How Witches View Magic — Correspondences and Magical Models
Witch traditions explain magic through symbols, correspondences, patrons, ritual practice and inherited models of how supernatural power fits into the world. No single model is compulsory.
Scope note: the Triangle, Pentagram and correspondence systems below are preserved from the legacy Liber Mysterium tradition. They are schools of Witch thought, not universal laws of magic.
Legacy source note: older versions of this page quoted real-world occult literature. That quotation has been removed; the magical models here are presented as in-world Witch theories and preserved game material.
Liber Mysterium, The Netbook of Witches and Warlocks
By Timothy S. Brannan and The Netbook of Witches and Warlocks Team
In this legacy school of thought, magic is woven into ordinary reality rather than existing as a separate supernatural layer. A Witch may understand ritual, patronage, symbols and spellcraft as different ways of working with the same greater magical world.
The theoretical foundation for most magical practices is a belief in correspondences, or hidden relationships among entities within the universe especially between human beings and the external world. According to this view, the application of the right colors, objects, sounds, or gestures in a given context can bring about the desired result. The theory of correspondences affirms the power of thought to confer reality on products of the imagination, particularly when these thoughts are expressed through significant symbols.
Some legacy traditions divide magic into white, black and gray according to purpose and consequence. Other covens reject those labels entirely and judge a working by intent, method, patron and result.
Some covens teach that magic itself is morally neutral while the Witch remains responsible for what is done with it. A few traditions also teach a threefold-return principle; it is a tradition-specific belief rather than a universal law of the setting.
Magical Theory and Thought
Witches view magic a bit differently than other spellcasters. Most see a division between Arcane (wizard) and Divine (priestly) magic. While these divisions are academic to most everyone else, to the spellcasters they define how they see reality. To the witch Arcane and Divine are only facets of the totality of magic.
As described above, magic is the lifeblood of all witches regardless of alignment, coven or tradition. Witches create magic for the same reasons that bards create songs; as a natural outlet for their own creativity. To a witch discussing magic as thing separate from the world or as “supernatural” is as absurd as discussing water or air as something separate from the world.
Every witch has a particular feel or form to her magic. While magic can be altered by her coven or tradition, each witch’s personal casting is unique. Thus it becomes possible to determine which witch has worked what magic by her tell-tale signs. In order to determine the witch that cast a particular spell the character would need at least the Spellcraft or Knowledge (Witchcraft) skill and familiarity with that witch’s magic in the past.
Magical Correspondences
Witches believe in the notion of magical correspondences, that reality can be effected by magic that is related to other object. This magic can be Homeopathic, Sympathetic or Contagious. Thus the use of spell components is extremely important to the witch. Witches distinguish three types of magical practice.
- Homeopathic Magic uses small portions of something to effect the whole. For example when a witch creates a control doll she will use a bit of hair of the person she is trying to control.
- Sympathetic Magic, or symbolic magic, is based on the symbolism used. So when a witch casts Drowsiness she uses rose petals or sand because of their symbolism to sleep.
- Contagious Magic effects something because of its relationship to a magically charged object. The most common magically charged object the witch has is her athame. The spell is cast through the athame and the athame then directs the spell.
Divine Arcane
Some magic uses all three. For example: a control doll is created with homeopathic magic. Needles stuck into it to affect someone else are sympathetic magic, and casting a spell on the doll to affect another is contagious magic.
The Thaumaturgic Triangle View
Some witches view magic as a Thaumaturgic Triangle, with Arcane magic on the left lowest corner, Divine at the right lowest corner and Witchcraft at the top. Of course it should be noted that Wizards and clerics view it quite differently. Witchcraft is defined as the blend of both Arcane and Divine magic, but it is also separate from these magical styles.
The Pentagram View
Most witches do not subscribe to the Thaumaturgic Triangle view. The see it as a compromise to other spellcasters. Plus it leaves out the very magic it was named for, Thaumaturgy. Most witches view magic from the Pentagram or Grand Elemental view. They divide magic in to five distinct camps and associate an element to each magical camp.
- Thaumaturgy or Low Magic is the magical style practiced by Hedge Wizards, Hedge Witches, Shamans or Adepts. Thaumaturgic magic depends heavily on rotes, sympathetic magic or divine influence. Witches believe that even some druid magic can fall into this category.
- Its associated element is Earth.
- Sorcery or Natural Magic is the magical style practiced by Dragons, sorcerers and some other naturally magic races such as the faerie and elementals. Fiends and Celestials, while naturally magic derive their source from the Divine. Unlike Thaumaturgy, Natural Magic flows from within, which makes it more like arcane magic. But unlike Arcane, Natural Magic is not learned; it is a natural part of spellcaster.
- Its associated element is Water.
- Divine, or Clerical Magic is magic that comes from the gods, other planes or strong beliefs. The source of this magic is always outside of the spellcaster, which makes it very different than Natural Magic. Unlike Natural Magic and Thaumaturgy, Divine magic requires neither skill nor practice, only faith. The spellcaster can improve her casting styles or effects, but not the source or nature of the magic.
- Its associated element is Air.
- Arcane Magic or Wizardry is magic that comes from the learning of great secrets. Arcane magic must be studied and certain formulas must be followed, like Thaumaturgy. This puts it at odds with Natural Magic, but like Natural Magic, the magic comes from the skill of the spellcaster to harness the power of magic.
- Its associated element is Fire.
Witchcraft
is the combination of these magical views. Like thaumaturgy and arcane magic the witch must practice various rotes and formulas to activate and shape her magic. Witchcraft is also Divine because to power of this magic comes from the Patron.
Its associated element is pure magical Essence.
Regardless of how the witch may view her magic, she does know that her style of magic is part of the greater whole of all magic. Witchcraft is subject to the same rules and laws that govern all magic.
Same Spell, New Name
Witches have access to a number of spells of their own. They also share a good number with other classes. To help preserve a bit of the mystery of the witch GM’s are encouraged to come up with new names for any “common” spell. This also reflects the diverse nature of the witch’s magic. It is even extremely likely that no two traditions or covens would even call the same witch spell the same name. Warlocks would certainly have different names for their spells, as would Hermetic Mages.
Here are a few examples and suggestions. Some of these spells are not on the witch’s spell list, but are known to witches by these other names.
| New Spell Names | |
| Spell Name | Witch Spell Name |
| Acid Arrow | Arrows of Artemis/Apollo |
| Arcane Mark | Witch’s Mark |
| Beguile | Lust |
| Bless | Blessed Be |
| Bless Growth | Fertility Rite |
| Calm Emotion | Quell Heart’s Flame |
| Cause any Wounds | Lovitar’s Kiss |
| Cure Critical Wounds | Superior Rite of Healing |
| Cure Light Wounds | Lesser Rite of Healing |
| Cure Minor Wounds | Minor Rite of Healing |
| Cure Moderate Wounds | Medial Rite of Healing |
| Cure Serious Wounds | Greater Rite of Healing |
| Daze | Fairy Senses |
| Desecrate | Blessings of the Mara |
| Detect Magic | See Magic |
| Fly | Transvection |
| Guidance | Faerie Luck |
| Light | Witch Light |
| Magic Jar | Witch Bottle |
| Mage’s Disjunction | Hecate’s Magickal Rending |
| Mage’s Faithful Hound | Hecate’s Faithful Hound |
| Mage’s Lucubration | Mnemosyne’s Recall |
| Mage’s Sword | Thanatos Sycthe |
| Polar Ray | Louhi’s Breath |
| Speak with Dead | Spirit of Samhain |
| Symbol of Fear | Mark of Phobos |
| Symbol of Pain | Mark of Lovitar |
| Tiny Hut | Baba Yaga’s Hut |
| Transport via Plants | Move with Nature’s Grace |
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