How the Schools Relate
WIth 8 Schools of Magic, there is always the question of how the Schools are related to one another. Using the Wheel of Magic, we can easily see how they are usually viewed against one another, but not the why of it. Therefore, we shall attempt to explain some of the reasons for each School's position on the Wheel and how it relates to the other Schools.
Divine Magic - This School deals with life and with the Higher Planes where the deities and more pwoeful benign spirits dwell. These beings and the other creatures from the Higher Planes are often referred to as Celestials. It also entreats those beings for aid, rather than commanding it. On the opposite side of the spectrum, you have BLack Magic, which is all about control, usually of beings from the Lower Planes.
Natural Magic - This School deals with the natural world, this plane and the things found on it. Those of this School believe that Nature can supply all. The magic of this School has a more organic feel to it, which is the opposite of rigid, structured magic of Sorcery.
Wizardry - This School believes that words have power, that certain sounds and tones and cadences can affect the natural world around them. They believe that by focusing power through the sounds and words that they control the world around them.
Mysticism - Those who practice Mysticism believe in controlling the world around themselves through the controll of their own mind and body. This is the opposite of Spirit Magic which controls the world by interacting with the spirits of the world.
Black Magic - This School is all about control. Control of the denizens of the Lower Planes, control over theimselves and control over the world around themselves, all by imposing their will upon the world around them.
Sorcery -- This is the most scientific of the Schools. Science also is about controlled, reproducible effects, within certain guidelines and adjusted by variables of a given situation. The scientific methods are a form of control, this makes this School somewhat associated with the control espoused by Black Magic.
High Magic -- This Schools iabout affinities and it uses those affinities to power its spells. And while the affinities that is held by this School are more towards the physical than the verbal as espoused by its opposite School, Wizardry, this still allows for a wide variety of spells. The ritualized methods of casting also allows High Magic to be more closely associated with the more rigorous disciplines of Sorcery
Spirit Magic - This is the School that deals with the spritis of the world around the caster. Where those who practice Black Magic try to force spirits to do their bidding, those who practice Spirit Magic. And while spirits are not celestials, they are closer to them than they are the Lower Planes. If we also consider the trinity of Mind, Body, and Spirit, we can easily see that Spirit Magic fits Spirit, and Mysticism fits for Mind, and then that leaves either Sorcery or Natural Magic for Body, and either would fit quite easily.
