Eros and Evil: The Sexual Psychopathology of Witchcraft

by Robert E.L. Masters

Eros and Evil is the first systematic modern study of the sexual behavior of witches (and of witch hunters) and, as such, is an important contribution to psychological literature. Emphasizing the period between the fourteenth and nineteenth centuries (the witch era, when sexual licentiousness in fact and fantasy was rampant), R. E. L. Masters contends that intercourse with devils and demons was the central fact of witchcraft. His discussion ranges over such subjects as the anatomy of the devil, the sexual psychology of demons, and erotic cannibalism, and he shows how hysteria, mental disorders, and drugs may explain some of demonic sexuality's strangest aspects. Most significantly, Eros and Evil throws light on the origins and development of Western sexual (or antisexual) morals. No other work makes so clear the superstitious and often diseased foundation of the sexual code by which we are attempting to live. This edition of Eros and Evil contains the complete text of Ludovico Maria Sinistrari's Demonality, one of the great classics of demonology. --- from book's back cover

Genres: Witchcraft, Occult, Nonfiction, Sexuality

322 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1966

About the author

A biography from a 1962 copy of Forbidden Sexual Behavior and Morality: "R. E. L. Masters, former director of the Library of Sex Research, is a world-famous sexologist and experimental psychologist who, in the course of his work, has also pioneered in the investigation of psychedelic drugs. He is the author or co-author of fourteen books on various areas of sexology. His earlier work on sexual behavior includes THE CRADLE OF EROTICA, EROS AND EVIL, PROSTITUTION AND MORALITY, and SEX CRIMES IN HISTORY. He is co-author of THE VARIETIES OF PSYCHEDELIC EXPERIENCE, the first comprehensive study of the effects of LSD upon human personality, and PSYCHEDELIC ART."

Reviews

[Clay]

Interesting read. I wish it was better annotated to be able to investigate more primary sources. But if anyone is interested in the inquisition, exorcism, succubi and incubi, it is an interesting discussion.

[Zoe BW]

This book is the first systematic modern study of the sexual behavior of witches (and of witch hunters) and as such is an important contribution to psychological literature. The book details accounts from the 14th through 19th centuries, detailing topics such as the anatomy of the devil, the sexual psychology of demons, and accounts of countermeasures against demonic activity throughout history.

Masters also explores the origins of Western sexual (or anti sexual) morals, and the collective psychological and cultural ramifications of the centuries long witch craze on cultures everywhere.

I found this book recently in a very awesome indie book store called Within Things in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The store may have quite well been a cover for a witch coven, which really added to the lovely ambience and excellent customer service. (Across the street, Novel Bay Booksellers is also a real gem) I really enjoyed this book.

If you like reading academic texts about demon orgies and the cultural ramifications of Christianity on Eros, this is the book for you!!

[lore louk]

waar twintig duivels zijn, daar zijn beslist ook honderd engelen. Als dit niet zo was, waren we allang te gronde gegaan. maarten luther