Posts by altmagic
Magic to the People
The first time I cast a money spell I was disappointed with the results. I thought I would win the lottery. No sooner had I cast it and left the apartment than I found some change on the sidewalk. Less than a dollar. I laughed: is that it? No, it wasn’t. Over the rest of [...]
Custom Enchanted Art: Refuge
One of the best part of being a magician is the chance to help people realize their dreams. I recently completed the piece above, called “Refuge.” The client initially wrote to me: My husband and I are looking for a home to buy. We live outside of the DC area, and as you can imagine [...]
How To Change Their Life at Christmas
What do your relatives really need this Christmas? A sense of safety. More income. Some peace in their lives. But you can’t give these things as gifts—can you? To an extent, I believe you can. Magic is the art of ritual. True magic is not flashy. It’s subtle. It claims to adjust the odds, and [...]
How Do You Make a Custom Magic Spell?
Custom orders are my favorite. When you order a magic spell I can tailor the magic specifically to your need. This can make it incredibly direct and meaningful for you, and gives me a chance to help solve a problem—which is what magicians do. But where do we start? Your Personal Mage When you order [...]
Renaissance Magic in Harry Potter
Many real-world magicians adore Harry Potter, an enthusiasm I don’t happen to share. But I do appreciate the rich level of detail and lore that populates his world, and apparently so does the National Library of Medicine. The NLM has launched a traveling exhibition that highlights the many layers of historical science and magic in [...]
Samhain Special: Discount on Custom Spells
It’s been a busy month. I just dropped down in New Orleans. The city burns with magic. This is where the enchanted atelier will be at least till spring. Then the road calls again. But for now the chanting will resume. This week is intense. I’m unpacking art supplies from my travels and attending a lot [...]
Who Took Their Hand Off the Wall?
In earliest days people made art in caves. At first they traced their hands on the wall. This was communal, fun. Anyone can enjoy tracing their hand. Who was it that wanted more? Did one man paint a hand without putting his on the wall? Did he just copy the shape of the hand-prints? The [...]
Incinerated and Dispelled
Midnight came and the fire burned high. One by one the smoke washed over them, the flames leapt up. Paint, paper, hours of chanting and ceremony: it vanished in the light. Yesterday, two lovely people rushed to buy two lovely scrolls, the Conjuration of Lugh and the Scroll of Escape. These pieces are on their [...]
Burning Magic Scrolls
The time has come. Tonight at midnight I’ll spread the coals in the stove. Feed them my magic scrolls one by one. The spirits will be delighted. If you want to rescue a scroll from this fate you have 16 hours to do it. It’s the last day of the 101 sale, so you’ll get [...]
10 More Good Magic Blogs
When I started altmagic I bemoaned how hard it was to find good magic blogs, and I scoured over 400 to find the best few to follow. That was months ago, and since then I’ve found a handful more. Some were linked by other magicians, some recommended by readers and some I came across through [...]