Magician

The term has multiple uses, but two broad categories are of importance for this encyclopaedia.

The practitioner of paranormal or ritual magic

Primarily this refers to the Magician as a practitioner of magic in the full paranormal sense, as someone with occult powers.

However, a related concept is perhaps more relevant here, namely the magician as a practitioner of ceremonial magic, a system of occult techniques for spiritual development in an individual and/or community, also used to promote and or social cohesion. In some contexts, especially in fantasy fiction, this person may also be referred to as a Wizard, or Sorcerer. In this respect see also

The practices found here in the latter area in some sense lie at the base of much of what is broadly termed "African performance".

The stage magician or illusionist

An entertainer who performs magic by creating the illusion of impossible or supernatural feats; also known as a stage magician or illusionist. In this sense it is a form of theatre and performance, and such magicians are listed in ESAT as performers.