What many people think of when they think of magic is Hollywood magic, like Harry Potter, charmed, and even vampires and werewolves, but from what I've noticed it seems that real magic settles mostly into inner visualization and meditation. Now I've only come to this realization through research and reading various people's feelings and opinions on the subject of magic.
Magic is, according to a very popular definition, [affecting] change [in accordance with one's will] .
The first place many people start is inner change. That is, becoming a better person.
Meditation has proven benefits, as well as training one's mind for concentration.
Depending on someone's own personal beliefs, magic may include affecting change according to their will on their circumstances. That is, they believe in a subtle energy which can influence situations. Typically, however, this is not making money from nothing such as finding a bundle of cash on the sidewalk. More often than not, it is much more subtle.
But the more effective work is almost always in terms of personal change: success, confidence, courage, and other emotional effects.
As for the inner visualizations, that's an entirely different aspect which includes things from visualization exercises during meditation, to pathwalking and astral projection, and much more.
But yes: Before I forget, you're right. Magic is not like the movies or (fiction) books. In fact, it's often not like supposed non-fiction books, either. It's just very difficult to realistically portray magic.
The problem with magic is the very word itself. It is used for all sorts of situations and descriptions.
"He is magic on the football field".
"He is magic in the Ring."
"Watch that ballerina, she is sheer magic!"
"You should see his garden. It's magic!"
Then there are all the fairy tales. The magic boots. The magic lamp. The magic ring. The magic pumpkin turning into a glass coach!
Every conceivable skill is deemed to be "magic". "His paintings are magic!"
Over the years, I have tried not to write the word "in isolation" by writing Real Magic; or Witchcraft/Magic.
Even Crowley's spelling of Magick has been used by Stage Illusionists.
The word has become meaningless!
Shall we use the original words for "the magic"?
The Craft!
This is what my witch teacher told me about witchcraft and magic:-
"Witchcraft is the knowledge of the few, for the benefit of the many."
"Magic is changing one or more things into something totally different."
That "change" can be in attitude to life; a change in the immediate environment; a change in the way we 'think'; a change in material objects.
Magic is all around you; every day! It is constant in Nature.
But you have to "see it"! And there are none so blind as those who refuse to see!
