black magic
Invoking evil spirits
Black magic is the use of supernatural powers for evil or selfish purposes—curses, hexes, summoning demons, harming enemies.
It contrasts with white magic, which aims to heal or protect.
The term often appears in accusations against others' spiritual practices: They said she practiced black magic.
Figuratively, any mysterious technique that produces remarkable results: Whatever black magic he uses to close deals, it works.
Ceremonial set of actions
- occultismBelief in supernatural forces
- necromancyCommunicating with the deceased
- seanceRitual to contact spirits
- pentagramFive-pointed mystical star
summoning · grimoire · sigil · invocation · blood sacrifice · devil worship · satanism · demonology
Practice of supernatural magic
- voodooFolk magic, often Caribbean
- hoodooFolk magic tradition
- spellcastingPerforming magical incantations
- incantationSpoken magical formula
conjuration · enchantment · potion · charm · sorcerer · warlock · witch · wizardry
Malevolent incantation
- jinxCurse bringing misfortune
- curseInvoked harm through words
- maledictionVerbal invocation of harm
- evil eyeHarm-dealing gaze, supposedly
imprecation · bane · damnation · affliction · bewitchment · anathema · misfortune · binding
Cultural or social prohibition
- forbiddenNot allowed
- illicitProhibited by law
- bannedOfficially disallowed
- proscribedFormally forbidden by authority
unholy · profane · sacrilege · blasphemy · forbidden knowledge · dark secrets · transgression · desecration
Profound moral wickedness
- malevolenceActive ill will
- sinisterThreateningly suggestive of harm
- diabolicalExtremely wicked or cruel
- wickedEvil or slang-excellent
nefarious · darkness · malefic · vengeful · harmful · destructive · ruinous · baneful
Intense anticipatory fear
- terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear
- horrorExtreme fear or disgust
- ominousSuggesting something bad approaches
- eerieDisturbingly strange
haunting · chilling · spine-tingling · nightmare · foreboding · menacing · creeping dread · unspeakable
ritual
Ceremonial set of actions
- occultismBelief in supernatural forces
- necromancyCommunicating with the deceased
- seanceRitual to contact spirits
pentagram · summoning · grimoire · sigil · invocation · blood sacrifice · devil worship · satanism · demonology · left-hand path
witchcraft
Practice of supernatural magic
- voodooFolk magic, often Caribbean
- hoodooFolk magic tradition
- spellcastingPerforming magical incantations
incantation · conjuration · enchantment · potion · charm · sorcerer · warlock · witch · wizardry · shamanism
hex
Malevolent incantation
- jinxCurse bringing misfortune
- curseInvoked harm through words
- maledictionVerbal invocation of harm
evil eye · imprecation · bane · damnation · affliction · bewitchment · anathema · misfortune · binding · cursed object
taboo
Cultural or social prohibition
proscribed · unholy · profane · sacrilege · blasphemy · forbidden knowledge · dark secrets · transgression · desecration · corruption
evil
Profound moral wickedness
- malevolenceActive ill will
- sinisterThreateningly suggestive of harm
- diabolicalExtremely wicked or cruel
wicked · nefarious · darkness · malefic · vengeful · harmful · destructive · ruinous · baneful · pernicious
dread
Intense anticipatory fear
- terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear
- horrorExtreme fear or disgust
- ominousSuggesting something bad approaches
eerie · haunting · chilling · spine-tingling · nightmare · foreboding · menacing · creeping dread · unspeakable · macabre
- witchcraftwitch, spell, spellwork, witches, spells
- dark magicsorcery, witchcraft, dark arts, wizardry, necromancy
- magicwizard, wand, sorcerer, witchcraft, sorcery
- dark sideinner demons, shadow self, dark thoughts, inner demon, secret self
- spellsspell, cast, conjure, curse, enchantment
- superstitionbroken mirror, Friday the 13th, walking under ladder, evil eye, bad luck
black magicwhite magic
Benevolent supernatural practice
healing magic · light magic · blessing · theurgy · healing arts
black magicscience
Systematic study through observation
empiricism · rationalism · medicine · skepticism · evidence-based practice
black magicdivine grace
Unmerited favor from deity
sacred ritual · prayer · sacraments · divine intervention · priestly blessing
black, magic, magical, magician, magically, magicians, mage, mages