Sunrise, Sunset, and the Arctic Circle

[Chengar Qordath]

So, we know from canon that sunrise and sunset have all kinds of magical significance, like wiping out unprotected spirits and dispelling a lot of magical energy because the world resets/starts a new day. So, what happens in places above the arctic circle/below the antarctic circle, where you can go for extended periods of time without any sunrise/sunset?

Is there no "new day" effect of sunrise, allowing spells that would normally disperse at sunrise to last for weeks or even months? Or does something else take the place of sunrise when it comes to the symbolic start of a new day in those areas?

[Agayek]

I would imagine it behaves as if everything there is in a month-long day.

[Schrodinger]

Thing is, the sun still rises and falls, just doesn't drop below the horizon: (summer-wise) so I doubt it would effect it that much. As for arctic night... dunno.

[Sir Alec Guinness]

I'd point out that Mab is the Queen of Air and Darkness for a reason.

[Chengar Qordath]

Originally Posted by Schrodinger

Thing is, the sun still rises and falls, just doesn't drop below the horizon: (summer-wise) so I doubt it would effect it that much. As for arctic night... dunno.

True, but as I remember things, it's the rising above/dropping below the horizon that is the really significant symbolic moment of sunrise/sunset.

[Agayek]

Originally Posted by Chengar Qordath

True, but as I remember things, it's the rising above/dropping below the horizon that is the really significant symbolic moment of sunrise/sunset.

Sunset doesn't matter. What has the affect is the symbolic nature of dawn. It represents a new beginning, and as such it wipes the metaphysical slate clean.

It's likely that the renewing effect simply doesn't happen until dawn occurs, regardless of how many hours it takes.

[Chengar Qordath]

Originally Posted by Agayek

Sunset doesn't matter. What has the affect is the symbolic nature of dawn. It represents a new beginning, and as such it wipes the metaphysical slate clean.

It's likely that the renewing effect simply doesn't happen until dawn occurs, regardless of how many hours it takes.

If the renewing effects of dawn just don't happen, it could lead to some very interesting implications for wizards and other magical beings living in those areas. What happens when the metaphysical slate doesn't get wiped clean for weeks or months at a time? I'm inclined to think that the slate not getting wiped clean for such a long time would have some pretty big effects.

[Agayek]

Originally Posted by Chengar Qordath

If the renewing effects of dawn just don't happen, it could lead to some very interesting implications for wizards and other magical beings living in those areas. What happens when the metaphysical slate doesn't get wiped clean for weeks or months at a time? I'm inclined to think that the slate not getting wiped clean for such a long time would have some pretty big effects.

Possibly, but those effects can't leave the arctic circle, and there's all of a dozen people living there, on both poles. I don't see it as a terribly huge problem, to be perfectly honest.

Beasties and other mobile things from the Nevernever can hang around for months at a time, but if they ever leave the circle, they have all of 20 hours at most before they're gone.

It may make a good place to do stupidly long casts or otherwise work with long-term delicate magic, but unless it's something on the scale of the Red Court's exploding-parents-o-rama curse, it won't have the reach to affect anyone, and if it's on that scale it would be sensed by someone, if only because large amounts of magic being thrown around a desolate plain.

[Chengar Qordath]

Originally Posted by Agayek

Possibly, but those effects can't leave the arctic circle, and there's all of a dozen people living there, on both poles. I don't see it as a terribly huge problem, to be perfectly honest.

Beasties and other mobile things from the Nevernever can hang around for months at a time, but if they ever leave the circle, they have all of 20 hours at most before they're gone.

It may make a good place to do stupidly long casts or otherwise work with long-term delicate magic, but unless it's something on the scale of the Red Court's exploding-parents-o-rama curse, it won't have the reach to affect anyone, and if it's on that scale it would be sensed by someone, if only because large amounts of magic being thrown around a desolate plain.

You're exaggerating how uninhabited the territory north of the arctic circle is by a bit, but you're right that for the most part the effects of no sunset are likely to be interesting, but not hugely important in the broader scheme of things. It could make for some interestingness though, if anyone wanted to do a story about Harry/someone else running around in the far north.

[Red Aviary]

There was mention of a wizard living in the Arctic Circle in Summer Knight, I think. If there really isn't a "cleansing effect" to get in the way, I could see why one might want to live up there, especially if they're doing magical research.

[redshell]

Originally Posted by Red Aviary

There was mention of a wizard living in the Arctic Circle in Summer Knight, I think. If there really isn't a "cleansing effect" to get in the way, I could see why one might want to live up there, especially if they're doing magical research.

This is why Klaus The Toymaker is obviously the most powerful wizard in the Dresden Universe.

[DarthBill]

I was going to make a funny comment and link this video, but then someone pointed out that sunset doesn't matter, so have the video anyway.