I had a "Wiccan phase" in which I learned about all things concerning Wicca and magic. One thing I learned is that celebrating the Eucharist, at least with the Catholics, is a socially accepted and socially promoted form of magic, as the priest summons the spirit of God and then calls it to enter bread and wine. I'd call it white magic as it is done to promote a selfless, compassionate attitude among the believers. This "power" is also transmitted magically, as future priests have to undergo several ordinations (I think it's 7) to get from one "level" to the next higher one, which they only can receive from a bishop/priest who has already received said next higher level.
As for magic in general, the point of it is psychodrama, and I think that psychodrama is always active, regardless of whether magic is derided by a rational attitude. That's why you're discouraged from summoning dark entities, as this may open the gate to something dark inside your psyche that (in the worst case) you cannot control. So, the practice of magic can indeed backfire. I read in one book that "in every moment of your ritual, you should know what you're doing", meaning you shouldn't let the "powers" control you but remain in control yourself.
If one doesn't believe in magic, I think another aspect is becoming aware of what you actually want. I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing. Moreover, most of what I read was addressed to women and it was pretty mundane, about how to attract/keep a lover, how to gain money, how to make friends, how to stay in good health. I also read some occult stuff, but I mostly avoided it for the reason given above. It's also the reason why in the end, Wicca didn't really work out for me.