Taking the Mystical of out the Magical: Why I hate modern Magic

So, I don't know why this came into my mind today, but it’s something that has been on my mind recently and I need to get it off my chest. It’s kind of controversial, but it needs to be said. I'm tired of Magic, and no not the illusions kind.

I love fantasy, I obsessed over Lord of the Rings as a kid. We would play in the woods, we would all pick powers and 'cast spells' at each other. Growing older, I finally read the books, along with several other series: Black Company, Chronicles of Narnia, Eragon and many others. Recently, I've been diving into a lot more fantasy books, movies, shows, games. Reading other short stories and even working on several of my own magical elements.

(Can't find if this is the actual Artist, but supposedly its Flavio Hoffe)

Now, the reason I'm talking about all these is: Magic is getting boring. I thought I've never say that. As a kid, it was the coolest thing. I'd pick up anything with a wizard in it, now when I hear "it’s about a girl who discovers she’s a witch" and my head goes straight to the trash.

(This isn't to discourage those who want to write fantasy, honestly its more advice for those who want to do it right.)

This isn't because Magic is innately boring because almost by nature magic should be something that captures our attention. As if magical elements, should be somewhat, mystical. They used to be, just read some folklore or old legends. Magic just worked because it didn't have a rhyme or reason. I think its lost its touch because magic isn't being used correctly. Its 'quickly' thrown in without any care or concern for the story. People plan out the magic, but never ask "Does this help my core concept or does it hurt it".

There are two schools of thought when it comes to writing magic. The first: Magic needs no explanation, it should flow and be free-spirited. It should happen because 'magic.' Or second: Like all well-constructed universe, Magic should have a well-defined rule and regulations. Everything should be explained and understandable.

I propose a new concept, to blend both these arbitrary rules. Magic should have a core of internal rules that it follows and uses, but the audience shouldn't understand it, at least in its entirety. We should be left to wonder. What other uses it can do, we should be puzzled when things happen that we never expected. Also, it should break rules not often, and nothing that screws with your plot too much, but just enough that it keeps the audience on their toes.

Now, I could go over the obvious ones, like Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones. Maybe talk about lesser known magical systems that prove my point, like Bone or Full Metal Alchemist. I should talk about things that follow this designs aspects, as well as break them, but not. Like with Avatar: The Last Airbender and Off to be the Wizard. I might do a whole break down of series I think do magic well, verse failures, as well as make a list of rules that I think are helpful when creating magic systems. (There more suggestions and several will be contradicting.) Let me know if anyone wants this list, it’s on the back burner but could be pushed up if enough people ask for it.

Now, I think one series do Magic in such a fascinating way, I can't help but talk about them. That is Star Wars. Now, I'm sure a lot of people will complain that "it doesn't have magic in them" and your right. That’s one of the best ways to do it.

(Vader Force Choking Motti. Episode. 4)

The Force is one of my favorite concepts. As a kid, it made me wonder what possibilities it could contain. As a teen I hated it, thinking George Lucas wasn’t intelligent enough when writing the rules to the Force as if he didn't think it all the way through. Now that I'm an adult, and have read more into extended universe. I've discovered its beauty. Before we dive in, let’s quickly drop any ties to spiritualism. Not because they aren't relevant, but because it would take way too much time to explain how much they add to it. (Maybe another blog post)

The core is simple, it’s a Psionic power (mental) that gives the user advanced abilities. Able to use telekinetics, telepathy precognition, clairvoyance. Standard psychic abilities. However, if you watch more than one movie you will find an odd ability. Force Lighting. In Magical Systems, casting lighting is normal, but with pure Psionic stories. It's entirely different.

(Concept art for Force Unleashed)

As you dig into the extended universe, (pretend Disney didn't kill it, you'll be fine till you leave Wookieepedia) we discover abilities that are more akin to a overpower DnD character than Jedi. Even in the CANNON Episode III, we learn of Darth Plagueis “The Wise” who was so powerful he could even keep others from dying.*

(*This is for those who want to remove all magical elements from Star Wars and feel Disney is doing it.)

I could go on, but I'm trying to cut down my blog post to between 300 to 500 words because it seems not many people want to read long pointless rambling form a madman. (All together, we are just under 1000 here)

If anyone wants more information, I'm going to attach a link* to a YouTuber who has a very good video on the subject, and somewhat inspired this post. If anyone wants any of the blogs I talked about in this post, please let me know because honestly, I get bored halfway through writing them, and then I think no one wants them, so they get dropped in a folder and never see the light of day.

Also, if you think I'm wrong PLEASE tell me, I love discussing with others about these subjects and I feel I learn so much more from listing to others as well. There are so many types of Magic in the realm of storytelling. I'd love to learn as many as possible, so if anyone has cool ideas, feel free to talk to me about them.

*Tasteful Understated Nerdrage: Magic! from 'MrBtongue' I love his videos, wish he would do more of them. Might use some of his videos as more inspiration. There great lessons all in their own.