The book "Real Magic" by Dean Radin explores the concept of magic through a scientific lens. Radin, a parapsychologist, delves into the realm of psychic phenomena and explores the evidence that supports the existence of such phenomena. Throughout the book, Radin offers a comprehensive examination of scientific studies, historical anecdotes, and personal experiences to challenge mainstream perceptions of magic and its legitimacy. The main idea behind Radin's book is that there is a difference between popular magic and legitimate magic. Popular magic refers to the illusionists and stage performers who use tricks and sleight of hand to create an illusion of magic. On the other hand, legitimate magic, according to Radin, is the natural human ability to influence the physical world through consciousness alone.
Witch of Endor, in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament; 1 Samuel 28:3–25), a female sorcerer who was visited by Saul, the first king of Israel. Although Saul had banished all sorcerers and conjurers from his kingdom, his concern about the final outcome of Israel’s battle against the Philistines caused him to seek the services of someone with “a familiar spirit.” When his servants told him of such a woman at Endor, he disguised himself and visited her that night. He asked her to conjure up the spirit of the prophet Samuel to tell his fortunes. When the woman reminded him of the law against practicing her art, he assured her that she would be protected. The woman accordingly conjured up a spirit identified by Saul as Samuel. The spirit informed Saul that he and his three sons would die in battle the next day and that the Israelites would fall to the Philistines.
Chaucer, for example, in the Friar s Tale of The Canterbury Tales , spoke of her as a pithonesse, and the 16th-century writer Guillaume de Salluste, seigneur du Bartas, suggested in La Semaine that she used a flambeau made from the fat of her own son in the necromantic art. In the context of Saul s narrative, the Woman at Endor seems to be an outlaw in enemy territory; nonetheless, she possesses the ability to communicate a crucial prophetic message from the Lord to Saul.
On the other hand, legitimate magic, according to Radin, is the natural human ability to influence the physical world through consciousness alone. Radin argues that this ability, often referred to as psi or psychic phenomena, has been documented and studied extensively, but remains largely ignored or dismissed by the scientific community. Radin provides numerous examples of experiments and studies that support the existence of psi phenomena, such as telepathy, clairvoyance, and precognition.
Witch of Endor
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External Websites- Biblical Cyclopedia - Witch of Endor (2)
- JewishEncyclopedia.com - The Witch of Endor
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The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Article History Table of ContentsWitch of Endor, in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament; 1 Samuel 28:3–25), a female sorcerer who was visited by Saul, the first king of Israel. Although Saul had banished all sorcerers and conjurers from his kingdom, his concern about the final outcome of Israel’s battle against the Philistines caused him to seek the services of someone with “a familiar spirit.” When his servants told him of such a woman at Endor, he disguised himself and visited her that night. He asked her to conjure up the spirit of the prophet Samuel to tell his fortunes. When the woman reminded him of the law against practicing her art, he assured her that she would be protected. The woman accordingly conjured up a spirit identified by Saul as Samuel. The spirit informed Saul that he and his three sons would die in battle the next day and that the Israelites would fall to the Philistines.
The story of the Witch of Endor has excited the creative imagination through the ages and has inspired further embellishment of her practices. Chaucer, for example, in the Friar’s Tale of The Canterbury Tales, spoke of her as a “pithonesse,” and the 16th-century writer Guillaume de Salluste, seigneur du Bartas, suggested in La Semaine that she used a “flambeau” made from the fat of her own son in the necromantic art.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Mindy Johnston.
He also explores the historical context of magic, tracing its roots in ancient civilizations and highlighting the commonalities between different cultural beliefs and practices. Radin acknowledges that the evidence for psi phenomena is often met with skepticism and criticism, but asserts that the scientific method has been applied rigorously to these studies and has yielded significant results. Moreover, Radin explores the implications of legitimate magic in various fields, such as medicine, psychology, and even philosophy. He argues that if the existence of psi phenomena is acknowledged and studied further, it could open new possibilities for understanding consciousness, human potential, and the nature of reality itself. Radin also addresses the ethical considerations surrounding the use of magic and urges for responsible and ethical exploration of these abilities. Overall, "Real Magic" presents a thought-provoking and scientifically grounded exploration of the concept of magic. Radin challenges conventional thinking and invites readers to consider the possibilities that lie beyond the known boundaries of science. By examining the evidence and questioning existing paradigms, Radin seeks to expand our understanding of human consciousness, potential, and the nature of reality..
Reviews for "The Intersection of Science and Magic: Dean Radin's Legitimate Magic Opens New Doors"
1. John Smith - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Legitimate Magic" by Dean Radin. I went into it with high expectations, hoping to learn more about the scientific evidence for magic and psychic phenomena. However, I found the book to be quite repetitive and lacking in depth. Radin rehashes the same examples and studies over and over again, without offering any new insights or compelling arguments. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity to explore the fascinating world of magic from a scientific perspective.
2. Sarah Thompson - 1 star - "Legitimate Magic" was a complete waste of my time. The author claims to provide evidence for the existence of magic, but all I found were a bunch of anecdotal stories and poorly designed experiments. Radin failed to present any solid scientific evidence or rigorous studies to back up his claims. It seemed like he was more interested in promoting his own beliefs rather than presenting an objective analysis of the subject matter. I highly recommend avoiding this book if you're looking for a credible and scientific exploration of magic.
3. Michael Johnson - 2 stars - As someone who has always been intrigued by the idea of magic, I had high hopes for "Legitimate Magic". Unfortunately, I found the book to be overly speculative and lacking in scientific rigor. Radin often jumps to conclusions without providing sufficient evidence or logical reasoning. The lack of critical examination and skepticism left me feeling unsatisfied and doubtful of the author's claims. If you're looking for a more well-rounded and scientifically grounded exploration of magic, I suggest looking elsewhere.
4. Emily Davis - 1 star - "Legitimate Magic" was a huge disappointment. I was expecting a thought-provoking and well-researched book, but instead, I found a collection of pseudoscientific claims and personal anecdotes. Radin's attempts to blend science with magic felt forced and unconvincing. The lack of empirical evidence and reliance on subjective experiences undermined any credibility the book might have had. Overall, I found it to be a misleading and unenlightening read.