Headcanon: The Three Types of Magic · 8:46pm Mar 24th, 2014
When I say magic, most if not all will think that I am talking about the magic that is wielded by unicorns and alicorns. In fact, many will be trying to list off the types that I will be talking about before I even state them: Normal Magic (i.e. average unicorn magic), Dark Magic (i.e. the kind of magic that Sombra uses), and ... and then it falls flat when they run out of ideas as to what the definite third type is. That is not what I mean by "types" of magic. What I do mean is that the three types are not limited to just unicorns and alicorns, but are in fact broader in who can use them. The three true types of magic are Body Magic, Soul Magic, and Natural Magic.
Body Magic
Body Magic is the magic that allows all living creatures to interact with and alter the natural world and the ambient energy that flows through the body. This is how Pegasi are able to walk on and move clouds, and how both Pinkie and Cheese are able to predict events using their "sense".
This magic, being innate, is hard for it to be imitated by others that it doesn't come naturally to (e.g. unicorns using cloud walker spells) but is not necessarily impossible. Who is to say that only Pinkie and Cheese can use the "sense"? If Twilight were to realise that the "sense" is formed from a type of magic that she doesn't understand, she'd have an easier time studying and maybe even replicating in. Yes, replicating it. The "sense" is nothing more than the body picking up on patterns in the environment around them, and the pony anticipating the outcome of said pattern. If one understood this, they could spend years training and learning to use Body Magic in this manner. The fact that Cheese Sandwich seems so much better at using it may only be due to the fact that his body is more attuned to the patterns than Pinkie's and can see how the larger patterns fit together, or possible he trained himself to become better at reading them.
Not only does Body Magic allow one to anticipate events and outcomes, but it can be used to amplify a physical ability. Some of the latest examples of this amplification of ability are, of course, Maud Pie: both with rock she threw that created a mushroom cloud and with her pounding a huge boulder into rubble. She can better read the weak points of the rocks, and can understand how and where to push it to do what she wants it to, while her body provides her the strength to do it.
Soul Magic
Soul Magic ... is that like Heart? What kind of lame power is Heart, anyway? In truth, Soul Magic is the magic that is pulled from a beings inner will (i.e. soul) and is used to perform task and get things done. That means it is the type used by unicorns.
Soul Magic is interesting in the fact that it can imitate the other types of magic, albeit only temporarily. It is a current of energy, moving from the caster to the object it's acting on, and then back. Different spells are created but using different patterns of energy. That is why you never hear an incantation; it's all knowing how to create a pattern of energy flow, and having the power to maintain it.
Some of you may ask: if it's about knowing the pattern and having the power to maintain it, then how are there permanent spells? Simple: a pattern (which I will now refer to as current) woven by the caster doesn't have to be perfect for the spell to work. But the closer to perfect the current is, than the less energy that is lost during the spell, and the more that the energy is reused, making the spell last longer. But with use of another current acting in accordance with the original, and a node (or source of energy) the caster can create a spell that can not only last without direct interference with the caster, but also absorb the ambient magic. This explains how Starswirl's Mirrors can work even hundreds of years after his death.
For those that do not read the comics, Starswirl created many portals to parallel universes using mirrors (The most famous being the one that leads to EG universe).
Notice the jewels on the frame of the mirror? While they seem to be purely aesthetic, the purpose of the jewels may be to store the unused energy, and with the an ambient pickup current, to absorb energy found around it to replenish what it loses in it's natural flow.
Natural Magic
Natural Magic is the hardest to define. It's essentially the thing that makes everything ... well, everything. It is the pattern of words spoken and their meaning, the way water flows, the currents the air moves in, and anything else in nature. And by nature, I of course mean everywhere. Through understanding how Natural Magic works, one could then know how to completely warp the world around them. That means the most famous user of Natural Magic is none other than ... no, not Sweetie Belle, I was talking about Discord.
By changing the currents of Natural Magic, one can create new things or cause something to happen. Nature Magic currents are unique in the fact that unlike Soul Magic currents, they cannot be destroyed nor lose energy. They cannot even be stopped, only redirected and altered.
There is two other characters seen using Natural Magic: Twilight and Zecora. Twilight used it during her ascension into Alicornhood by permanently altering the reality of her body. That, you all can understand, but how is Zecora another user of Natural Magic?
Starting at 0:30, you'll notice her filling up her cup with water with no noticeable source. By understanding how Natural Magic works, and knowing how to shape the natural current of water, she is able to change the air around the cup into water. This is also how she was able to make the Nightmare Moon cloud in "Luna Eclipsed"—by changing current of air flow to shape and move the cloud of green dust.
Headcanon Disclaimer
Even though I state it as fact, all the above is purely speculation and maybe even wild mass guessing. This is how I interpret the show, and is presented like fact to explain why something happens the way it does in a in a story of mine.
i like the ideas behind Zecoras use of natural magic
1952302 Thank you. ... I just hope this doesn't make me look stupid. I'm sure someone's already said the exact same thing somewhere.
1952311 nah, i've heard some stupid head canon before, and this is reasonable.
The most in-depth headcanon I have is the reasoning behind the rarity of dragons. By Celestia using them as magic tests throuought the years, their numbers dwindled and the remaining dragons were separated. However, after Spike, an activist movement put a stop to it. That's all I got
1952321 Actually, the reasons dragons are rare in the show is because -- to quote my cousin -- "they're motha-[b]uckin' dragons" and as such it stands to reason that they are either avoided by ponies, or the dragons avoid them. Also, since they are greedy, they may be thinning out due to fighting over gold and jewels. (The jewels being slightly rational as it is their food source).
1952350 but they wouldn't hunt themselves to extinction. that'd go against their nature. However, it's similar in principle to real creatures that those who live longer or in secluded areas have smaller numbers naturally to prevent over-population of a particular area. So it's possible that dragons only breed together naturally once in a great while and live in small numbers as part of nature
1952376 I did say thinning out, not going extinct.
Give me credit where credit is due.
Oh, just so you know, most of my headcanon blogs will not be this long. I mean, this thing is at least a solid 1000 words.
1952385 Alright then - have some credit!
1952388 Hey, do you read the comics?
1952390 I have two of them, but i have not read them
Deep stuff, I definately like the piece on body magic so that twilight can finally figure out how pinkie sense works, I had always figured it to be an sense akin to some people being able to always know what time it is, no matter what
1952397 For shame! You must read them now!
Also, take a look at the issue 18 cover
img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140219194058/mlp/images/6/6f/IDW_comics_issue_18-19_combined.png
And Fluttersuarus Rex
lh3.googleusercontent.com/fMEG-W3b9FXl70hO6FrYBYjS_6ELTjw72aXwebkZVlc=w754-h537-no
1952413 fancy! it's that dragon magic resistancee
1952404 Thanks, glad to know that my headcanons appear to be well thought out.
1952441 Interestingly enough, Spike is the only one that doesn't change in the covers. What do you think that could mean?
1952455 he's not affected by whatever it is that's causing problems
Very nice run down and support.
Like when Twilight reversed the Discording? Or would that be a Natural Magic thing under your terms?
Soooo..... Mind Magic?
Though I suppose another supporting factor towards your concept of Natural Magic supported in "Lesson Zero".
1952548 It's a completely separate universe.
lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3jzgsLkARUk/UzCGuriyY7I/AAAAAAAABag/LLJuyHzvBoI/w755-h575-no/Screenshot+2014-03-24+at+2.25.01+PM.png
1952708 I see the "discording" as Soul Magic, wherein the ponies themselves act as the spell node, and several currents in the mind are warping their personality. In the "Want It, Need It" spell, the object of desire act as the node, and the current branches out and alters the thought patterns of those that see it. If one could get them far enough away, then they would eventually break out of the spell. The only problem: getting them away from it.
That's neat, and not too unlike my own headcanon on magics.
Also:
You made me chuckle, good sir.
1953128
I'm glad you noticed the reference to your story. After all, most of my headcanon on natural magic was shaped by it.
1952750
Very cool points, all. Looking forward to the next one.