Looking at the Coptic Magical Papyri I: Defining Magical Texts
Are the texts magical, amuletic, medical, or literary?
Looking at the Coptic Magical Papyri II: Formularies and Applied Texts
The distinction is fairly simple: formularies – also called handbooks or grimoires – contain one or more recipes for performing rituals. By contrast, applied or activated texts are objects – such as amulets or curse tablets – created in the course of these magical rituals.Cross-file under — of course — Coptic Watch.
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