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importance of magic in literature
magic theory religion
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As a child the notion of magic was as simple as a magician sawing a woman in half, then piecing her back together, or the illusion of a human gravitating in mid air. Even as adults, we are still awed by such pastime entertainments of magic. On the contrary, Rebecca L. Stein and Philip L. Stein depict magic as a way of life similarly to elements of religion. In The Anthropology of Religion, Magic, and Witchcraft Stein and Stein illustrated magic as being a subcategory to religion; laws of magic; functions of magic; how it works; magic in society; and divination. In terms, of magic, what is it; and what makes it real?
WHAT IS MAGIC?
Magic refers to methods that somehow interface with the supernatural and by which people can bring about particular outcomes (Stein and Stein 136). Unlike religion, magic is geared to the satisfaction of an individual (e.g. Voodoo). Magic in contemporary societies has negative connotations affiliating magic to witchcraft or Voodoo like practices. Unlike religions rituals that tend to involve the whole of the community, magic is often centered on the needs and desires of an individual (Stein and Stein 137). However, in Western civilizations magic is the “answer” to unanswerable questions, and is the validation to which things are the way they are (dream interpretations, psychics). For instance, teenyboppers craze over horoscopes in Pop culture magazines. Readers feed into justifications to their emotions and faith, and hopes of true love. Overall, who wants to be in the world alone and lost? Therefore, horoscopes are the directions when one is confused when they are at the fork in the road. Based on that, is magic an omniscient power that can collectively derive from the supernatural? In some cases,...
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...gry, or the faith for those who are near the edge of giving up. Regardless of the levels of diversity in cultures magic exist in various forms.
Works Cited
End Notes
1. Howie, Linda, et al. “Some Thoughts on Magic: Its Use and Effect in Undergraduate Student Life.” Totem: The University of Western Ontario Journal of Anthropology 19.1 (2011): 187. Web 30 Mar. 2012
2. Stein, Rebecca L, and Stein L. Philip. The Anthropology of Religion, Magic, and Witchcraft. 3rd ed. *Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, (2011), p. 136. Print
3. Stein, Rebecca L, and Stein L. Philip. The Anthropology of Religion, Magic, and Witchcraft. 3rd ed. *Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, (2011), p. 137. Print
4. Zorich, Zach. “Archaeology” Fighting with Jaguars, Bleeding for Rain 61.1 (2008): n. pag. Web. 30 Mar 2012. http://www.archaeology.org/0811/etc/boxing.html
In history the pagans have been viewed as godless infidels. Many who practice paganism live in fear related to the judgment of others that hold differing views on religion. Much of the persecution of the Pagan has been related to their practice of magic. What is amazing is that much of the magic once practiced by pagans was similar to that of modern medicine (Some Basic Pagan, n.d.). Despite their apprehension and fear of persecution, it has been reported that Paganism has been described as one of the most rapidly growing religious movements in the world today (Eilers, p.
Bacon, Elizabeth E. “Witchcraft.” Encyclopedia Americana. Volume 29. Pages 83 – 84. Connecticut: Grolier Incorporated, 1999.
Witchcraft is apparent and can be seen as part of the Tiv tribe’s social structure. In Return to Laughter, Bohannan’s (1954) interpretation of the
Many of us have different ways to describe what religion is made up of as well as its purpose to serve humans because we are all part of different cultures. In this reflection paper I will discuss how anthropologist Clifford Geertz and Talal Asad view the use and importance of symbolism in religion in society. I will then discuss how Clifford Geertz and Talal Asad would each respond to the story “Voodoo in Brooklyn” by Patrick Bellegarde Smith.
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Elements in magic not only cover their physical nature but also have qualities in the spiritual dimension - their psychic or spiritual meanings. These can be used to develop a deeper understanding
Witchcraft is said to be the most widespread cultural phenomenon in existence today and throughout history. Even those who shun the ideas of witchcraft cannot discount the similarities in stories from all corners of the globe. Witchcraft and its ideas have spread across racial, religious, and language barriers from Asia to Africa to America. Primitive people from different areas in the world have shockingly similar accounts of witchcraft occurrences. In most cases the strange parallels cannot be explained and one is only left to assume that the tales hold some truth. Anthropologists say that many common elements about witchcraft are shared by different cultures in the world. Among these common elements are the physical characteristics and the activities of supposed witches. I will go on to highlight some of the witch characteristic parallels found in printed accounts from different parts of the world and their comparisons to some famous fairytales.
For over many ages, this has allowed Mysticism to be an intimate part of human society, as a still-unexplainable part of nature, as well as the supernatural, that has allured and guided many to look as far as into the future and as close as deep into themselves. The many tools of Mysticism, like the Tarot, numerology, astrology, and dreams, are all used to provide insights into a "deeper consciousness" and a "higher plane of existence," which when properly interpreted could very well shed light into the murkiest situation. In today's societies, Mysticism continues to intrigue, appeal to, entertain and aid people across cultures.
Lehmann A. C. & Myers J. E. Magic, Witchcraft and Religion – An anthropological Study of the Supernatural (Fourth Edition) (Mayfield Publishing Company, 1997)
Over the centuries, the concept of Witchcraft, as it presented within religion and society, evoked a variety of responses and attitudes that permeated throughout the cultures of the world. Christianity incited wars and hysteria and chaos in the name of extinguishing the practice of Witchcraft. Today there are prominent religions within many cultures that uphold the practice of witchcraft as a feasible manifestation of spirituality. The term conjures a variety of images for a diverse range of people. To the Azande, witchcraft and oracles and magic existed in everyday life as permeation of the Zande culture. In Witchcraft, Oracles, and Magic Among the Azande, E.E. Evans-Pritchard focuses on the beliefs associated with witchcraft and how they manifest in the social structure of the Community.
The type of ‘magic’ researched is noted as what Simon During calls ‘secular’ magic – that of the kind which is not associated with religious or spiritual matters. It is instead an act of performance, mostly for entertainment purposes. It is no less of a performance simply because it does not follow the rigid boundaries that often come with text-based performances. There is a thin line between what is and is not classed as performance as Richard Schechner defined performance as ‘a broad-spectrum or continuum of human actions ranging from ritual, play, popular entertainment, the performing arts (theatre, dance, music) in everyday life performances to gender, race and class roles, and onto healing (from shamanism to surgery)’. He continues to mention that ‘there is no historically or culturally fixable limit to what is or is not a performance. Along the continuum new genres are added and others are dropped. The underlying motion is tha...
Pratt, S.A.M., 1915. The Attitude of the Catholic Church towards Witchcraft and the Allied Practices of Sorcery and Magic, Washington D.C.: National Capital Press, Inc.
Hopfe, L. M., & Woodward, M. R. (2007). Religions of the World (10th ed.) New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
The role of the supernatural is an integral component of the human experience. In our fast-paced, chaotic world, many of us, regardless of our faith, seek to find refuge in a transcendental existence apart from that of our own. A large proportion of our society view this immaterial otherworld as a bastion of peace and tranquillity, either headed by supreme beings or lacking thereof. This supernatural space of security has long been questioned by both believers and non-believers alike, but yet continues to retain its innate role in the human experience.
From Europe and Africa to the end of Asia and the regions beyond the ocean known as America , " Dark Arts " have become so notorious and frightening, that the mere mention is able to sow the fear and panic to its defenceless victims. Modern man reacts to the sounds of witchcraft either with mockery and humorous outbursts or suspicion. Magic cloak of prejudice and superstition that surrounds Western societies is increasing systematically day after day.