History of magic

The use of magic goes back at least as far as 50,000 BC. About that time, prehistoric people buried cave bears, probably as a magic rites. Scientists belive that much prehistoric art had magical purposes. Hunters, for example, probably used cave paintings of animals in rites intended to help them hunt the animals. Magic was important to the ancient Egyptians, who used amulets, magic figures and rites. The ancient Greeks and Romans tried to tell the future from dreams. They also consulted priests called oracles, who interpreted advice from the gods. According to one legend, the Three Wise Men who visited the baby Jesus were astrologers who located him by magic use of the stars. The Bible has many references to magic, sorcery and witchcraft.

The medievals
Nearly all Europeans belived in magic. Members of the clergy considered magic sinful, but they believed in its power. The so-called science of alchemy included much magic. Alchemists hoped to discover the philosopher's stone, a magic substance that could change iron, lead and other metals into gold. They also tried to find the elixir of life, a miraculous substance that could cure disease and lengthen life.

Many men joined a secret brotherhood called the Rosicrucians, an early version of the present-day Rosicrucian Order. The Rosicrucians studied magic lore and devoted themselves to curing the sick and helping people in other ways. The Masons, another secret group, also had elements of magic in their rituals.

From the 1500s to the 1700s
Belief in magic continued widespread. Even highly educated people believed in its power. The Swiss physician Philippus Paracelsus, for example, experimented with alchemy and believed in the power of talismans. Sir Isaac Newton, the famous English astronomer and mathematician, studied alchemy. Thousands of persons were tried and executed as witches during this period.

Many forms of magic tried to predict the future. People belived a person's character could be described or the future foretold in various ways. These methods included studying the palm of a person's hand, facial features, or even the moles on a person's skin. Some people use tarot cards, a set of playing cards with special pictures, for fortunetelling.

After about 1600, advances in science gradually weakened people's belief in magic. But as late as the 1700s, the Italian magician Count Allesandro di Cagliostro won fame for his powers. Cagliostro travelled through Europe selling love potions and elixirs of life.

Magic today
Magic still plays an important role in the life of many ethnic groups. Even among modern peoples, magic has many followers with an interest in subjects as astrology, fortunetelling, and witchcraft. For example, many people who have faith in astrology read their daily horoscope in a newspaper.

Countless people belive in superstitions that involve forms of magic. Some people carry a fetish, such as a rabbit's foot or a lucky penny. They belive these articles have magic power to bring good luck. Homeopathic magic appears in the superstition that a newborn baby must be carried upstairs before it is carried down. This act supposedly guarantees that the child will rise in the world and have a successful life.

Magic also survives in much of today's advertising. The manufacturers of such products as gasolines and headache remedies boast of new, secret ingredients. Advertisements may indirectly suggest that a mouthwash or a toothpaste will magically transform an unpopular person into a popular one. Many people buy these and other products for the magic qualities suggested by such advertising.