| ENCYCLOPEDIA |
| THE MAGIC | Here is a list of
magical abilities and spells that are used in the World of Willow. Each name is followed
by a short description.
This list does not attempt to include every bit of magic that occurred in the Saga. It does include named spells and abilities and a number of magical objects. Ordinary objects that have been spelled to give them magical properties are also included if they play a significant role in the story. When a significant magical action was not given a name in the Saga, I have invented a name to facilitate the magical act's inclusion in this section; these invented names are listed in this Blue font. The sources for these listings are:
NOTE ON SPOILERS: While an encyclopedia listing is bound to reveal many plot elements from the Saga, an attempt has been made to avoid major revelations from the Shadow War books. NOTE ON APOCRYPHAL INFORMATION: Information from the sourcebook or novelization which is not also confirmed in the film or the novels appears in this Maroon font, and is to be taken with a grain of salt. George Lucas' vision of the Willow World has changed over the years. Since the publication of Shadow Star, many VERY important details have been contradicted. All contradicted material remains in the maroon font. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: A big THANK YOU! out to Joe Frese for the original concept idea on his Big Big Willow/Shadow Moon Homepage's 'Encyclopedia' section. |
| THE MAGIC |
| Acorns, Magic |
| A minor form of magic taught to Willow/Thorn by the High Aldwyn. Acorns can be spelled so that anything they are hurled at turns to stone. A favorite weapon of Thorn's, since enemies often do not expect to be attacked by anything so simple. (WM, WN, WS, SM) |
| Animate |
| A spell that animates a normally inanimate object. An example occurred during the battle in Bavmorda's tower, when a piece of furniture came to life. (WM, WN, WS) |
| Assumption, Spell of |
| The spell that the Deceiver used against Elora at her Ascension and afterward, in an attempt to strip away the essence of her being and leave her a hollow vessel that the Deceiver could use as a host. Elora escaped the Deceiver's clutches, but was left with skin and hair that permanently appeared to be made of silver. In addition, the cold silver flames accompanying the ritual engulfed the city of Angwyn and all its inhabitants, with disastrous longterm effects on the weather in the entire region. A less powerful version of the spell was later used on Mohdri. Although this spell was initially called the Spell of Assumption, it is later often referred to a the Spell of Dissolution. Since there is already a different spell with that name, this may be an editorial error. (SM) |
| Binding |
| Magically enslaving the spirit of the victim, or permanently confining a victim to a specific location through the use of magic. (SM, SD, SS) |
| Blast/Explosion |
| A spell that makes the target explode. It can not be used on living things. Thorn apparently used it to destory the gates of Angwyn so that he and his companions could flee the destruction of the city. (WS, SM) |
| Bloodstars |
| Magically charged red crystals that focus and amplify the user's magical talent. Their power is evil and can only be unleashed by a blood sacrifice. (SM) |
| Bones, The |
| Nonmagical bones used by the High Aldwyn to impress watchers and impart additional authority to his opinions. The High Aldwyn eventually gave them to Willow/Thorn, who used them for the same purpose. (WM, WN, SM) |
| Canyon Maze |
| The ritual of massive power and evil used to construct an almost impenetrable maze around Tir Asleen. Only Bavmorda knew how to accomplish this feat. (WM, WN, WS) |
| ChangeSpell |
| A spell that transforms the soul of the victim into that of a Death Dog, while binding the victim's spirit to the spellcaster. When the victim is a sorcerer, there is also a physical transformation into the shape of a Death Dog, but the victim's intellectual and magical abilities remain. (SM) |
| Cherlindrea's Wand |
| A crooked stick given to Willow by Cherlindrea and subsequently used in the casting of numerous spells. At the time, the brownies said that the wand held vast powers, but years later Thorn said that the wand was a talisman used by a spellcaster to focus his own powers. (WM, WN, SM) |
| Cloak |
| This spell leaves users visible, but causes onlookers to not recognize them for what they are, and instead to believe that they are a natural part of whatever is happening at the moment. In other words, the Cloak user blends into the background. (SM) |
| Cooling Spell |
| Used by Thorn Drumheller to protect his company from the firedrakes' burning of Cherlindrea's Grove. (SM) |
| Dissolution, Spell of |
| 1. A spell that physically breaks down an object into its component parts. Used by the Deceiver against Morag's ship. 2. see Assimilation, Spell of. 3. Shadow Star says that Bavmorda attempted to use the Spell of Dissolution against Elora, but this appears to be an inconsistency. (SM) |
| Fairy Dust |
| Any of several types of fairy dust made from powdered fairy wings. These dusts are all used to provoke strong emotion, including happiness, sorrow and anger. The Dust of Broken Heart causes most intelligent races to temporarily fall in love, usually with the first creature of the opposite gender they see. The effects vary from species to species, and take half an hour to half a day to wear off. (WM, WN, WS) |
| FirstFeast |
| For victims of a ChangeSpell, the first killing that locks the spell in place. Ideally the blood sacrifice should be a friend, the more innocent the better. (SM) |
| Force Screen |
| The spell Raziel used to stop Sorsha in midair. It works like a force field. (WM, WN, WS) |
| Fourth Chant of Unity |
| A spell Willow used to burn down Bavmorda's massive wall of thorns at the entrance to the canyon maze on the way to Tir Asleen. (WN) |
| Freeze |
| The spell Raziel used to temporarily encase Bavmorda in ice. (WM, WN, WS) |
| Freeze in Quartz |
| The spell Bavmorda used to place the inhabitants of Tir Asleen in suspended animation. (WM, WN, WS) |
| Healing |
| Grievous injuries and illnesses can be repaired through the use of magic, although it may take some time for the patient to regain full use of the body. InSight plays an important role in healing. (SM) |
| InSight |
| The ability to enter the consciousness of another in order to assess their physical condition, divine their thoughts, or view the world through their eyes. (SM) |
| Inviolation, Chant of |
| A spell used by the Brithemain druids at human sacrifices. (WS) |
| Levitate |
| A spell used to lift an object or oneself. (WM, WN, WS) |
| Loosening Spell |
| A minor spell for releasing things that are stuck. (WN) |
| MageSight |
| The ability to see clearly in the dark without the help of external light. Can be used limitlessly by sorcerers. Nonsorcerers can temporarily acquire the ability if enchanted by a sorcerer, but will go blind if the spell is overused. (SM, SD, SS) |
| Magus Points |
| Intersections in the lines of magic power. Magic is stronger near these points, and World Gates are located at the strongest crossings. The locations of Magus Points shift over time. The first and most powerful Magus Point is at Nockmaar. (SS) |
| Major and Minor Arcana |
| Lines of magic power running through the world. Intersections of these lines are called Magus Points. (SS) |
| Malatrium |
| A book of evil spells. It was lost for centuries until Bavmorda found it again. It played a major role in fueling her dark ambitions. (WS) |
| NightSight |
| The ability to see in total darkness. (SD) |
| Oblivion, Rite of (alt. Obliteration) |
| A spell that destroys the very essence of the victim. It is a fate worse than death. Bavmorda attempted to use this spell on Elora, but accidentally called it down on herself instead. (WM, WN, SM) |
| OutSight |
| Ordinary vision, with the eyes unaided by any kind of magic. (SM) |
| Pouches, Magic |
| Thorn Drumheller made magic pouches for himself which have infinite storage capacity; anything that can fit through the opening can be stored and carried without filling up the pouches or burdening their owner. Perishable items stored inside remain fresh indefinitely. Elora later had a pair of her own. (SM, SD, SS) |
| Prime Magus Point |
| Nockmaar; the first and most powerful Magus Point. (SS) |
| Protection, Spell of | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A spell that turns some of the spellcaster's life force into a protective ward for another. Thorn used this spell on Elora's stuffed bear before the Cataclysm; later, Thorn, Khory and Elora combined to put the spell on the dragon's egg. (SS) |
| Resurrection, Spell of |
| According to Shadow Moon, The spell that Thorn used to resuscitate Khory Bannefin. See also Transposition, Rite of (SM) |
| Shapeshifter, Shifter |
| An entity who can change shape at will. (SD) |
| Shelter Chant |
| The spell Willow used at Nockmaar to protect himself from Bavmorda's transformation spell. (WM, WN) |
| Slave Ring |
| A magical golden collar that binds the wearer body and soul. If keyed to a specific individual, it poses a lifelong threat to them. (SD) |
| Summoning |
| Causing an entity to appear by magically calling them. Fire can also be produced in this way. (SM) |
| Stone Travel |
| The ability to travel through stone, much like a swimmer travels through water. Taught to Thorn by the Demon. (SM) |
| Talent |
| When spelled with a capital "T," Talent is another word for magical ability. (SM) |
| Tanglefoot Web |
| A lightweight magical web that holds those it captures with unbreakable strength. (SD) |
| Transformation |
| A very difficult spell that changes something into something else, with the restriction that the "something else" must be a species or object that actually exists (or has existed) in the world. Many sorcerers can not master the spell, and morality issues make most good sorcerers avoid the spell apart from minor stunts like the High Aldwyn's transformation of a rock into a bird. Other examples of transformation includ Willow's accidental transformation of a troll into an Eborsisk, and Bavmorda transforming the army into pigs. (WM, WN, WS, SM, SD, SS) |
| Transposition, Rite of |
| According to Shadow Star, The spell that Thorn used to resuscitate Khory Bannefin. See also Resurrection, Spell of (SS) |
| Truth Spell |
| A complex enchantment that compels the victim to truthfully answer questions, holding nothing back. However, skilled sorcerers can partially beat the spell with half-truths. Creates a permanent psychic bond between the spellcaster and the victim. (SM) |
| Ultimate Oblivion, Rite of |
| A spell that destroys everything the victim is, was, or ever hoped to be. It is not clear whether this is another name for the Rite of Oblivion that Bavmorda attempted to use on Elora. (SD) |
| Unfolding, Chant for the |
| A ritual employed by Bavmorda's druids to reveal a vision of the prophecy of Elora's birth. (WS) |
| Ward |
| A magical energy field that keeps something in or out of the warded area. Can also be used as a sort of magical "security alarm." (SM, SD, SS) |
| Wind Spell |
| Allows a sorcerer to control the speed and direction of the wind. (SS) |