Except from
Oriental Magic
by Idries Shah
(Octagon Press; 1993) ISBN-13: 978-0863040177

Chapter 6

pg. 51

'Ju-Ju Land of the Twin Niles'

When the aspiring student presents himself to a witch-doctor for training, he is always questioned closely as to his motives. If the answers satisfy the master -- or the magic council, as the case may be -- he will be accepted upon payment of a regular fee. This payment is considered to be most important: not only because of the money involved which is usually small… but because of the first principle of Nagua or wonder-working.

The reason given is that the presiding genie of Nagua -- from whom all power is derived -- demands a sacrifce of money, razor blades or other small gifts. This is oddly reminiscent of the more Western tradition of medieval magical ritual, in which regular sacrifices -- or their equivalent -- were made by the invocant. Similarly, when the witch-doctor (the Irrah) casts a spell for a client or exercises his powers in any way, he demands a coin: much in the same way as a gipsy asks for her palm to be crossed with silver before her power will work.

p. 52

The initiation starts with the master taking the pupil to a stream and making him bathe therein (1). Together they enter a cave or retire under an overhanging bank to assist the magic's spirit to enter their hearts. This points to some traditional associations with a water deity now probably forgotten. When I asked the reason for it, they did not know, but all was essential.

Next a flower resembling the common English primrose is picked and presented to the neophyte. After teaching him a number of simple spells, the tutor takes his student to a magician's conference, there to watch the rituals of the art.

Typical of the spells is this one, for victory: "I am a Magician, all-powerful in spells. What I say comes true. I say, 'Give victory to so-and-so'. He will have victory in all things." Then the Magician goes on to detail the kind of success desired, with many an embellishment of the prowess soon to be infused in the lucky warrior or huntsman.

This was repeated seven times, the magician squatting on the bare earth. Before him stood the inevitable water-filled pot; in his hand the sacred whistle.

"When you say this," said the Irrah in explanation of the spell, "have a wooden whistle in your mouth; then blow it three times towards the points of the compass."

All spells are regarded as more potent if said over running water.

Footnotes

(1) In the countries of the Arabised and Semitic Middle East, magic is considered to be destroyed by water, especially running water.

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