25.03.2013 Views

The Babylonian World - Historia Antigua

The Babylonian World - Historia Antigua

The Babylonian World - Historia Antigua

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

— Tzvi Abusch —<br />

Division three<br />

With the coming of morning the patient washes himself repeatedly; this is the primary<br />

rite in this division. Subsequently, representations of the witch in an edible form are<br />

thrown to dogs, protective amulets are then prepared, and concluding rites are<br />

performed.<br />

<strong>The</strong> patient welcomes the day and repeatedly washes himself over representations<br />

(frequently of flour) of the witch; this washing serves the dual purposes of cleansing<br />

the patient of evil and causing the witchcraft to return to and seize the witch (reversion),<br />

as we learn in the three incantations VII 153–160, 161–169, and 170–177:<br />

Dawn has broken; doors are now open;<br />

<strong>The</strong> traveler has passed through the gate;<br />

[<strong>The</strong> messenger] has taken to the road.<br />

Ha! witch: you labored in vain to (lit. you shall not) bewitch me!<br />

Ha! enchantress: you tried for nought to (lit. you shall not)<br />

enchant me!<br />

For I am (now) cleansed by the rising sun;<br />

May [the sorceries] that you performed or had performed (against me<br />

during the night)<br />

Turn back and seize you yourself!<br />

It is morning, yea, morning.<br />

This is (the morning) of my warlock and witch;<br />

<strong>The</strong>y arose, playing their n’iu instrument like musicians.<br />

At my door stands Pālil;<br />

At the head of my bed stands Lugaledina,<br />

I am sending against you the one at my door, Pālil (and)<br />

<strong>The</strong> one at the head of my bed, Lugaledina.<br />

Over one whole mile your speech (extends), over the whole road your<br />

word (extends) –<br />

I turn back your witchcraft and your spells, they will seize you<br />

yourself!<br />

At dawn my hands are washed.<br />

May a propitious beginning begin (the new day) for me,<br />

May happiness and good health ever accompany me,<br />

Whatever I seek may I attain,<br />

May the dream I dreamt be made favorable for me,<br />

May anything evil, anything untoward,<br />

<strong>The</strong> spells of warlock and witch,<br />

Not approach me, not touch me.<br />

By the command of Ea, Sˇamasˇ, Marduk, and the princess Bēlet-ilī.<br />

In conclusion, I should emphasize that the study of Mesopotamian witchcraft beliefs<br />

and rituals is more than just an exposition of esoterica. It is important not least<br />

because the relevant texts address physical, psychological, existential, and social<br />

difficulties that not infrequently formed the center of concern of Mesopotamian life;<br />

384

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!