Do you know the difference between monkshood and wolf\u2019s bane? Magic and the occult are popular threads throughout fiction, and it takes special flair to put it down on paper. If you want to dive into writing the occult for fiction, you have to get the facts right \u2013 and then, of course, embellish wildly from there, because that\u2019s your power as a fiction writer. Here\u2019s how to research the occult when you\u2019re writing.<\/p>\n
Wicca is considered to be a religion; witchcraft is considered to be a\u00a0path<\/em>. Wicca has its origins with Gerald Gardner and the New Forest Coven (The Gardnerian Book of Shadows). Witchcraft is exceptionally vast, and there are hundreds of directions \u2013 with variations in many different directions and countries. It\u2019s important to ask yourself\u00a0where<\/strong>\u00a0your fiction is set,\u00a0where<\/strong>\u00a0your practitioners come from and\u00a0when<\/strong>\u00a0your fiction takes place \u2013 that can help.<\/p>\n For the record, the Salem trials really happened. But it was not just witches prosecuted: Among the prosecuted were also gay people, redheads and the disabled. The\u00a0Malleus Maleficarum<\/em>\u00a0was the guideline used at the time, and\u00a0History.com<\/a>,\u00a0Britannica<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Smithsonian Mag<\/a>\u00a0can give you solid background on the events.<\/p>\n Magic can be spelled with or without a k at the end. Generally, practitioners choose to spell it with the k to distinguish it from conjuring and card tricks \u2013 though not always.<\/p>\n Magical languages and alphabets can give you a lot of room for fun in your writing \u2013 especially when it comes in the form of a mystery or riddle that the protagonist (and reader) still have to get to the bottom of. A couple of suggestions include the Theban alphabet, Runes (start with the Elder Futhark) and Enochian (originating with John Dee and Edward Kelly). Of course, there are many more.<\/p>\n Magic(k) set in fiction\u00a0needs set rules<\/a>. Decide on these before you set out to write anything. Ask questions that have a larger bearing on the universe than your story needs right now \u2013 for example, ask what happens according to\u00a0the rules of your universe\u2019s magic<\/a>\u00a0if two spells are cast against each other and document the results, even if it never happens in your story.<\/p>\n Herbs are considered to have many different uses \u2013 both for healing and for potions, charms or amulets. You can find a comprehensive list of herbs for healing magic in Herb Magic for Beginners, the Pocket Spell Creator by Kerri Connor and Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham or online at\u00a0Witchipedia<\/a>. Sage, for example, is considered to purify; cinnamon, on the other hand, is considered good especially for luck and money spells. The same is considered true for crystals, and each crystal has a magic(k)al equivalent. Rose quartz, for example, is for love.<\/p>\n The study of magical creatures is called\u00a0cryptozoology<\/em>, and it\u2019s considered by mainstream science to be pseudoscience \u2013 but by many practitioners to be an undiscovered branch of science. When you\u2019re writing fiction, belief in it only really matters within the scope of your universe: Do some of your characters believe and others not? Sometimes cryptozoology gets it right, like in the case of the Coelacanth, which turned out to be real.<\/p>\n There are extensive lists of demons, angels and spirits with historical context: It pays to research these exceptionally well before you include a reference, choose an existing name or create a new one. The Encyclopaedia of Demons and Angels is a great starting-point reference for writers who need historical context.<\/p>\n Tarot decks contain 78 illustrated cards. Common decks include the\u00a0Rider-Waite,\u00a0<\/strong>the\u00a0Marseilles Tarot<\/strong>\u00a0and the\u00a0Thoth Tarot<\/strong>\u00a0by Aleister Crowley. It\u2019s split up into the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana. \u00a0Learning the Tarot by Joan Bunning was my go-to reference, though there are thousands of references for tarot card meanings: Generally, they are the same. Whether or not you considered reversed (or opposite) meanings when cards are upside down is up to you: Many readers don\u2019t.<\/p>\n Voodoo is an entire path in itself. There are many practitioners all over the world. It is in voodoo where you commonly find\u00a0Mojo Bags<\/strong>\u00a0(or charm bags); a collection of herbs and crystals worn by the practitioner for a specific effect. The Gods are called the\u00a0Loa<\/em>, and each has their own sigils. A great book for research is The Hoodoo Voodoo Spellbook by Denise Alvarado. Hoodoo and voodoo is deeply connected with the spirits of the crossroads and with blues, so also dig there.<\/p>\n There are many ways to tell fortunes beyond tarot cards, some more obscure than others. You might also find it useful to use divination techniques yourself when trying to determine the path a character should take \u2013 and you might be surprised at the creativity this technique can spark into your writing.<\/p>\n Of course, there are an almost uncountable amount of other methods. This doesn\u2019t mean to be an exhaustive list, just a basic starting point. These can include bone throwing, divination by animal innards (seen in various cultures, including Egypt) and divination by clouds. Be creative, though always do your background research to see\u00a0where<\/em>\u00a0it originated.<\/p>\n Magic and its beliefs differ widely by country. Keep this in mind when you write. For example, JK Rowling\u2019s readers were upset when she placed the African headquarters for Magic in Uganda while setting up Pottermore. Why? Because Uganda has a hugely high persecution rate of those considered witches. Do your research on magic, beliefs and traditions by country before you write a word.<\/p>\n There are thousands of occult volumes available depending on the chosen topic. Don\u2019t consider this an exhaustive list: Do your research based on what type of magic your characters are practicing, and what your fictional universe allows for. Familiarize yourself with the basics of these.<\/p>\n Seeing how other writers have used magic as a fictional vehicle can be a great help to your own. Some fictional writers that are worth recommending are below. Of course, there are more: Find your favourite and research.<\/p>\n There are many ways to practice magic: There are kitchen witches, voodoo practitioners, Wiccans, ceremonial magicians; then there are those who consider themselves to be real-life vampires or Luciferians. Which one you will choose to research depends on where your fiction is set, who is practicing it and when \u2013 of course, we don\u2019t need to tell you that you should research each direction individually, and always be as thorough as an archaeologist.<\/p>\n There are many magical museums of the world that can offer writers important historical context when writing. Whether you hold magical beliefs yourself or not, approach this as an archaeologist.\u00a0The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in the UK<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft and Magic<\/a>\u00a0are two great starting points for your research.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","categories":[31,15],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/refiction.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/articles\/407"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/refiction.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/articles"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/refiction.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/articles"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/refiction.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/409"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/refiction.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=407"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/refiction.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=407"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}The Salem Witch Trials<\/h2>\n
Magic versus Magick<\/h2>\n
Magical Languages<\/h2>\n
Magic Has Rules… Really<\/h2>\n
Herbs and Crystals for Magic(k)<\/h2>\n
Magical Creatures<\/h2>\n
Angels, Demons, and Spirits<\/h2>\n
Tarot Cards<\/h2>\n
Voodoo \/ Hoodoo<\/h2>\n
Telling Fortunes<\/h2>\n
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Magic by Country<\/h2>\n
Nonfiction Books for Research<\/h2>\n
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Fiction for Research<\/h2>\n
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Different Directions<\/h2>\n
Museums of the World<\/h2>\n