ing in the signs by which the presence of superhuman Powers is
recognizable and of the way of dealing with disease and other
evils.[1559] It is not unusual that the candidate is required to submit
to a test, sometimes of physical endurance (as is required also in the
case of the young warrior), but chiefly of susceptibility to
supernatural influences and capacity of insight, and of the conduct of
magical operations.[1560] Generally in the lower tribes the office comes
by free choice of the individual, or by choice of the body of magicians,
without regard to the social position of the man. In West Africa, says
Miss Kingsley, everybody keeps a familiar spirit or two for magical
purposes; this is unlawful only when the spirit is harmful.[1561]

+895+. In somewhat more advanced societies the office falls into the
hands of families and descends from father to son, in which case the
younger man is instructed by the older in the secrets of the
profession.[1562] In some higher religions magical performances are in
the hands of certain clans or tribes. In most of these cases women as
well as men may be masters of the art. In the more advanced systems it
is often the case that it is especially women who are considered adepts;
so it was in Babylonia;[1563] in the Old Testament Saul seeks the woman
of Endor;[1564] Thessalian witches were famous;[1565] women who tie
magical knots are provided against in the Koran by a special form of
prayer;[1566] in Europe, medieval and later, the practicers of magic
have generally been women.

+896+. The grounds for the ascription of magical superiority to
women--whether from their supposed greater susceptibility to demoniac
influence, or for some other reason--are not clear. In the lowest tribes
sorcerers are commonly men[1567]--the profession is an influential and
honored one, and naturally falls into the hands of leading men; the
magician is often the most powerful man in the community.

+897+. Reputation for magical power appears sometimes to attach to a
tribe or other body of persons as the representatives of a religion
which is adopted by a lower community. Possibly this is the explanation
of the role ascribed at an early period to the Mazdean Magi.[1568] The
Magi (apparently Median of origin) formed the priestly tribe of the
Mazdean religion, and we do not know that they played originally any
part as sorcerers. But it seems that they were so considered in Greece
as early as the fifth cent