What is magic? Does it really exist? These questions have been haunting us ever since we learnt the word ‘magic’. The definition of magic changes with people; for everyone, magic represents and stands for something different. Some regard magic to be some kind of intense energy that involves and influences the cosmos. For some, magic is some kind of a psychic tool that is used by magicians to manipulate the mind and achieve desired results. These theories and debates are almost never ending. But shedding some light on this matter will help.

Magic is indeed a supernatural phenomenon and has been a part of the human culture and traditions since eternity. Different cultures have their own versions of magic, which is essentially a collage of rituals, prayers, ceremonies and so on. Groups of people such as witches, warlocks, wizards, sorcerers, shamans etc. came into being as those who had the special and a spiritual ability to perform “miracles”. However, most people tend to associate magic and its practitioners with the dark and evil.

But, if traced back, we can see that “magic” was essentially a divine and a spiritual connection with the power of Nature that was harnessed to help and heal people, manipulate Nature’s cycles for the good of the community and so on. For example, Wicca is a nature based religion whose beliefs lie in the divinity and the spirituality of nature and its divine creations. The practitioners of Wicca are regarded as witches and the practice is known as witchcraft. Though today we associate witches and witchcraft with evil and black magic, the truth is in fact, the complete opposite. Wicca is a very peaceful religion that works towards the good of nature and all of its divine creations.

But, through the ages, the truth about magic and its practitioners have been twisted to give what we believe today; and that is, magic is an arcane practice of the demons and devils and one should stay away from it and the magicians as much a possible. Thus, those who were once revered and venerated slowly came to be feared and prosecuted. It came to the point that events like famines, floods and earthquakes were blamed on the actions of the witches and the like, and they were mercilessly persecuted for the same.
Yes, both bad (black) magic as well as good (white) magic exist, but most cultures and religions differentiate between the two and set strict conduct codes about their applications. Just because a few do practice black magic does not entail that we condemn the entire art as well all of its practitioners. Good and bad lies in everything, and magic is no exception.

Magic is not an extinguished art. Even today, there are many who practice this sublime art. There are witches and shamans existing even today. Magic for these people does not mean performing tricks and making things levitate or disappear. It goes much deeper and beyond all that. Their practice includes rituals, spells and prayers for the purposes of medication, healing, divination and the like.

But, today, in the broader sense, magic has come to be a form of entertainment as well. Various magicians perform seemingly impossible tricks like conjuring up rabbits from hats, cutting people in half and making them whole again and so on. These are more tricks than magic, which are performed by playing with the human mind and psyche through sheer practice and hard work. This does not involve tapping the supernatural forces or any divine power to perform the trick for you. Calling these tricks ‘magic’, simply adds to the allure. But, this is not magic in the truest of the sense. There is a big difference.