Cypriana by Alexander Cummins

Cypriana by Alexander Cummins

A restoration of Justina's place in the Cyprianic pantheon. -JHD

SAINT CYPRIAN of Antioch and (to a far lesser extent) SAINT JUSTINA of Antioch have experienced a resurgence of interest in the English-speaking world. It has been remarked that they stand at a crossroads of the so-called Old and New Worlds, forming an intermediary nexus of Christian thaumaturgy and older pagan mysteries. The former, an infernal sorcerer-saint and patron of occultists whose influence stretches across the globe from Iberian necromancy manuals to Brazilian macumba, and from Scandinavian Black Books to Mexican curanderismo; the latter, a celestial patroness of exorcism and elevation, redeemer of the wayward, and protector of the innocent.

This collection explores aspects of the historicity of Cyprianic history, folklore, and magic while charting new expressions of veneration and patronage within various spiritual traditions and sorcerous practices across the world, tracing the globe-spanning influence of Cyprian and Justina in texts, dedications, oral traditions, medicines, and poisons. In particular, we have sought to honour extant Cyprianic traditions outside the English-speaking world and well beyond the cavalcading circular conversation of internet talking-shops.

Cypriana: Old World brings together diverse and divergent essays on specifically-situated Cyprianic traditions and practices across time, place, and culture. Moreover, it brings to light new English translations of mythic accounts of the sorcerer-saint and his chaste saviouress, which may be worked by practitioners for their prayers, incantations, charms, and historiola. In short, we seek to model how to turn information into workable material; and to show more than simply tell of methods, mindsets and materia for developing relationships with these saints. In dedicated service to this ideal, we present two hands, combining historical roots and experiential blossoming branches of spiritual veneration and sorcerous utility to be honoured and explored. We have gathered genuine, responsible emic perspectives on various forms of religious and sorcerous work with Cyprian and Justina, with a dual focus on the values of historically and mythically situated traditional practices and spirit-led experimentation and innovation. Featured voices include: Matthew Barclay, Alexander Cummins, Johannes Bjorn Gardback, Jesse Hathaway Diaz, Jose Leitao, Jake Stratton-Kent, and Jennifer Zahrt, with art by St. Aldarnay

Most crucially this collection is under no circumstances a territorial bid to claim these saints as 'ours' by establishing any kind of 'One True Cypriana' or to attempt to discredit any particular traditions, innovations or interpretations. It is a collection of opinions, sources, practices, methodologies, rites, and histories made all the richer and deeper by their multiplicity and polyvalency. May they spark as many epiphanies, miracles, and temptations as there are bones in the earth and stars in the heavens.

Cypriana: Old World is the first volume in the Folk Necromancy in Transmission series, conceived by Alexander Cummins and Jesse Hathaway Diaz, available through Revelore Press.

Cummins, Alexander: - Alexander Cummins is a consultant sorcerer, professional diviner, and trained historian as well as a devotee of the Magi. He holds a doctorate in the history of early modern British magic from the University of Bristol. He is the co-founder and editor of the Folk Necromancy in Transmission series for Revelore Press and co-host of the Radio Free Golgotha podcast. Dr Cummins has published on topics including planetary sorcery, prophecy and apocalypse, transatlantic folk magic, the material history of talismanic objects, occult herbalism, the cut-up technique of Burroughs and Gysin, and, not least, Saint Cyprian. Cummins writes for both academic and esoteric publishers, facilitates a range of workshops and lecture series, teaches in community spaces and virtual classrooms alike, consults privately with clients and organisations, and speaks at a wide variety of events. The good doctor lectures on topics such as astrological magic, geomancy, humoural theory, grimoires, and of course folk necromancy. He is currently based in Brooklyn, where he lives with his amazing wife and their vast expanse of cat.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781947544048
ISBN 10	1947544047
Title	Cypriana
Author	Alexander Cummins
Series	Folk Necromancy In Transmission
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Revelore Press
Year published	2017-09-26
Number of pages	208
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.