| “ | This is a world permeated with magic, permeated with witchcraft. Where everyone, from the lowliest beggar on the street, to the president of Harvard in his chambers, is practicing a kind of magic. | ” |
— Adam Simon on Magic
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Magic is an extremely powerful and primordial force of Nature that is inherent within the Earth and the forces of the Universe.
Description[]
Magic is an all-inclusive, supernatural force that does not actually violate the laws of nature but is simply a law unto itself that remains a mystery by scientific means.[1] It appears that everyone and everything is connected to this power and is able to access it through practice and training. This power allows them to perform extraordinary, reality-altering feats which ranged from modifying one or more aspects of reality to reshaping the nature of an entire world. In the words of the Sentinel and Mrs Stoughton, this is attributed to knowledge passed down to humankind by Fallen Angels. [2] For cradle witch John Hale, magic is the balancing of life and death with witchcraft causing harm and death at will.[3]
According to Mary Sibley, all magic leaves a trace that can be tapped into to discover the identity of a spellcaster and use their magic against them.[4] Mary Sibley goes on to describe magic as more than just a tool for changing reality but is also an essential aspect of life overall. Magic is responsible for the aesthetic gratification experienced by everyday people — art, music and poetry and even the will to live for some.[4]
Depending on cultural beliefs and sources of power, different people assume different titles according to their practices and goals. Witches derive their powers from the Devil and their craft is fueled by death and lust [5] as well as by malice. [6] However, not all magicians embarks in such dark paths. Cunning Ones might just dabble in divination and act as seers for a fee.[7] Despite no apparent affiliation to external Beings of Power, their cunning craft can sometimes be strong enough to counter even the most skilled witch.[8] Mercy Lewis and her acolytes were also capable of performing tricks and spells even though they had no formal training. [9] Witch Hunters are also known to employ magical trinkets and apotropaic magic to counter witchcraft. Increase Mather resorted to talismans painted with the ashes of a hundreds years old witch to ward off evil directed at George Sibley.[9] Algonquian peoples living in the territories colonised by settlers also have their own view of the supernatural world, with shamans takin the role of spiritual and physical healers among other social roles.[10] [11]
Memorable Quotes[]
- Mary Sibley (to Anne Hale): You have yet to feel the terror, slowly becomes fascination, and eventually joy as you learn to take in the life force in all the creatures around us, turning the power within it, directing it as you will, into another person...Or into say, a doll.
- — Book of Shadows
- Dr. Wainwright: My religion is science and I am more convinced than ever that what the Church calls magic and witchcraft is but undiscovered science.
- —Dead Birds
- Dr. Wainwright: Such knowledge, such power, and yet you hamstring your own great achievements. You are scientists years beyond the rest of us. Why do you hide?
- Mary Sibley: Because they kill us if we do not.
- Dr. Wainwright: I understand now. Like Socrates, like Galileo, like Bruno, you are martyrs of truth.
- — Dead Birds
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Wainwright argues that magic is undiscovered science "Dead Birds".
- Countess Von Marburg introduces the idea that Beings of Power are behind the supernatural in the second season. The concept is expanded upon by the Sentinel in the third season.
- The Reckoning implies that the basis of magic lies in Elemental Control. This is echoed by the Indigenous shaman describing nature as an interconnected, sentient being.
- The Sentinel mentioned alchemy in the episode "The Reckoning".
References[]
See Also[]
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