EP1 MAGIC AND THE RELIGIOUS ORDER: CHAPTER 1

 

Chapter 1 - Magic Was Everywhere

Before science, before scripture, before the great empires, there was magic. It wasn't a fringe belief; it was the operating system of the ancient world, woven into the fabric of daily life. Shamans, mediums, and magicians were the original scientists and therapists, consulted by kings and commoners alike for guidance, healing, and a glimpse into the unseen.  If magic was the grammar of the cosmos, then for millennia, it was also humanity's most practical language. It wasn't just a set of beliefs; it was a toolkit for survival—the original science, therapy, and political charter...

Those with the ability to bless kings and warriors, and curse their enemies, inspired reverence, and fear. Deals with the gods, particularly through ritual sacrifice, were meant to win battles, atone for sins, and secure bountiful harvests. 

Many cultures - like the Native Americans, Africans, and Vikings - had mystics and spiritualists that operated independently of religion or the ruling class.  While spiritual or occult practices in the old world weren't exclusive to the priesthood, those who became the official custodians of the supernatural were more likely to gain favor and influence—especially if they appeared to have direct access to the gods. Magic extended beyond the ability to predict the future or consult with departed souls. The idea that an unseen god could influence positive outcomes in exchange for devotion and obedience was another kind of magic: the ultimate supernatural. This was seen in China, where kings governed according to Heaven's Mandate (1046–256 BCE) and in the early Vedic society (c. 1500–500 BCE), where priests and kings made ready use of rituals and prayers to influence outcomes.   

There are countless examples of people employing the supernatural throughout the ages: From Mesopotamian diviners (3000 BCE) reciting incantations to ward off evil spirits to Norse specialists called Seiðr (8th Century CE) putting themselves in a trance-like state in order to connect with the spirit world, and galdr chanters reciting magical verses to protect their warriors in battle.

In the modern world, supernatural practices are no longer mainstream, as they were in ancient times. No one’s casting spells in the US Congress (that we know of). Mediums and psychics are still doing their thing - but you’re not going to see a world leader consulting the Oracle of Delphi before launching a new policy, unless they’re secretly moonlighting as Croesus.
Somewhere during the transition to our modern world, magic became a sideshow, and practices once central to survival were stigmatized, fading into the shadows. While the internet has fueled a new curiosity for the occult, it’s a faint echo of the past. To understand why that happened—why the magic left the world—we have to unravel some startling truths about who we are and where our most cherished beliefs truly come from. This forgotten past will shed new light on modern trends. Our journey takes us to a time before religion sought to contain magic in an iron crucible, to the very birthplace of civilisation.