Magic has been classified into two types: Imitative magic and contagious magic. Imitative magic is based upon the law of similarity. In the words of James Frazer, “Magic involves two basic assumptions; first that like produces like, or that an affect resembles its causes; and second, that things which have once been in a contact with each other, continue to act on each other at a distance, even after the physical contact has been severed.” Of these laws, the first has been called the law of similarity.

The law of similarity is: like produces like. Hence in imitative magic the magician performs action similar to the result desired or a cause similar to the desired effect is produced. For example, if the aim of magic is to bring rains, the magician creates smoke which resembles cloud in the hope that Eke cloud it will bring rains.

Similarly, if any enemy has to be destroyed, his statue is ceremoniously broken or destroyed. Among Khonds some human being is sacrificed to bring rains since there is similarity between rains and incessant tears of the dying person. All these are examples of Imitative magic.