法术(magic)
指据说可以动员非人力所能及的神秘外力以影响自然事物的仪式或活动（如符咒或咒语）。法术构成许多宗教系统的核心，在不少无文字文化中扮演着重要的社会角色。法术与宗教的区别在於法术更侧重於非人力的、机械性的作用，也更强调技巧。其技巧常常被认为是达到某种目的的手段（例如使敌军溃败、下雨等），也有一种观点认为这种活动是超自然现象的一种象徵和表达方式，因此求雨的仪式往往既是一种祈求又是和雨相关的农业活动的象徵。术士和法术仪式基本上是围绕着禁忌、净化手续和其他活动进行，吸引参与者进入法术的境界。在西方传统中一直都有法术，过去是和异教徒、炼金术士、女巫和魔术师有关，而现在则和撒旦崇拜等活动有关。魔术表演（有时称为戏法）靠的就是手的细微动作和别的相似方法。亦请参阅shaman、voodoo、witchcraft and sorcery。
English version：
magic
Use of means (such as charms or spells) believed to have supernatural power over natural forces. It constitutes the core of many religious systems and plays a central social role in many nonliterate cultures. Magic is often distinguished from religion as being more impersonal and mechanical and emphasizing technique. Its techniques are usually regarded as means to specific ends (an enemy's defeat, rainfall, etc.), although another view ascribes a more symbolic, expressive character to such activity. Thus, a rainmaking ritual may both elicit rainfall and stress the symbolic importance of rain and the agricultural activities associated with it. Both the magician and the magical rite are typically surrounded by taboos, purification procedures, and other activities that draw the participants into the magical sphere. Strains of magic in Western tradition, formerly associated with heretics, alchemists, witches, and sorcerers, persist in modern times in the activities of satanists and others. The art of entertaining by performing apparently magical feats (sometimes called conjuring) relies on the use of slight of hand and other means. See also ritual, shaman, vodun, witchcraft and sorcery.