imitative magic

American  

noun

1. magic that attempts to control the universe through the mimicking of a desired event, such as by stabbing an image of an enemy in an effort to destroy them or by performing a ritual dance imitative of the growth of food in an effort to secure an abundant supply; a branch of sympathetic magic based on the belief that similar actions produce similar results.

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Example Sentences

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imitative magic

“Consumers use contagious and imitative magic to imbue replica instruments with power,” Dr. Fernandez and Dr. Lastovicka write in a forthcoming issue of the Journal of Consumer Research.

From New York Times ● Mar. 9, 2011

That is a belief in what is also called imitative magic: things that resemble each other have similar powers.

From New York Times ● Mar. 9, 2011

The methods by which they attempt to discharge the duties of their office are commonly, though not always, based on the principle of homoeopathic or imitative magic.

From The Golden Bough by Frazer, James George, Sir

Sometimes homoeopathic or imitative magic is called in to annul an evil omen by accomplishing it in mimicry.

From The Golden Bough by Frazer, James George, Sir

On the principles of homoeopathic or imitative magic it might be thought that the higher the priests swing the higher will grow the rice.

From The Golden Bough by Frazer, James George, Sir