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'''Magic''' is the use of supernatural powers to affect reality. As noted by [[Clarke's Law]], most if not all reported cases of "magic" were actually scientific, and belief in magic is generally restricted mostly to primitive cultures.  Magic was thought by these cultures to be the specialty of [[witch]]es, [[fairies]] and others with special powers.
'''Magic''' is a framework for understanding and altering reality based on irrationality, ritual and will.  


The [[Sycorax]], for example, believed that [[blood control]] was supernatural. One member of [[United Nations Intelligence Taskforce|UNIT]] stated that it looked like a spell was being cast. The [[Sycorax leader]] described the ability of [[Tenth Doctor|the Doctor]] to grow back his hand, which the leader had cut off, as "witchcraft" ([[DW]]: ''[[The Christmas Invasion]]''). In a similar fashion, [[Human]]s similarly found it hard to distinguish between the [[psychic]] powers and technology used by the [[Dæmon]], [[Azal]] and the supernatural. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Dæmons]]'')
==Cosmological status==
Magic formed part of the fundamental 'operating system' of both the [[universe]] which existed before [[the Doctor]]'s own and the universe which would would eventually follow it ([[MA]]: ''[[Millennial Rites]]''). Some universes which existed 'sideways in time' were also magic-based ([[DW]]: ''[[Battlefield]]'').


Different versions of science also seemed magical to some races. For example, the word-based science of the [[Carrionite]]s was so different to the mathematical-based science of most other races, even [[Tenth Doctor|the Doctor]] initially mistook it for witchcraft. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Shakespeare Code]]'')
It was initially a strong force within the Doctor's universe, back in the time of the [[Pythia]], but as the [[Time Lord]]s rose to shape that universe, its principles were replaced by those of [[science]] as that which underpinned reality ([[NA]]: ''[[Cat's Cradle: Time's Crucible]]'', ''[[Christmas on a Rational Planet]]'').


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Had the [[Ferutu]], rather than the Gallifreyans, become the Lords of Time then the universe would have continued along magical principles ([[MA]]: ''[[Cold Fusion]]'').
 
==Within a Rational Universe==
The Doctor claimed not to believe in magic ([[DW]]: ''[[The Dæmons]]'', [[MA]]: ''[[The Sorcerer's Apprentice ]]'') and endorsed  [[Clarke's Law]] ([[DW]]: ''[[Battlefield]]''). Indeed, most instances of the supernatural encountered by the Doctor's first seven incarnations eventually stood revealed as the effects of alien science, be they the the [[psychic]] powers and technology used by the [[Dæmon]], [[Azal]] ([[DW]]: ''[[The Dæmons]]''), or the [[nanotechnology]] of [[Elbyon]] ([[MA]]: ''[[The Sorcerer's Apprentice ]]'').
 
Yet the [[Seventh Doctor]] was not entirely inflexible on the matter, as evidenced by the corollary he added to Clarke's Law stating that any sufficiently advanced form of magic is indistinguishable from technology ([[DW]]: ''[[Battlefield]]'').
 
One of the many sources of contention between [[Gallifrey]] and [[Faction Paradox]] was whether or not the rituals the Faction employed genuinely invoked [[voodoo]] spirits called [[loa]], or whether the Faction were simply personifying the scientific principles with which they were engaging ([[FP]]: ''[[The Book of the War]]'').
 
==After Gallifrey==
 
Following the first destruction of [[Gallifrey]] ([[EDA]]: ''[[The Ancestor Cell]]'') then the [[Time Lords]]' exorcism of the irrational from the universe was revoked and magic regained its potency ([[EDA]]: ''[[The City of the Dead]]'', ''[[The Adventuress of Henrietta Street]]'').
 
It is unknown whether the same has happened following the ''second'' destruction of Gallifrey in the [[Last Great Time War]]. Certainly, the Doctor was initially prepared to consider the lingusitic-science of the [[Carrionite]]s to be witchcraft ([[DW]]: ''[[The Shakespeare Code]]'').
 
Elsewhere, Clarke's Law continues to be the order of the day. The [[Sycorax]]'s form of [[blood control]] was understood by both a member of [[United Nations Intelligence Taskforce|UNIT]] and by the [[Sycorax]] themselves to be supernatural. The Doctor's [[regeneration|regenerative]] abilities were also taken for witchcraft ([[DW]]: ''[[The Christmas Invasion]]'').
 
On a number of occasions the Doctor appears to have suggested that a magical and a scientific understanding of the same phenomenon are now interchangable ([[DW]]: ''[[The Girl in the Fireplace]]'', ''[[Tooth and Claw]]'').


[[Category:Occult]]
[[Category:Occult]]
[[Category:Temporal theory]]

Revision as of 16:25, 1 December 2007

Magic is a framework for understanding and altering reality based on irrationality, ritual and will.

Cosmological status

Magic formed part of the fundamental 'operating system' of both the universe which existed before the Doctor's own and the universe which would would eventually follow it (MA: Millennial Rites). Some universes which existed 'sideways in time' were also magic-based (DW: Battlefield).

It was initially a strong force within the Doctor's universe, back in the time of the Pythia, but as the Time Lords rose to shape that universe, its principles were replaced by those of science as that which underpinned reality (NA: Cat's Cradle: Time's Crucible, Christmas on a Rational Planet).

Had the Ferutu, rather than the Gallifreyans, become the Lords of Time then the universe would have continued along magical principles (MA: Cold Fusion).

Within a Rational Universe

The Doctor claimed not to believe in magic (DW: The Dæmons, MA: The Sorcerer's Apprentice ) and endorsed Clarke's Law (DW: Battlefield). Indeed, most instances of the supernatural encountered by the Doctor's first seven incarnations eventually stood revealed as the effects of alien science, be they the the psychic powers and technology used by the Dæmon, Azal (DW: The Dæmons), or the nanotechnology of Elbyon (MA: The Sorcerer's Apprentice ).

Yet the Seventh Doctor was not entirely inflexible on the matter, as evidenced by the corollary he added to Clarke's Law stating that any sufficiently advanced form of magic is indistinguishable from technology (DW: Battlefield).

One of the many sources of contention between Gallifrey and Faction Paradox was whether or not the rituals the Faction employed genuinely invoked voodoo spirits called loa, or whether the Faction were simply personifying the scientific principles with which they were engaging (FP: The Book of the War).

After Gallifrey

Following the first destruction of Gallifrey (EDA: The Ancestor Cell) then the Time Lords' exorcism of the irrational from the universe was revoked and magic regained its potency (EDA: The City of the Dead, The Adventuress of Henrietta Street).

It is unknown whether the same has happened following the second destruction of Gallifrey in the Last Great Time War. Certainly, the Doctor was initially prepared to consider the lingusitic-science of the Carrionites to be witchcraft (DW: The Shakespeare Code).

Elsewhere, Clarke's Law continues to be the order of the day. The Sycorax's form of blood control was understood by both a member of UNIT and by the Sycorax themselves to be supernatural. The Doctor's regenerative abilities were also taken for witchcraft (DW: The Christmas Invasion).

On a number of occasions the Doctor appears to have suggested that a magical and a scientific understanding of the same phenomenon are now interchangable (DW: The Girl in the Fireplace, Tooth and Claw).

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