Changes

'''Magic''', sometimes known as '''sorcery''', is a [[concept]]ual system that asserts human ability to control or predict the [[nature|natural world]] (including events, objects, people, and physical [[phenomena]]) through [[Mysticism|mystical]], [[paranormal]] or [[supernatural]] means. The term can also refer to the practices employed by a person asserting this ability, and to [[belief]]s that explain various events and phenomena in such terms. In many [[culture]]s the concept of magic is under pressure from, and in competition with, scientific and religious conceptual systems. This is particularly the case in the Christian West and the Muslim Middle East where the practice of magic is generally regarded as blasphemous or forbidden by orthodox leadership.

'''Magic''', sometimes known as '''sorcery''', is a [[concept]]ual system that asserts human ability to control or predict the [[nature|natural world]] (including events, objects, people, and physical [[phenomena]]) through [[Mysticism|mystical]], [[paranormal]] or [[supernatural]] means. The term can also refer to the practices employed by a person asserting this ability, and to [[belief]]s that explain various events and phenomena in such terms. In many [[culture]]s the concept of magic is under pressure from, and in competition with, scientific and religious conceptual systems. This is particularly the case in the Christian West and the Muslim Middle East where the practice of magic is generally regarded as blasphemous or forbidden by orthodox leadership.

== Etymology ==

== Etymology ==

Through late 14th century Old French ''magique'', the word "magic" derives via Latin ''magicus'' from the Greek adjective ''magikos'' (μαγικός) used in reference to the "magical" arts — in particular divination — of the Magians (Greek: ''magoi'', singular ''mágos'', μάγος), the Zoroastrian astrologer priests. Greek ''mágos'' is first attested in [[Heraclitus]] (6th century BC, apud. [[Clement of Alexandria|Clement]] ''Protrepticus 12'') who curses the Magians and others for their "impious rites." Greek ''magikos'' is attested from the 1st century [[Plutarch]], typically appearing in the feminine, in μαγική τέχνη (''magike techne'', Latin ''ars magica'') "magical art."

Through late 14th century Old French ''magique'', the word "magic" derives via Latin ''magicus'' from the Greek adjective ''magikos'' (μαγικός) used in reference to the "magical" arts — in particular divination — of the Magians (Greek: ''magoi'', singular ''mágos'', μάγος), the Zoroastrian astrologer priests. Greek ''mágos'' is first attested in [[Heraclitus]] (6th century BC, apud. [[Clement of Alexandria|Clement]] ''Protrepticus 12'') who curses the Magians and others for their "impious rites." Greek ''magikos'' is attested from the 1st century [[Plutarch]], typically appearing in the feminine, in μαγική τέχνη (''magike techne'', Latin ''ars magica'') "magical art."

=== Theories of adherents ===

=== Theories of adherents ===

Adherents to magic believe that it may work by one or more of the following basic principles:{{Fact|date=July 2007}}

Adherents to magic believe that it may work by one or more of the following basic principles:

* '''Natural forces that cannot be detected by science''' at present, and may not be detectable at all.  These magical forces are said to exist in addition to and alongside the four [[fundamental forces]] of nature: [[gravity]], [[electromagnetism]], the nuclear [[strong force]] and nuclear [[weak force]].

* '''Natural forces that cannot be detected by science''' at present, and may not be detectable at all.  These magical forces are said to exist in addition to and alongside the four [[fundamental forces]] of nature: [[gravity]], [[electromagnetism]], the nuclear [[strong force]] and nuclear [[weak force]].

* The principles of '''[[sympathetic magic]]''' of Sir [[James George Frazer]], explicated in his ''[[The Golden Bough]]'' (third edition, 1911-1915). These principles include the "law of similarity" and the "law of contact" or "contagion."  These are systematized versions of the manipulation of symbols.  Frazer defined them this way:

* The principles of '''[[sympathetic magic]]''' of Sir [[James George Frazer]], explicated in his ''[[The Golden Bough]]'' (third edition, 1911-1915). These principles include the "law of similarity" and the "law of contact" or "contagion."  These are systematized versions of the manipulation of symbols.  Frazer defined them this way:

::''If we analyze the principles of thought on which magic is based, they will probably be found to resolve themselves into two: first, that like produces like, or that an effect resembles its cause; and, second, that things which have once been in contact with each other continue to act on each other at a distance after the physical contact has been severed. The former principle may be called the Law of Similarity, the latter the Law of Contact or Contagion. From the first of these principles, namely the Law of Similarity, the magician infers that he can produce any effect he desires merely by imitating it: from the second he infers that whatever he does to a material object will affect equally the person with whom the object was once in contact, whether it formed part of his body or not.''<ref>[http://www.bartleby.com/196/5.html Bartleby.com: The Golden Bough (1922) Chapter 3: Sympathetic Magic Part 1: The Principles of Magic]</ref>

::''If we analyze the principles of thought on which magic is based, they will probably be found to resolve themselves into two: first, that like produces like, or that an effect resembles its cause; and, second, that things which have once been in contact with each other continue to act on each other at a distance after the physical contact has been severed. The former principle may be called the Law of Similarity, the latter the Law of Contact or Contagion. From the first of these principles, namely the Law of Similarity, the magician infers that he can produce any effect he desires merely by imitating it: from the second he infers that whatever he does to a material object will affect equally the person with whom the object was once in contact, whether it formed part of his body or not.''<ref>[https://www.bartleby.com/196/5.html Bartleby.com: The Golden Bough (1922) Chapter 3: Sympathetic Magic Part 1: The Principles of Magic]</ref>

* '''Concentration or meditation'''. A certain amount of focusing or restricting the mind to some imagined object (or will), according to [[Aleister Crowley]], produces mystical attainment or "an occurrence in the brain characterized essentially by the uniting of subject and object." (Book Four, Part 1: Mysticism) Magic, as defined previously, seeks to aid concentration by constantly recalling the attention to the chosen object (or Will), thereby producing said attainment. For example, if one wishes to concentrate on a God, one might memorize a system of correspondences (perhaps chosen arbitrarily, as this would not affect its usefulness for mystical purposes) and then make every object that one sees "correspond" to said God.

* '''Concentration or meditation'''. A certain amount of focusing or restricting the mind to some imagined object (or will), according to [[Aleister Crowley]], produces mystical attainment or "an occurrence in the brain characterized essentially by the uniting of subject and object." (Book Four, Part 1: Mysticism) Magic, as defined previously, seeks to aid concentration by constantly recalling the attention to the chosen object (or Will), thereby producing said attainment. For example, if one wishes to concentrate on a God, one might memorize a system of correspondences (perhaps chosen arbitrarily, as this would not affect its usefulness for mystical purposes) and then make every object that one sees "correspond" to said God.

This shift is by no means in nomenclature alone.  While the [[shaman]]'s task was to negotiate between the tribe and the spirit world, on behalf of the tribe, as directed by the collective will of the tribe, the [[priest]]'s role was to transfer instructions from the deities to the city-state, on behalf of the deities, as directed by the will of those deities. This shift represents the first major usurpation of [[power]] by distancing magic from those participating in that magic. It is at this stage of development that highly codified and elaborate rituals, setting the stage for formal religions, began to emerge, such as the funeral rites of the Egyptians and the sacrifice rituals of the Babylonians, Persians, Aztecs and Mayans.

This shift is by no means in nomenclature alone.  While the [[shaman]]'s task was to negotiate between the tribe and the spirit world, on behalf of the tribe, as directed by the collective will of the tribe, the [[priest]]'s role was to transfer instructions from the deities to the city-state, on behalf of the deities, as directed by the will of those deities. This shift represents the first major usurpation of [[power]] by distancing magic from those participating in that magic. It is at this stage of development that highly codified and elaborate rituals, setting the stage for formal religions, began to emerge, such as the funeral rites of the Egyptians and the sacrifice rituals of the Babylonians, Persians, Aztecs and Mayans.

In 2003, Sinafasi Makelo, a representative of Mbuti pygmies, told the UN's Indigenous People's Forum that during the Congo Civil War, his people were hunted down and eaten as though they were game animals. Both sides of the war regarded them as "subhuman" and some say their flesh can confer magical powers.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3869489.stm DR Congo Pygmies 'exterminated'][http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article402970.ece Pygmies struggle to survive]

In 2003, Sinafasi Makelo, a representative of Mbuti pygmies, told the UN's Indigenous People's Forum that during the Congo Civil War, his people were hunted down and eaten as though they were game animals. Both sides of the war regarded them as "subhuman" and some say their flesh can confer magical powers.[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3869489.stm DR Congo Pygmies 'exterminated'][https://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article402970.ece Pygmies struggle to survive]

On April, 2008, Kinshasa, the police arrested 14 suspected victims (of penis snatching) and sorcerers accused of using black magic or witchcraft to steal (make disappear) or shrink men's penises to extort cash for cure, amid a wave of panic.[http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN2319603620080423?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews&rpc=22&sp=true Penis theft panic hits city..], Arrests were made in an effort to avoid bloodshed seen in Ghana a decade ago, when 12 alleged penis snatchers were beaten to death by mobs. [http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/9701/18/briefs/ghana.penis.html ''7 killed in Ghana over 'penis-snatching' episodes'']

On April, 2008, Kinshasa, the police arrested 14 suspected victims (of penis snatching) and sorcerers accused of using black magic or witchcraft to steal (make disappear) or shrink men's penises to extort cash for cure, amid a wave of panic.[https://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN2319603620080423?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews&rpc=22&sp=true Penis theft panic hits city..], Arrests were made in an effort to avoid bloodshed seen in Ghana a decade ago, when 12 alleged penis snatchers were beaten to death by mobs. [https://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/9701/18/briefs/ghana.penis.html ''7 killed in Ghana over 'penis-snatching' episodes'']

=== Magic in Hinduism ===

=== Magic in Hinduism ===

It has been often stated that India is a land of magic, both supernatural and mundane. Hinduism is one of the few religions that has sacred texts like the [[Vedas]] that discuss both white and black magic. The [[Atharva Veda]] is a veda that deals with [[mantra]]s that can be used for both good and bad. The word mantrik in India literally means "magician" since the mantrik usually knows mantras, spells, and curses which can be used for or against forms of magic. Many ascetics after long periods of penance and [[meditation]] are alleged to attain a state where they may utilize supernatural powers. However, many say that they choose not to use them and instead focus on transcending beyond physical power into the realm of [[spirituality]]. Many siddhars are said to have performed [[miracle]]s that would ordinarily be impossible to perform. The [[Aghori]]s consume human flesh in pursuit of [[immortality]] and supernatural powers. [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9842124/from/RL.4/ Indian doc focuses on Hindu cannibal sect], [http://www.channel4.com/life/microsites/K/kumbhmela/plgrm_agoris.html The Aghoris], They distinguish themselves from other Hindu sects and priests by their alcoholic and cannibalistic rituals. [http://www.abc.net.au/rn/encounter/stories/2006/1782966.htm Aghoris]

It has been often stated that India is a land of magic, both supernatural and mundane. Hinduism is one of the few religions that has sacred texts like the [[Vedas]] that discuss both white and black magic. The [[Atharva Veda]] is a veda that deals with [[mantra]]s that can be used for both good and bad. The word mantrik in India literally means "magician" since the mantrik usually knows mantras, spells, and curses which can be used for or against forms of magic. Many ascetics after long periods of penance and [[meditation]] are alleged to attain a state where they may utilize supernatural powers. However, many say that they choose not to use them and instead focus on transcending beyond physical power into the realm of [[spirituality]]. Many siddhars are said to have performed [[miracle]]s that would ordinarily be impossible to perform. The [[Aghori]]s consume human flesh in pursuit of [[immortality]] and supernatural powers. [https://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9842124/from/RL.4/ Indian doc focuses on Hindu cannibal sect], [https://www.channel4.com/life/microsites/K/kumbhmela/plgrm_agoris.html The Aghoris], They distinguish themselves from other Hindu sects and priests by their alcoholic and cannibalistic rituals. [https://www.abc.net.au/rn/encounter/stories/2006/1782966.htm Aghoris]

=== Magic and monotheism ===

=== Magic and monotheism ===

The position taken by [[Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa]], one of the foremost Renaissance magicians, is notoriously ambiguous. The character of [[Faustus]], likely based on a historical 16th century magician or charlatan, became the prototypical popular tale of a learned magician who succumbs to blasphemy (pact with the devil).

The position taken by [[Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa]], one of the foremost Renaissance magicians, is notoriously ambiguous. The character of [[Faustus]], likely based on a historical 16th century magician or charlatan, became the prototypical popular tale of a learned magician who succumbs to blasphemy (pact with the devil).

The current Catechism of the Catholic Church discusses divination and magic under the heading of the First Commandment.[http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P7E.HTM section 3.2.1.1.3]

The current Catechism of the Catholic Church discusses divination and magic under the heading of the First Commandment.[https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P7E.HTM section 3.2.1.1.3]

It is careful to allow for the possibility of divinely inspired [[prophecy]], but rejects "all forms of [[divination]]":

It is careful to allow for the possibility of divinely inspired [[prophecy]], but rejects "all forms of [[divination]]":

:(2116) ''All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to "unveil" the future. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the [[phenomena]] of clairvoyance, and recourse to [[medium]]s all conceal a desire for [[power]] over [[time]], [[history]], and, in the last [[analysis]], other [[human being]]s, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone.''

:(2116) ''All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to "unveil" the future. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the [[phenomena]] of clairvoyance, and recourse to [[medium]]s all conceal a desire for [[power]] over [[time]], [[history]], and, in the last [[analysis]], other [[human being]]s, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone.''

When dealing with magic in terms of "[[tradition]]s," it is a common misconception for outsiders to treat any religion in which clergy members make amulets and talismans for their congregants as a "tradition of magic," even though what is being named is actually an organized religion with clergy, laity, and an order of liturgical service. This is most notably the case when Voodoo, Palo, Santeria, Taoism, Wicca, and other contemporary religions and folk religions  are mischaracterized as forms of "magic" or even "sorcery."

When dealing with magic in terms of "[[tradition]]s," it is a common misconception for outsiders to treat any religion in which clergy members make amulets and talismans for their congregants as a "tradition of magic," even though what is being named is actually an organized religion with clergy, laity, and an order of liturgical service. This is most notably the case when Voodoo, Palo, Santeria, Taoism, Wicca, and other contemporary religions and folk religions  are mischaracterized as forms of "magic" or even "sorcery."

==Quote==

==Quote==

"The ancients sought a supernatural explanation for all natural [[phenomena]] not within the range of their personal comprehension; and many moderns continue to do this. The depersonalization of so-called natural phenomena has required ages, and it is not yet completed. But the frank, honest, and fearless search for true [[causation|causes]] gave birth to modern [[science]]: It turned astrology into [[astronomy]], alchemy into [[chemistry]], and magic into medicine."[http://urantia.org/cgi-bin/webglimpse/mfs/usr/local/www/data/papers?link=http://mercy.urantia.org/papers/paper81.html&file=/usr/local/www/data/papers/paper81.html&line=55#mfs]

"The ancients sought a supernatural explanation for all natural [[phenomena]] not within the range of their personal comprehension; and many moderns continue to do this. The depersonalization of so-called natural phenomena has required ages, and it is not yet completed. But the frank, honest, and fearless search for true [[causation|causes]] gave birth to modern [[science]]: It turned astrology into [[astronomy]], alchemy into [[chemistry]], and magic into medicine."[https://urantia.org/cgi-bin/webglimpse/mfs/usr/local/www/data/papers?link=https://mercy.urantia.org/papers/paper81.html&file=/usr/local/www/data/papers/paper81.html&line=55#mfs]

== Notes ==

== Notes ==

* Arthur Edward Waite (1913) ''The Book of Black Magic and of Pacts'', London. J.B. Haze

* Arthur Edward Waite (1913) ''The Book of Black Magic and of Pacts'', London. J.B. Haze

== External links ==

== External links ==

* [http://mercy.urantia.org/papers/paper88.html Urantia Paper 88 - Fetishes, Charms, and Magic]

* [https://mercy.urantia.org/papers/paper88.html Urantia Paper 88 - Fetishes, Charms, and Magic]

* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11197b.htm ''Catholic Encyclopedia'' "Occult Art, Occultism"]

* [https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11197b.htm ''Catholic Encyclopedia'' "Occult Art, Occultism"]

* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15674a.htm ''Catholic Encyclopedia'' "Witchcraft"]

* [https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15674a.htm ''Catholic Encyclopedia'' "Witchcraft"]

* [http://skepdic.com/magicalthinking.html The Skeptic's Dictionary entry for Magical Thinking]

* [https://skepdic.com/magicalthinking.html The Skeptic's Dictionary entry for Magical Thinking]

* [http://www.compilerpress.atfreeweb.com/Anno%20Borchardt%20Magi.htm "The ''Magus'' as Renaissance Man" ("Western" roots)]

* [https://www.compilerpress.atfreeweb.com/Anno%20Borchardt%20Magi.htm "The ''Magus'' as Renaissance Man" ("Western" roots)]

[[Category: Religion]]

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[[Category: The Sciences]]

[[Category: The Sciences]]

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