Mágia

Margit Toth was born in Hungary, and spent her formative years there before moving to the United States. After studying world religions at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, she dedicated years to researching the ancestral faith of her native Hungary.

Contents

Acknowledgments • xi

Disclaimer • xiii

Introduction • 1

Part I: MYTHOLOGY
1: The World of Spirits • 11
2: Religious Practice • 25
3: Spirits of the Skies • 35
4: Fairies and Nature Spirits • 43
5: The Rosszak • 53
6: Sacred Animals • 65

Part II: DAILY LIFE
7: The Village • 79
8: The Homestead • 87
9: Sacred Food and Drink • 101

Part III: MAGIC
10: The Witch • 113
11: Other Magical Persons • 121
12: Magical Techniques • 129
13: Talismans and Beyond • 139
14: Divination • 149
15: Healing Magic • 157

Part IV: YEARLY CELEBRATIONS
16: Sacred Time • 167
17: Winter • 175
18: Eastertide • 183
19: Spring • 193
20: Summer • 203
21: Autumn • 211
22: Advent • 219
23: Christmas • 227

Part V: RITES OF PASSAGE
24: Coming of Age • 237
25: Love and Marriage • 245
26: Pregnancy and Childbirth • 255
27: Postpartum and Infancy • 263
28: Death: The Final Passage • 273

Conclusion • 285

Appendix A: Pronunciation Guide • 287

Appendix B: Traditional Month Names • 291

Appendix C: Select Festivals and Holidays • 293

Glossary • 297

Sources Consulted • 305

Bibliography • 329

Index • 347