There are many different theories on the validity of Magic in the Modern world. For most people, magic is something in fairy tales, for the imaginations of the young at heart. But for a growing number of people, magic is real, and can be found in every day life. If you ask my for my definition, it would be this: Anything that exists in the world that science cannot readily explain.

Flying was once concidered a feat that only sorcerers and witches could do...now, all you have to do is look up in the sky and see the result of that magic. And the thought of traveling to the stars was unheard of. But now, even that has become a common occurance.

So, what was one thought of as magic, now enters the mundane world of the scientifically explained. Who knows how the future will change the current thoughts on magic, but one thing is certain...nothing is ever impossible.

Witches: Webster's Dictionary defines a Witch as, a women who was supposed to practice sorcery; an ugly old woman; a hag or crone.

This is a definition that has been the accepted train of thought for hundreds of years. Through out the centuries, Witches were pursecuted, and killed in the belief that they were in league with the Devil. But if you ask any modern day Witch, or Wicca (as the religion of Witches is called) that is most certainly not the case.

A Witch, which can be either a male or female, gains their magical abilities from the forces of nature. They have a natural gift for magic, and can sometimes cast spells with words or thoughts alone.

All Wiccans are Witches, but not all Witches practice the religion. Amy Madison's mother, Catherine, did not adhere to the strick guidelines that all Wicca must follow: DO NO HARM. Instead, she used her vast ablilites to cause great pain and suffering to Buffy Summers and her friends.


Sorcerers: Are men and women who can cast spells. Not as powerful as Witches, in that they cannot cast without the use of spell ingredients as well as the power words, Sorcerers are, however, not limited in their ethical use of magic. Many are not bound by the rules set upon them by a religion.

Ethan Rayne, an old associate of Giles is concidered to be one of the many unscrupulous Sorcerers out there. He uses his knowledge in the "black arts" for his own selfish purposes, and to serve Chaos.


Shamens: A Shamen is a holy man, who is trained in the art of spritual and physical healing. Most common in the aboriginal peoples of the Americas, their use of magic is strictly derived from their religion. Through herbal medicine, charms, and chanting, they call upon their Gods to help those in need.

While, Shamanism isn't concidered to be strictly magical, it has earned it's place here because of its use of forces beyond which modern man still does not understand.

Spell components are anything that is used in the casting of spells. There are several different types of components, all of which, when combined, can be used to manipulate the forces of nature.

Power words: Power words can be in any languge, and are used, in conjunction with parafanalia (incence...ect.) to activate a spell.

All spells have Power Words of one kind or another, and usually have to be spoken out loud, with the proper inflections. If the translation from one languge to another is not precise, or the right emphasis is not placed on the right words, the spell will not work.


Herbs: Herbs, plants, flowers and burning incence have several different purposes, depending on how it's used. The color, fragrance, and type of plants are a large factor in the effectiveness of the spell. Consult with a spell book, or an experienced spell caster before you try your hand at this. Like chemistry, mixing the wrong herbs together could create a disasterous result.


Crystals, Gems and Metals: They have been regarded through the ages as conduites for mystical energies. A caster can harness this energy for healing, love, protection and offensive spells. As with herbal components; size, shape, color and type of crystal will determine its' use in spell casting.


Numbers and Colors: Both of these are used in conjunction with all other components. Numerologist, for centuries, have used numbers to predict wealth, love and sucess, and they are also important in the casting of spells.

Colors have been scientifically proven to have a physiological effects on people. The same can be said for it's magical properties. Using a certain color in the casting of spells, or even just using colors on day to day basic, helps to channel mystical energies through you, and transferring them to others.

There are four main catagories of Spell types--Healing, Personal, Protection, and Offensive. These are the most commonly used, but in no way the only type of magic out there.

Healing: This is commonly used by healers, people who use magic the way a doctor would use medicine, but instead of using pills or needles, they use crystals, potions, and colors, to aid them in the healing process. Shamans and other healers often use Medicine Balls, or Mojo bags worn around the neck, to ward off any illness. Crystals are also commonly used in healing. The Rose Quartz is concidered by many spell casters to be an excellent stone for this.

Personal: This is the most widely used spell type in everyday life. Spells for love, luck, fame and fortune all fall under this catagory. With the help of the right herbs, crystals, potions, and elixars, a spell caster can increase their chances of finding true love, that great job and happiness. Of course, keeping all of these things is up to you, and has little to do with magic.

Warning: Personal spells can have dangerous side effects, as Xander Harris found out, when he had Amy Madison cast a love spell. Be very careful for what you wish for...you might get more than you want.


Protection: These spells are just what they sound like. They are used as a means of protecting the caster, or the person whom the spell is cast upon. In many cases, the use of mojo bags, or crystals worn on the person, is protection enough. Other times, wards and circles can be placed around the thing or person that needs protection. Protection spells can be cast as well.

For example, the spell that Willow and Buffy cast to keep Angelus from entering their homes is a form of protection.


Offensive: Keeping in mind that spells are neither good nor evil (it's the spell caster's use of them that determines that), you must understand that Offensive spells, while they may sound agressive, can be used for good as well as evil. A few examples of these type of spells are...Fireball, Lighting, Quake...just to name a few.

Living Flame, a spell used to immolate the Glove of Myhnegon could be concidered to be an Offensive spell, because it can be used against the living.


Miscellaneous: This is to give a brief outline of a few types of spells that don't fall into the most commonly used catagory.

Resurection spells --used to bring forth the dead into the living world. This can be accomplished in a few ways...1)A re-animation spell (used in the creation of Zombies), 2)Resturation spell (like the one Willow performed on Angel, to return his soul to his body), or a 3)True Resurection spell (used to bring back the dead, and restore them to their former self).

The latter of the spells is the hardest to perform, and very few casters have ever attempted it. As with any spell, these can drain the caster of vast amounts of life energy, leaving them exausted...or even dead.

Communication Spells --These spells, are used to communticate with the dead, or those in other planes of existance. It has also been used to contact people over great distances through magic means, instead of conventional.

Summoning Spells --the most dangerous of all known spells. Summoning spells are used to bridge the gap between the mortal world and demon Relm. The dangers associated with these type of spells, other than the perils of introducing a demon or evil spirit into the world, would include: Summoning the wrong spirit, or a spirit who has plans for the world, that do not agree with yours; Being possesed by a demon permantly (as a young Ripper found out with Eyhgon); or in the process of summoning the demon, a portal is opened that could suck the world into hell (remember Acathla?).

These are not spells for general use, and should be avoided at all costs.