Rules of Magic

1
Rules of Magic

• James Frazer, The Golden Bough (1890)
• Law of Contagion
• Objects that were once in contact continue to be
  connected after that connection is severed. A
  psychic connection/footprint.
• Ex The Fore, Sorcery Kuru. Food remnants,
  hair, nail clippings, excrement of victim mixed
  with leaves/stones bundle placed into the cold,
  muddy ground, symbolizing deep chill of Kuru.
  Bundle beaten with a stick, symbolizing
  breaking/weakening of bones.

2
Rules of Magic

• James Frazer, The Golden Bough (1890)
• The Law of Sympathy
• Magic depends on the apparent association or
  agreement between things
• Law of Similarity
• Things that are alike are the same
• Ex The Azande root of fruit w/ milky sap given
  to women who have troubles lactating
• Ex Ancient Egypt Rome Bes Jars

3
Rules of Magic
Law of Sympathy cont.

• Law of Similarity
• Homeopathic Magic
• Based on the Law of Similarity. There is a causal
  relationship between things that appear to be
  similar.
• Image Magic
• Create an image to represent an animal/person,
  who then can be killed/injured by doing something
  to the image
• Ex Voodoo doll
• Increase Rite among Australian Aborigines
  fertility rituals that function to facilitate the
  successful reproduction of the Totem animal.
  Seen as essential to an animals life cycle.
  Involve dance and painting of the body
• Doctrine of Signatures labeled alternative
  medicine in the U.S. The belief that signs
  telling of a plants medical use are somehow
  embedded within the structure and nature of the
  plant itself.
• Ex Red Cloverhead sap of the Bloodroot used to
  treat problems of the blood.
• Ex Boneset plant used to set broken bones and
  cure fever/cough/cold

4
.

• Law of Contagion
• Contagious Magic
• Based on the Law of Contagion, utilizing things
  that once were in physical contact with an
  individual
• Ex Rabbits foot
• Ex New Guinea. A wound caused by an arrow is
  medicated by a salve. This salve is also spread
  over the arrow which caused the wound.
• Ex Particular type of clothing worn to exams?