Magic is a shortcut in the natural path from cause to effect. That's why it's so appealing to the people (as opposed to science, which insists in walking the full path between cause and effect).
I don't agree with that entirely. I think that science is a shortcut as well. Chemical fertiliser is an artificaial substance that increases the natural growth of plants. Cars are an incredably artifical device that is used to transport large quantities of material, something which is a completely un-natural act!
Magic, like science, is a way to influence nature into doing your cause. In fantasy, it is taken over-extreme with fireballs and spontanious cryostasis (
Freeze), but that's all in fun!
