The hottest Magic Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Science Topics

#228: Maybe we don’t need to know

Maybe Baby • 1309 implied HN points • 06 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Magic
  1. Sometimes it’s nice not to know everything and just enjoy the mystery of life. Experiences like magic shows can remind us how special unanswered questions can be.
  2. Magicians protect their secrets to create a sense of wonder, which is a precious feeling. It's important to appreciate the enjoyment of being puzzled rather than always seeking answers.
  3. In our search for knowledge, we often overlook the joy that comes from experimentation and making mistakes. Embracing the unexpected can lead to delightful surprises.

4 questions I ask myself when designing

Design Lobster • 679 implied HN points • 15 Apr 24
🪑 Design Magic
  1. Ensure you are asking the right question in the best possible way to avoid wasting time on irrelevant problems.
  2. Simplify your designs by challenging yourself to imagine the simplest version of a solution, emphasizing substance over ornamentation.
  3. Strive to create magical designs that feel extraordinary and deliver experiences that users couldn't have imagined, aiming for delight and emotional impact.

A Fairy Tree Encounter: Bridging Worlds in the Island Woods

The Planet • 412 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Magic
  1. Discovering a fairy tree can feel like stumbling upon a magical portal connecting our world to that of elves and fairies.
  2. Leaving offerings at fairy trees stems from ancient Celtic traditions, symbolizing respect and a plea for good fortune.
  3. Despite skepticism, tales of mysterious happenings near fairy trees continue to spark wonder and captivate imaginations.

Lunar Magic To Change Your Life

BAD AT KEEPING SECRETS • 746 implied HN points • 25 Sep 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Magic
  1. Sarah Faith Gottesdiener believes in the power of the moon and its connection to our bodies.
  2. Lunar Magic involves transformation, consistency, and aligning with personal values.
  3. Using the moon for self-improvement is about finding truth, acceptance, and living in alignment with your values.

Psychogeology

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 1258 implied HN points • 20 Aug 22
📚 Literature Magic
  1. Granny Weatherwax from the Discworld novels by Terry Pratchett embodies practicality and headology over showy magic, reflecting a unique approach to witchcraft.
  2. The concept of headology in the novels emphasizes the differences between the magic of witches, grounded in nature and practicality, and the magic of wizards, which is more theoretical and power-oriented.
  3. In the Discworld universe, witches like Granny Weatherwax draw strength from the land they inhabit, reflecting the psychogeology of their surroundings in their character and practice.
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Amazonian Brujos: The Sorcerers Serving You Ayahuasca

Tripsitter • 159 implied HN points • 23 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Magic
  1. Amazonian shamans in the jungle often engage in feuds and conflicts using magical tools like darts and spirits.
  2. Shamanic warfare in the Amazon involves real belief in sorcery and its consequences can be severe, including death and financial ruin.
  3. Westerners seeking shamanic experiences in the Amazon may face challenges due to cultural differences and the real dangers of engaging in local practices.

The Return of Magic

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 277 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Magic
  1. Belief in a universal consciousness can connect us all. It's about feeling that there's something bigger, like a shared awareness.
  2. We might be on the brink of rediscovering magic in our lives as society moves away from strict materialism. It feels like we're starting to believe in things we can't always see.
  3. Exploring consciousness could lead to wonderful new advancements. Understanding our minds might just open up new paths for technology and life.

Lost Tarot Cards

Autoscriptorium • 79 implied HN points • 08 Apr 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Magic
  1. The post discusses lost tarot cards and their symbolic meanings like measurement, observation, and secret knowledge.
  2. Each tarot card represents different concepts like foundations, structure, and perfect love.
  3. The tarot cards mentioned in the post evoke unique themes such as dedication, asceticism, and preservation.

The Long History of Magical Fluids

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Magic
  1. Ectoplasm is described as a mysterious, quasi-physical substance said to bridge spirit and matter, often pictured as a milky, fabric-like or vaporous material and likened metaphorically to plasma or life-force.
  2. Some occult thinkers claim female sexual or reproductive energy produces this etheric substrate, making women the ritual bridge to spirits, and they even frame modern online sex work as an unconscious form of sex-magic that pours out that energy.
  3. Investigations and skeptics found many ectoplasm cases were staged with cloth, egg white, wax, or other tricks, so there is no solid empirical evidence, even though spiritualism also served historically as a space for women's leadership and empowerment.

Ancient Runes and Rune Magic

Norse Mythology & Germanic Lore • 39 implied HN points • 14 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Magic
  1. Runes were letters used by ancient Germanic-speaking people to write words and sentences, not symbols for abstract concepts.
  2. The origins of runes are cryptically described in Norse mythology, but they bear resemblance to alphabets used for Latin and Greek languages at the time.
  3. Modern rune magic concepts are rooted in 16th-century occultism and may not align with how runes were used for magic in the pre-Christian Norse era.

The Metaphysics of Novels and Magic

Orbis Tertius • 273 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
📚 Literature Magic
  1. Magic is understood based on the purpose it serves, not the cause by which it arises.
  2. Fiction is teleological, creating a narrative based on purpose rather than identifiable cause.
  3. Novels are like magic, creating networks of occurrences with multiple connections, making them more magical than other forms of narrative.

[crosspost] the nameless sorrow at the bottom of your heart

Thicket Forte • 79 implied HN points • 08 Mar 23
📚 Literature Magic
  1. The book 'So You Want to Be a Wizard' has great ideas about magic that can inspire readers. It's enjoyable when a book makes you think deeply about the world.
  2. One of the spooky ideas in the book is about what happens when you decide to give up magic. It can bring up feelings of loss or emptiness.
  3. Sharing favorite books can create connections with others who enjoy similar themes and ideas. It’s nice to find common ground over stories we love.

The Witch Who Wouldn't: Chapter 6

Strange Stories by Shantnu • 4 implied HN points • 07 Dec 25
⚔ Fiction Magic
  1. A young witch's powerful but uncontrolled curse exposed her and showed the cult has ways to neutralize magic — they use seals and AI-driven machines that can't be cursed, making a rescue urgent before the blood moon sacrifice.
  2. Careful detective work plus a bit of luck turned up a small but crucial clue: a discarded receipt pointing to a secretive venue called Club Masquerade as the likely place the cult is using.
  3. Allies and risks are revealed: Royce is damaged and linked to a shadow entity, Mirabelle is steering the rescue, and Eve the charming new assistant wins trust while also raising suspicion as they plan to investigate the club.

The Witch Who Wouldn't: Chapter 2-3

Strange Stories by Shantnu • 4 implied HN points • 23 Nov 25
📚 Literature Magic
  1. Isabella escaped from a dangerous situation but is now in a fairy tale mess with a crazy man calling her Red Riding Hood. She's trying to figure out how to save her sister from a group that's holding her captive.
  2. Yuki feels a lot of self-loathing and anger over her past, but is pushed by Mirabelle to help save the girls. She learns that she can choose to be brave rather than a victim.
  3. The Storyteller reveals that everyone plays a part in a larger story. Yuki has to decide if she wants to be a heroine or stay stuck in her curse, showing that she has the power to shape her fate.

Case File 2: The Witch Who Wouldn’t

Strange Stories by Shantnu • 4 implied HN points • 23 Nov 25
⚔ Fiction Magic
  1. Yuki, the main character, is an evil witch who ends up having to save a girl instead of using her dark magic to harm others. She discovers that sometimes you must step out of your comfort zone to make a difference.
  2. Yuki interferes in a dangerous situation and unleashes dark magic she couldn't control, putting herself and others at risk. This shows that actions have consequences, especially when dealing with powerful forces.
  3. Throughout her struggles, Yuki learns about friendship and support from unexpected places, like her boss, who cares more than she first appears. It emphasizes the importance of connections and relying on others in tough times.

Traditional Methods of Black Magic

Traditions of Conflict • 26 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Magic
  1. Many cultures believe in using things like hair or personal items to harm others through magic. This idea reflects a common practice of using what's connected to someone to affect them.
  2. Supernatural beliefs may persist because people start to feel sick or anxious after hearing they’ve been cursed, which makes them believe in the power of magic more strongly.
  3. There’s a connection between these beliefs and how humans think; people often mistake coincidence for causation, leading to a cycle of magic, fear, and belief.

The Magic Mind Stone

Once Upon A News • 19 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23
⚔ Fiction Magic
  1. Elara wished to walk again and live without problems, and hoped for the magic mind stone to make it happen.
  2. Despite challenges, the inventor and helpers worked to make the magic mind stone safer after facing opposition.
  3. The story emphasizes the importance of being careful and responsible when pursuing dreams, like creating the magic mind stone.

Co-creation

Holly Elmore • 19 implied HN points • 19 Jun 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Magic
  1. Co-creation involves collaborating with others creatively.
  2. The concept of co-creation was introduced through a personal childhood experience.
  3. This post is catered towards paid subscribers.

Mundane is Interesting

Barbarian Grunge • 56 implied HN points • 04 Aug 23
📚 Literature Magic
  1. Magic feels special when it contrasts with the mundane.
  2. Tolkien's world is magical because of its simplicity, not its abundance of magic.
  3. For magic to be impactful, it needs a backdrop of normalcy.

The Farthest Shore

Charles Eisenstein • 7 implied HN points • 02 May 23
📚 Literature Magic
  1. In Ursula K. Le Guin's 'The Farthest Shore,' there's a warning about the danger of pursuing immortality and power over life.
  2. Le Guin raises the importance of accepting the reality of death and embracing the preciousness of life.
  3. She emphasizes the need to use power and technology responsibly, maintaining balance and not succumbing to the temptation of control and domination.

The Witch Who Wouldn't: Chapter 4-5

Strange Stories by Shantnu • 0 implied HN points • 30 Nov 25
⚔ Fiction Magic
  1. Yuki uses her magic to sneak into a mysterious warehouse but ends up setting a fire and getting trapped. She learns that her confidence can lead her into dangerous situations.
  2. After being captured and facing a grim fate, Yuki finds strength in telling her story and refuses to accept defeat. She realizes she is the main character of her own life.
  3. With determination and the help of magical forces, Yuki escapes her captors and takes control of her situation, showcasing her resilience and growth.

Fragments, Chapter 3, pp.59-63 - Reading Club posting 11

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 0 implied HN points • 18 Nov 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Magic
  1. Man doesn't have a permanent 'I,' but rather multiple small 'I's that can change constantly.
  2. People's decisions are often influenced by different 'I's within them, leading to internal conflicts and unfulfilled promises.
  3. Some Eastern teachings use allegorical stories to explain the concept of a fragmented self and the importance of inner unity for true liberation.