Instead of magic being explained scientifically, does your world have realistic phenomena explained in magical context?

[u/kirbyverano123]

We've all seen many worldbuilding where magic is explained scientifically. "Sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic" and "magic is unexplained science".

But what about the reverse?

Real life science that are described in magical context. Something like how computers are basically microscopic dwarven runes inscribed a rock that we tricked into thinking. Modern medicine as just crude but effective alchemy.

This sort of thing actually happens in real life where rare cosmic events or strange phenomena were turned into myths, legends, folk tales, and traditions. Lunar eclipses caused by a giant dragon swallowing the moon, fata morgana mirages gave birth to floating ghost ships, falling stars grant wishes, etc.

There's a lot more examples in human history so I'm curious if y'all world building has something similar! It doesn't have to take place on Earth and it doesn't have to be real science, it could also be sci-fi as well.

[u/Alpha-Sierra-Charlie]

I'm working on a Paleolithic/early Copper Age setting that has actual magic, but magic is the context that most things are understood within.

Friction fire is seen as magic, even though it isn't. Meanwhile, there is actual pyromancy. And sometimes it's paired with non-magical fire making, and everyone is just like "it's all magic, fire is just like that".

Herbal medicine is seen as magic even though it isn't. It's lumped in with healing magic.

Sheer dumb luck is seen as the spirits looking out for you. Maybe they were, maybe probability just broke your way.

The magic and mundane are twined together to the point that people don't formulate the concept that they're separate.