Do you believe in magic? Symbol realism and magical practices

Abstract

A symbol usually represents an object, concept or thought. In the case of magic' the word does not stand for something; it does not represent a certain object, but rather presents a certain meaning. The meaning itself may be manifold. Magic can be performed, and it can have consequences - if you believe in it. Individuals may have certain superstitions, or they might wear lucky charms. When did you last throw a penny into a fountain? Even if one does not believe in magic or has never performed magical practices, certain incidents may still lack a rational explanation. When falling in love, for example, one might feel as if one is under someone's spell'. If we actually believed that a spell was laid upon an individual, the articulation of linguistic forms would be endow[ed]...with the potency of real objects or actions'. But do we really believe' in magic? Is it not only something for the primitive' mind? In this article, it will be shown that the belief in magic has not (yet) disappeared, and that it may even be of protective value for an individual's well-being.