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Magic or Sorcery was a powerful supernatural force in the World of Narnia and in some other worlds. While it could manifest in many different ways, magic's most basic effect was to override the existing laws of physics and nature.

Background[]

Different worlds possess different levels of magical strength, and that strength can vary even within worlds: Narnia, for example, had very strong magic, but apparently Calormen did not (at least not of the same caliber)- when Prince Rabadash proposed an invasion of Narnia, his father the Tisroc was hesitant because of the strong magic present in that land.

The World of Charn also possessed strong magic, but the ability to use it was apparently confined to a small segment of the population: Jadis is surprised to learn that neither Digory Kirke[1] nor Andrew Ketterley[2] have any royal or noble blood, since in her experience (and possibly in the whole World of Charn), noble blood and magical ability go hand-in-hand. In her world, non-noble magicians had been stamped out a thousand years before her reign.

Users[]

Those who possessed magical abilities could - under particular circumstances - control, manipulate, or otherwise influence reality to fit their goals. These abilities manifested themselves in many ways and could be used for both good and evil purposes. The properties, origins, and general understandings of magic, however, remain unknown or uncertain.

True magicians tended to be creatures such as nymphs, hags, fairies, witches, and deities. They could invoke magical rituals and cast spells that would alter the flow of nature's reality. While it is unconfirmed, there is a strong possibility that Aslan may be the higher entity who regulates the flow of magical elements in Narnia. Indeed, to those from Earth, any of Aslan's divine abilities could be perceived as magical.

A few beings possessed a rare, innate affinity for magic, such as the star people. Being made of magic, they had no one true form and could be any form they wished.

Humans do not have any inborn magical talent or connection, though they, along with any sentient being, could become involved in a magical event, or could conduct someone else's magical ability by extension. The self-proclaimed human "magician", Andrew Ketterley, clumsily experimented with magic in a foolish manner on Earth.

But it has been shown that humans who are born or brought into magical worlds can use magic, Queen Lucy (a human) was able to use the wizard Coriakin's spellbook and was able to cast several spells with it: one to create snow, one to increase beauty, make the invisible visible, and a spell to know what others think of others, indicating that humans, although they are not born with magic, can learn magic.

Prince Caspian was taught the theory of Magic during his studies, but he was never taught any spells.

Magic Types[]

Deep Magic[]

Deep magic are magical laws which were established after the creation of Narnia, if they are not fulfilled Narnia will be destroyed.

Known Practictioners of Magic[]

Known beings who wielded some degree of magical ability include:

  • Andrew Ketterley: Not in fact a real magician, or someone with magical blood in him, but one who gained magic through knowledge and study.[3] With this knowledge he was able to transmute magic dust from the lost continent of Atlantis into rings that could transport the wearer into another world.[4]
  • Aslan
  • Bacchus
  • Naiads
  • Dryads
  • Coriakin: A star who "retired" to the earth in the form of a human to regain his youth. In human form he possessed numerous magical abilities; he could turn himself and others invisible, transform physical attributes (i.e. turn the Duffers into Monopods), and conjure food and drink from thin air.
  • Father Christmas
  • Father Time
  • Hermit of the Southern March: By gazing into an enchanted pool, he could observe events currently happening in nearly any corner of the world, but the pool did not allow him to hear any sounds or noises associated with those events.[5]
  • Jadis
  • Jinns
  • Lady of the Green Kirtle
  • Mrs. Lefay
  • Olvin: A human King of Archenland, who managed to change an Ettin into stone. How he did this is unknown, but he most likely used some spell.
  • Pomona
  • Hag
  • North Witches
  • Ramandu
  • Silenus
  • Stars
  • Tash
  • Cornelius: Cornelius is revealed to be able to use small spells mostly for divination and tracking.
  • Lucy: Through Coriakin's book of spells, Lucy was able to use magic.

Uses[]

Throughout the Narnia saga, magic has had many uses depending on its bearers, but all wizards and witches in the saga share certain abilities in common, such as:

  • Spell Casting: All magic users can cast spells to affect reality at will. Most of these spells are based on chants and words which are usually said in ancient languages or with rhymes; others are used with just a movement of the hands, and the most difficult require rituals with certain requirements.
  • Conjuration: Jadis and Coriakin were the most potent magicians, as they can both create and appear things out of thin air, Jadis using a magical copper bottle and Coriakin with just a whispered spell.
  • Control of the Elements: Magic gave the ability to control the elements such as water, earth, fire and ice. Bacchus, the nayads, the dryads, and Jadis were the most prominent:
    • Hydrokinesis: Bacchus and the nayads could magically control the water of the rivers that they were their homes,
    • Chlorokinesis: The dryads could magically control the trees and flowers.
    • Cryokinesis: Jadis as The White Witch had absolute control over ice and snow; with her magic she kept all of Narnia in a great winter for a whole century.
  • Creation of life: Aslan with a magical song created the entire kingdom of Narnia and its inhabitants.
  • Destruction of Life: Some spells were capable of destroying things, living beings, and even entire worlds, such as the Deplorable Word that destroyed the entire world of Charn. Jadis was able to reduce two heavy doors to ashes just by moving her hand and reciting some words.
  • Transformation: Wizards and witches could transform themselves or others into whatever they wanted, Coriakin turned the dwarves on his island into Dufflepuds as punishment for not listening to him. Tumnus said that Jadis would turn his goat's hooves into those of a horse or turn him to stone with her magic wand. The Lady of the Green Kirtle could turn into a colossal green serpent. Aslan turned Rabadash into a donkey.
  • Petrify: Jadis created a magical wand which had the ability to turn any living being or object into stone just by touching it, even dragons and giants. Aslan was the only one immune to the powers of the wand and the only one able to break its spell.
  • Precognition: Coriakin was able to know in advance that the Dufflepuds would use his spellbook to make themselves invisible; he also predicted that one day a girl would break the spell.
  • Omniscience: The hermit of the march of the south had the ability to see all events in his magical pond, although he could not hear what was said in these visions.
  • Illusion Creation: Jadis could create illusions to deceive others, as demonstrated when she disguised herself as an old log and her dwarf as a rock.
  • Invisibility: With Coriakin's spellbook, the Dufflepuds used a spell to make themselves invisible; they also affected with this spell Coriakin without realizing it.
  • Summoning: Magic is capable of summoning beings from other worlds, as when Caspian blew Susan's horn; this brought her and her siblings back to Narnia.
  • Resurrection: Aslan temporarily revived Caspian and restored his youth. A hag claimed to be able to bring The White Witch back from the dead.
  • Mind manipulation: Magic can alter a person's mind and emotions, such as the Lady of the Green Kirtle with her magical mandolin and green powder. She was able to confuse and disorient her victims, and even cause them to lose their memories and become subservient to her. Jadis, with her food, was able to control Edmund's mind and change his personality without him realizing it.
  • Longevity (Immortality): Some wizards, witches, and magical beings can use spells on themselves to gain more years and youth, although there are some who are born with immortality such as deities and the star people. The Tree of Youth was capable of giving eternal life to those who ate its fruits, and of curing chronic diseases.

References[]

  1. MN V
  2. MN VI
  3. MN VI
  4. MN II
  5. HHB XIII
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