Magic Methods - Introduction

In the auncient arte of magick, the methodes, or meanes, whereby a spell is wrought be as needfull as the wordes or artefacts therin employ’d. These meanes, which do governe the manner of casting, be divided into foure distinct sorts: mentale, physique, spirituall, and elementall. Eche sort doth pertayne to certayne actions a caster must taketh during the working of magick, and the mastery of such meanes is essentiall to the success of any spell. 

Mentale meanes do concerne the inward motions of the minde in the casting of spells. They requireth deepe concentration, vivid imaginacions, and the discipline of thought. The sorcerer muste banish all distractions and fasten their thoughts upon the desired effect with great intent. Forsooth, when casting an illusion, the mage’s abilitée to conjure a cleare image in the minde doth weigh heavilie upon the spell’s successe, as its power dependeth on mentalle precision. Such meanes do form the foundation of enchantments, mind-bending spells, or other workings of a cerebral nature. 

Physique meanes doe involveth the sorcerer’s skil in performing certayn bodily actions, whether by gesture, movement, or the handling of artefacts such as staves or talismans. Some spells do requireth intricate hande-signes or solemn paces, which do channel magick through the body into the world. Strength and nimblenesse be needed, for if the hande doth tremble or the body do falter, the spell maye faile. These methods be of especiall import in the working of battell-magicks, where swiftness and precision of movement can determine the spell’s fate. 

Spirituall meanes are those by which the caster doth commune with minds, soules, or spirites. This maye involve calling upon spectres, communing with the departed, or joining minds across vast distances. Spirituall meanes be needed in divinations, necromancie, and any spell that do touche upon the unseen realms of the soule. A caster muste hath a keen sense to navigate these mystic forces, lest they be led astray. 

Lastly, elementall meanes are those by which the caster doth bend and wield the foure elements—earth, aire, fire, and water—whilst casting their spells. To worke with fire, one muste command the flames, to worke with water, one must guide its course. Mastery of these methods unlocketh the path to great magicks of the natural worlde, such as storm-making, geomancie, and other conjurations drawn from the elements. Thus do these meanes stand as the pillars of all magickal arte, and a mage, aspiring to might, muste learn to wield them all in harmonie, blending their powers to forge spells of great wondrous potency.

As three of these methodes were covered in detaille in Woddeley's primer, we fhall studie and explaine here only about the latter, the magick of the elementes.