Meghri Doumanian
(McGill University)

Paper
presented at the 60th International Congress on Medieval Studies
(Kalamazoo, 2025)

Session on

“Dream Books, Spells, Divination, Incubation, and Interpretation
—’Sandalphon, Send Me a Dream’ ”

Co-Sponsored by

Research Group on Manuscript Evidence
Societas Magica
P.-O.M.o.N.A.

Organized by

Phillip Bernhardt–House (Academic Vagabond)
Mildred Budny (Research Group on Manuscript Evidence)
Claire L. Fanger (Rice University)

2025 Congress Program

“Dream Anxieties, Magic, and Liturgical Healing
in Armenian and Judeo–Arabic Cultures:
The Example of the Erazahan
and the Sefer Pitron Halomot”

Abstract

The Armenian and Judeo-Arabic cultures share numerous similarities, including the practice of magic and the tradition of writing and translating grimoires. This presentation will bring to light the anxieties pertaining to dreams, magic, and liturgical healings that the aforementioned cultures experienced in the Middle Ages. In examining the Armenian “Erazahan” (Book of Dreams) and the Judeo-Arabic “Sefer Pitron Halomot” (Book of Dreams), this presentation will illustrate the interconnectivity of these cultures through the lens of divination and
magic. I will then proceed to examine the role of the diviner and the dream interpreter in relation to the psychological impact they had on the three cultures, with a particular focus on the Armenian culture.

This presentation will illustrate how liturgical healing spells and rituals were incorporated in the “Erazahan,” as was
the case with numerous Judeo-Arabic grimoires, such as the “Picatrix.” In a nutshell, this presentation will highlight the social anxieties caused by the diviners and these books of dreams and will provide examples of legislation and manuscripts that were written in defense or opposition to diviners and magic.

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