Magic without wands (was Harry's Growing Powers)

[Susana da Cunha]

No: HPFGUIDX 113322

Angie wrote:
"I take this to be a hint of Harry's growing power as a wizard, and
perhaps a sign of things to come.  Wouldn't it be amazing, after all
the discussion about the wands, if Harry could kill LV without a
wand?"
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Then Susana replied:
"Any wizard can do magic without his/her wand. But the outcome is not
always predictable -

Anyway, no-wand-magic (I like to call it hysterical magic) it's
probably more common in children because they have their emotions at
the surface and they can't control them. I don't think it means a
wizard is powerful."
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endrewsmommy wrote:

"I tend to agree with Angie that this is an important sign of things
to come. For 2 reasons: (1) JKR said she saw foreshadowing of future
events in the way Cuaron made the POA movie. The number one thing
that stood out to me when I saw it was how much "wandless magic" was
in it. (2)If Harry does indeed have an ability (although untrained)
to perform wandless magic, it fits in very nicely with the prophecy
(powers the dark lord knows not.) Obviously most wizards need wands
to do anything of consequence."

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Oh, I didn't mean Harry is not powerful or that his powers aren't growing.
Just that wandless magic is not a sign of it. On the other hand, far from me
not realizing what a tremendous asset would be to do controlled magic
without a wand!

Let me add: JKR said Harry will have to learn how to control his emotions in
book 6. I suspect that's because Voldy can access his mind through his
emotions (the same way Harry can see through Voldy's eyes when Voldy is
'upset' - that would be a whole new subject) but if Harry controls his
emotions he might get the hang of wandless magic. I have the feeling he'd
show a talent for it!


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endrewsmommy also wrote:

"I think brooms, and the car etc are simply enchanted items, and
that's something entirely different than casting spells without a
wand."

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Correct. They are *enchanted*. I meant they were 'accidently' enchanted.

I might not have explained my 'hysterical magic' concept quite well. Let me
try again: magic is done by focus and *intent*. Take the accio spell. You
have to focus on the object and intend for it to come. 'Hysterical magic' is
when your unconscious take over your powers and a wizard does magic without
intending to.

I meant Mr. Weasley enchanted the Ford to have a mind of its own and I'm
sure he didn't intend to (but he was so excited about the possibility of
turning the car into a pet!). With brooms and the map, I meant they serve
their users out of an unconscious intent (you don't tell a broom to turn
right or left - wet it does). The fact the brooms seem to be of no concern
for the Department of Muggle Artifacts makes me think only a wizard can fly
them - because he *does* use his powers to control the broom.

I call it 'hysterical' because I believe the 'intent' comes from that place
were you keep extra energy to save your life (I've been in two very ugly car
accidents - I know that place and the energy stored in it quite well).



 -----------------------------
endrewsmommy also wrote:

"What perplexes me though is the ability to be an animagus. Sirius
did not need his wand while he was in Azkaban to do it. The
mauraders all learned how to do it. Did they need wands in the
learning process maybe? Is it even relevant? But notice, there are
very few animagi out there!"

 -----------------------------



This might be relevant for the 'lost wands' discussion. If they keep their
clothes when they transform it's reasonable to assume they keep everything
inside their pockets too, right? And if they're holding a wand to do it that
would be part of the animal too, right?

But back to wandless magic, the fact Sirius didn't have a wand in Azkaban
(we assume) makes me think animagus *is* Hysterical Magic. That would
explain why it's so difficult: that 'place' within where reason doesn't
enter wet everything makes sense is not easy to access on will.





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endrewsmommy also wrote:

"I don't know, maybe I'm just too tired, but I think we'll see more
in this arena with the next book....
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Yes, let's hope so!



Susana