[HPforGrownups] Ancient Magic

[John Walton]

No: HPFGUIDX 10583

Jim Ferer wrote:

> The "old magic" concept runs all through fantasy literature, from
> Narnia to the Lord of the Rings right through LeGuin and Arthurian
> legend, where Merlin represents the old ways of the Druids.  Old magic
> is like an element compared to a creation of science, something that
> exists without being shaped by man.  In Harry, the love of a mother
> for her child is so fundamental there is no spell for it, no
> incantation, and no need for a wand.  It just *is*, and always was,
> long before wizards devised spells.  In LOTR, Gandalf faces the
> ancient evil of the Balrog, creature of Morgoth, older than Sauron;
> and in LeGuin's Wizard of Earthsea Ged faces the old magic that holds
> a young priestess.

It's also found in David Eddings, but not under the "old magic" label --
rather, sorcerors are not allowed to "unmake" things. They can blow them up,
scatter them into little bits or turn them into furry wombats, but they
can't make them cease to exist.

Robert Jordan also deals with it in that the 'higher power' of the Wheel of
Time (i.e. Destiny, Fate) is seen throughout as immutable. Sure, Rand and
chums can change it (especially "ta'veren", who are important people in the
Pattern) but they can't stop it.

--John

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John Walton                 john at walton.to

=| "Russian cabin boy in Celine Dion drag" of the HMS H/H
=| Receiver of the world's dumbest FFN review for Song of Time, Chapter *5*:
"really cool! so, what? Draco and harry r like, stepbrothers or sometihng?
cool idea" Mental note: SoT presumes reading of Draco Dormiens.

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