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Magic Charms, Potions and Philtres

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Abstract

Magic, as practised by societies throughout the world, is the art of attempting to influence the course of events by occult or secret powers, involving either the casting of spells by incantation or the manufacturing of charms. Even the recent rapid growth of science and technology has not eliminated all the elements of magic and superstition from our modern society. Many skyscrapers have no thirteenth floor, some airlines have no seat numbered thirteen, and cars painted green are relatively unpopular. Magic was the precursor of both science and religion, and its potency in primitive and some not-so-primitive societies should not be underestimated.

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© 1985 Peter V. Taberner

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Taberner, P.V. (1985). Magic Charms, Potions and Philtres. In: Aphrodisiacs. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-6700-0_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-6700-0_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-6702-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-6700-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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