Chapter VIII: The Mind of the Wizard 252

§ 1. _The Rise and Fall of Wizardry._—At first no
professionals. Early professionals unpaid; except
by influence; which enables them to maintain order.
Animism gives rise to sorcerers and priests. Priests
suppress sorcery and black Magic, and absorb white
Magic in religious rites. Societies of wizards 252-7

§ 2. _The Wizard’s Pretensions._—Control of Nature;
shape-changing and flying; the causing and curing of
diseases; Divination; control of ghosts and spirits.
General trust in them 257-9

§ 3. _Characteristics of the Wizard_—Intelligence and
knowledge; force of will and daring (initiation);
motives—attraction of mystery, reputation, power;
distinctive costume and demeanour of a “superman”;
jealousy of rivals; histrionic temperament;
hysterical diathesis. Suggestibility of his clients 259-76

§ 4. _The Wizard and the Sceptic._—Social delusion and
imposture. Scepticism frequent amongst chiefs and the
higher social ranks, and also amongst the people,
because of common sense. Still more difficult for
Wizards to maintain self-delusion 276-83

§ 5. _The Wizard’s Persuasion._—Honesty and fraud. The
Wizard by vocation. Fascination of Black Wizardry.
Artifices professionally necessary seem justified by
social utility. His belief strengthened by effects
of natural causes set going by himself or by his
clients, and by coincidences 284-92