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A note about sources for necromancy: Finding information on necromantic practices in this age is a testy process. One of the greatest damnations for one interested in finding information on this art is the fact that history has faded any direct written instructions on the art that may have existed at one time. No Greek sources which directly speak of how to perform a necromantic rite has survived into this age. As a result, much like the medieval necromancers, information gathered on this art is from secondary documentation written by third-party observers to necromancy or through reconstructions based on stereotyping, educated guesses, and whatever fragmentary bits of information one might be able to find from related arts and fictional works. This does not invalidate the very real fact that necromancy has been and is a very large part of the occult world yet it is a shame and burden to the seeking necrolyte that these specific instructions that we so desire have been entombed by the sands of time. Sourcing for necromancy, as such, draws from literature, social (mis)understanding of necromancy and related arts, and the archeological evidences that have been left behind. Literature is considered one of the primary source documentations because, as seen through plays, philosophical writings, and historical fiction or fiction of the ancients, we can still understand facets of what the practice of necromancy was probably like. Though wreathed in the vespers of entertainment and parody, satire and fiction does play a role in aiding the researcher in interpreting the nature of necromancy. Social understanding is the second major pillar of information which has carried on through oral traditions even to this day. Simple campfire tales, myths, legends, and constructed stereotypes, while many are undoubtedly drenched in misinformation, are often seated in some form of truth which can be extracted by the discerning. The unfortunate problem with this method is that a lot of myth and fable is inextricably intertwined with the shards of truth that lie underneath these tales. Nonetheless, it is worth considering. This is cited by some as the historical "value" of looking into games and fiction; the concepts, though often elaborated grossly to flavour a story line, quite often find their roots in valid concepts passed on through oral history and social stereotyping (which is the same ultimate root of literature). The third and most reliable source, albeit also most inconclusive of the three, is archeological evidences that have remained. Archeology has shown without a doubt that the fictional mentions of necromancy have not been without basis. The practice was and is very real -- at one point in Greek history it would be arguable to say everyone understood at least some of the art -- and now we attempt to continue this tradition. Keep in mind the nature of the sources as they are analyzed. If you are aware of any publicly available sources which would augment this list I would also like to know of them so they can be added for the benefit of the necromantic community. These texts may be relevant for any number of reasons. Some are present as good examples, and some specifically have been listed to show the nonsense that has cropped up about organised necromancy and definitions surrounding it. Reading through them will always reveal why they have been included. None of these texts are absolutely necessary reading towards understanding necromancy but may help give an impression of the art. The sources are in no significant order and some may be as large as a half megabyte in size, which would take a while for dialup connection to download.
Project Gutenburg Texts:
The Internet Classics Archive:
Sacred Texts:
Other Sources:
Published Works: |