Magic in Harry Potter vs. Magic in the Real World: Who’s the Real Witch?
In our reading “Magic for Daily Use and Profit” Birgit Wiedl highlights one of the main differences between the fictional witches and wizards of Harry Potter and the real world pagans of today. Wiedl says, “This concept is the exact opposite of what the Muggle world…believed magic to be: those (pagan) cultures thought that magic was something that could be acquired by studying or passed down in oral tradition.” The witches and wizards of Harry Potter would not fully grasp those practicing magic, as it is not always something physically tangible such as what they learn in Hogwarts. How would the people of the Wizarding World reconcile this lack of understanding with Muggles practicing magic? Ultimately, I don’t believe they would be able to.
Fundamentally these two worlds are different. People of the Wizarding World spend their entire lives submerged in this world of learning magic, learning how to spell cast. There is always a physical result to the magic they perform, be it a patronus charm or levitating a feather these witches and wizards are able to immediately see the fruits of their magic. It is not like this in the real world. Magic practiced by people today frequently does not have a physical manifestation. I imagine this would boggle the minds of those in the Wizarding World. Why would Muggles go out of their way to practice something that doesn’t always have a payoff?
People in the Wizarding World spend their lives surrounded by magic. They use it to cook, clean, invade each other’s minds. (quote COS-washing dishes and shit @ Weasely’s). They practice the magic there were inherently given because they have a culture that demands it. Magic users in the Harry Potter world are often shown to have a lack of understanding for how Muggles are able to live day to day without magic. Not every Muggle does.
Paganism has been dated back to archaic cultures. (quote). The magic involved varies between the religion and practitioner. Druids, Wiccans, Alchemists, Wise Men and Women all practice a distinct type of magic. They don’t practice out of demand from a culture submerged in magic. Modern (and ancient) paganism is rooted in spirituality, something the magic in Harry Potter lacks. I don’t believe that the witches and wizards in Harry Potter would be able to reconcile this with Muggles. They do not practice magic for religious spirituality, they do not even see it in that light.
The types of magic are also very different. Pagans do brew potions but not to change their appearance or force someone to fall in love with them. We brew to heal, to cleanse spaces, to invite clarity, etc. Misusing magic in pagan practices comes at a very high cost. The Wiccan Crede paired with the Three-Fold Law strongly prohibits using magic against another living being. Witches and wizards in Harry Potter could face life in Azkaban for misusing magic, or they could apparate away and not stand accountable for their actions. This lack of regulation of magic is startling and rather disconcerting.
All in all, I believe that the people of the Harry Potter verse would be mind boggled by pagan Muggles. Fundamentally their practice of magic (and even the magic itself) is very different. People of the Wizarding World lack the spiritual fulfillment of magic. It is simply a means to and end for them to go about their daily lives.
Hey guys! So I feel like I was just rambling by the end. Do I stay on topic enough to prove that HP people wouldn’t know what to do with Muggles? Do I need any more points? Let me know, thanks!!
I think you put together something really worthwhile! I seriously enjoyed reading this. Going forward, I would love to hear more about the lack of spirituality in HP magic. That provides such a valuable contrast to the universally spiritual attitudes of Wiccans, modern pagans, etc.
I agree with what Joe said about hearing more about the lack of spirituality in the wizarding world. The parts I enjoyed most about your journal were the new concepts you brought in (the different types of muggle magic and such) while tying them into the readings. That was a great touch! Also, those concepts, combined with your own voice, is what’s going to make this journal a good read.
Also, not sure which quotes you’re going to use, but just make sure you have enough quotes from the readings so you get the full credit.
I really enjoyed reading this post! I think you have a really great concept going on here. I love the use of the real world in comparison to the HP world. I don’t think the end is rambling at all either, I think you wrap up your point pretty well! I had never thought of how much the magic people of HP really use their magic as a practicality.