|Part of a series on| |Social and cultural anthropology| Magic
is the art of producing a desired effect or result through the
use of incantation, ceremony, ritual, the casting of spells or
various other techniques that presumably assure human control of
supernatural agencies or the forces of nature. Magic has been
practiced in many cultures, and utilizes ways of understanding,
experiencing and influencing the world somewhat akin to those
offered by religion, though it is sometimes regarded as more
focused on achieving results than religious worship. Magic is
often viewed with suspicion by the wider community, and is
commonly practiced in isolation and secrecy. Modern Western
magicians generally state magic's primary purpose to be personal
spiritual growth. Modern perspectives on the theory of magic
broadly follow two major views. The first sees magic as a result
of a universal sympathy within the universe, where if something
is done here a result happens somewhere else. The other view
sees magic as a collabor