PREFACE 9CHAPTER IMana, Magic and Animism 13The Mind of Primitive Man—13 Positive and Negative Mana—18Magic—22 Animism—23CHAPTER IIPositive and Negative Mana (Taboo) 29Blood—31 Women—40 Children—43 Death and Corpses—60 Leather—64 Days—65CHAPTER IIIMiscellaneous Taboos 69Sex—69 Men—75 Strangers —77Slaves—80 Linen and Wool—81 Knots—85Iron and Bronze—88 Places—92CHAPTER IVMagic Acts: The General Principles 95Homoeopathic and Contagious Magic—95CHAPTER VRemoving Evils by Magic Acts 109Removing the Evil Effects of Dangerous Contact by Washing and Burning—113Removing Evils by Sweeping and Striking—117Keeping Away Evils by Drawing a Magic Circle—123Removing Evils by Dancing: The Scapegoat—127CHAPTER VIIncantation and Prayer 133Prayer a Command—136 Prayers Chanted—137Prayers Uttered in an Undervoice—138Prayers Repeated—139Exactness in Naming the God and in the Wording of the Prayer—140Prayers for Ill—141No God Involved—143CHAPTER VIINaturalism and Animism 147The Worship of Stones—148 Trees and Groves—151Water—158 Fire—167In Ancient Rome Mana was the term used for a mysterious, magical medium, which could be helpful or harmful (Taboo). Just like the Chinese qi, it could empower the positive and the negative. Contents: Mana, Magic and Animism – Positive and Negative Mana (Taboo) – Miscellaneous Taboos – Magic Acts: The General Principles – Removing Evils by - Magic Acts – Incantation and Prayer– Naturalism and Animism.Unveiling the magical shadow world of Ancient Rome In Ancient Rome Mana was the term used for a mysterious force, which could be helpful or harmful. When harmful it was called Taboo. Just like the Chinese Qi, Mana could empower both the positive and the negative. Taboo, Magic, Spirits: a Study of Primitive Elements in Roman Religion offers a still unique insight into the magical elements, beliefs, methods and rites of Rome in ancient days. Mana and Taboo play an important role, but the author also deals with the worship of stones, trees, groves, water and fire, with magical incantations, the removal of evil by washing, burning or dancing, with taboos on sex, blood, corpses, women, certain days, and much more. Eli Edward Burriss was an Associate-Professor of Classics at the New York University. No researcher before Burriss made an attempt to gather from the ancient sources those elements in the Roman State religion, and in the popular religious life of the Roman people, which are commonly termed “primitive”. His efforts have resulted in a fascinating work of micro-history, which will be appreciated by both the academic student and those interested in paganism, Wicca and magic.