More on Modern Magic (and its lack)

Tolkien's great parable of Men and magic is Numenor.

In the Second Age of the world; Men were given the magical power of elves, and used it - at first - in appreciation of life, in art and learning. But soon they began to use their magic in technology - and then in warfare applied to expanding their power, conquering weaker peoples, and finally assaulting the Valar (gods) in the futile attempt to wrest immortality from them - and the paradise island of Numenor was drowned and destroyed.

Since then, it is implied, such power, such magic, has been withdrawn from Men - for our own good; and modern Men (of the Fourth Age) are mundane.

Magic, enchantment, has departed from our world...

More can be found at Albion Awakening...