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Magic Outlines
Topic Started: Apr 26 2017, 06:28 AM (43 Views)
Castiel
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Destiel Trash. Deal With it. Also: GM, Admin
A wee bit on magic in SPN, to nail down the base corners in RP execution for those unclear. Not everyone has proven to be a bible of SPN lore and that's OK. This is a cliff's notes on the different types, ranks, rites and limits of magic seen in the universe.

God's Magic
Subject only to use by God and Amara, it is a nearly-inarguable level of magic that defines pretty much everything. You won't get this.

Enochian Magic/Angel Magic
Angel magic is an extremely powerful form of magic that is strictly practiced by angels. Because there are many variations of angels, there are also many variations of angel magic that is specific to the angel. For example, while celestial angels are known to possess highly advanced and very powerful angel magic with the ability to banish demons, resurrect the dead, and travel through alternative dimensions, other angels are unable to achieve these feats of magic. However, angels can be limited on what they can do. This can be because of Heaven's Laws by whom is in command at the time, the factor of strength each angel's grace is, as well as other magic at play like Enochian Magic. Some other supernatural beings such as Eve and Leviathan can cut Angel's off from their power or prevent them from using their abilities. A human can also use Enochian Magic but it also harms the soul of the human.
As a language, Enochian is one of the eldest forms of communication and harbors some part in the Natural Order. Enochian is the language of angels itself, and their word carries a sense of law as they are agents of fate. Their casually spoken language is itself powerful magic; from wardings, to banishment, to raw manifestation of power.
As a result, angels are incredibly difficult agents to deal with, repel, or ward. Only Holy Fire and other enochian magic have proven capable of impacting them (such as angel imprisoning, proofing, repression and traps in Enochian), or other weapons of heaven evoking the same laws; that, and higher tier entities - of which there are few.
Reapers are particularly difficult to deal with as they, also, are a form of angel serving Death rather than god.
Enochian magic is not common knowledge and generally can only be learned through the angels themselves. See canon: Castiel taught Bobby, Dean and Sam pretty much every enochian spell they know.
(ALSO why angels are a restricted race in general.)

Demonic Magic
Demon magic is a very powerful form of magic that is strictly practiced by demons. Due to the fact there are many variations of demons, there are also many variations of demon magic that is specific onto the demon. For example, while most demons are known to possess the basic powers of super-strength and telekinesis, other demons have been shown other advanced powers such as mind control and teleportation.
(Note: Although demon magic is inferior to angel magic, it is superior to human magic. Contrary to popular belief demon magic is very lawless and can be used however a demon sees fit. However, some demons, such as crossroad demons, can create their own rules that they may dismiss at anytime. For example, most crossroad demons provide contracts to humans in exchange for their souls, promising them 10 years or more for whatever they wish. While most demons are loyal to their promises, some demons have been known to swindle people by killing them sooner than their deal.)
Demonic magic scales in correspondence to the level of entity involved; a Prince of Hell will inarguably have stronger magic than a common crossroads demon, but a crossroads demon will have stronger magic than a witch.

Fairy Magic
Fairy magic is a powerful form of magic that is exclusive to fairies. Because there are many variations of fairies, there are also many variations of fairy magic that is specific to the fairy. While bright fairies practice bright magic, dark fairies practice dark magic. Fairies also exhibit other powers such as shape-shifting, telekinesis and teleportation. Some fairies share similarities with genies, where they are forced to grant wishes to the person who has summoned them. Other fairies share similarities with demons, where they will make deals with humans in exchange for their souls or something of value to them. The changeability of Fairy Magic makes them difficult to define but should be generally handled between low-tier demon and high-tier witch.

Pagan Magic
Pagan magic is a very powerful form of magic that is strictly practiced by Pagan Deities. Human and other kinds of tributes and sacrifices seem to increase its potency. It seems the act of tributes is the factor, rather than worship of a deity or deities. Pagan deities have taken tributes from humans, that don't worship them; as well actions done by humans have attracted deities that aren't a follower of the respected deity's religion and taken them as tributes. The following and tribute of a Pagan entity scales its power proportionately, but pagans themselves are from varying classes of angelic, demonic or even monster based origins that may subject their powers to other standards.

Human Magic/Witchcraft
Witchcraft is a practice of magic that encompasses many different types of activities including astrology, divination, spell casting, and spirit communication. It includes the practices of many cultures, nations and religions as well as many books and writings from ancient times. Depending upon the individual, some humans practice their power by certain belief systems, such as Voodoo, Wicca, or any number of other magical practices from countries and cultures all around the world. Components, age, study, pledges, and sources all greatly impact the power of Witchcraft and will be covered below.
Although the majority of witches are portrayed as being malevolent men and women who use their powers for dark and sinister deeds, other witches, such as Nora Havelock, have proven that not all witches are satanic, and commonly use white magic to maintain balance within the world. White Magic can specifically be clarified as anything that enforces or maintains a balance or promotes growth. For example, White Magic can help heal wounds by encouraging your body to restore itself; White Magic can not restore a dead body, as the body no longer has a healing faculty, and restoration is then necromantic and Dark Magic, imbalancing the Natural Order. (Please see this link for the natural order; the balance of light, dark, the time of death, the role of decay, the order of the fates, and the time that men must die summarize it well).
According to Rowena, there are three recognized types of Witches in the world, classified by where they draw their magic from. These three types are known as the Borrowers, the Naturals, and the Students.

The Borrowers
The term "Borrower" is commonly used to define any person who has obtained their power through demonic forces. These witches are known to have summoned demons and made deals with them in exchange for power. While it is common for these witches to have traded their souls for power, it has been implied that not all Borrowers sell their souls, but rather promise the demon something else of value. According to the witch Rowena, these witches are very common and make up for more than half of the witchcraft community.

The Students
The term "Student" is commonly used to define any person who has obtained their power through practice and training. While these witches are commonly known to have been taught about witchcraft from other witches, it has been implied that some Students are self-taught. According to the witch Rowena, these witches are less common than Borrowers, but more common than Naturals.

The Naturals
The term "Natural" is commonly used to define any person who has obtained their power from biological development. Not much is known about these witches apart from the fact that they are known to have been born with a natural affinity to the supernatural powers of the universe. According to the witch Rowena, these witches are very rare.

(Borrowers 50%+, and by resulting estimation, Students at least 26% and naturals 24%, but implicatively more Students >30-40% and naturals >10-20%, if not less; ergo, most students learn from Borrowers. Most covens are Borrowers, teaching Students, with vying Naturals attempting to learn their trade. Canon implication sets the numbers closer to 60% Borrower, 35% Student, 5% or less Natural.)

(Subtext acknowledgment: Some elder witches take the shape of Shtrigas and other monsters over time in corruption with their power; spiritus vitae/life force has proven essential to these types of creatures. It is unlikely that Shtrigas are borrowers, as their deal is more likely to have ended with the end of a crossroads contract; Shtrigas are most likely either elder Naturals or Students corrupted by their power beyond even the typical madness of witches.)


Power, etc in Human Witchcraft
According to Bobby Singer, the power of a witch is not only dependent on the source of their magic, but also on their knowledge and training in witchcraft. For example, although witches who obtain their power from demons (Borrowers) are generally more powerful than witches who obtain their power from study (Students), if a witch does not have much experience in witchcraft, they can be easily subdued. This was proven after Sam Winchester easily frightened and intimidated a coven of Satanic witches, who did not have much training in witchcraft, and seemed powerless against him. Whereas, years later, the Winchesters met a Student witch named Spencer Wallis, who, because of having years of training, was well-versed in some of the most powerful spells the Winchesters have ever heard of. Furthermore, while some witches, such as Wiccans, have been known to provide laws for themselves and have strict convictions as to how magic should be used, most witches have been shown to have free will over their power, and have demonstrated extraordinary feats without necessarily having to draw from demons. One prominent example of this being Rowena, who was able to control higher beings, cast many dangerously powerful spells, and even resurrect herself.

Components
The power or diversity of components greatly impact the power of a spell, regardless of the base power of the witch casting it. The most powerful sorcery is, as stated by Rowena, the darkest. Crystals and herbs can be chained in conjunction to brew minor potions and effects; however, blood as a key to the soul and the ultimate sacrifice is among the strongest ingredients; other powerful ingredients proven have been angelic grace as the equivalent of blood to render divine effects. This is why the most powerful spells are in forbidden grimoires such as "The Book of the Damned" ("Talking some black mass, dark magic, end-of-times nastiness." - Any person that holds the book will feel an evil aura emitted from the book. If a person handles it for a long time, it will influence the reader's mind to a certain degree.) Other components of magic literally drain the body itself or cause deterioration on a sub-atomic level. These cases are evident in situations like Sam's Trials, which gradually killed him - or the need for Shtrigas to feed on Spiritus Vitae after turning into hags. Even powerful dark magic reaps balances and counter-effects - the Book of the Damned's means of removing the Mark of Cain still released the Darkness as a result. For every action in magic, there is at least an equal opposite reaction - and frankly, often far more.
Empowered magic comes at high price. I promise it's not Sam and Dean just being too stupid to learn.

Other
According to Olivette, the practice of witchcraft was once very common among the human population. However, since the brutal witch trials that occurred during the 17th century, the practice of witchcraft has severely declined. Furthermore, because the Men of Letters destroyed most of their grimoires and kept the others locked away from the public, most humans nowadays either disbelieve in magic or they simply choose not to practice.
Although witches are not inherently evil, many often become evil (or at least have moments of disregard) as their power can corrupt them. Dean Winchester once compared magic with cocaine, stating that once they get a taste of it, it's surprising what they will do.
Dean and Sam Winchester have the poorest record against witches. Thus far, only seven witches have been defeated by the Winchester brothers specifically. More often than not, witches are killed by other creatures such as demons or other monsters.
There are significant differences in power between witches; while newbie witches struggle to defend themselves from human attackers, more experienced witches have been known to overpower some of the most powerful monsters in existence. This was proven when the Book Club was easily intimidated by Sam Winchester who threatened to shoot the women if they didn't stop the hex that was placed on his brother. Whereas, a more experienced witch named Don Stark nonchalantly stunned a Leviathan. (**Please note that Don Stark is centuries old.)
While it is known that Borrowers are condemned to hell upon their death, it is unknown if all witches are damned, or if other witches such as Naturals or Students who practice white magic can enter heaven.
While some witches are known to have Familiars, the majority of witches do not.
Whilst anyone can practice magic, witches normally (though exceptions do exist) have greater knowledge and power over harnessing mystical forces. Witches have existed for many centuries, and are found in many races' lore.
Witches commonly form covens, but this is not a necessity. They are also often social, and meet with other witches.
Edited by Castiel, Apr 26 2017, 07:59 AM.
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