Episode 17: The Fae Realm: Magic and Glamour

The folklore of magic and glamour in a nutshell, how I reimagined it for my writing, and magic and glamour translated into Afrikaans.

Written and narrated by Ronel Janse van Vuuren.

Copyright 2021 Ronel Janse van Vuuren — All rights reserved.

Learn more about magic and glamour here.

Get the transcript here.

Music: Secrets by David Fesliyan (FesliyanStudios.com) and Dramatic Heartbeat by FesliyanStudios.com

Transcript

You’re listening to the Faeries and Folklore podcast by Ronel.

I’m dark fantasy author Ronel Janse van Vuuren. With nearly a decade of digging around in dusty folklore books, researching creatures of imagination that ignited my curiosity, I’m here to share the folklore in a nutshell and how I reimagined it for my writing in an origin of the fae.

This is the Faeries and Folklore podcast.

Hi, I’m your host Ronel Janse van Vuuren. You can just call me Ronel. In today’s episode, we’re continuing our exploration of the fae realm.

This episode is brought to you by my book Once… Tales, Myths and Legends of Faerie available in eBook, paperback and audiobook. Go to ronelthemythmaker.com/my-books for more.

We’re continuing our exploration of the fae realm.

Today’s subject: Magic and Glamour

The Folklore of Magic in a Nutshell by Ronel

Magic is as old as the world itself. Traditionally, it is the use of actions, rituals, gestures, symbols and language to evoke and use supernatural forces. It’s a belief and practice that’s been present since the earliest cultures and continues to have an impact on many cultures today (sometimes in spiritual, religious and even medicinal roles).

People have different definitions of magic, ranging from being an illusion, wishful thinking, superstition to self-hypnosis of those who believe it to be true. People also have different definitions of the word occult, most of it erroneous (connotations with evil): the real definition can be found in a dictionary if you only open your eyes and look.

A longer definition from the Collins English Dictionary: Occult adj 1 a of or characteristic of magical, mystical, or supernatural arts, phenomena, or influences b (as noun): the occult 2 beyond ordinary human understanding 3 secret or esoteric

Magical practices have been kept secret for good reasons over time. Where once magical practitioners were welcomed to openly practice their craft, times change and they were subject to torture, persecution and oppression. (And not just in fiction, like in BBC’s Merlin.)

Magic is, at its core, about the science of Earth’s hidden powers. No matter the “type” of magic you look at, it is all about the energy radiating from the Earth and all living things. Think about the four elements: Earth, Fire, Water, Wind. Now and “Soul” to the equation to factor in living creatures. There’s the basis for the energy used in magic, “magic power” or “glamour”.

Harnessing this power is much like using Feng Shui (literally meaning “wind and water”): manipulating objects to create good fortune and eliminating disaster, while paying attention to natural formations such as valleys and mountains to harmonise one’s own energies with them for maximum benefit. For example: roses on their own are powerful enough on their own to work as a tool of seduction, while other flowers might need the presence of lavender (something that theoretically empowers other materials).

Witches can use grimoires (spell books) to enhance their powers – we’ll look at grimoires and witches in a later post. Witches can also bond with a Familiar to become stronger. Familiars are supernatural entities who appear in the guise of an animal to assist Witches in their practice of magic.

The moon can also be harnessed for power. Using moon cycles, various types of magic is performed and power is drawn from the moon to enhance spells. (We’ll look at the moon in a later post.)

Witches and others can draw power from nature – or from other creatures. If not careful, they draw all magical power from themselves. Magical power is constantly being generated in every individual and all the elements, plants, etc.

And though it might seem ludicrous, modern science is the offspring of magical arts – especially alchemy – and things that seem impossible at one point in time becomes commonplace in the future. Magic cannot be seen or touched, but its effects can be felt – much like radioactive energy. No-one believed Marie Curie while she laboriously worked on her experiments, until everyone felt the effects of radioactive energy for themselves. Magic and science have a lot in common. Yes, science demands consistent replication of results and magic prefers unique and individual results. But both refute the concept of coincidence: there is something that causes something to happen and should be paid attention to and be analysed.

Which means that magic is neither good nor evil – it all rests in the hands and intentions of the practitioner. In folkloric an occult tradition, magic can be divided by colour: black magic and white magic. This usually serves well to show the dichotomy of good and evil. “White magic” is what we call magic used for selfless purposes. Practitioners of white magic are usually called wise men/women, healers, white witches/wizards. White magic is also often referred to as “natural magic”. “Black magic” is the opposite of white magic as it is used for selfish advancement of an individual. Black magic is usually used in vindictive and destructive ways.

And now for my interpretation of the fae in an origin of the fae:

Origin of the Fae: Magic and Glamour

The Mist is what we call the all-consuming, all-powerful magic that runs raw through Druids and Cù Sìth. Other humans with magic need talismans to tap into the Mist. Normal Fae can fashion Glamour – weaker magic than that of the Cù Sìth – out of their connection with the Mist. All Fae can store Glamour in plants, crystals and wind-orbs/light-orbs for later use.

Humans can use magic in various forms: harnessing it from Nature; storing it in amulets, crystals and talismans for later use; siphoning it from other beings (usually other witches and wizards); or using incantations along with talismans to use The Mist in its rawest form.

Magic must be earned or inherited for humans to wield it. Some go on quests to earn the right to use magic while others are born with it in their blood.

 As a little bonus, let’s look at the translation of Magic and glamour into Afrikaans: Toorkrag en betowering.

I hope that you’ve enjoyed this episode of the faeries and folklore podcast and that you’ve learned something new about faerie.

Remember that you can get a transcript of this episode in the description. If you’re new to the podcast, why not go and grab your free copy of Unseen, the second book in the Faery Tales series, on my website ronelthemythmaker.com? Loads of folklore, magic and danger await! Take care!

Available at

Audible | Podbean | Amazon Music | Spotify | Youtube | iHeart Radio | Player FM | Listen Notes | Apple Podcasts | TuneIn

You can now support my time in producing the podcast (researching, writing and everything else involved) by buying me a coffee. This can be a once-off thing, or you can buy me coffee again in the future at your discretion.

You can now own the backlist seasons as audiobooks. All proceeds go to hosting the podcast. Exclusively available from Ronel’s store.