Lecture 9 Magic and Divination PDF

Preview

Summary

Lecture 9 Outline Notes for professor Kimberly Kirner. Topic is Magic and Divination. GREAT TO USE FOR QUIZZES!...

Description

LECTURE 9: MAGIC AND DIVINATION 1. Magic: What is it? a. How common is magic? - It is common to many cultures b. Definition: a set of principles for organizing the universe, in order to better understand and control it. i. Assumptions: presupposes symbolic connection between and among phenomena c. How much does magic vary cross-culturally? - These systems of knowledge vary a great deal cross-culturally - Generally, magic imposes the humans will on the manifest universe through symbolic means. 2. Anthropological Ways of Thinking about Magic a. Tylor: magic as prerational, “primitive”, false b. Frazer: magic as an early form of science c. Durkheim: magic as antisocial, individual activity (as opposed to religion) d. Malinowski: magic compensated for low technology and us used in high risk/ uncertainty situations e. Case study of Trobriand Island fishermen (take away point): - Deep sea fishing more risky than lagoon fishing - Deep sea fisherman had more magic rituals than lagoon fishermen - Magic helps people feel a sense of control uncertain outcomes 3. How do magicians think magic works? a. What is the distinction between high (ceremonial) and low Magic? Ceremonial or high magic tends to be highly symbolic and operate in very structured situations with a great deal of liturgy to the ritual and a lot of formality to it. Low magic, or what people like to sometimes call things like hedge witchery, and things like this, kitchen magic, is the idea that you can be a bit more creative with the symbolic content and that, what really is at work, is the sort of general knowledge of magical principles and the symbols can kind of be up to you as well as your sort of blending together of folk systems of knowledge with magical principles. b. What is chaos magic? The idea that anything goes and you sort of grab a hold of anything that you think might work. Chaos magicians tend to see

magic somewhat like a lab, its an experiment, and you grab various traditions, various symbols, try things out and take detailed notes and your magical practice becomes the set of things that works. c. Necessary attributes for magic: - Personal faith in one's ability - Concentration or focus - Discipline and will d. Causal mechanisms? - Natural forces we have not discovered yet - Intervention of spirits or gods, with their own intelligence - Inherent power in all things - Interconnection in the cosmos - Power of the subconscious 4. The Logic of Magic a. Founding Principle: Unity or Sympathy (definition): - This is the principle that all phenomena are linked, directly, or indirectly. - The universe operates as an interconnected whole. b. Magic Follows Natural Laws (definition): - Magic cannot violate natural laws. - Magic intended to enhance natural tendencies works better than magic which violates natural laws. - The more simple means are available for accomplishing something, the less successful magic will be. - No magical act is static or permanent. i. Example: if you get a job with magic, it does not mean you will keep it c. Links between Things i. Homeopathy (definition): like causes like, or like controls like 1. Example: blood of a vampire controls a vampire ii. Contagion (definition): things once in contact continue to influence one another even after separation 1. Example: cooties, use someone's hair for ritual practices iii. Commonality (definition): if two or more things share an element in common, they are linked through that element, and it can be used to control them.

1. Example: little dolly, puppet . d. Greater and Lesser Patterns i. Microcosm/Macrocosm (definition): - larger patterns can reflect or influence smaller ones, and vice versa - Important principle in divination 1. Example: astrological wheel ii. Synchronicity (definition): coincidences are meaningful 1. Example: religious systems e. Knowledge is Power i. Definition: the more you know about something, the easier it is to control it. ii. How is this principle linked to secrecy? Power of names and words leads to secrecy as a means to contain power. f. The Invisible World i. Animism (definition): any phenomenon can be considered to be alive and sentient. ii. Invisible (disincarnate) entities: just because you cant see it doesn't exist. The world is filled with invisible entities, and it is possible to communicate with them. 5. Divination (definition): a. Principles of Divination: i. What key principles of magic are the foundation of Divination? - Interconnected universe - “As above, so below” ii. What do symbols represent? - Symbols represent forces in the world iii. How are the forces that influence events related to the process of divination? -Symbols represent forces in the world iv. Does the diviner cause the future? What is their role with regarding the future? - Diviner does not cause the future- merely interprets it - The future is not necessarily seen as static; divination guides the

individual into how to make better choices. b. Divination as Intersubjective i. What is divination in terms of its social interaction? - It is a social exchange between two participants. ii. What do good diviners do, socially? - Good diviners are able to construct coherent narrative based on Symbols and structure, and apply it to life of querent. iii. Why is it important for divination systems to have interpretive leeway? - All systems have interpretive leeway built into them, c. Four Components of Mechanical, Natural, and Mathematic Divination Systems: - Symbol system or set - Structure (symbols plug into it & represents “the world”) - Randomization system - Intent d. Five Types of Divination i. Mechanical Divination 1. Definition: - lots/sorts - have four components that we talked about, but have a symbol set, like the ohm, that is in something you can normally carry around, and where randomizing happens either because you shuffle cards and pull certain cards, or because you can sort of mix up,in some way, a collection of items, like the ohm sticks, and pull out the ones that are randomly selected and that you're randomly drawn to. 2. Examples: tarot cards, runes, I ching ii. Divination from Natural Phenomena 1. Definition: randomness happens as it's given by nature. 2. Examples: astrology (placement and alignment of planet), augury (reading entrails, cloud patterns), palmistry (associates specific life events with lines on the palm) iii. Mathematic Divination

1. Definition: numerology 2. Examples: gematria iv. Psychic Divination (Intrapersonal) 1. What is it based on? Based on feelings & insights of the diviner. These folks would often be known as oracles or diviners; we would now call them psychics 2. What are other words for these types of diviners? These tap into the subconscious of the diviner 3. What are spontaneous methods for psychic divination? - dreams - Presentiments (premonition) 4. What are controlled methods for psychic divination? - Scrying (mirrors, bowls, fire) - Crystal balls - Pendulums and dowsing rods v. Spiritual Divination (Interpersonal) 1. What is it based on? - Between the diviner and a deity or spirit - Speaks to invisible spirit world in order to gain information 2. What are methods for spiritual divination? - Possession - Necromancy (communicating with the dead) - Clairsentience, clairaudience 3. How is spiritual divination related to ASCs? They generally use ASC’s e. How to pick a method… i. What guides people in learning a specific method of Divination? 1. What is the role of culture? In cultures with multiple systems, the nature of the question and innate gift of the individual can determine the method. 2. The nature of the question? Some methods are better suited to yes/no questions (pendulums) some to locating things, and others to broader questions (tarot).

3. The innate giftedness of the diviner? Different systems are often thought to tap into different ways of knowing - Subconscious vs. universe - Part of spirit world (gods, nature spirits, ancestors, the dead)...