Magic | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/magic/RSS feed for MagicenThu, 26 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000This Spellbinding Exhibition Explores How Ancient Cultures Used Magic to Navigate Life's Challengeshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-spellbinding-exhibition-explores-how-ancient-cultures-used-magic-to-navigate-lifes-challenges-180988436/The Toledo Museum of Art is showcasing a treasure trove of masks, amulets, spellbooks and gems dating to between 2000 B.C.E. and 300 C.E.Thu, 26 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-spellbinding-exhibition-explores-how-ancient-cultures-used-magic-to-navigate-lifes-challenges-180988436/How a Sudden Winter Storm in 1617 Sparked the Deadliest Witchcraft Trials in Norwegian Historyhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-a-sudden-winter-storm-in-1617-sparked-the-deadliest-witchcraft-trials-in-norwegian-history-180987919/During the 17th-century Finnmark witch trials, 91 people were executed in Norway's northernmost region, mainly by burning at the stakeWed, 07 Jan 2026 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-a-sudden-winter-storm-in-1617-sparked-the-deadliest-witchcraft-trials-in-norwegian-history-180987919/How World War II Influenced 'The Chronicles of Narnia,' C.S. Lewis' Beloved Fantasy Novelshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-world-war-ii-influenced-the-chronicles-of-narnia-cs-lewis-beloved-fantasy-novels-180987504/Published 75 years ago, "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" tells the story of four children who are evacuated from London during the BlitzThu, 16 Oct 2025 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-world-war-ii-influenced-the-chronicles-of-narnia-cs-lewis-beloved-fantasy-novels-180987504/The Colorful History of Tarot Is as Mesmerizing as the Decks Themselveshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/colorful-history-tarot-mesmerizing-decks-themseles-180986811/The original meaning behind the cards, first created 500 years ago, still remains elusive. But that didn't stop our reporter from traveling to Milan in an effort to find outMon, 30 Jun 2025 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/colorful-history-tarot-mesmerizing-decks-themseles-180986811/How People of the Past Predicted the Future, From Spider Divination to Bibliomancyhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-people-of-the-past-predicted-the-future-from-spider-divination-to-bibliomancy-180985668/A new exhibition spotlights the ways in which cultures around the world have sought answers in the face of uncertaintyThu, 02 Jan 2025 14:10:33 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-people-of-the-past-predicted-the-future-from-spider-divination-to-bibliomancy-180985668/Before the Yule Lads Evolved Into Icelandic Versions of Santa Claus, They Terrorized Children Into Following the Ruleshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/before-the-yule-lads-evolved-into-icelandic-versions-santa-claus-they-terrorized-children-into-following-rules-180948162/Today, the 13 brothers are said to leave presents in well-behaved youngsters’ shoes. But they used to be depicted as frightening monstersTue, 17 Dec 2013 15:38:42 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/before-the-yule-lads-evolved-into-icelandic-versions-santa-claus-they-terrorized-children-into-following-rules-180948162/The Ten Best Children's Books of 2024https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-ten-best-childrens-books-of-2024-180985681/This year’s top titles range from an alphabet book of quirky tunes to an authentic portrait of our nationWed, 18 Dec 2024 14:01:18 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-ten-best-childrens-books-of-2024-180985681/How a Tale of Demonic Possession Predicted the Decline of an Early Medieval Empirehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-a-tale-of-demonic-possession-predicted-the-decline-of-an-early-medieval-empire-180985596/A new book examines the rise and fall of the Carolingian dynasty, discussing how people across social classes understood the momentous history of their dayTue, 10 Dec 2024 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-a-tale-of-demonic-possession-predicted-the-decline-of-an-early-medieval-empire-180985596/To Divine the Future, the Ancients Relied on These Chance-Based Fortune-Telling Toolshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/to-divine-the-future-the-ancients-relied-on-these-chance-based-fortune-telling-tools-180985349/Texts like the "Sortes Astrampsychi" promised insights on clients' love lives, career prospects, financial woes and familiesThu, 31 Oct 2024 10:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/to-divine-the-future-the-ancients-relied-on-these-chance-based-fortune-telling-tools-180985349/This 19th-Century 'Toy Book' Used Science to Prove That Ghosts Were Simply an Illusionhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/this-19th-century-toy-book-used-science-to-prove-that-ghosts-were-simply-an-illusion-180985347/"Spectropia" demystified the techniques used by mediums who claimed they could speak to the dead, revealing the "absurd follies of Spiritualism"Tue, 29 Oct 2024 15:41:01 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/this-19th-century-toy-book-used-science-to-prove-that-ghosts-were-simply-an-illusion-180985347/