Many Goreans believe in the validity and efficacy of magic, especially the Low Castes though even some of the High Castes may also do so. These Goreans believe in such matters as telepathy, shape-changing, teleportation, curses, divination, and other powerful spells. "This ingenuousness is doubtless dependent upon several factors, such as the primitiveness of the world, the isolation and uniqueness of cities, the disparateness of cultures and the tenuousness of communication." (Magicians of Gor, p.254). It is also encouraged by the High Castes to help maintain the social order and keep the Low Castes in their place. The Initiates are believed to possess secret tomes and scrolls that contain powerful magical spells. These spells are claimed to be even more powerful on certain feast days, especially if those spells are read backwards. The magicians of Anango are also famed across Gor for their powerful magics. The Low Castes are truly frightened of such people.   "The religious conditioning of the men of Gor, based on superstition though it might be, was as powerful as a set of chains-more powerful than chains because they did not realize it existed. They feared the word, the curse, of this old man without weapons more than they would have feared the massed swords of a thousand foemen." (Tarnsman of Gor, p.206) One effect of fear is that many Low Caste Goreans are reluctant to reveal their true names. Part of the First Knowledge states that one's true name can give an enemy great power over you. Your true name can be used in various spells against you. Thus, to protect themselves from this perceived threat, they create a "use name." This use name is a false name that they will give to other people. Only their close relatives or friends might know their real name. The High Castes usually use their true names freely though the Low Castes firmly believe that they possess use names as well. Despite one's Caste, most Goreans seem to believe in divinatory abilities and pay heed to the taking of auspices. Many Goreans will not begin an action until the omen as read. Omen taking is common before military actions and the Initiates frequently take omens prior to numerous important matters. These omen takers are known by various terms such as soothsayer or haruspex. It is common to sacrifice animals for these divinations and then read the animals entrails or blood. The vulo, verr and bosk are also common sacrificial animals. Human sacrifice has been practice on Gor in the past by at least the Wagon Peoples and Torvaldslanders though this practice has apparently ceased except by the Paravaci tribe. Omen taking does not require sacrifices though. A soothsayer may read the wind and grass, the stars, the flight of birds, or almost anything else. Hunters have their own divinatory practice, especially sleen hunters. When they kill an animal, they will drink a cup of its blood. Then they will examine the blood in another cupped hand, trying to divine their own ultimate fate. If they see themself with a black and wasted look, then it indicates that they will die of some disease. If they see themself all torn and scarlet, then it indicates that they will die in battle. If they see themself old and white-haired, then it indicates they will die in peace, leaving behind heirs. They then drink the blood to finish the divinatory ritual. These hunters also believe that eating the heart of the animal will bring them luck. Sleens bring much luck though the mountain larl brings the most luck.