Just as the title says, do you believe magic exists in real life?

If you do, why?

Wow, such a broad question! Depends on what kind of magic you mean.

Magic - 1. the art of producing illusions as entertainment by the use of sleight of hand, deceptive devices, etc.; legerdemain; conjuring: to pull a rabbit out of a hat by magic.

By that definition, provided by dictionary.com, then yes, I certainly do believe in magic.

Nah not the illusionary stuff, I should've clarified

I mean witches, wizards, spells and all that stuff.

Well, I don't think I can get out of my car in traffic, wave my arms, yell "Corp Por" and zap someone with an energy bolt lol.

Other definitions of magic:
n. 1. The art that purports to control or forecast natural events, effects, or forces by invoking the supernatural.
2.
1. The practice of using charms, spells, or rituals to attempt to produce supernatural effects or control events in nature.
2. The charms, spells, and rituals so used.
3. The exercise of sleight of hand or conjuring for entertainment.
4. A mysterious quality of enchantment: "For me the names of those men breathed the magic of the past" (Max Beerbohm).

adj. 1. Of, relating to, or invoking the supernatural: "stubborn unlaid ghost/That breaks his magic chains at curfew time" (John Milton).
2. Possessing distinctive qualities that produce unaccountable or baffling effects.

Yes, I believe.

From Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic - "Magic or sorcery are terms referring to the influence of events and physical phenomenon through supernatural, mystical, or paranormal means. The term magic in its various translations has been used in a number of ways. From the point of view of an established religion, it has often been used as a pejorative term for the pagan rituals of competing ethnic groups, as belonging to an inferior (hence blasphemous or idolatrous) culture. The magic and religion article deals largely with this aspect."

Interpreting this a few ways...

1. Anyone who believes in God must, by extension, believe in magic, based on the definition of "supernatural" - "not existing in nature or subject to explanation according to natural laws; not physical or material; "supernatural forces and occurrences and beings" (Princeton Wordnet - http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=supernatural).

2. As it relates to the pagan world and religion (more often spelled with a "k" by those who practice the Wiccan religion to distinguish it from stage magic), magick is defined as "The art and occult science of changing events around you by manipulating energy in nature, the self, and the spirit world." (Google search of define:magick). Yes, I believe that magick exists and is valid.

So in both variations of the term, yes - I believe in magic. Personally, I chalk up many of the unexplainable good things that happen in life to be magic. There's a fine line between magic and miracles, in that sense. Magic causes miracles.

Ah that made me laugh out loud, thanks for that

Reason I asked, was a couple of people I knew in the past claimed to be witches and sometimes, although rarely, cast spells on people (Beneficial, I think)
Just makes me wonder if there's any "proof" that such spells, even work

I've read various sites with instructions on casting a range of spells, using various ingrediants that sound like reagents (lol) and using certain types of candles (colour/size etc)

No.

But I'd like to be wrong.

magic is like faith, if you believe it in your heart it is real then to you it is.

Same with religion, no matter what faith you are if it makes you happy and you are one with god not matter what you call him or how many forms he is then you should not be criticized.

I totally agree here and have always lived by one 'credo' ---

You are what you think.

We really do create our own reality and if someone believes in something, it is real to them.


Do *I* believe ---- hm.
I believe in coincidence, intuition, karma, sometimes I believe in destiny, 'prophecy', visions and something 'bigger' than all of us.

Magic --- as in "casting spells and being a witch"? I think there are many names for alot of the same thing ---- I believe in the power of thought and direction of energy and directing positive energy and thought in a 'beneficial' manner can be looked at by some as 'magic'.

Being able to pull of a Corp Por --- well some days I sure WISH I could! but I don't believe in anyone that can, except in UO.

No. There is no such thing as "real magic". Illusions and slight of hand are another thing, but as far as casting a spell or witchcraft, voodoo, NO! As far as biblical miracles and whatnot, thats a whole different story there....

Even though I am a scientist at heart, I think that there are too many things in this world that science cant explain.

Sorry to point this out, but "science" can only go as far as humanly possible. So I'm sure there will always be flaws.