Summer pagan rites have been a long-standing tradition in many cultures around the world. These rituals are typically performed during the summer solstice, which marks the longest day of the year. The main purpose of these rites is to celebrate and honor the sun, as it is seen as a symbol of life, fertility, and abundance. One of the most well-known summer pagan rites is the Midsummer celebration, which originated in Europe. During this event, people gather to light bonfires and dance around them. The bonfires are believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.
INTELLIGENCE – The following are abilities that have to do with intelligence.
Intelligence – Being a genius, sometimes having the ability to learn new things quickly.
Linguist, polyglot – The ability to understand any language.
Probability – The ability to predict future possibilities, or to alter or change future outcomes.
The most common way they do this is by drawing on themselves or someone else and making the message or picture transfer from their skin to someone else s. Advanced Telekinesis an enhanced form of telekinesis , which allows the user to move multiple objects all at once, cause rooms to violently shake and the ability can also extend to allow users to generate telekinetic energy to various degrees.
The bonfires are believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. This tradition has been passed down through generations and continues to be a popular summer solstice celebration in many European countries, such as Sweden and Finland. In addition to bonfires, another common element of summer pagan rites is the use of herbs and flowers.
(Some of) The Coolest Magical Abilities in Fiction!
Last post, I talked about some of my favourite magic systems; this time around, I want to showcase some of my favourite magical/supernatural abilities. The difference? A magic system is a magic system; a magical ability is more like a superpower. The latter is a lot more limited in scope; a character with a magical ability can do one thing, rather than casting spells that could potentially do just about anything.
I guess it’s a fairly thin line separating the two, but that line’s enough to justify two separate posts, and that’s all I need!
(Although now I wish I’d saved the Water Giver trilogy for this post, where it probably fits a little better. Oh well!)
Introduced in Maggie Stiefvater’s Raven Cycle and featured in the sequel Dreamer trilogy are Dreamers – people who can take things out of their dreams and bring them into the real world. As you might imagine, some of those things are incredibly strange – some beautiful, some terrible, some both – but without question, it makes for one of the most incredible, and potentially dangerous, abilities on this list. After all, would you want to manifest your nightmares?
A secondary character who spends almost no time on the page, and yet is central to the second book of KD Edward’s Tarot Sequence, is Layne – a teenage necromancer. This isn’t your typical necromancy, though; Layne isn’t messing about with corpses or raising the dead, and though he* does draw power from death, he’s not sacrificing babies or neighbourhood cats. His form of necromancy is more properly called immolation magic – practitioners keep themselves infected with different illnesses, and when they need power, they kill the bacteria and harvest power from the deaths of those illnesses. It’s a really unique and clever twist on necromancy, and I for one absolutely adore it!
*Layne is referred to using he/him in Hanged Man, but it’s been revealed that Layne’s pronouns going forward in the series will be they/them.
Orogeny is an ability some people in Jemisin’s Broken Earth trilogy are blessed – or cursed – with; the power to sense, manipulate, and trigger energy – especially or primarily seismic energy. Because individuals who can create earthquakes even as infants are obviously very dangerous individuals, most people hate them; orogenes are victims of terrible prejudice and abuse, with people even suspected of having orogeny being beaten to death, especially in more rural areas. Whereas the Fulcrum, a kind of government body, raises, trains, and even breeds orogenes – because of course, although they might be dangerous, orogenes are also incredibly useful, especially in the world of the Stillness, where climatic cataclysms are a constant threat.
The full scope of orogeny is explored in fantastic detail over the course of the trilogy, and I don’t want to ruin it for new readers by going into spoiler territory. So I’ll just say that it’s ridiculously cool, and very definitely one of my favourite superpowers!
Heart of the Circle is special not so much for the magical ability possessed by the main character – empathy – so much as how it’s utilised. Landsman delves into the potential uses of being able to not just read, but manipulate the emotions of others – and it’s pretty damn incredible. Empaths work in marketing and publishing to infuse images and stories with real emotion, walk on the outside of protest marches to keep a look-out for violence before it starts – and are absolutely terrifying in combat. At one point in the book, the main character (an empath himself) reminisces about his time in the military, and one particular training exercise – when twenty or so other magic-users complained of being outnumbered when pit against a single empath and seer. That’s how scary empaths are. It’s really cool to me, because usually empathy is presented as a soft, gentle superpower, and here in Heart of the Circle, it’s the complete opposite.
The cassandra sangue of the Others series are not-quite-human, but aren’t Others (supernatural creatures like animal shapeshifters, vampires, and elementals) either. Their in-between state is explored later in the Others series, when it’s speculated that they might have evolved as mediators between humans and others (a concept I absolutely adore), but their primary power is in their skin. When a blood prophet’s skin is cut, she (cassandra sangue are always female) sees visions. Between that and their naive, naturally sweet natures (a generalisation, but a valid one) they’re inevitably taken advantage of and misused by those who want to profit from their prophecies. The series starts when one blood prophet escapes the compound she was born and raised in, and she and the found-family that forms around her explore the full extent – and danger – of her ability, step by step and book by book. The ramifications are enormous, and make for really interesting reading.
The God Eaters is one of my favourite books of all time, and one so few people seem to have heard of. Happily, it was just featured on Tor.com in a post by TJ Klune just this past week. It’s an incredible queer fantasy, not least because of its fantastic characters. One of which is Kieran, a Native American with a magical gift I’ve never seen before (or since) – he can will people to die. It’s a power that wouldn’t work in the hands of a lesser writer – Kieran would either be too strong to be interesting (how much fun do you have with super-superpowered characters, who are never in danger and can brush off any obstacle?) or for hand-wavey reasons wouldn’t be using his gift when it might interfere with the plot. But Hajicek makes it work, and work brilliantly, and I love, love, love the secret behind the source of that power, when it’s eventually revealed. It’s a unique magical power utilised expertly by a master storyteller, and you absolutely need to check it out.
(You can grab an e-copy over at Lulu.com – no affiliate link, I just want everyone to be able to read this book!)
Margerit, a young woman who receives an unexpected inheritance that will alter the course of her life, is special even before she becomes an heiress – she can see magic.
Of course, that’s not what she, or anyone else calls it – in Jones’ regency setting, what I call magic is considered the manifestations of saints and angels, something that’s only lightly questioned later in the series by less religious characters. But the point remains that Margerit sees beautiful colours and glowing lights during rituals – and can use that sight to tell when a ritual has gone wrong. She even utilises her ability to build entirely new rituals, ones with real and powerful effects. It’s a wonderful power, and it’s just as wonderful to read about as Margerit goes from considering it a small and unimportant thing, to embracing her power and making it the focus of her life.
In Reverie, people’s dreams and fantasies keep manifesting into reality – sweeping up everyone nearby into the dreamer’s story. A rare few are immune, able to remember who they are even when caught in someone else’s ‘reverie’ – said dreams – and who can help the plot of the dream reach its conclusion without anyone getting hurt. This is made easier by the fact that everyone who can stay awake through a reverie seems to get superpowers – like super-strength – but it’s the staying-awake-and-aware ability that earns Reverie a spot on this list.
The reveries themselves are a really cool concept, as is the idea of people whose magic is being immune to magic – at least this one specific kind of magic, anyway!
The clue’s in the name: inklings, as they’re known, are people who can manipulate holy ink. The most common way they do this is by drawing on themselves – or someone else – and making the message or picture transfer from their skin to someone else’s. The church ’employs’ (a better word might be ‘enslaves’) inklings to pass on divine messages to parishioners – the inkling considers the message, draws an image that embodies that message, and then sends it from their own skin to the intended recipient, who will bear it as a permanent tattoo for the rest of their lives.
The main characters, Celia and Anya, find a new way to utilise their power – one that gives them a way out of the church’s oppression and a way in to a new and brilliant new life. I’m not going to tell you what it is, because spoilers, but it’s fabulously clever. And the inklings’ power definitely counts as a unique one!
So those are some of my faves – what about yours? What are some of the coolest magical abilities you’ve read about? And what power, if you could pick, would you choose for yourself?
And don’t forget to check out my sequel post, (Some More Of) The Coolest Magical Abilities in Fiction!
One response to “ (Some of) The Coolest Magical Abilities in Fiction! ”
[…] I don’t know about anyone else but I’m excited to dive in! Also I see there’s a Coolest Magical Abilities post and a (more of the) Coolest Magical Abilities post so I’ve got my afternoon reading booked up […]
Introduced in Maggie Stiefvater’s Raven Cycle and featured in the sequel Dreamer trilogy are Dreamers – people who can take things out of their dreams and bring them into the real world. As you might imagine, some of those things are incredibly strange – some beautiful, some terrible, some both – but without question, it makes for one of the most incredible, and potentially dangerous, abilities on this list. After all, would you want to manifest your nightmares?
It is believed that certain plants have magical properties and can enhance the energy of rituals. For example, lavender is often used for purification and protection, while chamomile is associated with relaxation and healing. These herbs are incorporated into various rituals, such as making herbal sachets or wreaths, and are believed to bring blessings and positive energy. Furthermore, dancing and music are integral parts of summer pagan rites. These activities are seen as a way to connect with the natural world and the divine. By moving in harmony with the rhythms of nature, participants can experience a sense of unity and transcendence. Traditional folk dances and songs are often performed during these rituals, creating a festive and joyful atmosphere. Overall, summer pagan rites are a way for people to celebrate and connect with nature, as well as honor the cycles of the seasons. They provide an opportunity for individuals to express their spiritual beliefs and connect with ancient traditions. Whether it is through bonfires, herbs, or dancing, these rituals offer a sense of community and a deep connection to the earth..
Reviews for "Crafting Sacred Objects: Exploring the Role of Crafts in Summer Pagan Rites"
1. Sarah - 2 stars
I found "Summer pagan rites" to be a confusing and boring read. The storyline was disjointed, and the characters were difficult to connect with. It felt like the author was trying too hard to be profound and ended up sacrificing clarity and coherence. The constant shifts in perspective made it hard to follow the plot, and I struggled to see the purpose of many of the scenes. Overall, I was left unsatisfied and disappointed with this book.
2. Mark - 1 star
I couldn't stand "Summer pagan rites". The writing style was pretentious and forced, with overly flowery language that seemed to be trying too hard to be poetic. The characters were shallow and uninteresting, and the story lacked a cohesive plot. I couldn't find any redeeming qualities in this book, and I regret wasting my time reading it. I would not recommend "Summer pagan rites" to anyone.
3. Emma - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Summer pagan rites", but it failed to meet my expectations. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the lack of action made it a struggle to stay engaged. The author seemed more focused on describing the scenery and atmospheric details than developing a captivating story. I found myself skimming through large sections, hoping for something interesting to happen, but it never did. Unfortunately, "Summer pagan rites" left me feeling bored and unfulfilled.