Magic Questions

There is something about magic that fascinates us. Long bearded wizards waving a staff as beams of light shoot forth. A fantastic floor show in which white tigers appear and disappear captures our attention as surely as the magician locked within a straight jacket that somehow escapes at the last moment. The mystery of the magician has surrounded us since the beginning of time from the midwives who cured a festering wound to the gypsies reading Tarot cards to divine our fortunes. Does magic truly exist or is it all in the mind of the beholder?

Magic has been around for a long time but for how long?

Magic has been around, in some form, from the moment humans first came into existence. Early man associated magic with religious beliefs. Some felt that magical occurrences were the work of the devil while others believed it came from the Gods. There have been many times when the use of magic was punished severely as evident by the Salem Witch Trials held in Salem, Massachusetts. There is no concrete evidence to support whether or not magic truly does exist so it is a topic that solely depends on the beliefs of the individual.

What were the first magicians needed for?

The first magicians were more akin to religious and medicinal figures for their tribes or clansmen. The Romanian culture was comprised of many different ethnic backgrounds and lead to the term Gypsies. These traveling caravans would journey from town to town entertaining the people. Unfortunately the Gypsies were often under attack for their beliefs and practices. It was the same with many midwives or pagans who embraced a different religious viewpoint from the accepted religions of the time.

What were they called?

The first people believed to practice magic were Priests, Priestesses or Shamans. They would perform the rituals associated with the culture from which they were from. All humans, at one time or another, believed in things that would seem peculiar to modern man. Druids embraced the natural order of the world and would perform seasonal rituals to usher in crops, the New Year or different holy days. Charlatan is one term many would use to refer to individuals who practiced magic because it was thought that it was all trickery and hoaxes.

Was it really magic they performed?

This depends on who you ask. Historians do not have a set answer for this question. At the time these acts were performed, it truly was believed to be magic. There was not as great an understanding of the world and the actual scientific nuances behind many of the acts. Take for example an open wound. If a healer were to wash it and keep it clean, it may have been considered magic when in reality modern medicine has proven it to be otherwise. Were there really witches who could turn people into cats? The world may never know. Once again it comes down to relativity and how people perceive the acts.

Was magic really just for witches?

As evident by many of the horrific atrocities that occurred in American history, a person associated with magic would have been labeled a witch. Whether or not this is actually true is a different story. The end result was the same. The witch would be the scapegoat of any abnormal occurrences, such as a crop dying, and ultimately be put to death.

Why is magic tied to witchcraft?

Are there witches? Were there witches? That is a subject of debate. In our time most would be known as Wiccans. The actual philosophy behind the Wicca lifestyle is more akin to Druids of the past. They embrace nature and believe that Gaia or Mother Earth is the real power. This thought was not embraced, however, by religious leaders.

How has the art of magic evolved over the past hundred years?

Magic has turned from a more elemental approach into that of sleight of hand. It has become a showmanship and illusion. Tricks are performed in front of an audience but the performance gives an illusion of magic when in reality there is none. Common sense practices, such as washing a wound, may have once been considered magic but now we know them to be just part of good hygiene. As humankind continues to advance, mysteries that astound us now will eventually be revealed.

Was Harry Houdini a magician?

Though he was called a magician, he technically was an illusionist and escape artist. His daring feats were accomplished by hard work and skill. His famous acts, such as escaping from a straight jacket while under water, required him to be flexible and to use a bit of subterfuge.

What is the difference between sleight of hand, illusion and magic?

While once there might have been a difference between the three, we would now consider them to be the same thing. All involve the use of illusion. The mind is told one thing, the eyes see one thing but the reality is that it's something completely different.

Are there schools for learning how to perform magic?

Why Hogwarts of course! Okay, all joking aside, there are many ways to learn magic. Card tricks and simple illusions can be learned through books and kits found in bookstores. The more elaborate illusions, such as making an entire elephant disappear in front of a crowd; require study under a Master Illusionist. He or she can illuminate many of the mysteries not allowed for general public knowledge.

Where can you go to see magic acts?

That depends on what type of act you wish to see. Las Vegas has a wide variety of shows to fit any age. One of the most flamboyant acts current is by the artist Criss Angel. His show combines the stage presence of a rock star with the illusion of Siegfried and Roy. If traveling to Las Vegas is not in your budget, a circus is a great place to watch magicians live.

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