Divine magic

Kyra, cleric of Sarenrae, wields divine magic against skeletons.

See also: Domain

Divine magic is one of four traditions, or three types, of magic, along with arcane magic, occult or psychic magic, and primal magic. Divine spells are drawn from divine forces and are considered generally less dramatic and destructive than arcane spells, with a greater focus on healing and protection and significant variance based on the domains of the deity granting them.

Nature of divine magic

The power of the divine is steeped in faith, the unseen, and belief in a power source from beyond the Universe.

Little is known about the source of divine magic, how deities gain the ability to grant spells to their followers, or how deities can influence far-flung planes and creatures.

On Golarion

Divine magic is one of the two most common magical traditions on Golarion, but is seen as more special or important compared to arcane. Even commoners understand that divine magic is a gift from the gods and those who wield it have the potential to make the impossible happen. However, this means that most priests, who are only capable of minor spellcasting, if any, are often expected to perform miracles of healing and are blamed when they fail to do so.

Practitioners

See also: Animist, cleric, oracle, sorcerer, summoner, witch, champion, monk, vindicator, inquisitor, warpriest, and paladin

Many people gain the ability to cast divine spells through devotion to a deity, including clerics, champions, and vindicators. Oracles are often chosen by divine forces to be vessels of their power, some monks train themselves to channel qi into divine focus spells, sorcerers can be born with the ability to conduct divine magic, summoners may gain a connection to the divine through their eidolon, and witches can draw divine powers from a patron.

Clerics and champions are especially tied to their patron deities. Their morals and actions must closely reflect their deity's faith to avoid drawing their patron's wrath or losing their powers. These religious classes such as cleric must have a patron deity. Clerics can also channel their deity's energy through their bodies and into others'.

Spells

Most divine spellcasters gain their spells from their divine patron, often preparing them through prayer and meditation. Summoners and sorcerers cast their divine spells spontaneously, through the link to their eidolon (for summoners) or their natural ability to channel divine magic (for sorcerers).

False divine magic

A few deceptive entities use non-divine magic to appear to grant divine magic to their followers. This false divine magic only appears to be granted by a god, but is in fact entirely secular or illusory.

References

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.