I chose nature after comparing the two.

Magic lets you accumulate tech points quicker, which isn't very useful in the long run. You can also learn to accumulate them faster with the science skill, and after learning all of the techs, you don't really need any more unless you really want different clothes for all your villagers.

Nature lets you regenerate food faster, which is much more important in the short run, and also in long run. You'll always need food, so you might as well make sure there is a lot of it.