REFERENCES RAVE: MAGICAL TERMS AND HOW TO USE THEM IN YOUR STORIES

"Writing is magic, as much as the water of life as any other creative art. The water is free. So drink. Drink and be filled up." - Stephen King

Wizards, wands, spells, alchemy, divination, potions-let's face it, magic is cool, especially in books. You were probably one of those kids that stayed up late reading Harry Potter books with the covers over your head and a flashlight in you hand. And now that you're finally writing your own book, you have the opportunity to include a touch of  magic in it, too.

But before you go off daydreaming about characters and their special powers, and conjuring up potions in your head, and setting you wand (or pencil) to paper, there are a few facts we need to get straight first. 

For one: Did you know that there is a difference between a sorcerer and a witch? How about that wizards can practice MANY different types and realms of magic? Did you know that alchemy and potion-making are not necessarily the same thing? And what are the people who can control things with their mind again? 

Magic often plays a huge role in fantasy stories and movies, and across those hundreds and thousands of books and movies, it is easy to get magical terms confused.

So how do you make sure you are using the right magical terms in your book. 

Below, I have composed a list a short list some of the most common and- often time most confused- magical terms found in literature. 

The list is sorted by power-related traits, making it easy to scroll through and find the term that describes your character's magic. The list includes descriptions of each magical terms as well as its differences and similarities with other types of magic. 

But before you go dabbling into the list of warlocks, wizards, and conjurers. I should mention that some of the terms are inter-changeable. Most of them you only have u really want to get specific with the magic in your book. Most importantly, remember that nothing has to be done "by the book" (if there even is such a thing). Magic has been used in fictional pieces for years, and it as versatile as it is enchanting. No book defines magic as the same: Harry Potter, the Hobbit, ect. This is your book and how you define magic for your world and for your characters is entirely up to you.

SPELL-CASTING MAGIC

The traditional witches, warlocks, sorcerers stuff. This branch involves picking up a wand and making potions without one specific practice or power. The stuff you might find in Harry Potter. Practitioner of general magic. Technically speaking, all of the following terms are very similar to one another and some people use them inter-changeably. But just to be clear: What IS the difference between a wizard, a witch, a warlock, sorcerer, and a mage? Well...…

. A WIZARD

a male practitioner of general magic, usually considered to practice good, light magic the most. Although, "Dark Wizard" can be used to describe a wizard who does not practice the same morals with magic. 

. A WITCH

the female version of a wizard.(Though in more-recent novels, the term wizard has been used for both genders.)

. A WARLOCK

sometimes used interchangeably with the word "wizard", however, the word "warlock" is also used to describe wizards who dabble in, or completely practice dark, evil magic. In some literature, warlocks are described to be more powerful than wizards. 

. A SORCERER

also another term used interchangeably with wizard. However, sorcerers lean more towards conjuring and alchemy in the realm of magic. In some novels, sorcerers are considered to be more powerful than both wizards and warlocks. 

. A MAGE

(Finally, we get to one of my favorites) is basically a wizard or witch, but rather than the magic being inherited, as the case is with most wizards in fictional stories, mages have to learn their magic. Kind of a like a super-powerful magician. 

MIND-READING

Wouldn't it be cool if your character could just tell what the protagonist was thinking? Fortunately, there are some terms to describe that. The only question is: Which one describes your character's ability? 

. Clairvoyance

Used to describe those who can gain information about a person, object, or location by sensing it, but with senses other than sight, taste, hearing, feeling, or smelling. 

. Precognition

The magical ability to gain information about a location's past. In stories, the information is usually gathered by touch. 

. Empathy

The ability to sense and read the emotions of other people.

. Psychomancy

Mind reading. 

. Telepathy

Another word used to describe mind reading. 

CONTROL OVER OBJECTS

So you're character can move objects with their mind? There's got to be a name for that, right? Well, there is.  The magical term is telekinesis.But does your character practice a specific form of telekinesis? 

. Telekinesis

the ability to move objects with the mind. 

. Scrying

Used to describe the ability to locate an object or person that is lost. 

. Teleportation

Obviously, we have all heard about teleportation devices. Imagine retrieving that great idea you had for your book at 2AM right before you fell asleep. Teleportation is the ability to transport objects through portals basically, or retrieve them when needed. 

ELEMENTAL MAGIC

Finally, one of my favorites to read about in book series! (And watch in shows, too. I am a big fan of Avatar the Last Airbender). My book doesn't exactly revolve around magic, but there is a lot of control and manipulation of water, fire, and other elements in it. So what do you call it when a character can bend fire? What about water? Air? Earth? 

. Aerokinesis

Used to describe the ability to control, manipulate, and make wind. 

. Cryokinesis

Used to describe the ability to control ice and water. 

. Electrokinesis

Used to describe the ability to control lightning and electricity. 

. Geokinesis

Used to describe the ability to control earthy elements such as herbs, vines, rocks, ground, and other natural, solid materials. 

Hydrokinesis

. The ability to control water

. Pyrokinesis

The ability to conjure and control fire. 

. Thermokinesis

Used to describe the ability to control the temperature

WELL, THAT'S ALL FOR NOW, WRITERS AND MAGIC-MAKERS! Again, I want to preface that this is not a "know-all-be-all" restriction

on your creativity. This is more of a vocabulary sheet. A very basic vocabulary sheet

(there are THOUSANDS of other magical terms and powers out there) to insire you.

Some of my favorite novels that involve unique worlds also involve a unique magic

system. I LOVE it when authors take creative liberties; it makes every single novel unique!

So, I hope you will use this list as inspiration, not restriction, and that it has sparked an idea for you!

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