Why Harper Rock? I asked myself that question as I packed, as the train winded the mountains, and as it pulled into the terminal. When I stepped out of the train doors and breathed the city air, I was filled with a hint of the throbbing, electric swell of magic that was altogether familiar and strange. It was a hint of magic that I picked up on a month ago while during my usual studies of an old grimoire from the fair lands of Ireland. It was fleeting a first, but I could still taste the sour hints of darkness among the bright, sharp, tartness that is associated with magic. It touched my senses like through cloth, blunted but there.
I followed it north from Salem where I was studying secret arts unearthed by generations of witches whose magic hailed in part from themselves, the earth, and the dead. I learned much from them as my own magical inheritance was that of only self-harnessed power, which I find to be draining.
There is a source of magic here that I've never fully encountered before. There is a note in it that's uniquely fair, which makes me think of the fae. In fact, my gut tells me so, and my gut has never steered me wrong during my quest for knowledge and the attainment of power in the magic arts. Why Harper Rock? Because Harper Rock is a magical mystery that needs to be solved.
HUMAN | SORCERER | SON OF THE GREAT WITCH SARI | GRIMOIRE
In my family, sons usually don't get involved with magic. Most have always been preoccupied with the practical aspects of the world. It's a viewpoint I possess but it's tethered with that of all the women who came before me who peeked behind the veil of what's immediately before the eyes. I became the first son in centuries to study the art with my mother as my first teacher.
It began with a shattered glass. It wasn't telekinesis (which is a skill I desperately want to master), but my own residual energy. Mother looked at me from across the dinner table, then stared at the broken bits of glass for a long time. I wasn't entirely ignorant of my magical inheritance, but I wasn't expected to partake in it let alone manifest so strongly. At the time, my interest was in astronomy. The homeroom teacher in my middle school class had asked us all what we wanted to be when we grew up. I thought I wanted to be an astrophysicist until I felt the electric surge of power burst forth from the core of my being and resonate strong enough to shatter glass.
It was then that I knew my true path was that of a sorcerer, peeking behind the veil of what all can see into the world of magic and mystery.
I told this to Mother who sat me down to ask if I was sure. I assured her with steel-like conviction, and my lessons began. I came to learn that Mother was well practiced and extremely knowledgeable. She was revered in the small community of practitioners in a small town in Northern California. I spent seven years learning under her skilled, guiding hand. Then she died expelling a host of demons from a child back into the realm of darkness. I've been wary of children ever since. Their innocence makes them an open door for entities who need a host to embody in order to cross over into this world. I never want children of my own. My proclivities, in fact, makes the prospect even less likely.
Now, I'm on my own, traveling the world to learn about magic in all forms. I don't want to be as skilled and talented as Mother was. I want to be better.
HUMAN | SORCERER | SON OF THE GREAT WITCH SARI | GRIMOIRE
Cultures around the world use magic in different ways. In early African tribes, there were witch doctors who performed magic with the use of talismans on ailing tribesmen who needed more than a simple poultice to cure them. Viking women possessed magic and held status in their villages and households. Priestesses of Greek and Roman deities were conduits for magical application. Witches of Europe called upon the mysterious entities of the forest to grant them power. Witches of early eastern America were born with gifts that allowed them to extend their awareness into the magical realm. Practitioners of the East, my ancestors, found energy within themselves and the world that they harnessed for purposes small and large.
Reviewing all of that, it seems as if magic has many sources whether it be from nature, supernatural entities, or the self. However, I am convinced that all sources of magic comes from a single source, like an ocean in which all other sources are merely rivers, lakes, creeks, and brooks.
I have a theory. My childhood interest in astronomy has led me to the realization that all magic is cosmic in origin. It's only logical. The very earth was formed during a cosmic event in which all elements in the universe were born. Every essence of all things began during that time. Just as there are aspects of reality that science is still discovering, there are aspects of magic that are still a mystery. On top of that, all things are in a constant state of change, and based on perception, perspective, and knowledge, what has been understood is being re-evaluated in the relentless search for truth.
This magical Theory of Cosmic Origin has also led me to realize that all things are connected, which is why there are so many ways magic interacts with this realm. Otherwise, it would be impossible. Due to the connected nature of all things, anyone could theoretically practice magic. The magic element, however, is more abundant in different entities, spaces, objects, and individuals than others.
For example: My family inherits the magic element to a degree in which it's present within us. I possess magic. I was born with it. It's biological. I am able to be my own source of magic while I can also tap into sources of magic outside of myself. For those who possess magic, the degree in which they do varies between each individual. So far, I've discovered that I have enough to draw on for moderate feats (and hopefully enough to one day accomplish telekinesis.)
For people who don't possess magic, they have to draw on it in other ways from outside of themselves. Some are able to harness magic into themselves for later use while others can only direct it into real-time application. Some are able to harness a source of magic into an item which they can use as a source.
Another realization I've had is that, because the source of all magic is cosmic in origin, then the most powerful magic is done through cosmic means. Perhaps astrologers were on to something? Where they failed was that they were only theorists. They didn't seek to test their theories and apply their knowledge. Only then would they have come to learn anything of real truth and value. I've already begun studies in cosmic magic with the full intention of testing my theories. If I am able to tap into magic from the master source, I can achieve things far greater imagined.
HUMAN | SORCERER | SON OF THE GREAT WITCH SARI | GRIMOIRE
I've discovered many ways to tap into a source of magic. It all depends on what the source is, because not all routes to a source of magic are the same. Some magical sources, for example, require a special incantation (verbal key), a talisman (source of magic or conduit), and blood (element), while others require little more than effort and willpower.
Born Magic
Since I am born with magic, this is the easiest source I can tap into. It's part of me. All it takes is thought, introspection, and will to bring it out with control. With practice I've grown beyond the years of wayward residual magic.
The magic I was born with has become familiar to me and carries a signature much like blood or DNA. It's bright and sharp like most magic, a flow of energy throbbing within my being. There is an aspect of it that buzzes in a sense that's almost eager and when I think about that feeling, it surges up to be wielded at my command. All it takes is a simple thought.
I've heard different experiences from others born with magic. One woman said that her magic was like molasses, and accessing it was like sucking it through a straw, slow and thick. Another told me that her magic was like a blinking light. One moment it was there and in the next it was gone. She had to be quick to grasp it tight when she felt it, which was sharp and cold like ice. One little girl said that her magic felt like she had to pee. Some have said they can only access their magic through special measures. It's different for everyone, but it's still magic.
Talisman Magic
Talismans are objects that possess magic. There are ultimately two types of talismans: natural talismans and crafted talismans.
Natural talismans are found in nature. It can be a rock, a tree, a spring, etc. Even if these items are made into a different shape, they may still retain their magical properties. For example, many witches craft wands from trees that possess magic. Some stone monuments are magical because the stone they are made from possess magic.
Crafted talismans are imbued with magic from an another source. Many practitioners in the east place magical properties into items to ward off spirits. Some wizards placed curses onto items, thus making them magical.
Tapping into talisman magic depends on the talisman. A lot of talismans work without having to be called. This is because they already have a function that they do all their own. Other talismans require an incantation established from the maker or it's place of origin. Some only work for specific people and others need to be connected with other sources of magic to work.
Magic from Behind the Veil
There are two reasons why magic is access from other realms. The first is that there are realms that are more magically abundant than this one. It's in the very air and, through special means, can be drawn into this realm to be of use. The second is that there are extremely powerful entities in other realms that can cast magic on the behalf of the summoner. This could very well be where the idea of gods come from.
Like talisman magic, accessing magic from other realms depends on exactly what it is one is attempting to tap into. This kind of magic is viewed as assistance because the summoner can't achieve their goal without it. Because of the nature of this kind of magic, some require an exchange, a sacrifice, a special incantation, a specific person, specific elements, a specific day, time of day, or even a specific time period. Both this kind of magic and talisman magic usually come with instruction, so it shouldn't be too difficult to learn how they work.
Cosmic Magic
There is some magic that's drawn from the moon or the sun, which means these two cosmic bodies possess magical energy. Because the moon is reflective, however, I think moonlight is actually magic from sunlight. Some have managed to harness this power, but I think there is more than that.
There are greater sources of magic beyond earth in the cosmos, greater pockets of magic that can be tapped into. These pockets may be found among the birth of new stars or even among the first stars ever born, which exist from a time when the universe began and all elements became.
I will find the great cosmic source.
HUMAN | SORCERER | SON OF THE GREAT WITCH SARI | GRIMOIRE
The first time I called upon fire was under Mother's instruction. She held a demonstration where she lit the fireplace with a glance. I didn't have so expert of a grasp on my magic, so she started me off with a single candle.
First, I had to access my magic. It took a bit of concentration back then. My magic was slightly manic, so it was difficult to get a firm grip on it without it bursting forth and breaking things. Once I was able to consciously get a hold on that bright energy, the next thing I had to do was think about fire and the candle simultaneously. This is important. If I were to only think about fire, my magic could manifest it in unpredictable ways. I could set fire to the house or to myself.
So, I thought about fire, bright and hot, and also about the candle just in front of me. I thought about the wick burning and a little flame flickered into existence right before my eyes. I stared at the flame I had called into existence until the light burned an image into my mind, then I looked at Mother. She nodded, then pointed to the pile of smoking logs in the fireplace that I didn't see her snuff and she said, "Now, it's your turn."
I proceeded to call a fire that scorched the rug in front of the fireplace, but Mother was pleased as she snuffed it with a wave of her hand.
The Rules
So, the rules of calling fire are as follows:
First have a grasp on your magic. Uncontrolled magic is unpredictable and can result in harm.
Don't only think of fire. That isn't a direct or intentional use of magic and the fire can manifest in undesirable ways. So, always think about fire and what it is you want to burn.
HUMAN | SORCERER | SON OF THE GREAT WITCH SARI | GRIMOIRE
Note: Find a "hunter's charm." I think I know where the source of Harper Rock's magic is. It reeks of fair magic, so I'm sure it's the fae. I just need the right materials to evoke them. If I'm right, I have my work cut out for me here.
HUMAN | SORCERER | SON OF THE GREAT WITCH SARI | GRIMOIRE
