The structure of magic refers to the underlying principles and patterns that govern the use and effectiveness of magic. It is the framework that allows magic to work, enabling practitioners to harness and manipulate the energies of the supernatural world. One of the key aspects of the structure of magic is belief. Belief plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of magic, as one must have faith in their abilities and the power of magic itself. Without belief, magic loses its potency, and spells and rituals may not produce the desired results. In addition to belief, intent is another important element of the structure of magic.
So now let’s take all of that and use it to build a new magic system. This is going to be fun!
We have tools and we have the ability to work with the nanites on a very individual personal level that the magic-user can interact with them or there are the automatons. Your goal is to conquer a somewhat vague and mysterious admissions committee, and structure is your secret weapon, the magical potion that will make them blink, smile a little, and then say Hey, I like this one.
In addition to belief, intent is another important element of the structure of magic. The intent behind a spell or ritual determines its purpose and outcome. Whether it is to heal, protect, or manifest a desire, the intent must be clear and focused.
How to Structure Your Magic Like Allomancy
Are you ready? I hope you are. Because this is a topic I’ve been wanting to talk about for a really long time now. In this article, we’re going to be talking about the structure of Allomancy in Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn trilogy.
I’ve wanted to do this for so long. Oh my God, this is going to be great!
I want to be clear upfront, this is not going to be an in-depth analysis of Allomancy. We aren’t going to be looking at the types of magic or any of the variables you would find on the magic system blueprint. Nor will we be diving into the limitations or the various ways that it’s used throughout the story.
No. What we’re looking at here is the structure, that underlying formula that Brandon built the entire rest of the magic system around. After we identify the structure, we’re going to talk about why it’s cool and why you might want to use it. Last, we’ll apply the structure to a brand new magic system.
There are several key elements that make up the Allomancy magic system structure, and we’re going to go through those one at a time.
Categories of Magical Effects
One of the things that I find cool about Allomancy and all of the metallic arts is how Brandon broke it all down into several large categories.
First, you have physical effects. These are any of the magic effects that alter the magic user’s physical abilities and senses or have a direct impact on physical matter. Then there are the mental effects that allow mental manipulation of people’s emotions, or even the mental ability to sense or cloak the use of magic. Next, are the enhancement effects that allow a magic-user to either enhance or neutralize the magical abilities of either themselves or another magic-user. Last are temporal effects that alter the flow of time or can provide information from either the past or the future.
Opposing Action Verbs: Push / Pull
These action verbs are a big part of what makes Allomancy stand out, and Brandon Sanderson uses the terms push and pull to describe different types of magical effects. In some cases, the push and pull are very literal. Take steel and iron, for example, where the metal allows the magic-user to push the metal directly away or pull it directly towards themselves. In other cases, like with copper and bronze, it’s a bit more of a metaphorical push or pull.
Whether literal or metaphorical, Brandon keeps the parallels throughout the entire structure. He even strengthens the metallic theme by making the pushing metals be alloys of the pulling metals.
Positional Words: Internal / External
Brandon also used positional words to create an additional level of distinction between specific magical effects. In the case of Allomancy, they are internal and external. Now, when you combine these three elements of the structure, you end up with this four-by-four grid, which allows us to have up to 16 powers right away.
With the grid in place, we can see pairings and parallels, which automatically makes things more comprehensible and easier to follow. That’s part of the reason this structure is so awesome.
Distinct Performance Action: Burning
In the case of Allomancy, magic users consume the metals and then burn them within themselves to fuel the magic. So you have a bunch of words related to that like burn and flare. They’re both very distinctive from what I had seen in most other magic systems, which helped it stand out even further.
Now that we have this grid of sixteen boxes and we know what category it falls under, whether it’s supposed to be pushing or pulling internal and external, it’s just a matter of filling them in. This leads to the final part of the Allomancy magic system structure.
Distinct Magical Effects
Each of the sixteen powers in Allomancy is incredibly distinct. There’s not much overlap between the two. They’re connected, but no two metals really produce the same thing, and, to a certain extent, no two metals can even imitate the other. There is some room for deception over the course of the series, but it is usually clear which metal is being burned and which effect is being produced based on what’s happening.
If you aren’t familiar with Allomancy and you want an overview of the rest of the system, I really recommend that you check out the Allomancy Overview video by Daniel Greene[]. I really enjoy it. It’s quite simple and he covers the basics of the system, as well as the basics of the other two magics systems in the story.
There you have it. That’s the underlying structure of elements, and we can now use that for our own magic systems.
Intent is often expressed through the use of symbols, gestures, or spoken words, which helps to channel and direct the energy of magic. Timing is also a significant aspect of the structure of magic. Certain times, such as full moons or specific astrological alignments, are believed to enhance the effectiveness of spells and rituals. Practitioners often take into account the lunar phases, planetary movements, and other cosmic factors when performing magic, aligning their actions with the natural cycles of the universe. Another fundamental principle of the structure of magic is energy manipulation. Practitioners understand that everything is interconnected and that energy flows through all things. By tapping into this energy and manipulating it, magic users are able to effect change in the physical world. Techniques such as visualization, meditation, and energy work are employed to shape and direct the energy towards the desired outcome. Lastly, the structure of magic encompasses the ethical considerations and responsibilities that come with the practice. Many magical traditions uphold a code of conduct, emphasizing the importance of using magic responsibly and for the highest good. Ethics play a role in determining the intentions and actions of the practitioner, ensuring that their use of magic aligns with the principles of compassion, respect, and harmony. In conclusion, the structure of magic includes belief, intent, timing, energy manipulation, and ethics. These elements work together to form a framework for the practice of magic, allowing individuals to tap into supernatural forces and create change in the world around them. Understanding and harnessing the structure of magic is essential for practitioners to effectively and responsibly navigate the realm of the mystical and harness its limitless potential..
Reviews for "The Structure of Magical Divination: Tapping into the Collective Unconscious"
1. Jane - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Structure of Magic". I found it to be overly technical and difficult to understand. The concepts were not explained clearly and I often found myself getting lost in the author's jargon. I was hoping for a more accessible book on the topic of magic, but unfortunately, this was not it. I would not recommend it to someone looking for an introductory guide on the subject.
2. Mark - 1/5 stars - I struggled to finish "The Structure of Magic" and quite frankly, I'm not sure why it's considered a classic in the field. The writing style was dry and lacked any energy or excitement. The examples provided were uninteresting and didn't help me grasp the concepts any better. Overall, I found the book to be a chore to read and I would not recommend it to others.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - Although "The Structure of Magic" came highly recommended to me, I was left underwhelmed by its content. The author seemed more focused on showcasing their theoretical framework than actually providing practical advice or insights into the world of magic. I found myself wanting more concrete examples and exercises to help me apply the concepts discussed. As a result, I didn't feel like I gained much from reading this book and I cannot say that I would recommend it to others with enthusiasm.