英文原文1

【英文原文】

摘要：魔法指试图用某些超自然的力量控制自然或他人的行为。现代科学已为很多神秘现象的原因提供了科学的解释，但仍然有人迷信星相和算命之类的魔法。

Magic is the practice of trying to control human actions or natural events by using powers that are supposed to be unnatural or superhuman. Now science has provided an increasingly greater understanding of the true caused of natural events, but many people still trust in such forms of magic as astrology and fortunetelling. Many people who believe in magic may carry magic objects called amulets or charms to protect themselves from harm. Amulets or charms may be stones or rings engraved with magic symbols.

To work most magic, the magician, who is supposed to have supernatural powers, sings or speaks special words in a certain order. These words are called incantations or spells. Some spells are prayers to demons, spirits, or other supernatural forces. Other magic words have no meaning, though they are supposed to have power when spoken by a magician. The magician may combine words with actions to form a ceremony called a rite or ritual.

Some people believe they can cause an event to happen by imitating what whey want to happen in a small scale. This magic is based on the belief that like produces like. For example, a magician trying to make rain fall may sprinkle water on the ground. Some people also believe a person can injure an enemy by damaging a lock of hair or a piece of clothing from the enemy. A magician can even cripple an enemy by putting a sharp object in that person’s footprint. People who believe in this kind of magic fear that an enemy can gain power over them by obtaining parts of their body. Therefore, they carefully dispose of their nails, hair, teeth, and even their body wastes. And for the same reason, witches and magicians may make a doll or some other likeness of an enemy, and try to harm the enemy by sticking pins into the doll or injuring it in some other way. The doll may have on it a lock of hair or a piece of clothing from the enemy.

英文原文2

During the Middle Ages, nearly all Europeans believed in magic. The so-called science of alchemy included much magic. Alchemists hoped to discover the philosopher's stone, a magic substance that could change iron, lead, and other metals into gold. They also tried to find the elixir of life, a miraculous substance that they believed could cure disease and lengthen life.

Some people divide magic into black magic and white magic. Black magic harms people, but white magic helps them. Witches usually practice black magic. But a saint may cure a sick person suing white magic. Some people believe magicians must inherit their powers. Others think any person may become a magician by studying the magical arts.

中文译文1

【中文译文】

魔法指试图用某些超自然的力量控制自然或他人的行为。现代科学已为很多神秘现象的原因提供了科学的解释，但仍然有人迷信星相和算命之类的魔法。许多信魔法的人带护身符，以驱邪避灾。护身符常是刻有特殊符号的戒指、宝石之类的东西。

魔法师作法时，要念咒语。有的咒语是对神灵的祈祷，有的咒语则没有意义，但从魔法师口中说出就有了魔力。有人相信，用模型或象征物模拟大事件，可以引起大事件真的发生。例如，求雨时，魔法师往往会在地上喷水。有人认为，找到某人的头发或衣物，将它们粉碎或焚烧，就能达到伤害其人的目的。魔法师在人的足迹里放上尖锐的东西，就能使人变跛。相信这种魔法的人对自己剪下的指甲和头发、脱落和牙齿乃至粪便都小心处置，以免落入敌手，留下把柄。出于同一理由，魔法师和女巫常制作敌人的模拟像，然后用针刺或其他方法损坏它。如模拟像上常有敌人的头发或衣服碎片之类的东西，魔法则更灵验。

中文译文2

在欧洲中世纪，魔法的迷信非常流行。炼金术里就有不少魔法的成分。炼金术士设法找到“哲人之石”（或称“魔法石”），利用它能使铁和铅一类的贱金属变成黄金。他们也试图发现使人长生不老的药方。

有人将魔法分为黑白两类。黑魔法害人，白魔法助人。巫术可视为黑魔法。圣徒利用白魔法。有人认为魔法世代遗传，局外人难以掌握；也有人认为魔法可以通过学习掌握。