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This site discusses the use of real witchcraft in Harry Potter, and the opening page explains that auther J.K. Rowling has done a lot of research into real magic for her books. So many parents think the books are harmless fun and make-believe and don't consider that there is real magic in them. From the explanation and disclaimers I expected later pages to show how some of the spells and potion recipes in the books were real spells. But in fact, she tells us nothing about Harry Potter magic that we didn't already know. She explains that in times past witches really were believed to ride on flying brooms (certainly we would never have guessed that!), and that they really did use magic wands (I thought Rowling invented the idea of magic wands, didn't you?), and other such patently obvious things. She then proceeds to give examples of real spells and instructions for making things like wands and invisibility rings. But they are all so complicated that no kid (nor most adults for that matter) would have the resources and patience to try them. Yes, there is real magic. Yes, Rowling did draw on well known and well established popular ideas about magic. But that doesn't mean that kids playing with plastic wands and pretending to levitate things by saying "wingardia levioso" are doing anything remotely akin to real magic. Harry Potter really is make believe, let people enjoy some fun and harmless fantasy, for goodness' sake! The Harry Potter Witchcraft Spellbook Updated 23 May 2004 |