Is A Magic 8 Ball Really Magic? Or Just A Toy?

Is A Magic 8 Ball Really Magic? Or Just A Toy?

Absolutely. Once you find one you feel a connection you, keep it. It will take you through your best and worst times. It will be your favourite partner.

But is the Magic 8 Ball really magic? Yes, indeed it is. It is a remarkable device. When used with intent, anything can become a divinatory tool. Interestingly enough, the Magic 8 Ball was initially even inspired by a spirit-writing device.

Almost like the Philosopher’s stone from the magical world of Harry Potter, or what Sir Isaac Newton called, the Sophik Mercury, with which man can change any dark coloured stone to purest gold.

Because, anything is possible if you believe in it. Right?

What is Magic?

Before we dive into the magical powers (or not?) of the Magic 8 Ball, let’s talk a little bit about the concept of magic itself.

According to the Britannica Encyclopaedia, the word magic is used to “describe a mode of rationality or way of thinking that looks to invisible forces to influence events, effect change in material conditions, or present the illusion of change.”

Within most traditions and beliefs, this way of thinking is distinct from religious or scientific modes. The basic purpose of the phenomenon of magic is to acquire knowledge, power, love, or wealth; to heal or ward off illness or danger; to guarantee productivity or success in an endeavour; to reveal hidden information; or, to entertain. The effectiveness of magic, really, depends on the power of belief in the unknown – which is thought to have access to unseen forces and the special manipulation of these forces.

The Anthropological and Psychological Standing of Magic

Belief in magic is a fundamental facet of the human mind – a subconscious belief in the supernatural. Research also shows how engagement in magical thinking can enhance cognitive functioning, such as creative thinking, perception and memory.

Anthropology views magic as a social phenomenon. Prominent Psychologist, Sigmund Freuds influential view of magic was that a wish or intention done with the strongest belief led automatically to the fulfilment of the desired end.

The Elements of Magic

To better understand the concept of magic, we broke it down to its three major elements, that can simply be classified as the following:

1. Rituals
2. Materials
3. Functions

We looked at all four elements of magic briefly, in accordance of the phenomenon in itself.

1. Rituals: Traditionally, the performance of magic involves words, symbolic number, and/or ritualistic actions that are believed to draw power from spiritual agencies to accomplish magic. Magicians, like priests presiding over religious rituals, observe restrictions of diet or sexual activity to demarcate the rite from ordinary and profane activities and to invest it with sanctity
2. Materials: Materials, or what anthological literature refers to as medicines, include herbs, potions or liquids, gemstones, and/or sacred objects that are thought to be potent in themselves or empowered by rituals. For example, the tribe Zande of South Sudan place a stone in a tree fork to postpone the setting of the sun.
3. Functions: Magic plays an instrumental and expressive role in the society. It exists to influence nature and solicit a successful outcome in human behaviour. Its function exists from the symbolic and social meaning attached to its practice – it provides a sense of identity, power and strength.

Do you believe in Magic?

Conclusively, magic is inseparable from the systems of thought, belief and practice in any given society, tradition or religion. All three elements help us further understand that sometimes all you need is the power within you and some faith to see and make magic yourself. It is, essentially, about believing in yourself. If you can do that, you can make anything happen.

The great Lewis Carroll, the creator of the magical world of Alice in Wonderland said it more succinctly that anyone else: “You know what the issue is with the world? Everyone wants a magical solution to their problem, and everyone refuses to believe in magic.”

The Power of the Unknown

“What the eyes see and the ears hear, the mind believes.” – Harry Houdini

Essentially, the universe exists in magic. There is magic in even the most mundane things if you believe in it – the unexplainable connections we feel with objects and people, moments of synchronicity, the answers we hear in whispered voices when we are at our most difficult points in life.

The power of the unknown is just this – it is the infinite power within you to create a life beyond your wildest dreams. It is about empowering belief systems that lead to success, the correct answer. It is confidence and success.

And lastly, it may be the many unexpected ‘Aha’ moments one has when the Magic 8 Ball gives us the answer that we want to hear, that we envisioned. The one that the universe sought for us when we asked it with the sheer willingness to listen to it.

The magic that is the Magic 8 Ball

“It’s a simple, self-contained, self-explanatory item that plays into something we’re all curious about—the future,” said Mike Drake, special projects director for Mezco Toyz and a noted toy expert.

Yes, the Magic 8 Ball is magic. And no, the Magic 8 Ball isn’t just a toy.

The magic lies within the user of the Magic 8 Ball – his actions, intentions and willingness to believe in what he sees.

The Magic 8 Ball may look like just a simple small pyramidal object floating around freely inside a glass or plastic bubble filled with a dark liquid. And it is. But it also has at its disposal all the wisdom of the universe if you are willing to see them.

So why hesitate? Lay all those vital questions on it and believe in what you see. Feel secure in the knowledge that the right decision has been made for you with unshakeable accuracy. Believe in it and the universe will create for you the magic that is the Magic 8 Ball.

Conclusion

Everything is conscious.

You can will a sign for any event and just wait for an answer.

Or you can find guidance from everything around you – how you feel, the clouds in the morning, your gut feeling and yes of course, even a Magic 8 Ball.

References

Reference 1: Britannica “Magic: Supernatural Phenomenon”
https://www.britannica.com/topic/magic-supernatural-phenomenon

Reference 2: Frontiers in Psychology “A framework for using magic to study the mind”
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01508/full

Reference 3: Sage Journals “The Belief in Magic in the Age of Science”
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2158244014521433

Reference 4: From Abba to Zoom: A Pop Culture Encyclopedia of the Late 20th Century By David Mansour

Reference 5 – Totem and Taboo, book by Sigmund Freud. Published in 1913

Figure 1 – ILLUSTRATION of a Magic 8 ball by Kristy Black
https://dribbble.com/shots/10067624-ILLUSTRATION-magic-8-ball

Figure 2- The greatest magician of all time, in the image above David Copperfield, said that it was the unspoken ethic of all magicians to not reveal their secrets.

Figure 3 – Anyone who knows magic knows the greatest of them all – Harry Houdini

Figure 4 – Application Tarot: Fortune by Joshua Goupil
https://dribbble.com/shots/5425629-Application-Tarot-Fortune