Lesson Five

Focus 

Focus is an important component in spell casting. Eventually, this will help a witch or wizard cast spell without the full wand motion. Focus is also something that, unlike with incantations or wand movements, you cannot avoid if a spell requires it. Lose that focus and you find that, at best, your spell targets something you had not intended. At worst, the magic is unleashed in an uncontrolled burst from the tip of your wand, its energy undirected. The hardest hard of casting, however, is the clarity of the mind required. 

The Severing Charm: This spell requires a lot of focus. The Severing Charm is not very effective when used against animated, living things, making it an impractical dueling spell. Incantation: Diffindo
Pronunciation: ‘deef-IN-doe’
Wand Movement: “V-Shaped down and up, ending with a swish in the direction to cut.” 

Invention is credited to Delfina Crimp, from the 1400s. 

The Softening Charm: The object targeted by this spell becomes a bit squishy and bendable for a short time. The texture becomes more like rubber, however, and the object also becomes bouncy. Incantation: Spongify
Pronunciation: ‘SPUHN-jee-fye’
Wand Movement: “S-Shaped with a small swish half-way through”

Assigned Reading:  

• Quintessential Magic: An Introduction to Charms, Chapters 8 and 15
• Quintessential Magic: An Introduction to Charms, Chapters 1-8 and 11-15