Make Your Own Magic Magic is often associated with mystery, wonder, and enchantment. It has captivated human beings for centuries, sparking our imagination and belief in the extraordinary. Yet, while magic is often depicted as something beyond our control, there is a different type of magic that we can create ourselves. This notion of making our own magic is about tapping into our inner power and harnessing the limitless possibilities that reside within us. It is the recognition that we have the ability to shape and transform our lives through our thoughts, beliefs, and actions. Creating our own magic begins with embracing our unique gifts and talents.
Creating our own magic begins with embracing our unique gifts and talents. Each of us possesses a set of skills and abilities that make us special. When we identify these qualities and nurture them, we unlock our potential and unleash our own brand of magic into the world.
Ten Strange Things You Didn’t Know About the History of Magic
When researching the stories, choosing the objects and creating the narrative for Harry Potter: A History of Magic, we have encountered magic round every corner.
Here we explore 10 strange things you might not know about magic, unravelling strange myths and weird traditions, and being charmed by the mysterious world of witchcraft and wizardry.
1. Making yourself invisible is easy… provided you know the right words
Forget the fact you don’t have an invisibility cloak to hand, according to one 17th-century manuscript, known as The Book of King Solomon called The Key of Knowledge, you could make yourself invisible simply by reciting the following words:
“Stabbon, Asen, Gabellum, Saneney, Noty, Enobal, Labonerem, Balametem, Balnon, Tygumel, Millegaly, Juneneis, Hearma, Hamorache, Yesa, Seya, Senoy, Henen, Barucatha, Acararas, Taracub, Bucarat, Caramy, by the mercy whitch you beare towardes mann kynde, make me to be invysible.”
These instructions are found in a chapter headed ‘Howe experyments to be invysible must bee preparedd’. The writer and scholar, Gabriel Harvey, owned this manuscript, and one account of his life states that he largely disappeared from view in the final decades of his life: maybe the invisibility charm worked for him!
"A phoenix rising from the ashes, in a bestiary A phoenix rising from the ashes, in a bestiary" (13th century)Первоисточник: Harley MS 4751.
2. A phoenix takes 9 days to rise from the ashes
Phoenixes are one of the most famous mythological birds and Dumbledore’s feathered friend Fawkes was a much-loved character in the books. Their behavior and life cycle was often described in medieval bestiaries (encyclopedias about animals real and imagined). In one tradition, it was said that the phoenix was native to Arabia, lived for 500 years, and in its old age would create its own funeral pyre from branches and plants. It would then fan the flames with its own wings, in order to be consumed by the fire, before rising again from the ashes after 9 days. This legendary ability has often been compared to the Resurrection of Christ.
"‘The signification of lines and other marks in the hands’, in Old Egyptian Fortune-Teller’s Last Legacy" (1775)Первоисточник: C.194.a.825(2).
3. Moles on the buttocks are especially auspicious
The Old Egyptian Fortune-Teller’s Last Legacy, published in London in 1775, contains lots of dubious advice on how to predict your future. We’re used to tea leaves in cups, but one other way to tell the future was by interpreting the moles on your face and body. For example, did you know that “a mole on the buttock denotes honor to a man and riches to a woman”? On another page, headed: "The signification of lines and other marks in the hands", we receive the news that certain lines denote “a trusty and faithful person”, while others indicate, “Let the party take care to avoid deep water”!
"Culpeper’s English Physician; and Complete Herbal" (1789)Первоисточник: 1601/42.
4. Nicholas Culpeper was a witch
Nicholas Culpeper’s Herbal, first published in 1652, is one of the most influential books to identify the medical uses of different plants. But Culpeper was frowned upon by the medical establishment. He was an unlicensed apothecary, and he came into frequent conflict with the College of Physicians, not least because he wrote in English (for the benefit of the masses) rather than the more traditional Latin. In 1642, Culpeper was apparently tried, but acquitted, for practising witchcraft, the penalty for which was death. Today, we would describe him as a ‘hedge witch’, a wise man or woman adept at providing remedies for illnesses and ailments.
"Kitāb mawādd al-‘ilāj (Arabic version of Dioscorides, Materia medica)" (14th century)Первоисточник: Or 3366.
5. Need to harvest a mandrake? Then find yourself a dog
A lesson in Herbology now – in the Middle Ages, it was believed that mandrakes could cure headaches, earache and gout. At the same time, it was supposed that this plant was hazardous to harvest, because its roots resembled the human form; when pulled from the ground, its shrieks could cause madness. This is why medieval plant-collectors devised an elaborate method to harvest mandrakes. The best way to obtain one safely was to unearth its roots with an ivory stake, attaching the plant to a dog with a cord. A horn should then be sounded, drowning out the shrieking while at the same time startling the dog, causing it to drag out the mandrake. Another piece of advice was to stuff your ears with clods of earth before attempting to pull the mandrake from the ground!
"Pierre Pomet, A Compleat History of Druggs" (1748)Первоисточник: 546.k.19..
6. Some of the best bezoar stones are found in the stomachs of goats
We all remember the bezoar Harry used to save Ron’s life after he sipped the poisoned mead in Professor Slughorn’s office, but what actually are they? Bezoars are a mass of undigested fibre formed in the stomach of certain animals, and are believed to be an antidote to poison. They were first introduced into medieval Europe by Arabic physicians. Wealthy collectors (including kings and popes) were willing to spend considerable sums to acquire the best ‘stones’. In A Compleat History of Druggs (first published in French in 1694), it was reported that the medicinal strength of a bezoar depended on the animal that produced it. For instance, those found in the guts of cows were nowhere near as good as those which came from the so-called ‘bezoar goat’. One of our colleagues recently acquired a bezoar stone from a llama, sourced from Bolivia. We hope we never need to try it out.
"Abū al-Qāsim al-‘Irāqī, Kitāb al-aqālīm al-ab‘ah (Book of the Seven Climes)" (18th century)Первоисточник: Add MS 25724.
7. This early alchemical illustration is in fact… a record of an ancient Egyptian monument
The Book of the Seven Climes, written in the 13th century by Abū al-Qāsim Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-‘Irāqī, focuses on alchemical illustrations. This picture was supposedly taken from a ‘Hidden Book’ attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, a legendary sage-king of ancient Egypt. He was believed to have mastered the secrets of alchemy and recorded them in hieroglyphs on the walls of tombs. Unbeknown to Al-‘Irāqī, this image actually reproduces an ancient monument erected in memory of King Amenemhat II, who ruled Egypt around 1922–1878 BC.
"Unicorns, in Pierre Pomet, Histoire générale des Drogues, traitant des plantes, des animaux et des mineraux" (1694)Первоисточник: 37.h.7..
8. A unicorn can have two horns
In recent years unicorns have appeared in our hair, on our toast and on our clothes, but our fascination for the horned horse goes back centuries. In 1694, Pierre Pomet, a French pharmacist, published his Histoire générale des Drogues. One of its illustrations shows five different species of unicorn, among them the camphor (a horned ass from Arabia) and the pirassoipi. The pirassoipi’s most distinctive feature is its twin horns (surely this is cheating), as seen in the lower left-hand corner of this image. Pomet reported that this two-horned unicorn was as large as a mule and as hairy as a bear. He also noted that unicorn horn was “well used, on account of the great properties attributed to it, principally against poisons”.
"A phoenix rising from the ashes, in a bestiary A phoenix rising from the ashes, in a bestiary" (13th century)Первоисточник: Harley MS 4751.
Additionally, cultivating a positive mindset is essential in creating magic. Our thoughts and beliefs shape our reality, and by adopting a positive attitude, we attract positive experiences into our lives. This doesn't mean that we ignore challenges or difficulties, but rather that we approach them with resilience and a belief that we have the power to overcome them. Taking action is another vital ingredient in making your own magic. It is not enough to simply wish for things to happen; we must actively work towards our goals and dreams. Through focused effort and determination, we can manifest the life we desire and create the magic we seek. Furthermore, making your own magic means embracing the concept of gratitude and appreciation. By acknowledging the blessings and abundance in our lives, we generate a positive energy that attracts more of what we are thankful for. Gratitude serves as a catalyst for creating magic and amplifies the joy and fulfillment we experience. Ultimately, making our own magic is a deeply personal journey. It is about discovering our passions, following our intuition, and embracing the unknown. It is about trusting in the process and the belief that we have the power to shape our reality. So, let us embark on this journey of making our own magic. Let us embrace our uniqueness, cultivate positivity, take action, and express gratitude. By doing so, we tap into our inner power, and the magic we create will not only transform our lives but also touch the lives of those around us. Remember, the power to make your own magic lies within you..
Reviews for "The alchemy of making your own magic: transforming dreams into reality"
1. Jessica - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Make Your Own Magic". The book promised to empower and inspire readers to create their own magic, but it ended up being a collection of cliché self-help advice that lacked originality. I found the writing to be repetitive and the author's tone to be overly preachy. Overall, it felt like a generic self-help book trying to capitalize on the trendy topic of magic. I was hoping for something more genuine and thought-provoking.
2. Ryan - 1/5 - I have to say, "Make Your Own Magic" was a complete waste of time for me. The author seemed to be more interested in promoting themselves and their personal brand than actually delivering valuable content. It was filled with superficial anecdotes and shallow advice that provided no real insight or guidance. The book lacked depth and substance, making it difficult to connect with or relate to the author's message. I would not recommend it to anyone seeking genuine personal growth and transformation.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - As someone who enjoys self-help books, "Make Your Own Magic" fell short of my expectations. While the book had some interesting ideas, it lacked practicality and clear action steps. The author frequently went off on tangents, making it difficult to follow their main points. Additionally, the writing style was often repetitive and the examples used felt cliché. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity to truly inspire and empower readers to make positive changes in their lives.