From the earliest days of human civilisation, people have been drawn to the mysterious and inexplicable, and the concept of magic has been a part of many cultures and traditions throughout history. Initially birthed as a means to make sense of our world, mythical stories were told to share knowledge and create cohesion within communities. Before the scientific revolution of the 16th and 17th century, there were no scientific explanations to the phenomenon occurring around us and our imagination and storytelling gave reason and meaning to our world. These stories bridged the gap between the visible and invisible world, and set the ground for the collective beliefs we built our lives upon.

Our ancestors lived hand in hand with mysticism, sharing stories of divine creatures, using rites and spells to cure illnesses, ask for good fortune and ward off evil spirits, attempting to control the forces of nature and protect themselves from her unpredictable caprices. In Mesopotamia, magic was believed to be the only viable defence against bad omens. They used medical formulae to counteract ghosts and demons, which often came hand in hand with human or animal sacrifice. Practicing magic was a means to alter physical realities through incantations, some that could be recited by anyone, not requiring any specialist knowledge. In Ancient Egypt, both the literate and priestly hierarchy as well as illiterate herdsmen and farmers performed these rituals, either in temples or in the privacy of their homes. The Ancient Egyptian religion heka (also spelled hike), can be translated to ‘magic’ or ‘magical power’. Heka was believed to be the primordial divine force responsible for the creation of our universe, whose primary function was the preservation of the natural world order. Heka was based on the belief that words have the power to manifest things into being, and that men, created by the gods, therefore also held this power within them. In times during which so much of our livelihood was out of our control, magic became a means to reclaim agency and power in our lives.

As human civilisation developed, the way in which magic was practice also morphed, giving birth to black magic. Dark magic is pursued with evil or harmful intent as opposed to white magic, which is used for selfless or benevolent purposes. For example, ‘curse tablets’ from Ancient Greece and Rome were discovered, stones on which were engraved ‘revenge’ spells: you could pay your local magician to curse those who had wronged you, somewhat similar to what modern-day voodoo dolls are used for.

​Despite this repression, magic never disappeared. It continued to hold a powerful fascination over many people, who continued to practice it behind closed doors, infusing it with enhanced mystery and enigma. And while some people may see magic as a relic of the past, for many it remains a powerful and enduring symbol of the human imagination and the boundless potential of the human spirit. Its poetical use, for instance, continues to be a popular way to express ideas and emotions, with many famous writers and artists still using ethereal themes and imagery in their work. From popular books and movies that feature magical creatures to the use of magic in advertising and marketing, the idea of magic continues to inspire and captivate us.

Whether seen as a tool for controlling the forces of nature and gaining control over one's life, a form of entertainment for children and adults alike, a means of expressing our inner worlds, as a way to connect with nature and the spiritual world, rediscovering the ancient wisdom and practices of our ancestors, the magic that has captivated us for centuries shows no signs of fading away. We therefore invite you to dip your feet into our children’s natural apt for wonder and awe, for whom there is no separation between the mundane and the sacred, and fall back in love with magic.