magic

Magic also know as Magick

This article is about supernatural magic. Other magic, like card tricks and such should be looked for Elsewhere. Let us first define what it is. Magic is the supernatural attempt to influence people, objects or events by otherworldly, paranormal or occult means. It is also a source of superstition, many normal things in this world that cannot be explained are often blamed on magic.

The word magic ultimately comes from the word "Magus", who was one of the Zoroastrian astrologer priests of the Medes.

What is magic?

Magic is commonly divided into two main categories, white magic ( magic used for benign purposes) and black magic (harmful magic). From the point of view of Christians and other religions, the terms "magic" and "wizardry" imply practices involving dealings with devils, demons, or the devil himself. In Untied States history there was a small "war" against magic in the form of the Salem witch burnings, a barbaric practice where if you were accused of being a witch (or wizard) and certain tests were passed (or failed) you were put to a fiery death.

Today, even though in many countries there is a certain freedom to believe what you want, in some areas of the world, witchcraft, or the use of magic, can still merit the death penalty.

How does it theoretically work?

Many people that believe in magic can be found to hold several common beliefs on how and why it works, believers generally subscribe to one or more of the following beliefs:

1. The power of mind itself

Even non-believers that cannot explain how in some situations magic seems to "work", have a rational explanation. The power of the subconscious mind is still very much uncharted territory, and the power of suggestion itself, in many cases can be very strong. Consider a doctor prescribing a "placebo" or fake drug. The doctor counts on the subconscious belief that the "drug" will heal the patient, thus uses the patients own faith to aid in healing. Much is the same with magic. If the practitioner goes through all the rituals, they plant deep subconscious seeds within themselves that it will work, and if the belief is strong enough, it may very well work. This is exceptionally true of the victim, or recipient of the magic spell. If they know someone of strong reputation is conducting magic rites against them, that fear alone, planted deep in the subconscious, is enough to cause the desired (or undesired) event to occur.

2. Meditation, and/or attempts to confer with spirits with the mind

This, like the power of the mind explanation, involves faith and believing in the powers that they are attempting to communicate with. With much focus and concentration, the practitioner is attempting to ask the spirit world (or one particular spirit) to do their biding. Another example of the power of the imagination and the mind.

3. Natural Forces that are currently unknown to science

Some magic practitioners feel that science has barely scratched the surface on the powers the hold the universe together. They feel that there are unknown scientific forces out there, that simply because they have not been discovered and studied by modern science, does not mean they do not exist. Through spells and rituals, or the manipulation of symbols, invoking spirits, or whatever method, their goal is to use magic based on unknown scientific principles.

It all seems to boil down to number one, the power of the mind, doesn't it? The human experience is filled with wonder, and the imagination is seemingly endless. Look at all the great works of fiction if you doubt the power of the mind and imagination. It seems that if we believe in something strong enough and the right situations present themselves, that nearly anything is possible!

Below is a listing of categories in the SKR pertaining to magic