Abstract

Argues that the I Ching, the Tarot, and astrology contain 3 principles which may explain their survival: (a) they select practitioners who may be psychic and put them in a frame of mind favorable to psi performance; (b) they provide opportunity for ESP and psychokinesis to bring about positive results (e.g., a person might use ESP to clairvoyantly perceive the order of the Tarot deck of cards and stop shuffling when the deck is in an order that will indicate the precognized future); and (c) they yield results difficult to clearly disprove. It is concluded that anthropologists should test ancient magical practices since there is always the possibility they may be valid.