Magic Demystified
Magic is seen by people as trickery, simply "stage illusion", while others think of it as evil witchcraft and sorcerers. Neither of these suppositions are true. In truth, magic is real and widespread. It is not dangerous, and it is everywhere we are. Magic has been used by ancient cultures all over the world for thousands of years. The earliest cave drawings are believed to have been some sort of magical ritual to ask for the spirits of animals to help in the hunt. The earliest agricultural communities performed several rituals that they believed would help in the harvest. Today magic can be seen through religious rituals, such as the Christian Baptism and Communion, or simply as superstitions, such as making a wish while blowing out the candles of a birthday cake. Still, magic is simply a way of thinking and being. It is described by Donald Michael Kraig in his book Modern Magick, "Magick is the science and art of causing change...to occur in conformity with will, using means not currently understood by traditional Western science." Basically, the universe is a huge energy matrix, and magicians can manipulate that energy and cause ripples all over it, so they can produce effects on opposite sides of the globe. There are also several types of magic, such as druid magic, ritual magic, sex magic, and shamanism. Druid magic focuses on the natural world. Ritual magic focuses on ceremonies to gain access to higher realms. Sex magic channels erotic energy to produce special effects. Shamanism focuses on interacting with nonphysical beings, such as ancient ancestors or animal spirits.
This article describes magic as a way of thinking, as something that is actually real and exists. In fact, the article refers to it as "magick", spelling it with a k so that it won't be confused to stage magic. However, it does not limit magicians to having to belonging of a specific religion. This article gives me insight as to what some people, not just the author but also several references made in the article, think of magic today. Before I had thought of it only as stage magic, thinking that only before was when it was considered on a deeper, spiritual level.
The question that I have after reading this article is, are there other people that feel this way about magic? Although there were several references to books that feel that way, what about the rest of humanity? Or do people today only think of magic as stage illusion? Although as children we were always taught to believe in magic, that was more for a sense of hope, such as the fairy tales and Disney movies. Are there others who still practice magic the way it is described in the article?
Citation
Alexander, Skye. "Magic Demystified." 10-Minute Magic Spells. Nov. 2002: 1-13. SIRS Renaissance. Web. 18 Feb 2012.
This article describes magic as a way of thinking, as something that is actually real and exists. In fact, the article refers to it as "magick", spelling it with a k so that it won't be confused to stage magic. However, it does not limit magicians to having to belonging of a specific religion. This article gives me insight as to what some people, not just the author but also several references made in the article, think of magic today. Before I had thought of it only as stage magic, thinking that only before was when it was considered on a deeper, spiritual level.
The question that I have after reading this article is, are there other people that feel this way about magic? Although there were several references to books that feel that way, what about the rest of humanity? Or do people today only think of magic as stage illusion? Although as children we were always taught to believe in magic, that was more for a sense of hope, such as the fairy tales and Disney movies. Are there others who still practice magic the way it is described in the article?
Citation
Alexander, Skye. "Magic Demystified." 10-Minute Magic Spells. Nov. 2002: 1-13. SIRS Renaissance. Web. 18 Feb 2012.
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