Magic and the Supernatural - Lancaster University

Eglė Savickaitė
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human convictions, standpoints of the world, noticed regularities, but by similar
beliefs conditioned actions also. Unexpectedly, appears another problem. During
the time of investigation becomes clear that only one fifth of the questioned
students sincerely believe to what they have or practice. That testifies about the
dominating function related to the game (when foreign students were questioned,
these numbers even more decreased). 8 Therefore, the concept of belief falls away,
unless it is replaced by a bit different concept of popular belief 9 or half-belief. 10
Disclosing main concepts of magic, superstition, the characteristics of modern
superstition and magic are revealed. So, let’s look carefully at the modern patterns,
main principles of superstitions, magic and then we will see if my gathered data
confirms a big part of it. J. Simpson & S. Roud identified some of the patterns,
formulas, basic principles controlling superstition:
(a)They aim to ‘accentuate the positive/eliminate the negative’:
do this for good luck, avoid that to prevent bad luck. (b) Luck can
be influenced, but not completely controlled. (c) Do not
transgress category boundaries [...]. (d) To seem too confident
about the future is ‘tempting fate’ and attracts retribution [...]. (e)
Some days or times are lucky or (more usually) unlucky; they
vary in frequency [...]. (f) Something that begins well (or badly)
will probably continue that way. (g) As in magic, things
physically linked retain a link even when separated [...]. (h) Evil
forces exist and are actively working to harm you [...]. (I) certain
things, words, or actions have powerfully negative effects, and
must be avoided and counteracted (taboo). (j) Anything sudden,
unexpected, or unusual can be seen as an omen, usually of
misfortune. 11
Most of the mentioned principles that control superstition I noticed at the time
of systematizing gathered data on students’ superstitions. Young people mostly
talk about success, luck and seek for it. Some students’ answers show that they
understand they are not able to control success, luck completely. In contemporary
students’ community belief in superstitions is usually mixed with the game. One
can try to control luck, predict the future, but not necessary successfully. There are
no strict boundaries in students’ superstitions: something is magical till it brings
luck. Otherwise, it is changed by something else.
Students’ magic is also analyzed by D. & Ch. Albas. During the research
scholars separate two large categories of it: material objects and behavior. These
objects are divided into smaller parts that refer to lucky or unlucky, tabooed.
Talking about material objects that are referred to luck, they are sub-classified into
oldies and oddities, lucky locations and miscellaneous. 12 Mentioned sub-classes are
divided into smaller groups such as appearance, books, pen, and food. Appearance
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