ANCIENT RUNES HOMEWORK:
ANCIENT SPELLS

{all elective years, third to seventh}

Magical rites in the ancient world were often a lot more complex than our refined modern spells with a wand and a single spoken incantation. Select one of the sources below and write an essay (between 50-150 words) describing how you think the spell works, and comparing and contrasting the different techniques of ancient and modern spellcasting. Due OOC: 1st May.

QUICK GLOSSARY:

[NN] = where to insert the subject/victim of the spell's name
[SMALL CAPS] = names of magical deities, characters or "magical vowels" to be chanted aloud but not necessarily meant to be understood by ordinary people, i.e. a secret language calling on higher magical powers to aid you. There were common formulae for these. Repetition and vowel sounds were especially presumed to be the most magical elements of language.
[DIAGRAMS/DRAWINGS] = physical placement and shapes were often just as important as the content. Palindromes and increasing/decreasing letter incantations were often used to rid of illness.
[MATERIALS] = Rituals often have ingredients or some physical element to bolster the spell. "Magical material" might be something from the body of the subject like hair or fingernails.

I. LOVE SPELL OF ATTRACTION


II. SPELL FOR RESTRAINING ANGER


III. QUESTIONING CORPSES


IV. REVENGE ON A THIEF


V. DREAM-PRODUCING CHARM WITH REEDS


VI. AMULET CURING FEVER


VII. MEMORY SPELL

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The following 2 users Like Carmelina Cramming's post:2 users Like Carmelina Cramming's post
   Bragi Holm, Elladora Black

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April 18th, 1890

Source III speaks of restraining anger through the use of a cloth and written and spoken word. Modern magical practices in Europe focus on channeling magic through a wand made of wood, but ancient peoples did not have such luxuries. They were forced to find other materials through which they could channel magic, and often relied on physical touch as much as words to produce magic. I believe the linen cloth, like wands, may have served as an outlet for magic—which is not disprovable, considering how fashion houses use fabrics to display their charmwork.

The runes produced a pattern comparable to the syllables in a spoken spell. That, combined with the spoken intention to see the spell through, allowed the magic to run its course. Modern magic does not only rely on a simple cantation and movement, though. Some spells, especially ones fueled by intense emotions (such as anger in this case) require an emotional backing such as happiness or faith. For a spell aimed at entirely changing one's emotions, it's not difficult to believe the wizard's emotions would be taken into account.

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Holly Scrimgeour, Slytherin

* It is 184 words but Holly refuses to write anything less so I apoloigize.
Also just assume she knows more than me >.>

The following 1 user Likes Holly Scrimgeour's post:1 user Likes Holly Scrimgeour's post
   Elias Grimstone

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— set by MJ <3 —

19th of April, 1890

Source IV:

The spell being described has similar properties to a modern cursed object. The caster in question has chosen, perhaps even crafted an object reminiscent to a body part of his victim, in this case his eye. He has magically tied the fake eye to his victim's eye, likely through a binding rune, so each time he strikes it with a hammer, it is as though he is striking the victim's eye itself.

We see the technique of using palindromes, which was mainly used to cure illnesses. In this case, it is used to do the opposite; cause harm to the victim.

The difference to that spell and a modern curse is that it is more time-consuming. If I wanted to curse an enemy's eye, I would simply point my wand to his face and use a curse like [insert eye curse here].

Seneca Lestrange, Slytherin House

I also have exceeded the word count, and I even removed some Seneca commentary >.> #nerd

The following 1 user Likes Seneca Lestrange's post:1 user Likes Seneca Lestrange's post
   Elias Grimstone