or animal into that
of a human pate.

Magicians attached great importance to their circles. One of the
fraternity, when about to proceed with his secret art, clothed himself
with a black robe reaching to the knee, and under that a white garment
of fine linen. He then took his position in the centre of the place
where he intended to perform his conjurations, and, throwing his old
shoes about ten yards from the circle, put on consecrated sandals with
curious figures on each. (Here we may observe that not a few
antiquarians are of opinion that from these practices arose the custom
of persons throwing old shoes after newly-wedded pairs and others for
luck, and of shoemakers making fanciful outlines on shoes by means of
pegging and stitching.) With a magical wand of hazel the magician
stretched forth his arm to the four winds, turning himself round to
every wind, and beseeching his "master" to consecrate the circle. All
these ceremonies being performed, he claimed the consecrated ground as
a defence from all malignant spirits, that they might not have power
over his soul or body.

The most suitable time for making circles was during bright
moonlight, or when storms of wind or thunder were raging, because then
the infernal spirits were nearer the earth than at other times, and
could more easily hear the invocations of those who sought their
assistance. Magical circles were recommended to be formed at dark
lonely places--either in woods or deserts, or in places where three
ways met, or among ruins of castles, abbeys, or monasteries, or on the
sea-shore. But if the conjuration was to raise the ghost of one
deceased, the fittest places for the purpose were spots where persons
had been slain, woods in which suicides had been committed,
churchyards, and burying-vaults. If any one doubts the correctness of
what is here stated, perhaps he will change his mind after reading the
following story:--

"A certain hangman, passing the image of our Lady, saluted her, and
commended himself to her protection. Afterwards, while he prayed
before her, he was called away to hang an offender, but his enemies
slew him by the way. And lo! a certain priest, who walked nightly
about every church in the city, rose that night to go to our Lady's
church. In the churchyard he saw the ghosts of many dead men. On
demanding what was the matter, he was told that the hangman was slain,
and that the devil demanded his soul, but which our Lady said was
hers