sympathetic magic

noun

1. magic predicated on the belief that one thing or event can affect another at a distance as a consequence of a sympathetic connection between them.

sympathetic magic

noun

1. a type of magic in which it is sought to produce a large-scale effect, often at a distance, by performing some small-scale ceremony resembling it, such as the pouring of water on an altar to induce rainfall

Word History and Origins

Origin of sympathetic magic¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Discussion of Sympathetic Magic and the associated idea of danger from contact.

From Project Gutenberg

Therefore, by the laws of sympathetic magic, a sacrifice offered to the lava was the same as a sacrifice offered to the sun.

From Project Gutenberg

The doctrine of substitution found among all savages flows from the belief in sympathetic magic.

From Project Gutenberg

(i) Under the first head he included such rites as mimetic dances, rain-making, disease-making, and sympathetic magic generally.

From Project Gutenberg

We must also remind ourselves that these rites are generally based on a belief in imitative or sympathetic magic.

From Project Gutenberg