Family Activities – Some Commonly Asked Questions About Magic
There is something about magic that fascinates us. Long bearded wizards waving a staff as beams of light shoot forth. A fantastic floor show in which white tigers appear and disappear captures our attention as surely as the magician locked within a straight jacket that somehow escapes at the last moment. The mystery of the magician has surrounded us since the beginning of time from the midwives who cured a festering wound to the gypsies reading Tarot cards to divine our fortunes. Does magic truly exist or is it all in the mind of the beholder?
Magic has been around for a long time but for how long?
Magic has been around, in some form, from the moment humans first came into existence. Early man associated magic with religious beliefs. Some felt that magical occurrences were the work of the devil while others believed it came from the Gods. There have been many times when the use of magic was punished severely as evident by the Salem Witch Trials held in Salem, Massachusetts. There is no concrete evidence to support whether or not magic truly does exist so it is a topic that solely depends on the beliefs of the individual.
Was magic really just for witches?
As evident by many of the horrific atrocities that occurred in American history, a person associated with magic would have been labeled a witch. Whether or not this is actually true is a different story. The end result was the same. The witch would be the scapegoat of any abnormal occurrences, such as a crop dying, and ultimately be put to death.
How has the art of magic evolved over the past hundred years?
Magic has turned from a more elemental approach into that of sleight of hand. It has become a showmanship and illusion. Tricks are performed in front of an audience but the performance gives an illusion of magic when in reality there is none. Common sense practices, such as washing a wound, may have once been considered magic but now we know them to be just part of good hygiene. As humankind continues to advance, mysteries that astound us now will eventually be revealed.
Was Harry Houdini a magician?
Though he was called a magician, he technically was an illusionist and escape artist. His daring feats were accomplished by hard work and skill. His famous acts, such as escaping from a straight jacket while under water, required him to be flexible and to use a bit of subterfuge.
Are there schools for learning how to perform magic?
Why Hogwarts of course! Okay, all joking aside, there are many ways to learn magic. Card tricks and simple illusions can be learned through books and kits found in bookstores. The more elaborate illusions, such as making an entire elephant disappear in front of a crowd; require study under a Master Illusionist. He or she can illuminate many of the mysteries not allowed for general public knowledge.