Thoth, the Egyptian god
of magicThe word “magic” originated in the Asyro-Babylonian civilizations. The highest priests, called Magi (from a tribe name), practiced a “religion” later called magic. They worshiped fire and claimed to control it and nature's lightning.
In Asyro-Babylonian civilizations, ideas like astrology and use of magic by gods made magic relevant in religion. Astrology became extremely important to religion. For example, the Assyrians made the Zodiac, 12 signs, that predicted one’s fortune based on star alignment. Also, every being, including gods, used magic. The main god, Marduk (sun god) practices magic and so related to Asallunhi, the god of Magic. The magical philosopher Zarathustra became the prophet of Ahura Mazda (literally “Sage god”), and Ahriman (evil) also existed. Zarathustra’s book of verses, "Awesta", gained him reputation as a magician. They called him "the father of magic."
In Egypt, religion and magic also coincided through the use of rituals and dreams. Dawn became the most important time to use magic rituals (along with dancing and singing) and potions, and one had to be spiritually clean. Individuals mainly used magic to heal, not curse, although some curses existed. (For example, one drew a picture of one’s enemy on a pot and then broke the pot). Through the magic ritual “words of power”, individuals controlled gods. These “words of power” meant that one knew the “true name” of the god, and, controlled him or her by calling them this name. Finally, unlike other civilizations at this time, the Egyptians focused on the interpretation of dreams, which they considered messages from the gods.
Egyptians used amulets, in the form of gods, animals, or royal symbols, as material items associated with magic. A source of power, amulets protected their wearer. Individuals wore them daily for luck, good health, wealth, and safety. They used amulets as physical cures for diseases as well. In burials, priests, the main magicians at this time, placed amulets and “sacred stones” around the body to give it good fortune in the next life.
The Greeks and Romans used magical ritually and with material goods. Influence of surrounding cultures, such as the Greeks and Eturians (later brought into Roman society), affected Rome’s religions and magical ideas. From the Eturians, the Romans learned to tell the future based on sacrificial animals’ liver. They experienced miracles through the magician Apollonius. Another magician, Apuleius, taught them to divide magic between “good magic” and “bad magic".
Therefore, one can easily see that religion and magic lived side-by-side in ancient civilizations. Priests, important religious leaders, practiced magic. The use of ideas like astrology, rituals, such as “words of power", and material items like the amulet, proved that magic and religion connected in ancient civilizations.
I found it incredible that the word magic came about in a form of a religion. I always think of magic as something the exact opposite of religion.
ReplyDeleteThough magic and religion lived side by side, would the magic really be faith, because we are believing in things not seen?
I wonder if this is where the "Three Kings" of the Christian feast Epiphany are from, particularly since they are know as Magi. The geographical region seems fairly reasonable, since legend claims they traveled far, and the Asyro-Babylonian emphasis on astrology certainly would explain their concern over a large star.
ReplyDeleteI found this post really fascinating. Magic and religion were clearly linked in these societies. Even though science was not developed enough to explain natural laws, people in Egypt and across Mesopotamia still had an intuitive sense of how nature worked. For example, things fall down not up, even though they didn't know about gravity. Even though people didn't have an understanding of the science behind the natural laws, they still recognized the effects of the natural laws. So people had to attribute the things that they didn't understand to the acts of gods (religion) or to magic. So it's not surprising that religion and magic are so intertwined. Magic is even incorporated into modern monotheistic religions through miracles, for example, the parting of the Red Sea or the burning bush. Even today magic is invoked to explain things that science and religion can't.
ReplyDeleteAshlee, I also believe that magic and religion today do not coincide as a result of my Christian faith. However, I was pointing out the difference between the relation of magic and religion in ancient civilizations and today. As we learned in my European History class, during the Middle Ages and Reformation strong tensions developed between magic and religion as the Catholic Church tried to eliminate heresy. Overall, I found the topic fascinating because I wanted to know what other people believed even if I do not believe it myself.
ReplyDeleteThe idea that the word "magic" came from a form of religion, but also the term Magi, is extremely interesting! It is interesting to always learn that many people do not know the roots to the most common of words that we use today.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone has more information about the "Three Wise Men" I would find that interseting. Also it would be interesting to see if there was a cultural exchange of some kind that links the Egyptian ideas of magic with similar Japanese ideas like Ninjutsu and Kotodama, which remind me of "magic".
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