First Year Charms Syllabus

Introduction

Think of Charms as an introduction to spellcasting in general. Even the most accomplished of witches and wizards had to start somewhere, of course. This year we will cover the basics of spellcasting. This includes the importance of pronouncing a spell correctly and basic wand movements as well as practice casting the most basic of Charms.

We will touch on the basics of Wand Lore, such as why we need a wand for proper spellcasting, what wands are typically made of, and why it is important to properly care for them. We will also discuss the various components that may be required to successfully cast certain spells.

Today we will be discussing the origin of modern-day spellcasting practices as well as the laws you need to be aware of when using magic. I'll be leaving all the juicy historical bits for Professor Balog, but it's important for you to understand how modern magic came about and what laws you need to follow at all times lest you find yourself being interrogated by the Ministry of Magic.

Brief History and Essential Laws

In ancient times, magic was practiced much more openly and freely than it is today. In ancient Greece and Egypt, witches and wizards were held in high esteem. Magic was used to protect many ancient tombs, and even today curse-breakers working for Gringotts attempt to retrieve the treasures from within, though not necessarily without loss of limb.

• The first instances of dedicated wand making lies with the Ollivander family, who have been making wands since 382 BC.
• Beginning around 1000 AD, the Wizarding World has already partially separated from the Muggles, and for approximately 400 years is ruled by the Council of Warlocks.
•  In the 1400s, various magical governments are established based on cultural and locational values.
• Witches and Wizards are persecuted throughout the 1600s with such instances as the witch burnings, though these prove ineffective thanks to Flame-Freezing Charms.
• Problems culminate in the introduction of the International Statute of Secrecy in 1689.
•  It's important to note that, while the law was signed in 1689, it took a further three years before it was officially established by all governments internationally, though it was still in effect in the meantime.
•  Anyone under the age of 17 falls within the guidelines of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery established in 1875.
• Basically, no student is allowed to practice magic outside of school. Now, there are a few exceptions, such as the case when your life, or the life of a fellow Witch, Wizard or Muggle is at stake.

The Discovery of Wands

As you can imagine, magic was not always formally taught or controlled. The sort of uncontrolled bursts of magic that young magical folk are prone to were the norm several millennia ago before wizards and witches were able to focus and control their powers. Those with only a weak affinity for magic were able to lead relatively normal lives, but others caused great destruction. Some of their actions were noticeable enough to even become mythology.

Primitive tools like crystals, crude wands made of little more than a hippogriff wing feather wrapped around a stick, and metal rods all allowed some to exert a level of control over their magic. Instead of randomly causing something to vanish when they were angry, they could instead make it happen by using their focusing item. Eventually, the most effective of foci, the modern wand, was created.

A wooden shaft containing a core from a powerful magical creature, the wand allows us to focus and channel our power to achieve the desired result. Witches and wizards could spend less time worrying that their wand would explode and more time experimenting with different spells and gestures.

You will be learning the culmination of centuries of knowledge and experimentation in this class. The ability to turn your will, your desire, into reality, to shape your magic and send it into the world. Next class we will dive into your first spell, but for today, I’d like you to think about our history and what led us to where we are today.

The Wand-Lighting and Wand-Extinguishing Charms

We will end today with a small talk about a small but very useful charm, the Wand-Lighting Charm. As its name implies, this simple spell will allow you to illuminate the tip of your wand. It is one of the easiest spells to master, useful whenever you need light, and makes for some good spellcasting practice.

You should keep the wand movement in mind, and don't focus too hard or the tip of your wand will turn a scarlet. Too little charge and it will be a pearly white. You should aim for a nice light yellow, which indicates sufficient effort. Of course, circumstances may call for a weaker or stronger light. Please read your textbook, Quintessential Magic: An Introduction to Charms: Chapter One, to learn more.