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Necromancy (Gk. nekuomanteia, "DIVINATION through the dead") was practiced by various peoples of the ancient world. The "Witch of Endor" summoned the sprit of the prophet SAMUEL at Saul's behest, despite Biblical injunctions against necromancy and Saul's own expulsion of necromancers, so that Saul could learn the future. Necromancy first appears in the Greek world in book 11 of the ODYSSEY. Odysseus, following the instructions of Kirke (who therefore acts for him as a professional necromancer), dug a pit at night into which he poured bloodless and blood LIBATIONS. |
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