Spells and Bindings

A spell is a work of magick. Magick, like religion, follows different philosophies and can be worked in many different ways. However a spell is generally wrought with some form of ceremony. Factors effecting it may include the time and the date at which it is done, the location, the tools used, the rites of the ceremony itself and the words spoken. Sometimes the purpose is to summon a supernatural being (a god or a demon) who will work the actual magic itself. Sometimes the power is entirely the spell-caster's and the ceremony is an aid to focusing his or her concentration.

A spell may be permanent or of limited duration. There may be some further act required to return to human form.

Most modern texts are agreed that magick requires immense will-power, concentration and faith in ones own ability. Magick is generally not believed in, so presumably, the spell-caster must overcome this. This might explain why magick is so weak today in comparison with years gone by. Sadly, many modern disciplines do not hold shape-shifting to be possible. Certainly few magics are as demanding: to change a man into a horse apparently violates many scientific principles. There are a lot of variables to be held in mind, for example, what age horse will the man become? His actual age? His equivalent age? What will his equine appearance be? What breed and colour? Will he retain his human intelligence? Will he be given the equine instinct to be able to instantly control his new form? A horse requires special bacteria in its gut in order to digest grass; Will this be part of the spell? Will the transformation be gradual or will it be instantaneous?

Perhaps an essential first step is to acknowledge that science has its place in the universe, but not here! Envision all animals to have an intrinsic "essence" which the magick can draw on to shape itself. One hardly expects that when Circe transformed all those sailors into swine, she reconstructed them atom by atom, she visualized the image of pig-hood and conferred it upon her guests.

One of the most common methods of magickal transformation is the potion. The one to be transformed drinks a magickally prepared brew that will somehow effect a change. Alternatively, as in the case of Lucius in the Golden Ass, an ointment might serve the same function.

Potions can function in different ways. A spell maybe cast upon an ordinary drink. The spell directs that anyone who imbibes the drink will be transformed in accordance with the spell's directives. Some special ingredients (mistletoe for example) might be required to bind the magic to the drink, but there is nothing actually trans-formative in the liquid itself.

A second category of potion is some form of drug which will induce hallucination and delusions, maybe a state of euphoria. While it is altogether possible that someone drinking such a brew could all too easily imagine themselves to be an animal, it could also break down their natural skepticism toward such a transformation, thus providing the necessary conviction to provide the physical transformation. It has long been theorized that the mind is stronger than the body, that properly convinced, it can perform seemingly impossible acts such as levitation and healing. Why not shape-shifting?

The third category involves a liquid that will somehow cause a physical and controlled transformation in the person drinking it. It is doubtful that any naturally occurring substance in the world will change someone into a horse if they imbibe it. However, compare this with the DNA manipulation in the Science section. A DNA-manipulative virus held in a liquid would be just such a potion. In the final analysis, it is our own viewpoint that determines what constitutes science and what constitutes magick.

A curse can be nothing more than the application of any magick in the cause of vengeance or spite, transformations of this ilk occur in hundreds of stories all over the world. Judith Tarr's fantasy novel, A Wind in Cairo tells the wonderful story of a selfish and arrogant prince who is transformed into a stallion for having raped a wizard's daughter.

However, in this context I mean the curse as a spontaneous discharge of malign will-power, usually shaped by a spoken phrase, such as the faerie are reputed to cast when the mood takes them. Such a curse must always have an out, a way, however improbable of breaking the curse. In the parish of Brocileande, a prideful young priest boasted that his faith was stronger than the magick of the Fair Folk who dwelt in the forest. Finding this rash statement most amusing, a young Rusalka seduced him by a forest pool and transformed him into an ass, so to remain until the day he led his congregation three times around the church and then preached to them from the pulpit in his ass's shape and repented of his pride. It was reputedly seven years before he achieved this, being able to attempt it only once a year and having remained an ass so long, he kept his donkey's tail when restored to human form.