Magic and paranormal phenomena are inextricably linked. When we think of magic, we think of extraordinary phenomena, remarkable people, and the miraculous, but also the occult, the sinister and deception come to mind. From the fantasy genre, we are familiar with incredible stories of magical power over objects, people or other living beings, over the environment, personal destiny or even the weather. The fascination with magic and sorcery is unbroken, even in modern societies.
Scientific research into magical practices and rituals is predominantly approached from religious studies, historical and anthropological approaches. The question of the reality of magical effects and the effectiveness of magic practices is usually not addressed. According to a physicalist-reductionist world view, psi phenomena cannot exist. Accordingly, there can be no such thing as “real” magic, and supposedly “magical” effects are based on illusions or deception.
Parapsychology is also critical of the fantastic tales of magical effects, but the possibility of psi phenomena is accepted as a scientifically proven reality. It is therefore worthwhile for them to take an open-minded look at this practice, which is still practiced in today’s modern societies by people who would be inappropriately suspected of being backwardly uninformed.
The following questions in the context of magic are of particular interest from the point of view of parapsychology: