ABSTRACT
There are a great many rites and ceremonies in which the magical and religious element are so intimately intermingled, that it is scarcely possible to distinguish them strictly. Many prayers in the higher religions, for instance, may develop into something like a magical coercion of the divinity, without the suppliant, perhaps, being aware of it. Even offerings and sacrifices are thought in many cases to have the power of constraining or compelling the gods, or to augment their power. This chapter considers primarily such ritual acts as may be strictly described as the coercion of spirits, and are generally considered to need the co-operation of a shaman or sorcerer. The original idea underlying the use of magical instruments, was doubtless simply to drive away evil spirits through the strong or unusual sound they produced. Primitive peoples still commonly believe that by making a noise, by shooting into the air, and so on, invisible supernatural foes can be inspired with fear.
