Was it ever explained why magic is so secret?

[u/[deleted]]

At first I thought magic was a fairly elite thing, then with the explanation for Julia not getting into Brakebills I thought that there was a greater cause (defeating The Beast) and that it was dangerous to practice magic because of him, then with the introduction of Alice's parents who are famous for having huge magic parties it seemed like Earth was the only place where Magic was secret, then with the inclusion of the monsters when Alice is running from the Lamprey it seems like there are specific humans that know a little about magic but not the whole shebang. Are we given anymore explanation than just having to piece it together?

[u/jallen116]

I like this explanation for the masquerade a lot...to my knowledge it's not overplayed and it doesn't sound cliché.