Magic has long been a subject of fascination and intrigue for humans. Throughout history, people have turned to magic in times of need, seeking supernatural intervention to solve their problems. However, the question remains: can you truly rely on the power of magic? At its core, magic is a belief in supernatural forces that can create change in the physical world. It entails the use of rituals, spells, and symbols to tap into these forces and bring about desired outcomes. From ancient civilizations to modern-day practitioners, magic has been sought after for various purposes, including healing, protection, and love. However, the effectiveness of magic is a matter of personal belief and experience.
Slow down your engine. Take time to consider your options. And be willing to open the Bible and ask your Creator to speak to you through His inspired Word. Everyone wants power, but not everyone is wise enough to consider the source of their power and then make the right call for the sake of their soul.
Those who pursue it get duped by highly intelligent fallen angels who hate you and desire to see you reject Jesus and His free gift of eternal life in Paradise. I always took it this way A work of fiction where Harry Potter-like or LOTR-like magic exists is a world different from our world in that that sort of magic doesn t exist here.
However, the effectiveness of magic is a matter of personal belief and experience. While some claim to have witnessed miraculous results from magical practices, others remain skeptical, attributing any positive outcomes to mere coincidence or placebo effects. In a world ruled by scientific laws and evidence-based reasoning, magic often falls short in providing concrete proof of its efficacy.
Martial Arts and Magic, Part 4: Qigong and Inner Power
Part 4, all right! If you haven’t read the previous installments, here are the links: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.
I’m going to start Part 4 here by saying that I hate magic systems that involve concepts like “magical energy,” “inner power”, or “focus.” Unfortunately for curmudgeonly, unpleasable fantasy writers like me, real-life martial arts are all about that shit—in fact, qi (also known as chi and ki) is almost inseparable from Chinese (and some Japanese) martial arts, especially soft and internal styles. But before I get into that, let me lay out why I hate these concepts in fiction.
First, stories that rely on a mage using a limited pool of magical “energy” always pull out the same trick: “Oh no, I’m out of magic! I’ve used up all my body’s reserves, and now I’m useless!” I appreciate the attempt at limiting a mage’s power and trying to create tension by making every spell count, but it ends up feeling like magic points in a video game. Reducing magic to a discrete, measurable energy gives it a very tool-like role, which usually sucks the wonder out of it and makes a mage into something like an Energizer battery.
Meanwhile, the vague concept of “inner power” usually ends up doing the opposite: mage characters that draw on a nebulous well of inner magical strength always seem to have just enough energy to wipe out whatever obstacle is in their way, or (conversely), never enough to keep up with whatever threat they’re currently facing…until the plot needs them to. Because there’s usually no concrete limits given to “inner power,” the author has a blank check to create or dissolve tension whenever it’s convenient for them by cranking or lowering a character’s power.
Lastly, “focus” magic, where a mage has to focus on performing a specific spell by visualizing the effect, is usually the default magic system an author uses when they can’t come up with anything better. It’s the all-purpose duct tape for hacks and novice writers who just want to make magic happen. What’s obnoxious is that the confusing, chaotic din of images and thoughts that pass through one person’s head in a stressful moment is almost impossible to translate into writing, so it inevitably ends up looking like this:
Namira closed her eyes and focused on creating the fireball. A thousand thoughts swarmed through her head, but she calmed them one by one, until the sensation of heat and light was all that was left. Slowly, she felt her palm grow warmer, until an orb of fire was floating around her fingertips.
Watching someone going into meditation before casting every spell is cumbersome to write and boring to read, so the author usually skips it, until characters are effortlessly casting spells just by thinking about them.
There are always exceptions, but all in all, magic systems that rely on inner magical power in one form or another usually perform the same basic function as caulking or Styrofoam peanuts: fill in the gaps in a quick, functional way and don’t draw too much attention. And that’s fucking lame.
Here’s the thing, though: qigong is based around all three of the concepts I just described, but it does them better. It turns out that qi and its associated practice, qigong, is actually a really great source of inspiration for movement-based magic, because it’s essentially a magic system that focuses on the body. I’ve already written a piece about how qi is more myth than fact, so let’s go ahead and treat it like its own magic system.
Despite this skepticism, there is an inherent allure to magic that keeps people hoping for its powers. When faced with situations beyond their control, individuals may find solace in the belief that there is a mystical force that can intervene and bring about a desired outcome. This faith in magic provides a sense of comfort and empowerment, offering a glimmer of hope in times of uncertainty. Moreover, the reliance on magic may be deeply rooted in cultural and historical traditions. In many societies, magic has played a significant role in the shaping of beliefs and rituals. From ancient witchcraft practices to religious ceremonies, the idea of magic has woven itself into the fabric of human experience. It serves as a cultural touchstone, connecting individuals to their heritage and providing a sense of identity and belonging. Ultimately, the question of whether one can rely on the power of magic remains open-ended. Magic, like faith, relies heavily on personal conviction and individual experiences. While it may not be scientifically verifiable, the belief in magic continues to persist, offering a source of comfort, hope, and connection to something greater than ourselves. Whether magic truly possesses supernatural powers or not, its hold on human imagination and belief is undeniable..
Reviews for "The Role of Magic in Ancient Cultures and Civilizations"
1. Jane - 2/5 stars - "I found 'Can you rely on the power of magic' to be quite disappointing. The plot felt underdeveloped and the characters lacked depth. The author relied too heavily on cliches and predictable twists, making it difficult to stay engaged. Additionally, the writing style was quite unimpressive, with grammatical errors and awkward phrasing throughout. Overall, I would not recommend this book to others."
2. Tom - 1/5 stars - "I regret picking up 'Can you rely on the power of magic'. It was an absolute waste of my time. The storyline was incredibly dull and dragged on for far too long. The characters were poorly developed, and I couldn't bring myself to care about any of them. Furthermore, the dialogue was stilted and unrealistic, making it difficult to connect with the story. Save yourself the trouble and skip this book."
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "I had high hopes for 'Can you rely on the power of magic', but unfortunately, it fell short. The pacing was terribly slow, and it took ages for anything interesting to happen. The magical elements were also poorly explained, leaving me confused and disconnected from the story. While some may appreciate the atmospheric descriptions, I found them to be overly verbose and unnecessary. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and wouldn't recommend this book to fellow readers."
4. Michael - 2/5 stars - "I struggled to enjoy 'Can you rely on the power of magic'. The writing lacked finesse and the characters felt one-dimensional. The author attempted to create an intricate magical world, but it ultimately fell flat. The plot was predictable and lacked any real surprises. I was hoping for a captivating and immersive experience, but unfortunately, I was left feeling disappointed. If you're looking for a truly magical read, I suggest giving this one a pass."