Magic vs. Power

[InklingElf]

Another wonderful topic created by Iarwain [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

I am not an expert in the field of Tolkienology but yes:

traditional magic is much more unexplained than the sort of power displayed in figures like the Valar, and much more complex than Galadriel's ability to gaze through her mirror. What does everyone think is the difference, and how might this reflect onto other fields in Tolkienology?

I guess Tolkien's definition of 'magic' differed because in fact, he didn't like magic [not even the word]. According to Tolkien, 'magic' [as he as no substitute for the word] is an art, which is only given to certain races [i.e., elves] etc...