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§ 2. Omens and Natural Signs.—Natural signs all-important to hunters; and Omens are imaginary signs 226-7 § 3. Some Signs Conceived of as Magical.—By coincidence some events become signs of others by a mysterious and infallible tie. Moods of elation or depression favour belief in Omens; their validity may depend upon acceptance. Antiquity of subjective Omens. Whatever causes elation or depression is ominous. Coincidence and analogy 227-32 § 4. Differentiation of Omens from General Magic.—Omens are classed with charms, rites and spells, but distinguished by being signs only, not causes. Other differences 232-4 § 5. Omens Interpreted by Animism.—Omens resemble warnings—at first given by friendly animals, then by spirits, hence connected with Oracles and Dreams 234-8 § 6. Natural and Artificial Omens—Natural Omens not being always at hand, means are discovered for obtaining them at any time; e. g. Dice, Hepatomancy, Astrology 238-40 § 7. Divination and Oracles.—Diviners and the art of Divination. Power of Diviners and Oracles. Ways of obtaining oracles and of being inspired derived from low savagery 240-45 § 8. Apparent Failure of Omens—ascribed to faulty observation or interpretation; frustration by spirits, or by superior Magic; or by having been symbolically fulfilled 245-7 § 9. Apology for Omens.—The Diviner or oracular person tries to be well-informed. The Stoics and Divination. Omens involved in Fate. Conditional and unconditional Omens 247-61 CHAPTER VIII The Mind of the Wizard 252 § 1. The Rise and Fall of Wizardry.—At first no professionals. Early professionals unpaid; except by influence; which enables them to maintain order. Animism gives rise to sorcerers and priests. Priests suppress sorcery and black Magic, and absorb white Magic in religious rites. Societies of wizards 252-7 § 2. The Wizard’s Pretensions.—Control of Nature; shape-changing and flying; the causing and curing of diseases; Divination; control of ghosts and spirits. General trust in them 257-9 § 3. Characteristics of the Wizard—Intelligence and knowledge; force of will and daring (initiation); motives—attraction of mystery, reputation, power; distinctive costume and demeanour of a “superman”; jealousy of rivals; histrionic temperament; hysterical diathesis. Suggestibility of his clients 259-76 § 4. The Wizard and the Sceptic.—Social delusion and imposture. Scepticism frequent amongst chiefs and the higher social ranks, and also amongst the people, because of common sense. Still more difficult for Wizards to maintain self-delusion 276-83 § 5. The Wizard’s Persuasion.—Honesty and fraud. The Wizard by vocation. Fascination of Black Wizardry. Artifices professionally necessary seem justified by social utility. His belief strengthened by effects of natural causes set going by himself or by his clients, and by coincidences 284-92 CHAPTER IX Totemism