Magic works based on systems of dogmas that are accepted as real. These dogmas make the construction of paradigms possible.

A hypothesis on the Laws of Magic that was first launched in its entirety by Isaac Bonewits in his popular book Real Magic (1971, revised edition 1989).

Bonewits' book claims the existence of magical laws relating to the following:

These "laws" are synthesized from a multitude of belief systems from around the world, and were collected in order to explain and categorize magical beliefs within a cohesive framework. Many interrelationships of these areas exist, and some are subsets of others.

Examples of use: It is widely believed (by those subscribing to such beliefs) that in order to produce an effective voodoo doll one needs an object associated with the target of the magic. This would categorize this as a form of magic using the "association" rule. Also, the use of a doll to affect a human would be in accordance with the "similarity" rule.

In this way, practically all magical practice in many cultures can be put in relation, and behavioural patterns are easier to spot.