What is magic?

Recently I watched this amazing video and it got me thinking: What is magic and why do some magic systems feel less magical than others?

The video explains it nicely but I still felt the need to put my thoughts down on paper.

Also I’ve found this video that encapsulates my ideas really nicely if you wish more details.

Magic in real life

From what I understand, magic in real life is a blanket term for something you believe in yet has no proof. It’s magic because you believe it’s true, not because it’s proven.

For example: A magical amulet is magical as long as you personally believe it is. No one can truly verify that it’s magic.

That is what I believe magic to be in real life, a belief.

Magic in fantasy

Fantasy throws a wrench in this equation because there usually is proof. A fireball ether appears or it doesn’t.

So now that proof exists, fantasy magic is no longer just a belief, it’s more of a belief to science spectrum. The more rules you place on magic, the closer to science and farther away from belief it gets.

This balancing act is what I believe to be the purpose of the magic system is. To decide where roughtly the magic of the story falls on this spectrum.

That’s why some magic systems feel less magical, they tend to be more on the science end of the spectrum.

In conclusion

I believe magic in real life to not be the same as magic in fantasy stories. I think real life magic exists due to people’s belief in it while fantasy magic is usually a mix of both belief and proof.

Magic systems seem to be a way of trying to manage a belief to science spectrum in a way the author believes it is best for the story.