One of the first premises of magico-anthropology is that “Magic is.” Exactly what it is, is another story; and one that has filled my life with joy and wonder. No matter where you look, you’ll find magic. Even supposed “anti-magic” people are immersed in it. I would even go so far as to say that everyone is involved in magic to some degree, or at least involved in magical thinking. The relationship between an individual’s acknowledgement of this magic in general and his/her conscious integration of it is, according to me, an indicator of mental health and intelligence. That’s why adamant deniers of the “dark side” (whatever that means) are often just monotheistically compensating for their own fears by scapegoating others/the “other.” This rabid form of monotheism can also include other blind faiths, such as empiricism. People who sport a more holistic and tolerant approach usually have an easier time acknowledging magic in the inner as well as the outer. And they’re usually a lot...