Magic Essay Research Paper Magicians have been

Magic Essay, Research Paper

Magicians have been documented for thousands of years. Although the earliest records of magicians come from the Egyptians, the first “modern day” magicians come from the late 1800’s. Before that time, magic was considered more as a science or “wizardry” than a form of theater. Before that, magic was interpreted as witchcraft.

Every land and every age had its sorcerers and magicians. Around 300AD we find a tale about King Macbeth of Scotland, who conjured up visions and apparitions; and somewhere else we read of the Popes of the tenth century, who practiced magic and sorcery. Even the fifth century boasted the existence of Merlin, one of the most famous ancient magicians. These people show up time and time again in legends and folk tales in ancient history. People were so fascinated with the unexplainable, that more and more studied it, and actually created interest in all areas of the workings of the world.

Interests in astrology and alchemy were inspired my magicians. Alchemy was the search for a fountain of youth, a universal solvent, and a way to chemically create gold. Astrology was the study of how planets and stars could predict the future. We all have to admit we called at least one psychic hotline sometime in our lives, right? These hotlines even today claim to use astrology to predict our future. But ancient astrology still had its benefits. It was the foundation for modern day astronomy and space research. And although no one could ever claim being successful in alchemy, ancient alchemy is the foundation for modern day chemistry. In fact, every branch of modern day science has its bases in sorcery and magic.

Not till later times does magic divide into two distinct branches: divination & necromancy (communication with the spirit world) and jugglery & sleight of hand (modern magic). In ancient times, due to strong religious influences, people belived that magicians actually had supernatural powers. Today, however, we live in a world of skeptics, and magic is regarded as pure entertainment.

The history of witchcraft and magic

The roots of magic come from the Celts, a people living between 700 BC and 100 AD. Believed to be descendants of Indo-Europeans, the Celts were a brilliant and dynamic people ?gifted artists, musicians, storytellers, metalworkers, expert farmers and fierce warriors. They were much feared by their adversaries, the Romans, who eventually adopted a number of their customs and traditions.

The Celts were a deeply spiritual people, who worshiped both a god and goddess. Their religion was pantheistic, meaning they worshiped many aspects of the “One Creative Life Source” and honored the presence of the “Divine Creator” in all of nature. Like many tribes the world over, they believed in reincarnation. After death, they went to the Summerland for rest and renewal while awaiting rebirth.

The months of the Celtic year were named after trees. The Celtic new year began at Samhain, which means “summers end,” and was the final harvest of the year. This was also their “Festival of the Dead,” where they honored their ancestors and deceased loved ones. Many contemporary Halloween customs come from Samhain.

Next on the wheel of the Celtic year was the Winter Solstice, celebrating the annual rebirth of the Sun. Our Christmas customs today are similar to this ancient celebration. Around the beginning of February came Imbolg, a time when domesticated animals began to give birth. The Spring Equinox and Beltaine, sometimes called “May Day,” were fertility festivals. The Summer Solstice, known as Lughnassa, celebrated the glory of the Sun and the powers of nature. Lughnassa, the Fall Equinox, and Samhain, were considered as Celtic harvest festivals.

The “Druids” were the priests of the Celtic religion. They remained in power through the fourth century AD, three centuries after the Celts’ defeat at the hands of the Romans. The Druids were priests, teachers, judges, astrologers, healers and bards. They became indispensable to the political leaders, giving them considerable power and influence. They were peacemakers, and were able to pass from one warring tribe to another unharmed. It took twenty years of intense study to become a Druid.

Translated, the word Druid means “knowing the oak tree.” Trees, the oak in particular, were held sacred by the Celts. Mistletoe, which grows as a parasite on oak trees, was a powerful herb used in their ceremonies and for healing. Mistletoe was ritually harvested at the Summer Solstice by cutting it with a golden sickle and catching it with a white cloth while never letting it fall to the ground.

The religious beliefs and practices of the Celts grew into what later became known as Paganism, not to be confused with the term Neo-Paganism, which is beyond the scope of this writing. The word Pagan is derived from the Latin word Paganus, meaning “country dweller.” This outgrowth was consistent with the Celts’ love for the land and their holding such things as the oak tree and mistletoe sacred.

Paganistic beliefs and rituals blended with those of other Indo-European descended groups, and over several centuries spawned such practices as concocting potions and ointments, casting spells, and performing works of magic. These practices, along with many of the nature-based beliefs held by the Celts and other g