[Undated - 1968]: Notes on Ritual and Magic. Cogitations

I define ‘magic’ as a resort to control the physical environment. I reserve ‘ritual’ to define that aspect of magic which is concerned to control the spiritual world.

I shall be concerned mostly with the discussion of ritual, but while I wish to preserve scientific rigour in discussion, I do not wish to give the impression that the rigidity imparted by the limitations of rigorous discussion has any counterpart in the nebulous domain that is the object of this discussion.

I can indicate the difficulty by reminding you that what a scientist today might regard as the physical environment at some period in history appears quite consciously to have included spirits, good and bad, and to the observation of a psychoanalyst may still – at least unconsciously – include good and bad spirits. Indeed, we assume, without usually recognizing that it is an assumption, that there is such a thing as a psyche that can be scientifically studied, that is studied with no allegiance to anything other than the truth. As psychoanalysts we are aware that such a claim for our investigations would be rash indeed, except as an assumption to be investigated.

Investigation was founded on the belief in one underlying principle of magic: astrology and alchemy. Astrology is applied astronomy based on observation and mathematical calculations. Alchemy is experimental chemistry. Investigation suffered from inaccurate observation, erroneous assumptions and false conclusions.

The belief in a universal spirit or principle animating the world has been and is powerful – a psychoanalytic fact.

Ritual or ceremonial magic is aimed at the control of the spirit world by various means, from short spells and charms to lengthy and highly elaborate ceremonies including prayers and invocations.