Before we go on to discuss true magical practices in Asia, we need to briefly touch upon some common misconceptions. Some incorrect perceptions and ideas about magic in the east have been perpetuated by Muggle culture, folklore, or history, just as Professor Morgan mentioned in Lesson Two. Some of these are based on a seed of truth, while others are simply wild guesses.
The first thing on our list is what is known as ancestral magic. Ancestral magic, or the ability for one's ancestors to use supernatural powers to manipulate the environment, is something a fair amount of Asian Muggles, specifically East Asians, believe in. This belief of Muggles is based on the idea that their ancestors are watching over them, protecting them, and that by invoking them, the Muggle might receive aid. While it is certainly a comforting thought to imagine a pseudo-army of familial angels watching over you, we know this is, sadly, not possible. Most people do not occupy space on our planet or plane after their death, instead finding rest beyond the veil. Few magical folk end up as ghosts, and no Muggles are able to continue on as spirits. To complicate and further make impossible the idea of ancestral magic, even those few ghosts that remain in our world are unable to affect it apart from the most insignificant ways, such as causing a sudden drop in temperature or changing the color of flames through which they pass. Unfortunately, since Muggles know nothing of the true forms and limitations of ghosts, this belief in ancestral magic has spread far and wide, even to non-eastern areas.
Next, we have something you may be familiar with if you have taken any of our various courses surrounding ancient Egypt, the idea of the "Evil Eye." This phenomenon has been most popular in West Asia, including the modern-day areas of Turkey, Iran and Iraq, though it is observed in nearly all Asian countries, including Russia, and even in some countries outside of Asia. In Muggle superstitions and cultures, the "Evil Eye" is simply a catch-all phrase used to describe all curses -- or, at least the vast majority. While curses are obviously quite real, the problem lies with the fact that Muggles believe all of these curses stem from a single look directed at the target. Obviously, there are very few individuals with such an exemplary control over magic (to be able to cast a spell both nonverbally and wandlessly), and even fewer who can cast complex curses this way. This is, of course, more Muggle misinterpretation: few would be aware of being drugged with potions or notice someone muttering a spell under their breath, so to the untrained Muggle eye it does look as though curses are coming out of nowhere. This phenomena gives us an insight into why Muggles, particularly in earlier times before we hid ourselves away, were so terrified of magical folk.
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While not a magical practice per se, another interesting difference between Eastern and Western magic is the high prevalence of hedge witches (and wizards). Practitioners of hedge magic -- incredibly rare in our Western society -- are, simply put, people who attempt to use magic who have not received any formal training, education, or apprenticeship and instead are self-taught. However, while this is the technical definition, the more accurate definition influenced by society has been changing with the times. With the popularity of magical institutions of education more popular than they have ever been, the majority of these so-called "hedge witches" are no more than Muggles, some of whom are actually aware they are not able to use magic, and others who truly believe they have special powers.
