What is Necromancy? Origins, How to Do and Risks

Necromancy often evokes images of shadowy figures standing over ancient scrolls, whispering into the chill night air as spirits flicker at the edge of reality. But what really lies behind this mystifying practice that has both fascinated and horrified humanity throughout the ages?

Necromancy is the ancient art of communicating with the dead, a practice steeped in deep tradition and surrounded by an aura of the forbidden. From the silent crypts of the Egyptian pharaohs to the whispered secrets in medieval European dungeons, necromancy has been both revered and reviled, offering a unique window into how different cultures view the afterlife and the power of the unseen.

What is Necromancy?

Necromancy is a form of magic associated with the dead. It involves communicating with, summoning, and sometimes controlling the spirits of the deceased. Historically, necromancers have been portrayed as sorcerers or wizards whose practices include divination by the dead, either to foretell the future or to gain secret knowledge.

The practice of necromancy dates back to ancient times and can be found in various cultures worldwide, from the rituals of the Chaldeans and the Egyptians to the oracles of Greece. In medieval Europe, it became closely linked with black magic and was often condemned by religious authorities.

Necromancy is not just about speaking to the dead. It encompasses a broader range of magical practices, including the creation of talismans and amulets, casting spells that supposedly protect or harm, and even attempting to physically revive the deceased. In literature and modern pop culture, necromancers are often depicted wielding sinister powers and controlling undead creatures like zombies and ghosts.

Despite its ancient roots, today necromancy is more a topic of entertainment and fictional narratives than a practiced art. It serves as a rich vein for storytelling in books, movies, and games, where it adds an element of dark allure and supernatural intrigue. In these contexts, necromancers are often portrayed as complex characters who navigate the ethical boundaries of life and death.

Origins of Necromancy

The origins of necromancy are deeply rooted in the ancient practices of many different cultures, each adding their own traditions and beliefs to the craft of communing with the dead. To understand the inception and evolution of necromancy, we need to delve into its historical context across various civilizations.

Ancient Mesopotamia: One of the earliest records of necromancy can be traced back to the ancient Sumerians of Mesopotamia, around 4000 BCE. They believed in a vast underworld, and their practices included rituals to communicate with spirits to divine the future or seek guidance. These rituals often involved conjuring the spirits of the dead through elaborate ceremonies.

Ancient Egypt: The Egyptians are well-known for their detailed afterlife beliefs and practices, which included magical and ritualistic techniques that some might categorize as necromantic. The Book of the Dead, for instance, is a collection of spells that enabled the soul of the deceased to navigate the afterlife safely. While not necromancy in the direct sense of summoning spirits to the living world, these practices reflect a profound desire to interact with the afterlife.

Ancient Greece: Necromancy took a more recognizable form in ancient Greece, where oracles known as the necromanteia were established specifically for the purpose of summoning the dead. One famous example is the Oracle of the Dead at Ephyra, where people would come to speak with departed souls to gain wisdom or knowledge about the future. Homer’s Odyssey describes Odysseus consulting the spirits of the dead, guided by the enchantress Circe, to learn his fate.

Jewish and Christian Traditions: Within the Hebrew Bible, there are explicit references to necromancy as being forbidden, illustrating its practice among ancient Hebrews despite religious prohibitions. The story of the Witch of Endor summoning the prophet Samuel’s spirit at the behest of King Saul in the First Book of Samuel is a notable example.

Medieval Europe: As Christianity spread across Europe, necromancy was increasingly associated with heresy and black magic. Medieval necromancers were often thought to be in league with the devil, using grimoires—books of magical knowledge and spells—to perform their rites. This period solidified the dark arts’ connection with necromancy in the Western imagination.

How is Necromancy Performed?

Necromancy is often depicted with a mix of ritualistic elements and arcane lore, making it one of the more visually and conceptually complex practices in the realm of the occult.

1. Preparation and Location: Necromancers usually perform their rituals in secluded places, often associated with death such as graveyards or ruins. The location is chosen for its spiritual significance and supposed proximity to the spirit world. The atmosphere is crucial—dark, often at night, with the necromancer surrounded by symbols, candles, and sometimes protective circles.
2. Ritual Tools: Common tools include various talismans, a staff or wand, candles, and a grimoire or book of spells. The necromancer might also use items that belonged to the deceased or are connected to them in some way, such as bones, ashes, or personal possessions, to strengthen the spiritual connection.
3. Incantations and Invocations: The core of a necromancy ritual involves spoken words. These are often ancient languages or seemingly unintelligible chants that are believed to have power over the dead. The necromancer calls upon specific spirits or the general forces of the spirit world, inviting or compelling them to appear and obey.
4. The Summoning: This is the dramatic climax of the ritual, where the spirit of the deceased is expected to manifest. This can be visually represented by spectral apparitions, voices, or other paranormal phenomena. The necromancer might use a physical medium like a mirror, smoke, or water to help visualize the appearance of the spirit.
5. Communication and Bargaining: Once contact is made, the necromancer communicates with the spirit. This could be for gaining hidden knowledge, discovering secrets, or asking for guidance. There’s often a bargaining aspect, where the spirit demands something in return for its services.
6. Closing the Ritual: Ending the ritual properly is crucial to ensure that the spirits return to where they came from and do not remain to cause harm. This includes dismissing the spirits with thanks or another set of incantations, and dismantling the ritual space, ensuring that no residual spiritual energy remains.

While necromancy is steeped in dark mystique, in modern times, it’s largely seen through the lens of fiction and entertainment. These portrayals often emphasize the moral dilemmas and the dangerous allure of communicating with the dead, rather than any actual occult practice.

Tools are Used in Necromancy

Necromancy, with its ancient and often eerie connotations, involves a variety of tools that are central to its practice. These tools are not just physical objects but are imbued with symbolic meanings, designed to facilitate communication with the spirit world. Here’s a look at some of the key tools traditionally used in necromantic rituals:

1. Grimoires: These are books of magic, often containing instructions for rituals, spells, and the summoning of spirits. Grimoires serve as a guide for necromancers, providing the necessary incantations and methods to perform necromancy safely and effectively. Examples include the “Book of the Dead” in ancient Egypt and medieval texts like the “Key of Solomon”.
2. Candles: Candles are used to create a sacred space and are believed to attract and guide spirits. Different colors might be used for different purposes; for example, black candles for banishing and white candles for protection.
3. Circles: Protective circles, often drawn on the ground where the ritual is conducted, serve as a boundary to protect the necromancer from the spirits they summon. These circles can be made with chalk, salt, or other substances and are sometimes inscribed with protective symbols and runes.
4. Mirrors and Crystals: Used as tools for scrying, mirrors and crystals help the necromancer visualize the spirits or receive visions. The reflective surfaces are said to reveal the unseen and are integral to the communication process.
5. Wands or Staffs: These serve as conduits for magical energies. A necromancer may use a wand or staff to direct their will and command spirits, channeling their energy through the tool.
6. Personal Belongings of the Deceased: Items that belonged to the dead person are often used to strengthen the connection between the living and the spirits. These can include photographs, clothing, favorite items, or even ashes.
7. Incense: Burning incense can alter the atmosphere, helping to create an environment conducive to spiritual contact. Specific scents may be chosen for their purported properties to attract or appease spirits.
8. Talismans and Amulets: These are protective items worn by the necromancer or placed around the ritual space. They are often inscribed with symbols meant to ward off evil spirits or enhance the necromancer’s power.

These tools are not just functional; they carry deep symbolic weight and are central to the ritualistic aspect of necromancy. While the actual effectiveness of these tools is a matter of belief and folklore, in the practice of necromancy, they play a crucial role in the ceremonial and psychological aspects of the rites.

The Risks of Practicing Necromancy

Practicing necromancy, traditionally understood as the summoning of spirits or the dead for divination or other purposes, comes with a host of perceived risks. These risks are both psychological and spiritual, based on historical accounts and the way necromancy has been depicted in various cultural narratives.

1. Spiritual Contamination: One of the primary risks associated with necromancy is the potential for spiritual contamination. This includes the unintended attraction of malevolent spirits or demons that may disguise themselves as the summoned spirits. These entities might cause harm or deceive the practitioner, leading to false or dangerous information being communicated.
2. Psychological Effects: Engaging with the dead and the spirit world can have profound psychological impacts. Practitioners might experience disturbances such as nightmares, paranoia, or even more severe mental health issues as a result of their activities. The intense nature of the rituals and the possible contact with unsettling spiritual phenomena can take a toll on one’s mental well-being.
3. Physical Repercussions: In many historical and fictional accounts, physical repercussions such as unexplained illnesses, fatigue, or more severe physical manifestations are reported. These are often described as the spirits’ way of sapping energy or health from the living as a form of payment or due to malicious intent.
4. Social and Legal Consequences: Historically, those suspected of necromancy faced persecution, ostracism, and even execution. While modern societies generally do not punish such practices legally, social stigma can still be a significant issue. Practitioners might find themselves marginalized or ridiculed by their communities.
5. Ethical and Moral Dilemmas: Necromancy often raises ethical questions about the rightness of summoning spirits for personal gain. There is a moral risk in disturbing the peace of the deceased or using spiritual knowledge irresponsibly. These ethical considerations can lead to internal conflict or broader social condemnation.
6. Unintended Bindings: A necromancer might unintentionally bind a spirit to the physical world, which can lead to ongoing issues if the spirit is not properly released after the ritual. This could result in continuous hauntings or disturbances, both for the necromancer and others in the vicinity.
7. Loss of Control: There is always a risk that the spirits summoned might prove too powerful to control. Without proper protections and control, a necromancer could find themselves overwhelmed by the forces they have called upon, leading to potentially dangerous outcomes.

These risks highlight why necromancy is often approached with caution in folklore and why it is typically portrayed with a sense of foreboding in literature and film. Whether or not one believes in the literal truth of these risks, they underscore the dark and unpredictable nature of meddling with forces perceived to be beyond human control.

Some Common Misconceptions about Necromancy

Necromancy often conjures up images of dark magic and malevolent dealings with the dead, but there are several common misconceptions about this ancient practice that persist in modern culture. Let’s clear up some of these myths:

1. Misconception: Necromancy is all about raising the dead.
   • Reality: While popular media often depicts necromancers as summoning undead armies or reanimating corpses, traditional necromancy is more about divination—communicating with the spirits of the dead to gain hidden knowledge or predict the future, rather than physically raising them back to life.
2. Misconception: Necromancy is inherently evil.
   • Reality: Necromancy is often portrayed as a dark or evil form of magic in films and literature. However, in many historical and cultural contexts, it was seen as just another branch of magical practice, morally neutral and dependent on the intentions of the practitioner. It’s the purpose behind the practice, such as seeking to harm others or disrupt the natural order, that could be construed as ‘evil’.
3. Misconception: Necromancers always work alone and are social outcasts.
   • Reality: This stereotype portrays necromancers as lone, creepy individuals shunned by society. Historically, however, people practicing forms of necromancy often held roles within their communities as mediums, wise men, or women, consulted by those seeking contact with deceased loved ones or ancestors for guidance.
4. Misconception: Necromancy involves only the use of dark, spooky settings.
   • Reality: While dramatic effect in movies and books often places necromancy in graveyards or dark forests at night, there’s no intrinsic requirement for the setting to be ominous. The depiction of environment in necromantic practices is largely a product of cultural expectations and aesthetic choices rather than a practical necessity.
5. Misconception: Only humans can be contacted through necromancy.
   • Reality: In various traditions, necromancy can involve communicating with any departed souls, including animals or mythical beings, not just human spirits. The spirit world is often viewed as a diverse and populated place, with many types of entities that can be contacted.
6. Misconception: Necromancy can be used to change the past.
   • Reality: Some believe that necromancy can alter past events, but traditionally, it’s about knowledge and insight. Necromancers might seek information about past events or guidance for the future, but they cannot change what has already happened.

By understanding these misconceptions, we can appreciate necromancy as a more nuanced and historically rich practice than the typical portrayal of it as merely spooky or sinister magic. It’s a complex blend of myth, magic, and morality, with roots deeply embedded in human culture and history.