imitative magic

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. Compare contagious magic.

Example Sentences

Collins believed that this was imitative magic of a familiar kind, done to secure success in the chase.

From Project Gutenberg

Imitative magic is based on a belief which obtains general currency that the effect resembles the cause which produces it.

From Project Gutenberg

The examples from this last group illustrate Frazers distinction between contagious magic and imitative magic.

From Project Gutenberg

First let us examine the simpler and more important case of imitative magic.

From Project Gutenberg

The acts appear to be simply procedures of imitative magic, customs sanctified by long usage.

From Project Gutenberg