Magic theory

A researcher of the Pathfinder Society.

This article is about the academic study of the nature of magic. For the research-oriented class, see thaumaturge. For the prestige class, see thaumaturgist.

Magic theory is the academic study of the nature of magic. With the nature of magic not fully understood by mortals, there are several prominent theories of magic and many more obscure or nascent theories, with contemporaries constantly developing or refining them. The practice is also known as thaumaturgy, a term sometimes used to describe a magical effect or object affected by magic, such as a construct or metamagical effect.

Theories

Related to magical traditions

Different scholars and institutions hold different theories or beliefs about the nature of magic, often influenced by the lens of each practitioner's magical tradition. Principals of Elementary Thaumaturgy by Acadamae Headmaster Toff Ornelos, the seventh edition of which was published by the school in 4720 AR, opens with a summary of several theories and approaches to the nature of magic that particularly appeal to practitioners of arcane magic, including these four:

• The Tools of Creation approach of the Arcanamirium, also referred to as Nexian Understanding, theorizes that magic is composed of residual forces from the universe's creation and that casters cannot "invent" new spells, only discover spells that have always been inherent parts of reality. The theory suggests magic is inherently limited, even if vast, by the scale of known existence itself.
• The Soil and Path approach of the Magaambya, also referred to as the Channeling Method, posits that the universe is an inherently malleable entity, and that magic is the practice of molding it repeatedly over time, forming channels of magical power. Thus, mortal mages learn spells that are already known to exist by following the same paths that generations of casters before them have dug into the soil of reality; but powerful archmages may shape this metaphysical soil into completely original magic. This approach suggests the potential of magic is infinite, and that any limitations on it result from a lack of creativity or willpower.
• The Constructivist school of Kelesh approaches magic through symbolic logic.
• Dr. Si-Dao Yi of the Imperial College of Lingshen proposes an elemental grammar for magic.

Additionally, unified magical theory is a hypothetical conceptual understanding of the ideal nature of arcane magic.

Theories by practitioners of divine magic focus on their deity's teachings, while occult magic practitioners delve into research on the metaphysical threads of ideas, stories, and symbols that connect people to each other and leave a network of psychic imprints upon both our world and the Great Beyond.

Primal magic practitioners connect magic more to the cycles of nature, to which practitioners listen to, observe, and respond to rather than dissect and investigate. Such practices include the passing on of knowledge but are less focused on theory than a personal connection.

On the fundamental nature

A representation of the wheel of magic bearing the four essences, quadrants of the four magical traditions, and rings surrounding them of the eight schools of magic.

See also: Four essences

Other theorists attempt to deconstruct magic to understand its more fundamental nature, such as Marquise Cordelia Perseis, whose essay On Essences pioneered scholarship on the relationship between the four traditions of magic and the four essences of matter, spirit, mind, and life.

Since before the founding of Thassilon, spellcasting has manifested visually in the appearance of runes near the spellcaster. Xin, Thassilon's founder, investigated these phenomena when developing rune magic and theorized that they represented the language of creation and the nature of magic.

Obscure and fringe theories

• The esoteric Sovyrian theory of blood sympathy as developed by the vampire lord Bariel Velidae
• The lost pre-Earthfall elven tradition of the crystal keepers, rooted in worship of Yuelral with aspects of manipulating rune magic
• The obscure theory of geomancy, which suggests that a potentially exploitable link exists between a spellcaster and their surrounding terrain

Classical theories

Older theories, such as the three types of magic and eight schools of magic, still hold relevance in modern theory, but their practice has waned over time.

Theorists

Geb, legendary necromancer.

Hao Jin, the Ruby Phoenix.

Each wizard authors an arcane thesis as part of their studies, with subjects ranging from familiars to spellshaping. Bronze and green dragons also gravitate toward theoretical study. Likewise, many individuals, institutions, nations, and organizations on Golarion have researched and published significant advances in magic theory:

• The renowned Arcanamirium of Absalom, which offers a curriculum in magic theory
• The Azlanti Empire, whose innovations included electro-thaumaturgy, or the transmission of arcane energy
• The First Imperial Arcanists' Guild of Oppara, innovators in magical defenses
• Prof. Juleana Foridius, a contentious dissenter of mainstream magic theories at the Egorian Academy of the Magical Arts
• Avracrem Gant, a prolific and controversial Nethysian scholar of the 47th and early 48th centuries AR
• Geb; the Aleh Almaktoum for which he claims authorship is considered the definitive work on necromancy
• Hao Jin, the Ruby Phoenix
• Khavith, a serpentfolk wizard who authored 12 theoretical treatises on her peoples' understanding of magic
• Lazeril of New Thassilon
• The Magaambya, particularly its Cascade Bearers
• The Shory Empire, inventors of the Aeromantic Infadibulum and fellow practitioners of electro-thaumaturgy
• The Sleepless Agency of investigators, innovators of forensic thaumaturgy
• Djavin Vhrest of Absalom's Forae Logos, researcher of occultism and occult magic
• Xin, founder of Thassilon, whose work on rune magic and sin magic laid the empire's foundations
• Benigno Ygresta, a lecturer at the Acadamae on ethical necromancy and theorist on the connections of life and matter
• Zanathura, advisor to the Ironfang Legion and geomantic researcher

Notable works

In addition to Principals of Elementary Thaumaturgy and On Essences, prominent works of magic theory include:

• Collected Tales, by Janatimo
• The Eight Arches of Incantation
• Gods' Will or Gods' Mistakes: A Critical Look at Thaumaturgy, by Juleana Foridius
• Journeys of the Spirit and Flesh: A Thousand Paths to Nethys, by Zorahar the Wandering Cleric
• Languages of the Void, by Dr. Si-Dao Yi
• New Developments in Constructivism, by Qittan Al-Zhierri and Orius Mavrogenis
• On the Contraction of Perceived Time in Abjuration and Evocation, by Khaled Mumata
• Practical Thaumaturgy In Accordance with Creation

References

Paizo published a sourcebook titled Secrets of Magic that contains in-universe texts on the nature of magic.

External links

• Thaumaturgy (real-world paranormal study) on Wikipedia