Magical Healing through Gestures (Preliminary Remarks)
Magical Healing through Gestures (Preliminary Remarks)

Summary/Abstract: Health, disease, and treatment have been the focus of humanity since the dawn of human civilisation. Many diseases are banished and cured by magic touch. In this research, I would like to present to you my preliminary work on the healing process through the touch of both the pagan magician and the Christian priest. Therefore, first of all, the clarification of the terminology will be included in the structure of the research. Then I will look at the different types of touches that the healer makes. In this work, the process of healing by touch will be presented. Touching is a two-way act because, on the one hand, the healer touches the patient and, on the other hand, the patient himself can touch the healer. In this paper, I will look at examples of magic touch in the folk and Christian traditions, so it is important to clarify what is meant by the term magic and gesture (touch) from the outset.Health, disease, and treatment have been the focus of humanity since the dawn of human civilisation. Many diseases are banished and cured by magic touch. In this research, I would like to present to you my preliminary work on the healing process through the touch of both the pagan magician and the Christian priest. Therefore, first of all, the clarification of the terminology will be included in the structure of the research. Then I will look at the different types of touches that the healer makes. In this work, the process of healing by touch will be presented. Touching is a two-way act because, on the one hand, the healer touches the patient and, on the other hand, the patient himself can touch the healer. In this paper, I will look at examples of magic touch in the folk and Christian traditions, so it is important to clarify what is meant by the term magic and gesture (touch) from the outset. The article focuses on the relationship between shepherds and sheep-goats in Anatolia. Archaeological findings ratify the existence of goats and sheep in Anatolian geography for centuries. Throughout centuries brought many various shepherding types and practices into existence, despite its unknown starting date. The paper intends to shed some light on this relationship within magic, mysticism, and festive context. The mysticism part of the relationship touches more on the shepherd’s quest to answer ‘the riddle of life’ question and his spiritual self-improvement rather than the verbal / non-verbal communication with an animal. The magic section observes daily life practices to protect animals from sickness and avoid the ‘evil eye’, which might cause misfortune and hardship while raising them. The ritu als and habits include pinning ornaments on animals, using amulets and protective objects such as the Paliurus Spina-Christi plant. While the Festive section highlights the events where shepherds exhibit their skills and the bond they establish with their animals. The data used in the article is based on the personal anthropological fieldwork and analysis of the respective literature. In light of the information collected, the paper aims to bring a new approach toward the human-animal mutual relations while placing shepherd activities to its core. In contemplating forming a base for future studies might compare these practices with other parts of the world and gain brand new perspectives on the human-animal connection.

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