Ancient Egyptian Magic

Magic in correlation to the ancient Egyptian should be understood to have been done to have a result occur; it has an exact rather defined purpose, unlike cultic rites. (sorrensen 6) As stated by extra reading, “ Magical practice aimed to achieve a desired effect by symbolic means through an action, desired effect was to be achieved through an impersonal force, was intended to exploit spiritual possibilities for specific, unforeseen occurrences.” Magic is in essence, that which is trying to convince those whose use it of its effectiveness. However, the magic’s success was fundamentally linked to certain procedures or items that make it successful. (sorrensen 6-7,12) To give a clearer example of this would be the use of words in magical texts, specific words or associations accompany the magic, and they are inherent to a magical rites success. (sorrensen 6-8) Magic seems to have been deliberately intricate, difficult, and expensive to perform because of the ancient Egyptian mindset that it being ‘easy’ would make it insignificant and thus less effective. (Magical technique, 89) As previously stated, there are specific items that can be an essential part of a magical rite. …show more content…
(5-6)One use was it as a defensive magic, defense against various harmful agents be these tangible threats such as dangerous or poisonous animals or insects or more otherworldly threats such as demons and or the malicious dead (127). It could also be protection against other humans who were thought to be a threat (1778). Magic for them was also intricately linked to medicine. (12-13) Magic, in this correlation to medicine, acted as a rather protective force aiding in healing (77) The magic could also be used for less severe purposes and for more intimate issues such as matters of the heart, to help gain a wanted paramours affection