Seeing this come up in the Who needs magic? thread, but not wanting to derail it from the Wizard vs Muggle debate, I bring you, in all its glory, the Source of Magic thread.

I did put this in Fanfic Discussion since it is not supported by canon in any way, but just a nice way to speculate about something I find interesting.

I have two ideas of the "origin" of magic:

I. Wizards themselves are not magic generators, but magic users. Instead, all the magical animals, plants, bugs, birds etc etc, act as generators, creating magic, which wizards leech. Since the muggles have expanded, encroaching onto territories that have previously been occupied by magical animals, magic in its whole is suffering. Remember dragons being forced in a reservation in Romania, when they should be occupying all of Europe. This scenario could also explain the hatred some Wizards have for Muggles, as well as the diminishing quality of wizards.

II. The second idea is more outlandish, and came from the time franki and I were sending ideas back and forth about a Wizarding History Book. Considering I would rather finish that then spoil it now, I'll either leave him to say it or let you read it later on.

Your ideas, suggestions, debates?

 

Ley lines.

- Everyone's favorite website.

 

Where do I think it comes from? I have no answer to that because there is nothing in canon that gives me any clues. I can say that I am beginning to agree with Taure in that it is most likely not inside the body, as I never remember anyone in the books actually becoming exhausted from spell use.

 

...And now I have to go watch some OUtlaw Star... damn you nostalgia!

My preferred theory: Magic is a extraported energy that acts as a grid in the universe. Wizards utilize this grid by bending its fourth dimensional lines with wand movements and will. When a spell is created, it is nothing more than a preset pattern in the grid. Therefore, making new spells is very, very difficult. Once a spell is set into the grid, however, it can be used by anyone who knows the proper wand movements and incantation. However, as a spell is used more often, it gets more defined in the grid (the lines become more accustomed to bending in that preset way). Therefore, well used spells become easier to preform. This explains why levitation and cleaning charms are very easy; they are used often.

As well, the farther the 'lines' deviate from the grid, the more powerful the will of the user must be. When the lines 'snap' back into place, the backlash can cause different results, possibly mangling the spell as it moves through the grid. Inexperienced magic users might not be as prepared for the snap back of more powerful spells, and thus, they will fail half way through,

This explains why when one attempts a spell, something almost always happens. When nothing happens, it is because the 'lines' have not moved in the first place. For instance, when one explodes something one is try to levitate, it is due to pulling ones will and magic away from the grid to quickly (due to a lack in confidence or will) causing the 'snap back' to produce an explosive effect.

The grid itself is not necessarily magic, but is the form magic takes to users. The grid was created by the same forces that created natural law.

Magical creatures do not bend the grid, but instead use 'free magic', which is, for lack of a better term, ungrided, to bypass the grid. Such magic usage can disrupt the grid in an area. Hence, why dragons and other magical creatures are naturally resistant to magics.

As well, wards are stiffenings the the grid that have a certain effect.

 

...dark matter?

That, or that timeless immortal, the deus ex machina.

Personally? I couldn't give a shit.

 

He's right, he couldn't. That's why he couldn't be bothered to post here... fuck. He did that. I defeated myself... oh well.

I remember reading this story a while back that liked to believe that Magic was sourced from the Cosmos itself in a chaotic effect. I don't remember the name of the story, or the particulars of it, but basically every time Witches and Wizard's used magics... they were utilizing pure chaotic energy of the Cosmos, and slowly destroying Existence.

So, every time they tapped the Universal Keg of Magic for power for their spells... they were slowly bringing Existence closer and closer into folding in on itself by using up it's innate energy.

It was a fun theory.

 

I thought this was about a Xanth crossover plotbunny.

 

Kek

My own theory as to the source of magic...

My theory is that it's actually a sub-dimensional plane.

Those who are genetically pre-disposed to using magicka have the capability to connect with it.

It is possible the first use of AM (Accidental Magic) is similiar to starting an engine. Like water breaking through a dam.

Now, if you throw in Ley Lines all across the planet, then you have the answer as to how nature itself is infused with magic.

Now for magical creatures.

My theory is that they were regular animals/ slight mutations of the norm, but the magic boosted their evolution in such a way they became creatures of magic. That is to say, via a large concentration of raw magic, a rift was torn inside the animal that linked right back to the Sub-Dimensional Magicka Plain. SMDP

As time passed, it became an unconciouss (sp?) imperative to use their magic passively.

Back to the whole AM issue. At first, the children would be similiar to magical creatures but their magic would essentially become "gated" with spells being the keys to unlock this gate and allow the exact amount of magic through.

Makes you wonder what would happen if all the Ley Lines were ignited by a pyroclastic magical explosion?

*Evil grin*

Regards
SA

 

I dont understand why Wizards are the only magical being that dont generate magic.

I always liked the idea that a muggleborn wizard comes to be by being born on a Ley Line.

 

I am not really familiar with Ley Lines, but from what I understand they are corridors of power whose intersections create places of great magic that imbue magic into life.

The reason why I have wizards as leeches is because of their different approach to magic. Wizard magic is structured, apparently powerful enough to have made them the upper race. The other races seem to have a more primal connection to magic, something more natural and ancient.

It is just the way I view it. Although if you explain the Ley line I might be more partial to the idea.

As for muggleborns, I still believe that they are born through Wizarding interbreeding, coupled with external factors. Say some Evans was a squib X generations before, but Lily happened to be born near a Goblin encampment during one of their festivals and that triggered the dormant magic within her. Just a thought, not a claim.

 

I'm going to diverge significantly from the above suggestions...

I would say that Magic is not a substance, energy or force that has a source as most argue.

Rather, the view I hold of magic can best be summed up by the word "authority". That is, authority over the natural world, authority to bend and break the rules of the world to the magic-users will, either through spells or, in the case of creatures, some sort of innate instinct or attribute.

It's less of a scientific or mathematical notion and more of a...magical one. It deals in words and feelings and ideas, not numbers.

For example...

Hogwarts is often called a very magical place.

When this is said, most think of it as a place highly saturated with magic, or a place that holds a high concentration of magic, or something to that effect.

I however, take a more "fairy tale" approach. When Hogwarts is called a magical place, I take it not to be a scientific statement but a statement of feeling. Hogwarts is, by nature, magical. A bit like how the adverts call Disneyland a magical place, though not quite the same, since there's no actual physical manifestation of Disneyland's magic.

 

I disagree. By saying that magic is an authority, you make it sounds as if spell casting/crafting are basically just "Pleas", or "Prayers" or "supplications", however you want to label it. The emotional aspect you bring to it doesn't ignore the idea of magic being a quantifiable source, however; depending on the witch/wizard, certain emotional stimuli may trigger a certain measurable magical response - the same way emotions trigger certain glands in our bodies. The result of our responses to these 'triggers' could affect how much magic we can absorb,focus, and expel - which would, again, go in line with your theories on what makes a wizard "powerful".

I don't even know if I'm explaining myself properly; I wish the author Bexis was a part of this forum, because his theories on magic line up with mine.

 

Not really. You're mistaking my meaning. I'm not implying that there is a magical force - authority - that a magical being appeals to/uses. I'm saying that the wizard himself is that authority.

As for quantification...authority can be quantified no more than something like charisma or love.

 

But they hinted that love, at least, was something quantifiable - the locked room in the department of mysteries.

 

All they do in the locked room is feed people love potion and study the effects. I don't see how this implies that love is quantifiable - especially considering the fact that we've been told that love potions don't create love, merely infatuation.

 

...if they just fed people love potions, then that isn't the power Dumbledore said that Harry possessed that was similiar to what was behind the locked door, since you just said that love potions create infatuation. I have no clue if you're speculatingon that or making that up/being sarcastic. The fact that love potions don't create love doesn't mean that love (in canon, at least) isn't quantifiable; it simply means that...love potions aren't the way to quantify it...

Again, I wish taht Bexis was a member here.

 

I'm neither speculating nor making it up. This is what JKR has said they do.

http://www.accio-quote.org/articles/2007/1224-pottercast-anelli.html

 

Why say plea, pray, or beg, when the reality is that witches and wizards use incantations to Invoke magic? I'd say they're invoking the magic around them and bending it to their will.

I like Taure's analogy about Hogwarts as a magical place...but isn't the castle so enchanted that its staircases move as though it has a sentience of its own? The area is so full of ambient magic that electronics don't work, too. I'd say it's a combination of two things.

1. Hogwarts has a magical feel to it, to be sure. Students are in awe of it(or at least Harry was).

2. There is so much magic going on around the castle that Hogwarts kind of takes on a life all its own.

 

Aw that is BULL (not you Taure, but Rowling's explanation). That totally debunks anything I have to say.

Ugh, I'm done trying to make sense of canon "magic".

 

I kind of like that explanation Taure... that Magic isn't a source of energy or anything like that, but instead Witches and Wizards are an authority in reality, that have the power to command it to do differently.

Or at least, that's what I surmised of what you said.

That Witches and Wizards are generating magic, or leeching it, or tapping some keg for it... but instead telling Reality what to do, and it does it. They are genetically, destined, whatever your cliche' to define what reality is, and how it exists.

Or that might just be my bastardizing your theory.