MakoShark asked this question on 4/28/2000:

Hi there-

My name is Daryl and have an idea for fantasy novel where some of the characters will have magical powers.

Since this is fantasy fiction I can make up anything I want as far as their powers go, but I wanted the magicks to be as real and realistic as possible.

I mean no disrespect for your religion. Were I doing a novel involving Catholics or Buddhists, I would send a similar question so I do not do a disservice to the subject matter.

I would like to know more about your religion. Do you pray? To whom? To what end? Is there an afterlife?

How does magick work? Where does the power come from? Where does it go when you are done with your spell? Do you have to use a spell? Are there different kinds of magicks? Can anyone do magicks with training? Or only a select few? How old must you be to do magicks? How long does it take to learn to do magicks? Are you aware of instances where people are born with the powers and abilities without much training?

I have heard of covens and wicca groups. Is there strength in numbers? Are some people more powerful than others?

As with all things there are good and bad people. My guess is that magick is neither good or bad--black or white but that it conforms to the person using the power. Is this true or are there different types of magick for different types of actions? (e.g. murder, plague, etc. vs. healing, love, etc.)

I know this is a bit long and I am sure more questions will arise from your answers. If you are willing to talk, I appreciate your input.

Thank you Daryl

aezrael gave this response on 4/29/2000:

Merry Met,

I'm afraid that you might be disappointed with the answers I am going to give. Magick isn't like what's depicted in stories. The image of a practioner pointing a finger at a dragon, then a huge fireball forming and enveloping the dragon and consuming it. That's the beauty of fiction, you make it up as you go along. Now, here are the answers you seek.

Magick is a tight form of prayer drawing upon the energies around the caster. These energies are found in everything, from living objects to inanimate objects. The intent of the spell is what gives (or redirects) the energies their purpose. Energy is usually raised in a circle protected by watchtowers or guardians. Energy is raised by chanting, drumming, dancing, or whatever means the practioner deems necessary. Once the energy is raised, it is focused (or programmed) and sent to do the job it was intended to do.

Magick is not an inherited trait, meaning that no one is born with 'the power' to perform magick. Anyone can do magick, as long as they know how. The key to magick is intent, focus, and responsibility. Intent is the purpose of the magick. Focus is knowing EXACTLY what you want the spell to do. Responsibility means accepting the consequences for your actions. Good or bad, everything has consequence.

It is true, there are thousands of covens around the world, but there are solitary practioners (I am one). While a group of people may be able to raise more energy than a single person, the single person has the flexibility to perform magick in a moments notice. Some covens teach that in order to perform magick, it is necessary to get the group together. This is, of course, not true.

No one practioner is stronger than another. However, the focus and intent of one person may be stronger than that of the other. That's what makes one practioner appear to be 'stronger' than another. One casts a spell with conviction, while the other is just "going through the motions."

Deities are different from coven to coven, and Wiccan to Wiccan. Most covens follow a tradition (Trad). These Trads pass along deities, ritual, and knowledge from one group to another. There may be hundreds of covens within one Trad, but there is never more than one Trad in a coven. Here is a rule of thumb, there is a God and a Goddess. The name may change (ie Aphrodite and Diana are two names for the Goddess) for different aspects. In the example above, Aphrodite is the goddess of love, while Diana is the goddess of the hunt, or competition. If you were going to perform a spell to find the right person for marriage, you would call on Aphrodite. If you were looking for a new job, you would call on Diana. Now, these are just examples, and each coven has its own practices and pantheon of Gods and Goddesses.

I hope these answers help you. If I can be of further assistance, please contact me.

Aezrael Founder of The Oklahoma Pagan Assistance League.

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