Basing himself in the Indian city of Banaras, where magic is a familiar part of everyday life, the author reviews the major theories that have explained magic over the last century. He argues that all of these theories leave out something critical, namely what he calls "magical consciouness".



Glucklich offers a new approach towards the definition and understanding of magic. Basing himself in the Indian city of Banaras, where magic is a familiar part of everyday life, he reviews the major theories that have explained (or explained away) magic over the last century. He argues that all of these theories leave out something critical, namely what he calls "magical consciouness" - a special state of awareness of magicians and their clients which, though extraordinary, is also perfectly natural.