The concept of magic has been known to humanity since ancient times. It is often associated with supernatural or mystical powers that allow individuals to manipulate the natural world in ways that go beyond ordinary human capabilities. The practice of magic can be found in various cultures and traditions around the world, each with its unique rituals, beliefs, and methods. Magic has been a subject of fascination and intrigue for many people. It has been portrayed in literature, movies, and various forms of art throughout history. In these representations, magic is often depicted as a source of power, mystery, and wonder.
PRICE: He's not kidding about the functional aspects. Shooting from a prone position wearing a bun can be hard because it can make it difficult to raise your head to see the target properly. Corporal Magoc says she's already seen an improvement just by wearing a ponytail and tucking it in her uniform.
I switch it probably every week or every other week, because if I leave it and brush it continuously on one side for a month, my hair starts to thin, like right in the temples. PRICE Those 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers are Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrea Lewis, First Lieutenant Lydia Warner, Specialist Janell Store and Corporal Alexa Magoc.
In these representations, magic is often depicted as a source of power, mystery, and wonder. It offers an escape from the limitations of reality and allows individuals to experience extraordinary and fantastical events. The study and practice of magic often involve the use of rituals, spells, symbols, and incantations.
U.S. Army Officials Are Updating The Allowed Hairstyles For Women
The Army has eased restrictions on female hairstyles like loose ponytails and braids. Women in uniform say the changes make them healthier, happier and better soldiers.
STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
The United States Army eased restrictions on women's hairstyles, like loose ponytails and braids. Jay Price of member station WUNC has been talking with women in Fort Bragg and learned that this is about a lot more than personal style.
JAY PRICE, BYLINE: Before the new rules, to meet regulations, many women would wring their hair into a tight bun on the back of the head. Those buns can take a lot of time every morning, cause problems when you're wearing a helmet and are a struggle with some hair textures, especially for Black soldiers. And they caused.
ANDREA LEWIS: Tension headache.
LYDIA WARNER: Headaches.
JANELL STORE: Tension headaches.
ALEXA MAGOC: Tension headaches.
PRICE: Those 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers are Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrea Lewis, First Lieutenant Lydia Warner, Specialist Janell Store and Corporal Alexa Magoc. That pain they describe has for years been part of the cost of being a female soldier, says Lieutenant Shelley Wagner.
SHELLEY WAGNER: If you have a female in the Army and they say like, oh, they have a headache, they're not really going to first be asked if they - have they drinking water, have they eaten? The first thing they're going to be asked is, oh, is it your bun? And we all just kind of knew it, and we're used to it because we would get headaches from our buns.
PRICE: And those headaches could get pretty bad, said Corporal Magoc.
MAGOC: There were a few times that, you know, I would go to the doctors and I'm like, you know, why is this, you know, why is this happening? And most of my problems would often get fixed when I would go home and I would let my hair down and finally just be able to relax.
PRICE: The Army began easing the regulations in winter to allow loose ponytails and braids during exercise, and most of the times a helmet was required. Now it's gone even further, effectively allowing the more comfortable hairstyles most of the time. It's not just about alleviating pain. Many get hair loss from pulling their hair so tightly. This is especially a problem for Black soldiers. Here's Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrea Lewis.
LEWIS: I actually joke with my friends that I have to switch my part around. I switch it probably every week or every other week, because if I leave it and brush it continuously on one side for a month, my hair starts to thin, like right in the temples.
PRICE: Also allowed now are more shades of fingernail polish and discreet earrings, even while wearing combat uniforms. Several of the female soldiers at the motor pool were already wearing small diamond studs, including Lewis.
LEWIS: It is important. I think that we are submerged into a male-heavy career field and organization. So it's easy to kind of lose that femininity and lose that identity about yourself because we all, you know, have to come to work and be the same and do the same things.
PRICE: Also the name patches soldiers wear on their chests can now include things like the proper accent marks for Latino names. The changes started with efforts to improve diversity and inclusion in the ranks. They were based on recommendations of a majority-female panel that included experts like dermatologists. Sergeant Major Brian Sanders is senior enlisted soldier in the Army's uniform policy branch.
BRIAN SANDERS: It wasn't just about the cosmetic and aesthetic. It was all about what makes our soldiers more functional.
PRICE: He's not kidding about the functional aspects. Shooting from a prone position wearing a bun can be hard because it can make it difficult to raise your head to see the target properly. Corporal Magoc says she's already seen an improvement just by wearing a ponytail and tucking it in her uniform.
MAGOC: I thought I was just a very bad shooter. I just thought I had a horrible shot. However, I was able to go to the range with the new regulation where you can put your ponytail in your ACU top, and I made sharpshooter for the first time in my entire life.
PRICE: There's one happier and more lethal soldier.
For NPR News, I'm Jay Price at Fort Bragg, N.C.
(SOUNDBITE OF MOONCAKE'S "NINE BILLION NAMES. [TO A. CLARKE]")
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BRIAN SANDERS: It wasn't just about the cosmetic and aesthetic. It was all about what makes our soldiers more functional.
These are believed to harness and channel supernatural energies or forces, allowing individuals to achieve desired outcomes or effects. The practitioners of magic, known as magicians or sorcerers, are often believed to possess special knowledge or abilities that enable them to tap into these forces and manipulate them for their purposes. Magic can be categorized into various types and branches, each with its specific focus and purpose. This includes ceremonial magic, which involves elaborate rituals and ceremonies performed to invoke or communicate with supernatural entities. There is also divination, a practice that attempts to gain insight into future events or obtain hidden knowledge. Other branches of magic include healing, protection, love spells, and elemental magic, each with its unique set of techniques and beliefs. Despite its widespread popularity and portrayal in popular culture, the existence and effectiveness of magic are highly debated. Many skeptics argue that it is merely a product of superstition, illusion, or deception. However, for those who believe in its power, magic serves as a source of inspiration, guidance, and empowerment. It offers a sense of connection to something greater than oneself and the possibility of influencing the world around us through non-conventional means. Whether one believes in the reality of magic or not, it remains an enduring and captivating subject that continues to captivate our imagination. Its allure lies in its ability to transport us to a realm where anything is possible and where the ordinary rules of the world can be temporarily suspended. As long as humans seek mystery, wonder, and the extraordinary, the concept of magic will continue to hold a place in our hearts and minds..
Reviews for "The Magic Theory in Literature and Film: From Harry Potter to The Lord of the Rings"
1. Rachel - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Magic Theory." The plot was all over the place, and the characters were one-dimensional. I couldn't connect with any of them and found myself not caring about what happened to them. Additionally, the writing style was clunky and awkward, making it difficult to get through the book. I was hoping for an engaging and magical read, but unfortunately, this book was a letdown.
2. John - 1 star - "The Magic Theory" was a complete waste of time in my opinion. The story lacked originality and felt like a derivative of other fantasy novels I've read before. The world-building was shallow, and the magic system was poorly explained. The dialogue was stiff and unrealistic, making it hard to believe in the characters and their motivations. Overall, I found the book to be cliché and predictable, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a fresh and captivating fantasy story.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high expectations for "The Magic Theory," but it didn't live up to them. The pacing of the story was incredibly slow, and it took too long for anything significant to happen. There were too many unnecessary descriptions and tangents that didn't contribute to the overall plot. The climax and resolution were underwhelming and left me feeling unsatisfied. I found myself skimming through sections just to get to the end, and ultimately, I felt bored and disconnected from the story.
4. Michael - 3 stars - While "The Magic Theory" had its moments, overall, it fell short for me. The characters were underdeveloped, and I never felt emotionally invested in their journey. The writing style was overly descriptive, which made the pacing drag in certain sections. I also found the plot to be predictable and lacking any real surprises. While it had potential, the execution of the story left me wanting more depth and complexity.