Documentary film Magic in the Mundane presents philosophers, writers, psychedelic guides, death doulas, trauma workers, ritual keepers, pilgrims, pantheists, and pagans exploring a percieved disconnect between present-day culture and simple Earth magic.
Guidance is offered from uncredentialed “experts” expounding on how empty science is without spiritualism. We are shown a ritual performed by a woman walking on a small island she says is a sleeping dragon. She “activates” key points on the land with her feet and her staff. The subjects rely heavily on references to Celtic Druidism, Witches, and other practitioners of ancient enchantments. The displacement of thousands of years, with the Druids coming before written records, allows the interpreter to imbue these legends, artifacts, and sacred sites with any metaphysical narrative they wish to.
There’s a nobility and wisdom conferred upon primitive cultures, and also on people who are motivated by emotions. The appeal of this is obvious: science is complex and counterintuitive, requiring deep study over time and skepticism. This leaves us at the mercy of scientists we have to trust, even though we don’t understand. Then a Shaman comes along who sounds impressively confident. They tell us that science is an elaborate advertising hoax and that the universe is intuitive, and they can explain it in simpler terms. They lash together a few raw facts, some untestable assertions about ancient wisdom, and glue it all together with bits and bobs from various religious and spiritual traditions. This is comforting: we feel more in control and less frightened by a random universe. One man in the film sums it up with a sign on his wall that says “life is what you manifest.” It’s a reassuring way to think of existence, but it does not match what we know from objective experience.
“… you can’t diagnose cancer just by being off your t*ts on ketamine …”
In a recent visit to an intimate conjuring room showing in Manhattan, the magicienne regaled us with historical stories, but hers were corroborated by academic texts. Even so, she was clear that her patter was meant to distract and redirect us from her hands in the close-up table magic. Her skill at speaking was impressive, but it was nothing compared to her pure artistry at close magic. The presenters of this film offer a coarse version of the distraction patter, but produce nothing more. They are all hat, no cattle. It reveals much about them, and little about the world.
The back half of the film touches on Artificial Intelligence, calling it magic, assigning AI ontological significance. There is speculation that the AI models could become self-aware entities, which would upend our philosophies. It opens a can of worms questioning the definition of consciousness. The thread then segues into a discussion of psychedelic drugs. Conspiracy theories swirl around in conjecture about the corrupting profit-motive of Big Pharma. There is also discussion of abusive dark aspects of spiritualism, including men who exploit underage girls with “sex magic,” for example. Other men have set themselves up as faux spiritual leaders to exercise control over others. Jim Jones is mentioned.
The film is entertaining, but not necessarily informative, except as an introduction to the hosts. The best aspect of Magic in the Mundane is the cinematography featuring stunning, sweeping shots of landscapes. There’s a risk here of an audience finding the subjects ludicrous and the text cringe-inducing, such that one will be tempted to ridicule them. They should not be laughed at, however, as they all seem to be quite sincere about their beliefs. The real theme is that in the search for meaning, people are crying out for some way to understand the universe and the experience of a human life. This is an emotional journey, not a mathematical one.
Learn more at the official Magic in the Mundane website.
"…an emotional journey, not a mathematical one"
