Magic, whether embraced or questioned, has always been woven into our lives. Disagree? Well, here are seven modern habits that actually come from a magical past.
When you hear the word ‘magic’, what comes to mind? Rabbits pulled from hats? Pentagrams, spells and candles? Hocus pocus that’s unrelated to the real world? Our views on magic are as varied and nuanced as the many traditions and cultures it hails from. Yet observable trends suggest that our fascination with magic is on the rise. As a meditation and mindfulness teacher who masters the art of meditation and transformative inner practice, I see it in the growing interest in my psychic development and modern magic courses as well as energy healing sessions.
The rise of magic: It’s more common than you think
Names like Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and Game of Thrones have captivated audiences worldwide with their magical elements. But it’s not just in the fictional world. The digital realm also offers new possibilities for exploring magical themes through interactive experiences, virtual reality, and augmented reality. Video games, in particular, often feature magic as a central gameplay mechanic or narrative element.
In some Western societies, there’s been a resurgence of interest in occult practices and new age spirituality, seen in the growing popularity of practices such as astrology, tarot reading, crystal healing, and witchcraft. In an increasingly secular world, many are turning to alternative belief systems, including those involving magic or the supernatural, as a way to find meaning, spirituality, or a sense of empowerment.
Regardless of your view on magic, it’s been with us since ancient times, quietly infused in our long-held and much-loved modern habits (some of it may surprise you!).
Common rituals and beliefs that are said to have magical origins
1. Blowing out birthday candles and making a wish: The earliest known practice of adorning cakes with candles and blowing them out to make a wish comes from ancient Greece. Round cakes were made to honour Artemis, the goddess of the moon. Lit candles represented the glow of the moon, and the smoke from the candles carried prayers and wishes to the gods who lived in Olympus.
2. Wearing wedding bands on your ring finger: Have you ever wondered why we wear our engagement and wedding rings on the fourth finger of the left hand? The practice originates from Greco-Roman magical beliefs that a vein in this finger, known as the “vena amoris” or “vein of love,” is directly connected to the heart. Wearing the rings on this finger was believed to strengthen the bond between partners and protect their union.
3. Knocking on wood: This implies sealing the favourable fate or protecting the person from bad luck. It originates from pagan beliefs, which suggest that spirits reside in trees. When we knock on a tree trunk, it’s believed we seek its support or protection.
4. Steering clear of walking under ladders: The superstition originates from ancient Egyptian and later European beliefs associating triangles (formed by leaning a ladder against a wall) with the creative forces of the universe (evolved as the Holy Trinity). Crossing under it was regarded as an act of sacrilege. Additionally, ladders were sometimes used in medieval European witchcraft rituals, further contributing to the superstition.
5. Saying “bless you” after someone sneezes: The custom of saying “bless you” or “gesundheit” after someone sneezes has its roots in superstitions from various cultures. In ancient times, it was believed that sneezing expelled evil spirits from the body, and saying “bless you” was a way to protect the sneezer from being repossessed by malevolent entities.
6. Spring cleaning your home: The earliest recorded spring cleaning ritual hails from dynastic China and the Middle East. However, it’s evident in many traditions all over the globe. It’s traditional for families to clean their houses before the start of the new year (regarded as around the spring equinox in ancient cultures). The word ‘dust’ in Chinese is a homonym for ‘old’, so cleaning the house is symbolic of driving away the bad luck of the previous year to allow for a new start.
7. Throwing coins into fountains or wells for luck: This stems from pagan and Norse ancient beliefs in water deities or spirits inhabiting bodies of water. The coins (or objects of value) were offered as gifts or sacrifices to these entities in exchange for blessings or wishes granted.
Perhaps in a world wearied by an unrelenting pace, conflict and disconnect, a touch of magic and mystery is just what we need!
