Every-day & MISCELLANEOUS charms
In today's lesson, we will be discussing charms that you are likely to use every day, as well as charms which don't fall under any of the other larger categories we will be looking at in this class. Let's get started.
The Amplifying Charm is used to amplify sound. It can be used on your own voice, animal calls, or sound-producing equipment. To cast an amplifying charm, you must point your wand directly at the source of the sound and say Sonorus. This charm is often used in schools when making announcements, or at official Quidditch matches. It is important to note that the prolonged use of this charm on a voice can result in hoarseness. In opposition to the amplifying charm is the Quietening Charm. This charm uses the same wand movement as the amplifying charm, but the incantation is different: Quietus. Aside from nulling the amplifying charm, the quietening charm is very useful for noisy classrooms or panicking crowds.
Charms are used very frequently in the making of Quidditch supplies. Quaffles, for example, all come with the Gripping Charm. Discovered in 1875, the Gripping charm allows objects to be held more easily. This charm's invention revolutionized the design of the Quaffle - it no longer needed to have straps or finger holes, making it easier to both catch and throw. Brooms are also popular objects for charms and enchantments. The Braking Charm is used on broomsticks in order to help the flyer stop quickly in mid-air. One of the selling points of the Firebolt broom is that it's braking charm is supposed to be unbreakable. There is even a patented version of the breaking charm, invented by Basil Horton and Randolph Keitch for the Comet Trading Company. Brooms also have Cushioning Charms cast on them, creating an invisible cushion for more pleasant riding experiences. This charm was invented by Elliot Smethwyck in 1820, and has now been expanded past use on brooms to break hard falls.
A subject of much controversy, the Atmospheric Charm is a charm that allows one to modify the weather in an area. Obviously the larger and less contained an area, the more powerful a charm (and thus witch or wizard) is required. Due to the possible ramifications of magical people controlling the weather, there has been some debate over whether or not Atmospheric Charms should be governed by more strict rules. In order to remove an atmospheric charm, one must cast Meteolojinx Recanto with their wand pointed at the center of the atmospheric charm.
The Bubble-Head Charm is used to create a pocket of air around one's head or mouth, effectively allowing the caster to breathe underwater (or anywhere else one find's themselves short of oxygen). It is also very useful when one find's oneself in the presence of rather smelly beings - especially because it is hard to see above-water! It was a popular choice during the 1995 Triwizard Tournament held at Hogwarts - both the Beauxbatons Champion Fleur Delacour and the Hogwarts Champion Cedric Diggory used the charm to aid them in their journey through the lake. Similarly, there is the Impervius Charm, which makes an object waterproof. If you ever find yourself in need of water, the Water-Making Charm aguamenti will produce clear, pure water from your wand. It's important to realize that this charm is technically a combination of a charm and a conjuration (advanced-level transfiguration spell).
The Cheering Charm can be used for good or for harm. It was invented by Felix Summerbee in the 15th century. It makes the target happy, but the spell can be easily overdone, causing the target to be overwhelmed with hysterical laughter.
Perhaps one of the most useful charms, the Wand Lighting Charm was invented in the 18th century by Levina Monkstanley in the Ministry of Magic while she was looking for her dropped quill. The incantation for this charm is lumos, and more practiced wizards are able to cast a more potent version with the incantation lumos maxima. Light produced with lumos maxima may also travel away from the caster's wand. The counter-charm to lumos is the Wand-Extinguishing Charm nox.
For those who appreciate extra security, there are lots of charms for just this purpose! Colloportus is the charm to close and lock doors, chests, and other objects which have locks. Alohomora is the counter-charm for this - it unlocks things. One may cast anti-unlocking enchantments (prevents one from using Alohomora on a lock), anti-theft charms (prevents one from summoning an object unless one own's the object), and the rather infamous Caterwauling Charm, among others. The Caterwauling Charm acts like an alarm: anyone entering the area without the caster's authorization sets off a high-pitched scream throughout the area, until it is silenced by the caster or the intruder leaves the charmed area. Here at Hogwart's, we are rather fond of the anti-cheating charm, which is placed on all of the provided quills during examinations and prevents you from writing down any answer you obtained through cheating. There are also concealment charms, often used to hide messages in parchments, although they are easily revealed with basic revealing charms, so it is usually important to make sure that the parchment gets to its intended recipient in a discrete manner. More powerful witches and wizards can cast concealment charms that hide entire objects from view, as well as hide their magical properties. The Disillusionment Charm can be cast on living creatures and people, causing them to appear like a chameleon in that they take the colour and texture of their surroundings. The Disillusionment Charm is most commonly used to hide Hippogriffs and Winged Horses when living or travelling in Muggle-populated areas. If one is casting it on oneself, you twirl your wand around yourself as if wrapping a rope around you. If you are casting it on someone or something else, you can tap the target on the head with your wand (some may be able to make the charm work by merely flicking their wand at the target). The target will feel a sensation similar to an egg cracking over their head. To produce a dark blindfold over the eyes of a target, use the incantation obscuro, and to prevent eavesdropping on private conversations, use the Muffliato Charm (invented by Severus Snape), which produces a strange buzzing sound in the ears of anyone in your vicinity.
Blanket too small? Bed too big? You can enlarge or reduce the size of objects using charms! The Engorgement Charm engorgio manifests itself as a light blue light erupting from the tip of the wand (resembling a flashlight). Anything within the circle of light will grow exponentially. Since this growing is more along the nature of swelling, it is possible to over-do the charm and cause the object to explode - so use this charm with caution! To reverse the effects of engorgio, one must cast the counter-charm reducio. A variation of the Shrinking Charm is diminuendo, which can also be used to shrink objects, but cannot counter the effects of engorgio. It is also possible to adjust the weight of objects using charms - for example, the Feather-Light charm makes heavy objects practically weightless. The Hardening Charm duro is used to turn objects to stone. Finally, there is the Colour Change Charm colovaria, which can be used to change the colour of objects, such as banners or posters, or even animals.
Some spells can affect the wands that cast them, or are meant specifically for other wands. The Eradication Charm deletrius is one of these such spells - it can disintegrate some targets, but is mainly used to erase the shadow of the previous spell the wand performed. Specialis Revelio allows the caster to reveal any charms or hexes cast in the area.
The Mending Charm can repair broken objects. It was invented by Orabella Nuttley around 1754. The incantation for this charm is reparo, and the wand movement is usually a circular one or a flick of the wrist toward the object. Alternatively, one could use the Unbreakable Charm to make sure an object does not get broken in the first place.
In addition to these definitive charms, there are more charms which are fairly flexible with their actual incantations and wand movements. There are charms for cosmetic purposes, writing (most commonly used on blackboards), cleaning (e.g. the Scouring Charm scourgify or the liquid-removing spell tergeo) , sticking things to other things (temporarily or permanently), refilling glasses, and much more! As you can see, charms are the type of magic you will be performing the most in your life - so don't brush them off! As a final note, I must add that it is absolutely vital to be aware of what is and what isn't a tried-and-true charm! Students from the year that Gilderoy Lockhart was professor for Defense Against the Dark Arts can easily tell you that one of the worst consequences for a charm can be simply that it doesn't work (when you really need it to)! Such was the case for Lockhart's invented Pixie-capturing "Charm", peskipiksi pesternomi.
The Amplifying Charm is used to amplify sound. It can be used on your own voice, animal calls, or sound-producing equipment. To cast an amplifying charm, you must point your wand directly at the source of the sound and say Sonorus. This charm is often used in schools when making announcements, or at official Quidditch matches. It is important to note that the prolonged use of this charm on a voice can result in hoarseness. In opposition to the amplifying charm is the Quietening Charm. This charm uses the same wand movement as the amplifying charm, but the incantation is different: Quietus. Aside from nulling the amplifying charm, the quietening charm is very useful for noisy classrooms or panicking crowds.
Charms are used very frequently in the making of Quidditch supplies. Quaffles, for example, all come with the Gripping Charm. Discovered in 1875, the Gripping charm allows objects to be held more easily. This charm's invention revolutionized the design of the Quaffle - it no longer needed to have straps or finger holes, making it easier to both catch and throw. Brooms are also popular objects for charms and enchantments. The Braking Charm is used on broomsticks in order to help the flyer stop quickly in mid-air. One of the selling points of the Firebolt broom is that it's braking charm is supposed to be unbreakable. There is even a patented version of the breaking charm, invented by Basil Horton and Randolph Keitch for the Comet Trading Company. Brooms also have Cushioning Charms cast on them, creating an invisible cushion for more pleasant riding experiences. This charm was invented by Elliot Smethwyck in 1820, and has now been expanded past use on brooms to break hard falls.
A subject of much controversy, the Atmospheric Charm is a charm that allows one to modify the weather in an area. Obviously the larger and less contained an area, the more powerful a charm (and thus witch or wizard) is required. Due to the possible ramifications of magical people controlling the weather, there has been some debate over whether or not Atmospheric Charms should be governed by more strict rules. In order to remove an atmospheric charm, one must cast Meteolojinx Recanto with their wand pointed at the center of the atmospheric charm.
The Bubble-Head Charm is used to create a pocket of air around one's head or mouth, effectively allowing the caster to breathe underwater (or anywhere else one find's themselves short of oxygen). It is also very useful when one find's oneself in the presence of rather smelly beings - especially because it is hard to see above-water! It was a popular choice during the 1995 Triwizard Tournament held at Hogwarts - both the Beauxbatons Champion Fleur Delacour and the Hogwarts Champion Cedric Diggory used the charm to aid them in their journey through the lake. Similarly, there is the Impervius Charm, which makes an object waterproof. If you ever find yourself in need of water, the Water-Making Charm aguamenti will produce clear, pure water from your wand. It's important to realize that this charm is technically a combination of a charm and a conjuration (advanced-level transfiguration spell).
The Cheering Charm can be used for good or for harm. It was invented by Felix Summerbee in the 15th century. It makes the target happy, but the spell can be easily overdone, causing the target to be overwhelmed with hysterical laughter.
Perhaps one of the most useful charms, the Wand Lighting Charm was invented in the 18th century by Levina Monkstanley in the Ministry of Magic while she was looking for her dropped quill. The incantation for this charm is lumos, and more practiced wizards are able to cast a more potent version with the incantation lumos maxima. Light produced with lumos maxima may also travel away from the caster's wand. The counter-charm to lumos is the Wand-Extinguishing Charm nox.
For those who appreciate extra security, there are lots of charms for just this purpose! Colloportus is the charm to close and lock doors, chests, and other objects which have locks. Alohomora is the counter-charm for this - it unlocks things. One may cast anti-unlocking enchantments (prevents one from using Alohomora on a lock), anti-theft charms (prevents one from summoning an object unless one own's the object), and the rather infamous Caterwauling Charm, among others. The Caterwauling Charm acts like an alarm: anyone entering the area without the caster's authorization sets off a high-pitched scream throughout the area, until it is silenced by the caster or the intruder leaves the charmed area. Here at Hogwart's, we are rather fond of the anti-cheating charm, which is placed on all of the provided quills during examinations and prevents you from writing down any answer you obtained through cheating. There are also concealment charms, often used to hide messages in parchments, although they are easily revealed with basic revealing charms, so it is usually important to make sure that the parchment gets to its intended recipient in a discrete manner. More powerful witches and wizards can cast concealment charms that hide entire objects from view, as well as hide their magical properties. The Disillusionment Charm can be cast on living creatures and people, causing them to appear like a chameleon in that they take the colour and texture of their surroundings. The Disillusionment Charm is most commonly used to hide Hippogriffs and Winged Horses when living or travelling in Muggle-populated areas. If one is casting it on oneself, you twirl your wand around yourself as if wrapping a rope around you. If you are casting it on someone or something else, you can tap the target on the head with your wand (some may be able to make the charm work by merely flicking their wand at the target). The target will feel a sensation similar to an egg cracking over their head. To produce a dark blindfold over the eyes of a target, use the incantation obscuro, and to prevent eavesdropping on private conversations, use the Muffliato Charm (invented by Severus Snape), which produces a strange buzzing sound in the ears of anyone in your vicinity.
Blanket too small? Bed too big? You can enlarge or reduce the size of objects using charms! The Engorgement Charm engorgio manifests itself as a light blue light erupting from the tip of the wand (resembling a flashlight). Anything within the circle of light will grow exponentially. Since this growing is more along the nature of swelling, it is possible to over-do the charm and cause the object to explode - so use this charm with caution! To reverse the effects of engorgio, one must cast the counter-charm reducio. A variation of the Shrinking Charm is diminuendo, which can also be used to shrink objects, but cannot counter the effects of engorgio. It is also possible to adjust the weight of objects using charms - for example, the Feather-Light charm makes heavy objects practically weightless. The Hardening Charm duro is used to turn objects to stone. Finally, there is the Colour Change Charm colovaria, which can be used to change the colour of objects, such as banners or posters, or even animals.
Some spells can affect the wands that cast them, or are meant specifically for other wands. The Eradication Charm deletrius is one of these such spells - it can disintegrate some targets, but is mainly used to erase the shadow of the previous spell the wand performed. Specialis Revelio allows the caster to reveal any charms or hexes cast in the area.
The Mending Charm can repair broken objects. It was invented by Orabella Nuttley around 1754. The incantation for this charm is reparo, and the wand movement is usually a circular one or a flick of the wrist toward the object. Alternatively, one could use the Unbreakable Charm to make sure an object does not get broken in the first place.
In addition to these definitive charms, there are more charms which are fairly flexible with their actual incantations and wand movements. There are charms for cosmetic purposes, writing (most commonly used on blackboards), cleaning (e.g. the Scouring Charm scourgify or the liquid-removing spell tergeo) , sticking things to other things (temporarily or permanently), refilling glasses, and much more! As you can see, charms are the type of magic you will be performing the most in your life - so don't brush them off! As a final note, I must add that it is absolutely vital to be aware of what is and what isn't a tried-and-true charm! Students from the year that Gilderoy Lockhart was professor for Defense Against the Dark Arts can easily tell you that one of the worst consequences for a charm can be simply that it doesn't work (when you really need it to)! Such was the case for Lockhart's invented Pixie-capturing "Charm", peskipiksi pesternomi.