Charms, Spells, Enchantments and Incantations

[poppy at moonprincess.co.uk]

No: HPFGUIDX 29444

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., Heather Glude <res0icpa at v...> wrote:
> I've been wondering, having just reread the books what all the 
> above-listed terms mean. Thaumaturgy seems to refer to spells, and 

Hi Heather,
I'm not clear on the differences between charms, enchantments, etc 
either, but...

Thaumaturgy is the term used in magic(k) for the kind of magic used 
to create external, physical changes -- as opposed the theurgy (not 
sure it's been mentioned in the books, but, who knows, perhaps it 
will be), which is used to engender spiritual change. So maybe it's 
worth trying to figure out the various terms as subsets of those two 
classes of magic? Most of what the kids at Hogwarts seem to be 
learning looks like thaumaturgy, e.g. levitation, transfiguration. 
Potions could have either effect I suppose -- there's the engorgement 
potion and Snape's anti-lycanthropy draft, but maybe they could be 
used to effect internal transformation too?). 

have fun!
Amalia
http://www.fanfiction.net/profile.php?userid=95987