Spell

A spell is an incantation (usually, but not always, Latin based e.g Obliviate or Point Me) that makes use of the magical force of the wizarding universe do things ordinary people cannot perform, for example levitating objects, conjuring fire, or stunning a person.



Using spells
Spells are most effective when the incantation is said with a wand, although they can also be carried out without the use of either wand or speech. Some of the more advanced wizards, such as Albus Dumbledore and Lord Voldemort do not need wands to perform magic, for instance. Nonverbal spells are also taught to wizards during their Sixth year of study at Hogwarts.

Appearance
When recited, spells send out a jet of high-speed energy, usually in the form of light (some are invisible, like Wingardium Leviosa or Accio). Some people believe that the energy of the spell may be gauged by the colour of the jet - for example, according to this theory, a green-coloured spell would be more powerful than a red-coloured spell, as its wavelength is shorter. This may explain why some coloured spells such as the Killing Curse (green jet) can kill or maim people, while others only stun or disarm (such as Expelliarmus or Stupefy, both of which have red jets). One theory says that if this hypothesis is correct, it may lead to the development of some high-energy spells capable of blocking curses such as Avada Kedavra. However, in Goblet of Fire, Professor Moody clearly explains to the the class that there is no way to stop the the curse, nor is there a countercurse - He simply advises them to try to avoid being hit with it.

Categorisation
Spells are often separated into a number of categories: Transfiguration, charms, jinxes, counterjinxes hexes, curses, and countercurses.

Incantations
The incantations of most spells derive from the Latin language (such as Accio) but there are also some English incantations (such as Obliviate or Stupefy).

Origin
It remains an open question whether a wizard or witch can in fact "invent" a new spell or if all such incantations have instead stood incorporated into the principles of sorcery for the entire history of magic. For example, Severus Snape can probably be credited with the introduction of spells like Levicorpus and Sectumsempra to Hogwarts, but whether he actually "created" them, simply discovered them by accident, or learned of them from an outside source is unclear.

Related Articles

 * List of spells