestly life, the specific prescriptions also allow understanding of how they would be factually well adapted for producing visions and an altered state of consciousness. This is illustrated by adducing studies from the area of neurophysiology.
The aim of my study is to go beyond the simple analytical level of noting the cultural efficacy of rituals and to show that they can be demonstrated to be technically well designed to produce the kind of visions they aim at.