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Transformation


Transformation

Transformation in its simplest definition is the ability to change from one thing into something either something very similar or completely different. It can be representation of a physical transformation from like say one thing completely changing its biology into something new and different, or a mental transformation from immaturity to maturity. It comes from the old Latin word trānsfōrmātiō which translates to “change in shape; metamorphosis.”

One example in regards to the magical world of transformation is in the form of ghosts, how you leave the body and become a spiritual essence that exists on a different plane. This type of belief is very offensive to various religious groups, such as the Muslims, Jews and Christians. (Copenhaver 2015, 281) But those not part of these groups believe in necromancy (from the Greek words nekros and manteia which mean corpse and divination respectively); the ability to communicate with these spirits of the dead, and do so in order to get a better understanding of the transformation from living to nonliving, and what an afterlife is like.

In regards to science, there are many theories and examples of transformation having a prominent role in our lives. Evolution is often the biggest theory, where humans have actually evolved to where we are now, starting from being lower life forms like fish, and that we have gradually evolved to the state of human beings that we are today. You can also see a similar process to this repeated through a creature such as the caterpillar, where it creates a cocoon that it goes inside and transforms into a butterfly while inside.

Transformation is about the ability to evolve from one point to another, which possibly ties in back to the idea of monsters. Maybe, monsters were not unknown creatures that are a threat to us, but are possibly just evolved states of nature to help grow the world and life around it. Which is why we can fear the possibility of transformation, because it leads into a status of unknown possibilities, just like many ideas within the magical world. A transformation can take many forms, but the result is always an unknown factor to all, which is what makes it such a compelling idea to explore within the worlds of magic and science.

Key Words: Transmute, Evolution, Necromancy, Biology, Butterfly

Bibliography:
  • Copenhaver, B. P. (2016). The Name of This Science is Necromancy: Picatrix I.2, 4 in The book of magic: From antiquity to the Enlightenment. London: Penguin Classics. 281-282
  • Analytic Quality Glossary - Transformation. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.qualityresearchinternational.com/glossary/transformation.htm


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