The article written by Coller focuses on defining the connection between the physical and psychological power in the phenomenon of sympathetic magic. The article explains that sympathetic magic in people’s spiritual connection to images of people or animals was first explored by Paleolithic hunters who believed that drawing the animal asserts hunters’ control over the animal’s destiny (Coller, 2014). The phenomenon of sympathetic magic is still present in modern society, and its elements can be traced in modern belief systems.
Firstly, in my understanding, sympathetic magic is a mental association that people establish between another individual or animal and the physical object containing their image or illustration. The magic is not necessarily limited by the individual and the depicted subject’s ownership relations. Thus, some of the examples drawn by Coller demonstrated that sympathetic magic provides a feeling of connection between the individual and the subject depicted in the image (2014). An alternative example of sympathetic magic’s application in today’s world, based on the connection in the form of admiration, is the sale of famous artists’ merchandise with their image. Thus, fans of the artist can choose everyday appliances, such as notebooks with the artist’s image, over regular items to feel a constant connection with the object of their admiration.
Considering sympathetic magic and its power to establish a link between the individual and the subject of its admiration, it is important to acknowledge sympathetic magic’s relation to faith and religion. Thus, superstition presents the individual’s irrational belief in the existence of supernatural forces. Religion can be acknowledged as a form of superstition; however, religion utilizes symbols based on the power of sympathetic magic, such as icons and symbols, which can mimic the evidence of God’s existence. Thus, images and other forms of art that picture God or the Saints provide the missing logical connections for believers and establish their faith.
In conclusion, this paper explored the phenomenon of sympathetic magic and defined its impact on modern society. The paper established that sympathetic magic not only personifies the control of a person over the depicted subject but also implies the individual’s connection to the person or animal in the image. Thus, in the modern world, the kind of connection provided by sympathetic magic is used by people who want to feel a connection with the object of admiration and religious believers.
Reference
Coller, G. (2014). Sympathetic magic. Psychology Today. Web.