MAGIC – rituals that are practiced out of fear to control human events/sacred mysteries
TYPES OF MAGIC
1.IMITATIVE – belief that look-a-likes act the same.If a person dresses and/or acts like something/someone it can be controlled.Ie caveman rolls a rock to create and control thunder
2.BLACK – operates on the same principle of imitation, but for evil purposes
3.CONTAGIOUS – belief that once things are associated, they are always associated even after separation.An action on a person’s belongings will produce the same effect.Ie. If a cannibal eats a man’s brains he will gain that man’s intelligence.
4.AVERSIVE – Communities rid themselves of guilt/sin by using a scapegoat.Something or someone is sacrificed to atone for everyone’s wrongdoing.Ie. Animals sacrificed to a God.Jews would place sins on rocks and wash them.
5.PRODUCTIVE -- pleasing certain Gods to gain favour in order to be successful in certain endeavours.Ie. Farming = Ceres,War = Mars/Ares
OBJECTS/PEOPLE
FETISH – an object that houses a special power which allows its owner to control outcomes.Ie. Charms, talisman, amulet
MASKS –a mask is made to imitate a particular God so that when it is placed on the person, he/she takes on its power.
SHAMAN – (medicine man, witch doctor) this person performs ceremonies in order to coerce spirits into granting favours.