thaumaturgy

Abracadabra! Thaumaturgy is a fancy way to say magic. If you're interested in thaumaturgy, you might want to apprentice with a renowned magician.

While it's most common to use this word to mean "magic" or "mystical powers," thaumaturgy has had a variety of meanings since its appearance in the 18th century. It comes from the Greek roots thaûma ("miracle") and érgon ("work"), and it's frequently used to refer to the scientific principles behind magic or the "magic" of science and mathematics. Other definitions include "the work of Christian saints" and simply "philosophy."

Definitions of thaumaturgy

1. noun

   any art that invokes supernatural powers
   synonyms: magic

   types:

   juju

   the power associated with a juju

   mojo

   a magic power or magic spell

   conjuration, conjuring, conjury, invocation

   calling up a spirit or devil

   black art, black magic, necromancy, sorcery

   the belief in magical spells that harness occult forces or evil spirits to produce unnatural effects in the world

   white magic

   magic used only for good purposes

   evocation, summoning

   calling up supposed supernatural forces by spells and incantations

   theurgy

   white magic performed with the help of beneficent spirits (as formerly practiced by Neoplatonists)

   witchcraft, witchery

   the art of sorcery

   bewitchment, enchantment, enscorcellment, ensorcelment

   a magical spell

   Satanism, demonism, diabolism

   a belief in and reverence for devils (especially Satan)

   obiism

   belief in a kind of sorcery that originated in Africa and is practiced in the West Indies

   type of:

   supernaturalism

   a belief in forces beyond ordinary human understanding
2. noun

   an illusory feat; considered magical by naive observers
   synonyms: conjuration, conjuring trick, deception, illusion, legerdemain, magic, magic trick, trick

   types:

   card trick

   a trick performed with playing cards

   prestidigitation, sleight of hand

   manual dexterity in the execution of tricks

   type of:

   performance

   the act of presenting a play or a piece of music or other entertainment