Diversions of a NaturalistLankester, E. Ray (Edwin Ray), Sir
History
Diversions of a Naturalist
Lankester, E. Ray (Edwin Ray), Sir
Natural history
But besides the many forms of these two kinds of magic, there is a
later variety of magic which grew up with what is not a primitive
belief, namely, the belief in the existence of spiritual beings
inhabiting trees, rocks, waters, and animals. It developed further with
the later belief in the existence of ghosts or spirits of the dead.
Fear and the desire to control hostile unseen forces was the motive of
all magic. The magician invented "spells," "rites," and "ceremonies"
for controlling and bending these spirits to his will. But as a still
later development, we find more and more definitely separated from the
magician and his spells--the priest, who learnt humility in the face
of might greater than his own, and, abandoning the attempt to coerce,
adopted the attitude of propitiation and prayer, and prostrated himself
before a higher power. Thus (as Dr. Marret writes) religion gradually
became separated from magic, though often mixed with it, and often
retaining magical elements. Religious cults became publicly recognized,
established, and respectable, whilst "magic" became private, secret,
disreputable, and at last openly condemned and suppressed by the
priests of religion. The history of magic in Europe, Asia, Africa, and
America presents an almost unlimited field of study. We find remarkable
agreements in the fundamental notions on which magic is based in all
parts of the world and also important differences in details and
special developments.
Divination is that branch of magic which attempts to _discover_
secrets or to foresee events, whilst magic in general is an attempt
to _influence_ the course of events. Divination is the process of
attempting to obtain knowledge of secret or future things by means
of oracles, omens, or astrology. One of its methods is "necromancy,"
the supposed communication with the spirits of the dead. This word
is formed from the Greek words "nekros," a corpse, and "manteia,"
divination; but in Latin it was erroneously written "nigromantia," and
so gave rise to the application of the name "the black art" to sorcery
and witchcraft in general. By the ancient Greeks and Romans all omens,
as well as oracles, were regarded as sent by the gods, and in ancient
Rome a large and wealthy corporation of augurs who were constantly
consulted by private individuals as well as by the State existed.
They received regular "fees" for their services in interpreting and
seeking for omens. The orthodox belief has always been either that the
soothsayer is directly controlled by a god or a spirit, or, on the
other hand, that the material objects inspected and regarded as signs
of the future are controlled by the gods or by spirits, so as to afford
information. Divination is, and has been, practised in all grades of
civilization and culture, from the Australian "black fellow" to the
American medium. Amongst its many varieties are (1) crystal gazing,
a method similar to that of dreams, excepting that the vision is set
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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