What Defines Dark Magic?

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 53574

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, jodel at a... wrote:


> I have a MOPPeT that Dark and Light magic are two different 
> procedures by  which magical energy may be channeled. ...
> 
> The problem with Dark magic is that it uses the user and eats away 
> at his personality over long, or cumulative, exposures. 
> 
> ...edited...
>
> Despite the fact that my own theories on this may seem to be comming 
> out of left field, I haven't yet turned up anything in canon which 
> absolutely contradicts it. OotP may throw it all into a cocked hat, 
> though. But those are the risks one takes.
> 
> -JOdel


bboy_mn:

Excellent analysis I would say. 

I don't think your theories are at all coming out of left field. In
fact, I would say that your theory fits not only JKR-HP but nearly all
literature in existance that deals with Dark Magic. 

It is universally believed among ethical fictional and non-fictional
people (that would be us and the characters in books) that Dark Magic
is bad. There has to be a reason for that. 

And it is universally accepted that evil people gravitate toward Dark
Magic. Again, there has to be a reason why. I think you covered those
issues completely.

My theory is that there is a negative/consumptive/destructive element
in the creation of Dark Magic, and you certainly explained that
destructive element better than I did. In a sense, Dark Magic is like
a corrosive force on the magical and perhaps even the spiritual soul.
Evil people are drawn to it because their ethics are a little
questionable in the beginning, once they start using it, they fall
into a self-perpetuating downward spiral, eventually, as you said,
losing their humanity. 

I love your theory, but I think it goes beyond that. I think in forms
of Dark Magic that draw from external elements, like potions, there is
a destructive or negative element in the ingredients they use. For
example, forcefully taking the blood of a foe, demanding the flesh of
a servant, stealing the bones of your father. I can see this in other
aspects of Dark Magic, but I don't really have good examples. As well
as the internal destructive element that you pointed out, I speculate
that in many, though perhaps not all, cases, something in the external
world is destroyed or used in an unethical manner during the process
of casting dark charms/spells and in dark transformations. 

Dispite trying to dovetail your theories into my own, I think you
analysis is first rate, and stands up very well on it's own.

Just a thought.

bboy_mn