MAGIC WORDS magician Tom Ogden elaborates: "Two thousand five hundred years ago, the Magi first visited Greece. The Magi (singular, Magus), a priesthood following the teachings of the Persian prophet Zoroaster, practiced astrology and other occult arts. The Greeks coined the term magikos to describe their mysteries. The Romans generalized the word's meaning with their Latin magical (meaning, essentially, the art of magic). The term referred to both the arcane practices, such as conjuring up spirits and foretelling the future, and the entertainer's performances of deception by nimble finger-work."8 Facts: "In Sanskrit [the] cosmic deception is called maya, which may be connected with the English word magic. . . . Personified, Maya is the cosmic magician, the creative power of the Godhead: 'Charmer who will be believed,' says Emerson, 'by man who thirsts to be deceived.'"9 "The name [for the trace mineral] manganese comes from the Greek word for magic, because the ancient Athenians believed the element had magical properties."10 In the film Bagdad Cafe (1987), Marianne Sägebrecht uses the word Magic to trigger magical effects. Professional magician Bill Wisch coined these two acronyms for the word magic: Males All Grownups into Children, and Mystification and Grati fication in Combination.11 Common Magician's Applications: "Remove a penny from your pock et show it fair and square. Close your hand around the penny and before you can say the word 'Magic,' it disappears."12 Variations and Incantations: • Abracadabra and let the magic begin! -- The Hindu (200 ) • Let the magic begin! -- Professional magician Duck Cameron (DuckMagic.com [2005]) -- Professional magician Colin Rose (ColinRoseMimc.co.uk [2005]) -- Professional magician Michael Bairefoot (BairefootMagic.com [200 ]) -- Professional magician David Penn (200 ). This is the name of Penn's touring cabaret show. • Magick "Magick is the art and metaphysical science of manifesting personal desires through the collection and direction of energy. The letter 'K' has traditionally been added to the word magic to distinguish it from sleight-of-hand stage magic." -- Raven Grimassi, Encyclopedia of Wicca & Witchcraft (2002) 8 The Complete Idiot's Guide to Magic Tricks (1998) 9 Eknath Easwaran, Dialogue With Death: A Journey Through Consciousness (1981) 10 Robert C. Atkins, Dr. Atkins' Vita-Nutrient Solution (1998) 11 Personal correspondence (2005); Wisch-Craft.com 12 Tannen's Magic, Tannens.com (2004)