Magic (paranormal)

:For other uses of the term or name "Magic", see Magic (illusion) or Magic (disambiguation). For other uses of the term or name "Sorcery", see Sorcery (disambiguation).

Varieties of magical practice

Magical intentions

There are several historical varieties of magical practice. Generally, magical intentions can be divided into two general areas. The first is divination, which seeks to reveal information. Varieties of divination include:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• astrology
• augury
• cartomancy
• dowsing
• fortune telling
• geomancy
• I Ching
• omens
• tarot cards

Necromancy involves the alleged summoning of and conversation with spirits. This can be done either to gain information from the spirits; or it can be done with the intention of commanding those spirits, in which it falls under the second general area of magic; that of casting spells. Included in this broad category are a number of specific magical intentions, such as the weather magic of the rain dance, the physical magic of alchemy, or the making of potions and philtres.

Related Topics:
Necromancy - Rain dance - Alchemy - Potion - Philtre

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Richard Kiekhefer further subdivides the category of spells. One general subcategory of magical attentions that are expressed in spells is psychological magic, which seeks to influence other people's minds to do the magician's will. A love spell would be an example of this kind of spell. Kiekhefer's second category of spells is illusionary magic, which seeks to conjure the manifestation of various wonders. A spell that conjured up a banquet, or a spell that conferred invisibility on the magician, would be examples of illusionary magic.

Related Topics:
Richard Kiekhefer - Psychological - Illusion - Invisibility

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Magical traditions

Another method of classifying magic is by "traditions," which in this context typically refer to complexes of magical belief and practice associated with various cultural groups and lineages of transmission. These traditions can compass both divination and spells. Examples of these traditions include:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• ceremonial magic
• Chaos magic
• hermeticism
• hoodoo
• Nagualism
• New Age
• Palo Monte
• pow-wow (folk magic)
• Santería
• Satanism
• Seid
• Vodun
• Wicca

Some of these traditions are highly specific and culturally circumscribed. Others are more eclectic and syncretistic. When dealing with magic as a tradition, the line often becomes blurry between magic and folk religion.

Related Topics:
Eclectic - Syncretistic - Folk religion

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~