What is a good term for?

[Sun Sprite]

I need a useful term for something. I am writing a short story in which evil parents send their 4 year old daughter to a shaman to be taught "black majic" so they can use their daughter as a weapon. (Don't worry, she becomes a seer, and only sees bad things about to happen). What is an acceptable term to use in place of "black majic", since it is not really a "true" concept?

Any ideas or suggestions are helpful,
Sun Sprite

[-Ember]

Depends on the world you are setting up. If it is based on this world, you would want to research the culture. If inventing the world... well, is it based on a particular culture? What cultures are similar to it in our world? that could give you some ideas. The main thing in that case is to define whatever word/phrase you use and hold to it.

The biggest problem is english... we don't have all that sophisticated a vocabulary for magic. All the native terms with the carefully dilineated differences get turned into "witch", "witch-doctor", "shaman", "sorcerer", "mage", "magician."

[Lunacie]

Evil Eye
Hex
Hoodoo
Jinx
Whammy

[Brandon Bee]

Destructive magic?

[Meabh23]

Perhaps leave the colors out of it and use something more sophisticated like "left hand path" or invent a term. Or you can simply call it "evil magic."

You should brush up a bit on occult terminology and while doing so, you'll probably get some good ideas for terms.

[Mouse]

Baneful majic?

[Meabh23]

Baneful majic?


That could work, except that baneful really used to mean something that repelled or was detrimental, not necessarily "evil".

[Mouse]

true, but a lot of people don't subscribe to the concepts of absolute evil, lol. I'm just throwing ideas on the pile. You have a good point though!

[Toby Stimpson]

Perhaps use an animal? I know in mythology there is a great abundance of so called 'evil' or malicious creatures...perhaps if it is shamanry that it could be Path of the Wolf or Path of the Dog...or whatever the characters in your story fear.

Namaste

Tobias

[Sun Sprite]

Thanks everyone. I really liked Galadraal's suggestion. If the Parents want "the Way of the Vulture", but she is taught "The Way of the Eagle" that sounds unique, and doesn't use terms that are out of favor, and really don't truly describe what needs to be described. I can certainly have them say to be sure she learns every kind of "destructive" magic.

Thanks so much!

[David19]

Perhaps use an animal? I know in mythology there is a great abundance of so called 'evil' or malicious creatures...perhaps if it is shamanry that it could be Path of the Wolf or Path of the Dog...or whatever the characters in your story fear.

Namaste

Tobias

I think that sounds like a good idea, since i think i've read that in Native American belief, the wolf is a symbol of 'evil' magic and is associated with sorcerers who practice it.

[LostSheep]

*see below*

[LostSheep]

Wolves are evil? My friend wouldn't like that ....

Anyway, I think I'd agree with what was said about 'good' and 'evil' not being absolutes, but all shades on a sprectrum ... but if you want to emphasise that it's a 'different' path, maybe you could say something like the 'left hand' path ...

[Toby Stimpson]

hehe who said Wolf was evil?...he's a prettyu decent guy...but the important thing is in your story what is the CULTURE of the people, and in that culture what are the symbolism surrounding certain animals or objects...and if any are negetive symbols then that way you can use that instead of using such a horrible cliche as "dark path" or like that. You know what I mean :)

Tobias

[Toby Stimpson]

Thanks everyone. I really liked Galadraal's suggestion. If the Parents want "the Way of the Vulture", but she is taught "The Way of the Eagle" that sounds unique, and doesn't use terms that are out of favor, and really don't truly describe what needs to be described. I can certainly have them say to be sure she learns every kind of "destructive" magic.

Thanks so much!

Hehe exactly...like of what i get from that idea is that in the culture in your story perhaps soem kind of mythologyu...where the eagle is a noble spirit of 'goodness' and takes life fairly...as opposed to the Vulture which prays on the weak and the fallen...which represents 'evil'...yep, if that works for you go for it hehe. :)

Tobias

[semi]

There's nothing inherently evil about any animal. And shamanism focuses mostly on healing and self-integration, not "evil" or "left hand magic." So maybe you could do something radical and go beyond stereotypes. Then maybe, just maybe, you won't use Voodoo or Hoodoo as a stereotypical representation of "black magic." PLeeeeeease! Maybe take a stereotype that is popularily seen as good and wholesome and make that entity the antagonist. That would be different.

[skilly-nilly]

I think that sounds like a good idea, since i think i've read that in Native American belief, the wolf is a symbol of 'evil' magic and is associated with sorcerers who practice it.


Using the term "Native American" is like using the term "Celtic"---it is horribly inexact. There are a great many different cultures and belief systems that were in use in North America before Europeanization. If you're going to refer to one of them, you should specify which one. If you don't know which one you're talking about maybe you should do a little research yourself.

[FaeryChild]

Well if you are creating your own world for this story, then you can invent a foreign sounding word and have a character explain that it means magic used to hurt people.