All things magical Magic has always fascinated humans, and the idea of conjuring spells, harnessing supernatural powers, and creating illusions has been prevalent in various cultures for centuries. From ancient myths and folklore to modern-day fantasy novels and movies, magic continues to captivate our imagination. One of the earliest mentions of magic can be traced back to ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Greece. These early cultures believed that certain individuals possessed special abilities to communicate with gods and spirits and manipulate the forces of nature. These individuals were regarded as priests or magicians and were often consulted for advice or help in addressing both mundane and mystical matters. In medieval Europe, the practice of magic was heavily influenced by occult beliefs and religious doctrines.
Regular price €67,95
Pico della Mirandola sought hidden knowledge in Jewish Kabbala, a mystical practice for unlocking the divine secrets contained in written and unwritten Hebrew Scriptures. Ancient Roman society was particularly concerned with sorcery and countersorcery, contests associated with the development of competitive new urban classes whose members had to rely on their own efforts in both material and magical terms to defeat their rivals and attain success.
In medieval Europe, the practice of magic was heavily influenced by occult beliefs and religious doctrines. The line between magic and religion was blurred, as prayers, invocations, and rituals were commonly used to invoke heavenly or demonic forces. Occult practices such as alchemy, astrology, and divination were also prevalent during this time, with many scholars and philosophers dedicating their lives to uncovering the secrets of the universe.
The Wonderment of God’s Magical World
My daughter Eva, who’s nearly four, has recently been attempting to show me “magic tricks”. Of course her tricks are not really illusions, but things she finds wonder in: spinning a plastic ring on a dowel, uncovering an object she hid, impaling a leaf on a stick, jumping from the couch to the ottoman. For her, these “tricks” have the same effect as an illusion one would see a magician perform. They open her eyes to the wonder of the world. The world just seems like magic to her.
For grownups like us, illusory magic has a pull because it seems to defy logic and physics: something vanishing into thin air, an object or person levitating, a torn dollar being restored. We love illusions because they remind us that there are still things to experience in the world that amaze us. Children, on the other hand, don’t need their eyes or psychology to be tricked because they see the wonder in everything. I like to imagine that children are closer to their origin—God—and so they more naturally experience the magic in God’s creation. All is new and so their wonder is expansive. As we get older, creation, sadly, becomes quotidian—we forget the magic.
Yet, “the world is charged with the grandeur of God,” as Gerard Manley Hopkins, SJ said. St Ignatius would gaze longingly up toward the stars. C.S. Lewis wrote that the more we find explanations for things in the world, we tend to find them less “magical”. But, the “magical element of Christianity,” he said, is essentially a witness to the existence of God. Children see God in the enchantment of ordinary things, though they may not know they are looking at God.
My one-year-old son Oscar can experience endless wonder in a leaf or a puddle or a shadow. My daughter Eva’s amazement with those things might be waning, but she is finding new things to bring her awe alive. As adults, the things that captured us as children no longer hold the same grasp, yet many of us still have that wonder when we become engrossed in a hobby or interest, or when we travel or hike in new places, or learn something new. I’ve lately been captivated by dramas and documentaries about space travel to Mars. I’m fascinated by Einstein’s theory that gravity is not a force but a curve in space-time and that the earth’s surface is accelerating upwards (which gives me the sensation of gravity). I’m struck by the beauty and creativity of photography and graphic design and colour.
What have you been into lately? What’s captivated you?
The marvel we have for something is a sign of the incarnation at hand. It is the beauty of God’s goodness, God’s giftedness to humanity. I want to show my children this gift. I’m reminded of the lyrics of the song “A Whole New World” from the film Aladdin.
I can open your eyes
Take you wonder by wonder
Over, sideways and under
On a magic carpet ride
Wonder by wonder. As adults we need our eyes to be open to the daily wonder of God in our midst. We’re given “a new fantastic point of view,” as the song says.
Unbelievable sights
Indescribable feeling
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling
Through an endless diamond sky
There’s a tremendous freedom that comes from letting ourselves be astonished by the world. Why does fire go up? Why are bubbles spheres? Do ants have muscles? “Every turn, a surprise.”
“The world is really a magical place,” I tell Eva. I always want her to see it, despite the less magical things she’ll encounter. When we let ourselves be surprised by the playfulness of God in creation, it changes our relationship with God. It maintains God’s mystery yet brings God closer, as if through the magic of the created world God is flirting with us, drawing us into the beauty and delight of life.
Can you see God’s “magic tricks” in the world around you?
Related post:
- The Magic of God
- Jesus the Magician?
- Remember the Magic
Listen to the podcast version of this post…
The Renaissance marked a significant shift in the perception of magic. As rationalism and scientific inquiry took hold, the belief in magic as a legitimate practice started to wane. Witch trials became widespread, and many innocent people were accused and executed based on suspicions of practicing witchcraft. However, the interest in magic persisted in the form of stage magic or illusionary performances, where magicians entertained audiences with tricks and sleight of hand. In the modern era, magic has found its place in popular culture through books, movies, and games. Authors such as J.K. Rowling with her Harry Potter series and J.R.R. Tolkien with his Lord of the Rings trilogy have created vast magical worlds that have captured the hearts of millions. These fictional worlds depict magic as a powerful and awe-inspiring force that can be used for both good and evil. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in magic with the rise of the New Age movement and the popularity of practices such as Wicca and Tarot reading. Many individuals are drawn to these practices as a means of personal growth, healing, and spiritual exploration. They see magic as a way to connect with the natural world, tap into their intuition, and manifest their desires. While the existence of real magic remains a subject of debate and skepticism, its allure and mystique endure. Whether we view magic as a form of entertainment, a spiritual practice, or a metaphorical representation of extraordinary abilities, it continues to spark curiosity, wonder, and a sense of possibility. Ultimately, magic serves as a reminder that there may be more to the world than what meets the eye and that sometimes, reality can be just as enchanting as our wildest imaginations..
Reviews for "The Magic of Alchemy: Turning Lead into Gold"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "All Things Magical". The plot was all over the place and it felt like the author was trying to include too many magical elements without really developing any of them properly. The characters were shallow and lacked depth, making it hard for me to connect with any of them. Overall, I found this book to be confusing and chaotic, and it didn't live up to my expectations at all.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I couldn't even finish reading "All Things Magical". The writing was extremely poor, full of clichés and predictable phrases. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. The world-building was also lacking, leaving me with more questions than answers. I regret wasting my time on this book and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Emily - 2 stars - "All Things Magical" had so much potential, but it fell short in execution. The pacing was slow, and the story meandered without a clear direction. The magic system was poorly explained, leaving me confused throughout the book. The main character was also hard to root for, as she made questionable decisions that lacked any real consequences. I was hoping for a captivating and immersive read, but unfortunately, this book failed to deliver.
4. Michael - 1 star - I found "All Things Magical" to be poorly written and unoriginal. The story felt like a rehash of other fantasy novels I've read in the past, without any unique twists or fresh ideas. The prose was dull and lacked any real excitement. The main plot was predictable, and the side characters were forgettable. Overall, I was bored throughout the entire book and would not recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging fantasy read.