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new content about magic in older cultures
The term 'magic' derives from the name of the [[priest]]ly caste of the [[Iranian]] religion, ''Magoi'' in [[Greek]], which at the time of the Graeco-Persian wars in the fifth century BC were commonly beleived in Greece to have practiced religious rituals hostile to Greek Freedom and victory in the wars of that time. The Greek word μαγοι is the one used in the [[Gospel of Matthew]] to describe the three ''[[Wise Men]]'' who come to visit Jesus at his birth.
The term 'magic' derives from the name of the [[priest]]ly caste of the [[Iranian]] religion, ''Magoi'' in [[Greek]], which at the time of the Graeco-Persian wars in the fifth century BC were commonly beleived in Greece to have practiced religious rituals hostile to Greek Freedom and victory in the wars of that time. The Greek word μαγοι is the one used in the [[Gospel of Matthew]] to describe the three ''[[Wise Men]]'' who come to visit Jesus at his birth.
==Magicians in Primitive Cultures==
In many [[pagan]] or [[polytheistic]] cultures, each village or region would have their own magician or shaman who would act as a [[medium]] to their gods. In times of crisis, such as [[drought]], [[pestilence]] or other [[natural disasters]], the shaman would cast spells to appease the gods to end the torment. Shamans would also sell love potions and good fortune powders in exchange for money, food or sexual favors. They would occasionally act as [[psychic]]s. They would also be the religious figure presiding over important events such as [[birth]], [[marriage]] and [[death]].
The magician or shaman would typically live alone outside the village, in order to preserve the magical mystique of his powers. In return for his protection, the village would collectively care for him (frequently shamans were men) by bringing him food daily. As the shaman became older, he would usually choose a young boy to train as his successor.
==Use as a Pejorative Label==
==Use as a Pejorative Label==