The Commodification of Magic

    I have been so fascinated learning about the transformation and progression of the perception of magic and witchcraft throughout history. Pre-historically, magic was widespread and seen as necessary for much of the connection with the spiritual world which spilled over into the physical. As time moved on - and particularly as zealous Christians became more populous - magic was seen as divergent and evil, a pest to be exterminated. No one could any longer be a cunning folk or shaman, seeking to heal and help those in their community; they were all classified as Devil worshippers regardless of true practice or personal intention. 

    Then comes along the Enlightenment with its highly scientific and reason-based explanations for the world in which we live. The belief persisted and increasingly grew that magic was impossible - defying the laws of the natural and physical world was not something that could reasonably occur - so it logically followed that magic practitioners were nonexistent as well. At this point in time, “witches” were no longer criminalized because they were taken to be mentally ill or fraudulent individuals. Sure, they weren’t being charged and executed for unfounded claims anymore, but these practitioners were discredited all the same.

    The end of the Enlightenment heralded the reign of Romanticism, countering the strict boundaries of logic with emotional and psychological experiences that surfaced in art, music, architecture, and theory. This age of rebirth also led to the resurgence of the belief in magic and the occult as people became more interested in the exotic and unknown. Throughout this period and into the present day, one could argue that a commodification of magical practices and services developed significantly. The days of folk healing and religious belief began to phase out in Europe and America - though they certainly remained in particular areas of the world - as the spectacle of magic and the occult grew in popularity in the late 1700s. 

    Hoards of rich people attending Franz Mesmer’s hypnotic sessions, groups tripping over themselves to join a seance, the widespread personal use of tarot cards, Ouija boards, horoscopes, and palm reading: all these and more show the itching desire of the public to get their hands on magical or occult experiences. Additionally, the specialization of these practices became less and less exclusive to particular members of society as basically anyone could and did offer services, genuine or fraudulent. Another interesting aspect to the commodification of magic for me is my observation that many of the secret societies (Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, Rosicrucianism, Kabbalah, etc.) seemed to have the same basic formula: “We have top secret knowledge and understanding of the happenings of the world and you can only be a trusted, initiated member to learn them.” While certainly there were variants in their practices and rituals, overall it seems to me that people wanted to be considered part of some elite. 

    A final transition into modern perceptions of magic really highlight its commodification. Nowadays - excepting those who are involved in practices such as Wicca - a majority of magical or occult interaction and depiction is purely through forms of entertainment and consumption. I mean look at half of the basis of this course: magic in media. Through magic shows, movies, TV shows, musicals, and literature, magic has been commodified to its highest degree; in my point of view, it is no longer widely utilized for true belief or power, rather for a taste of the exotic just like the Romanticists.