Primitive Magic The idea of magic challenges our basic concepts of reality and the natural order of things. But for native shamans and sorcerers magic is as tangible and 'real' as science is in our modern 'civilisation'. the Australian Aborigine, for example, will die if pierced by an arrow that has been 'sung' - no matter how superficial the wound. Primitive Magic is itself an initiation - into the enthralling world of ancient mysteries.