General notes

- Strength in Charms comes from willpower/strength of
connection to “magical core”

- Power based on self, not on blood

- Meditation helps strengthen existing magic

Meditated for an hour or so, was able to visualize and
access “magical core.” Felt slightly staticky for the rest of the morning, like
I had too much energy. Perhaps this feeling is normal, just haven’t had clear
access to my magic prior? Assuming will fade with more meditation practice.

Flight spells

Hover charm (“Levioso”; inward spiral, lift up) proved
fairly easy, but agree with textbook—not very useful. Draw spiral on surface of
object, should follow upward wand movement to stay attached to wand tip. Moving
too fast will drop object. Practiced lifting textbook off of desk. *Be sure not confuse
“Levioso” with “Leviosa” in Levitation Charm.

Rocket charm (“Alarte Ascendare”; quick upward swish at end
of incantation) harder to use. Had trouble with pronunciation and timing.
Height of object equivalent to concentration; goes immediately to full height
and drops back down slowly. Again, not much use, but did enjoy scaring the cat
by shooting shelves into the air.

Floating charm (“Fluito”; jab, upward flick) casting
reminded me of skewering marshmallows for campfire (magic between wand tip and
object like roasting stick). Height was controllable, unlike Rocket.

Levitation—finally useful! (“Wingardium Leviosa”, swish L/R,
tip pointed outward, flick from wrist toward object). Horizontal movements were
easier to control than vertical. Practiced planar motion first, and then
incorporated vertical motion. Wasn’t able to lift heavier things very far off
the ground—similar height to with the Rocket charm. Slower swish movement/incantation
allowed for better control.