Multiple Uses. The Egyptians believed that magic, called "heka," was a useable and controllable force in the world, which could be accessed through performing rituals and reciting or writing spells. Magic was useful in medicine, improving agricultural production, cursing opponents, compelling love from sexual partners, and communicating with dead ancestors. For the Egyptians, magic was a neutral force like any other sort of energy in the natural order of things. Magic was studied in the "House of Life" located in the temple, much like the other sciences such as astronomy or medicine. Magic could control the natural world, other people, and dangerous animals. It was a component of medicine, included in a variety of issues such as general health maintenance, both while the subject was awake and asleep, as well as was used to prevent snake and crocodile bites.

Part Of Science. At...