Magic

*"The language of the Mystic Arts is as old as civilization. The sorcerers of antiquity called the use of this language 'spells,' but if that word offends your modern sensibilities, you can call it a program; the source code that shapes reality. We harness energy drawn from other dimensions of the Multiverse to cast spells, to conjure shields and weapons, to make magic."*
―Ancient One to Stephen Strange[src]**Magic** is the practice of harnessing various forms of energy to manipulate one or more aspects of the infinite realities that are present within the Multiverse. It encompasses many different activities, including astral projection, divination, spell casting and teleportation, and includes the practices of many cultures and religions, as well as many books and writings from ancient times. Depending upon the individual, some sorcerers study and practice their power by certain belief systems, such as Shamanism, Voodoo, Wicca, or any number of other practices from cultures around the world.

## Magic Sources

*"You think you know how the world works? You think that this material universe is all there is? What is real? What mysteries lie beyond the reach of your senses? At the root of existence, mind and matter meet. Thoughts shape reality."*
―Ancient One to Stephen Strange[src]Magic is divided into three different categories: Personal energies, Universal energies and Dimensional energies. Supposedly, all magic is built on the concept that all realities can be reshaped by tapping into the existing power that is found in either themselves, the Universe, or other dimensions.

Personal energies are those derived from the life force of the sorcerer. Personal energies can only be used to power abilities developed through mental studies and are thus limited to mental abilities such as astral projection, hypnotism, telekinesis, and telepathy. However, because it is known that the continual use of such energies will fatally deplete the individual by consuming their life force, sorcerers must also learn to harness external forces through meditation techniques and trained willpower. It is known that the students enrolled at K'un-Lun are trained to harness an internal force known as Chi as a means to strengthen their own minds and willpower, as well as their physical capabilities to varying degrees.

One of the easier sources that a sorcerer can draw power from are the Universal energies of their home dimension. Universal energies can be used for conjuration, transmutation and teleportation purposes and are commonly used in battle to create shields and weapons of energy. Universal spells usually require specific gestures and/or words in order to be activated. Some Universal energies can also be used by astral bodies who contain a dimensional anchor in the form of an artifact or an individual. For example, the Ancient One was able to force Stephen Strange's consciousness to safely travel throughout the Multiverse and to return to their physical world by using herself as an anchor.

Lastly, Dimensional energies are those that are drawn from other planes of existence throughout the multiverse or are bestowed upon a sorcerer from one or more extra-dimensional entities. These entities must be entreated by the sorcerer(s) using ritualistic spells and possibly a promise, contract or sacrifice of some method. For example, Kaecilius and his followers promised to give Dormammu access to the Earth Dimension in exchange for eternal life and superior power. Once their agreement had been made, Dormammu proceeded to bestow his power unto the Zealots. However, the Ancient One has proven that some such Dimensional energies can be channeled without the awareness or participation of the entities involved as she successfully managed to siphon power from the Dark Dimension for hundreds of years without any allegiance or loyalty to Dormammu.

Most sorcerers, especially those that harness extra-dimensional energies, such as the Masters of the Mystic Arts, train in the art of spell-casting, which was explained by the Ancient One as being conceptually similar to the computer programming and codes of computer sciences. In the same vein as scientific formulas or mathematical equations, achieving specific magical effects can require certain words, gesture, or rituals of some sort, while others may require the use of relics and other items imbued with supernatural power. Furthermore, these effects can be accompanied by the appearance of varyingly intricate and elaborate geometric configurations or patterns, whether in the form of projected constructs of energy or inscribed onto a physical surface, location or object. As magic is practiced by various different cultures and pertains various disciplines, these formations can appear as sigils, glyphs, runes, and emblems that can reflect symbology most associated its practitioners. A most notable example of this phenomenon are the appearance of mandalas, spiritual symbols commonly associated with Earth religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism, in the magic practiced by the sorcerers of Kamar Taj. Some uses of magic primarily manifested through the use of verbal incantation or chanting, such as the rituals of the Book of Cagliostro regarding contacting Dormammu, with some incantations on Earth being of Latin or Sanskrit origin and archived by those who study and research it. Alternatively, Asgardian sorcerers, such as Loki and Frigga, were capable of solely relying on concentration and movement in order to practice their mystical abilities.

## History

### Asgardian Magic

 File:Taking Power.jpg
*"Your ancestors called it magic and you call it science. Well, I come from a place where they are one and the same thing."*
―Thor to Jane Foster[src]Asgardians are well aware of magic and have studied it for millennia. The Asgardian people do not see their magic as some elusive "mystical energy," they instead consider it to be an advanced field of science and part of every living being. Their transportation, architecture, weapons and even medical care are based upon using a blend of magical forces and technology. Their society features many legends about magical creatures and sorcery. Individuals such as Frigga, Heimdall, and Loki are able to tap into otherworldly forces to gain abilities beyond that of their fellow Asgardians through sorcery. Similarly, various kings of the Asgardian people are capable of wielding the Odinforce, which was connected to the user's own life force and was named after Odin, its most notable wielder. Asgard was also home to many relics, weapons, and artifacts that do contain many magical properties before it was destroyed by Surtur.

### Eldritch Magic

 File:Doctor Strange Final Trailer 04.png
*"I control it by surrendering control? That doesn't make any sense."
"Not everything does. Not everything has to. Your intellect has taken you far in life. But it will take you no further. Surrender, Stephen. Silence your ego, and your power will rise."*
―Stephen Strange and Ancient One[src]The Eldritch Magic, also known as **Sorcery**, utilized by the Masters of the Mystic Arts, is light-based magic that produces sparks and fiery energy in a yellow/orange color palette that is capable of giving off not only light, but also warmth. Being highly versatile, it can be used to generate constructs of tangible energy, such as melee weapons and shields, as well as to cast spells by conjuring specific formations and geometric patterns with the fiery energy. While many of these arrays of intricate holographic symbols commonly appear as disks projected in front of the caster's hands, others can appear as rings or bands that surround the caster's arms. Similarly, certain spells can manifest as an aura of arcane energy that emanates from the hands and forearms of the caster.

Additionally, this form of dimensional energy can be channeled into one's own body to bypass physical disabilities and limitations through sustained concentration, which allowed Jonathan Pangborn control over his body despite his paralysis and for Stephen Strange to make the proper gestures with his hands to cast magic despite their severe nerve damage. Without providing continuous conscious effort to maintain the effect, such disabilities resume, as Strange's damaged hands still shook when the Sorcerer Supreme was not utilizing magic to control and steady them.

Other beings in the galaxy, like the Ravager sorcerer Krugarr, are adept in this type of magic.

### Chaos Magic

 File:Unleashing Chaos Magic.png
*"Your children, and Vision, and this whole little life you made? This is Chaos Magic, Wanda, and that makes you the Scarlet Witch."*
―Agatha Harkness to Wanda Maximoff[src]Chaos magic is an extremely powerful and rare form of magic, as its wielder, Wanda Maximoff, was deemed to be a mythical being known as the "Scarlet Witch" by Agatha Harkness. This form of magic is primarily indicated by a mist like red energy mixed with white and black hues. Maximoff, born with latent magical abilities, had her powers drastically augmented by the Mind Stone. Chaos Magic seems to generate large quantities of CMBR, relic radiation that dates back to Creation.

Maximoff unwittingly used Chaos magic to build a house, completely transform the town of Westview, and conjure an alternate version of Vision, as well as her children later on. Within the reimagined Westview, known as the "Hex," Maximoff could warp reality to her every whim, create and transform objects, manipulate time, teleport herself and others, and manipulate the natural elements. Additionally, once objects left the Hex, they would remain in the form they were in whilst under its control, while on a microscopic level, they would be composed of the same basic elements of their original form. This was prominently demonstrated by Monica Rambeau's S.W.O.R.D uniform, being composed of 87% kevlar, was reshaped into 1970's style clothing while still retaining its elements of kevlar.

Maximoff's powers seem to be influenced by her emotions, as various objects in her home changed on their own as her mental state started to deteriorate. Once the Hex was disapelled by Maximoff, everything and everyone changed by it, provided they were still inside it, reverted back to their original forms, including the clothing Maximoff herself was initially wearing when she inadvertently created it. Due to its very nature chaos magic is extremely unstable and requires a massive amount of energy and control in order to master it. Maximoff for example was only able to control people in her immediate vicinity whereas people on the edge of the Hex were merely just reduced to do the same actions in a loop.

### Wizard Magic

A key difference between Wizarding magic and other forms is the use of a wand. Wands have 3 main properties: Wand wood, core, and length. Every Wizard has a different wand, and do their best work with their own wand. However, even infants can do wandless magic. Despite its capabilities, no Wizard spells can resurrect the dead. Likewise, objects can be transfigured, but not created out of nothing. Through a painstaking process, one can create an animagus form for themselves, and transform at will.

Magic can be performed accidentally. Children with no knowledge of magic can harness their abilities during moments of intense emotion. Love is one of the most powerful forms of magic known to Wizardkind. It is eventually what causes Voldemort's downfall, as he is incapable of Love. Lily Evans' love for her son, and subsequent sacrifice protected Harry from Voldemort, and Harry's sacrifice for the fighters in Hogwarts protected them from Voldemort.

Wizard Magic, like all others, has a dark side. If wizards suppress their magic, they can form an obscurus, which breaks free from them, doing unparallelled damage, killing their hosts. Dementors are another form of dark magic, as their mere presence brings about gloom and despair on all present, causing the most traumatised to pass out. Dementors can be fought off by casting a Patronus Charm.

While Immortality is impossible, there are ways to prolong your lifespan. The most notable is the creation of a Horcrux. Voldemort himself, despising death, created 8 horcruxes, although one was accidental. The Philosopher's Stone was also a form of near-immortality, so long as the user drank the potion enough. Wizards who are unable to accept their deaths come back as ghosts. Unicorn blood can keep a wizard alive, but in a horrible, cursed state.

Objects are common among wizards. Most objects can be enchanted, including cars. There are multiple types of potions used by wizards. Broomsticks are common forms of transportation, and are used for Quidditch.

### Dark Dimension Magic

 File:Dark Dimension Magic.png
*"Master Kaecilius, that ritual will bring you only sorrow."*
―Ancient One to Kaecilius[src]Dark Dimension Magic is a magic that is forbidden by the Ancient One, (who used it, however, to expand her lifespan so she could live longer to keep an eye on other members of the Masters of the Mystic Arts). The reason why she forbade this magic was that channelling energy from the Dark Dimension would open oneself to Dormammu's influence. The effects of using this spell include having a symbol burned on the user's forehead and an expanded lifespan to the point of near-immortality, which can further extend to amplify the user's health, vitality, and overall physical capabilities to potentially superhuman levels, with the Ancient One being unfazed by the freezing temperature atop Mount Everest, surviving for almost an hour after falling from several stories before succumbing to her wounds and overpowering several Zealots without effort.

However, any user who did not fully understand the Dark Dimension would gradually become a Mindless One, potentially condemning the user to an eternity of suffering. When Kaecilius and his fellow Zealots used stolen pages of the Book of Cagliostro to contact Dormammu and channel energy from Dark Dimension, Dormammu's influence over them (which marked the skin around their eyes dark purple and outlined silver and cracked, signifying their eventual transformation into Mindless Ones) allowed them to warp reality and even conjure Space Shards as weapons.

During her time on the run, Nico Minoru began to channel energy from the Dark Dimension, enhancing her and the Staff of One's power.

During his time at the Lost Library of Cagliostro, Stephen Strange learned how to summon mystical beings from other dimensions and absorb them into his spirit. However, as Strange absorbed more and more creatures, he became corrupted with power and sought out greater power in the form of an alternate version of himself. Using the Dark Dimension's magic, he absorbed his alternate self and temporarily revived Christine at the cost of his universe.

### Dark Magic

 File:Purple Magic.png  Template:Expand Dark Magic, also known as **Witchcraft**, is an extremely powerful and difficult type of magic used by sorcerers and witches to achieve their goals through morally questionable means. Its main user is the witch Agatha Harkness, a former member of the extinct Salem Coven, being responsible for its destruction.

The Dark Magic manifests as a luminescent purple mist or vapor mixed with black smoke although it can also maintain the same color that the practitioner possesses since Wanda's magic remained the same scarlet color even when practicing this magic.

Dark Magic can leave marks on the corpses of its victims, when Defender Strange was mortally wounded by a summoned inter-dimensional being and later died, his corpse quickly showed signs of decomposition and also runes on his skin indicating that he was killed with dark magic.

In order for Dark Magic spells to perform correctly, it may be necessary for verbals incantations or rituals to be uttered for them to work. If the sorcerer or the witch is prevented from using their mouth and/or doing the rituals, the Dark Magic spells may not work properly.

Dark Magic can be combined with other types of magic as Wanda Maximoff combined her Chaos Magic with the Dark Magic she learned from the Darkhold with the Darkhold Magic itself and gained new dark powers such as the ability to summon creatures from the Multiverse and empower them with runes.

### Darkhold Magic

 File:DarkholdWV.jpg  An ancient book of spells and unspeakable power, the Darkhold has been sought after by Red Skull, Daniel Whitehall, and Nick Fury. The book itself is made of dark matter having been written by Chthon, a demonic entity.

Similar to Dark Magic and Divine Magic, some spells need an enchantment to work, but unlike the last two, Darkhold Magic spells work even if no sound comes out of the practitioner's mouth, just say the enchantment mentally. The Scarlet Witch was able to cast Darkhold Magic spells just by mentally saying the incantations.

A physical characteristic of practitioners of Darkhold Magic is that their hands turn black, the more the sorcerer or witch uses it, the more their hand will darken, indicating the magical form they possess. His skin becomes paler and his eyes cloud over, not to mention his behavior becomes more obsessive, psychotic, and sociopathic.

### Divine Magic

 File:Arthur Harrow vs. Marc Spector.png  Divine Magic is a very powerful form of magic that draws energy from deitys and channels it to achieve impossible feats. The Ennead and their avatars are the primary users of this form of magic. If the avatar's deity is imprisoned in an ushabti, the avatar loses access to the deity's energy and becomes unable to use Divine Magic. When used by avatars of the Ennead, Divine Magic manifests as a luminescent pink mist or vapor mixed with purple smoke.

Similar to Dark Magic, some spells require the incantation to be uttered aloud in order to work. That is, if the avatar is prevented from using its mouth, Divine Magic spells may not work.

### Mirror Dimension Magic

 File:Mirror Dimension.png  Mirror Dimension Magic is a form of magic that gives the mage the power to manipulate and take control of the Mirror Dimension, it is used by Masters of the Mystic Arts to be able to access the Mirror Dimension and be able to practice dangerous spells without affecting the Earthly Plane.

Mirror Dimension Magic grants its practitioner the power to open portals to the dimension, lead themselves and/or others into the dimension and can also create traps that trap the enemy, who if they try to react will be threatened by sharp shards of glass coming out on all sides. More powerful practitioners can reach the walls of the Mirror Dimension and through them use the Earthly Plane's reflections to interact with Earthly Plane even when trapped.

Mirror Dimension Magic can be combined with other forms of magic, as more advanced sorcerers use Mirror Dimension Magic alongside Eldritch Magic. And also other forms of magic, such as Chaos Magic, grant the most powerful users the power to manipulate the Mirror Dimension without necessarily using Mirror Dimension Magic.

### Ta Lo Magic

   Ta Lo Magic is the form of magic created, developed and practiced by the inhabitants of the Ta Lo dimension.

This form of magic grows stronger in the presence of the Great Protector. The main users were Ying Nan and Ying Li, the latter's son, Shang-Chi was born with natural abilities to manipulate Ta Lo Magic that were awakened upon arriving there.

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `DS`
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `DSIMOM`
3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Framestore`
4. ↑ *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2*
5. ↑ *WandaVision: 1.07: Breaking the Fourth Wall*
6. ↑ *Runaways: 2.10: Hostile Takeover*
7. ↑ *What If... Doctor Strange Lost His Heart Instead of His Hands?*
8. ↑ *Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: 4.04: Let Me Stand Next to Your Fire*