Early man in magic. So do many primitive people today. They think that by certain words or doing certain things they can the health or actions of people at a distance.

man has not quite rid himself of these beliefs. people think the number 13 is unlucky. Some carry a mascot them against bad fortune or touch wood after they have that things are going well. Today such beliefs are called superstitions.

It is not to convince people that magic is useless. If a rain maker performs his day after day for months, he gets credit for the rain when it fall at last. Black magic may actually have the effect intended if the person against whom it directed learned about it and is badly frightened.