Oriental Magic is recognised as one of the most in-depth studies on magic and its uses in diverse cultures from Europe to the Far East. Profusely illustrated, the book was the culmination of several years of research into rare artifacts, obscure manuscripts and travels into remote areas where strange magical practices endure.
Shah includes personal accounts of ‘training’ under a Ju-Ju witch doctor in Sudan, a demonstration of Hindu levitation, and details of the invisible rulership of Sufism. The book also contains an ancient Brahmin spell for immortality. Revealed is an astonishing similarity in magical beliefs, practices and terminology of places as diverse as China, the Middle East, Scandinavia and Africa.
In addition to being a compendium of magical practices throughout human history, Oriental Magic is a study of how, what and why people think the things they do. As such the book constitutes a powerful work on human nature.