- "Darhk's idol, the type of magic that he's using, I've seen it take good people and turn them dark, soulless, almost inhuman."
- —Oliver Queen[src]
Dark magic also known as black magic, dark arts, evil sorcery or just darkness is a school of magic concentrated on harnessing dark aspects of the universe, connected to various cultures, along with the demons of the First of the Fallen. It is a counterpart to light magic.
Overview
Dark magic works through channeling the negative aspects of the universe, usually for nefarious purposes. It can be combated by Light of the Soul, though which magic is stronger depends on the quantity of soul power siphoned by a dark mage, the strength of conviction of a light mage, and the inner predisposition of a user of light magic to darkness. Usually, those, whose souls are in turmoil, without a beacon of hope in their lives lose themselves to dark magic. Many dark magic rituals are connected to the pacts of First of the Fallen, the Devil, who can use this magic to bind demons to human souls, or even directly bind humans to Hell. Dark magic heavily benefited from Nexus chambers, which allowed to amplify power and gather souls. One such chamber under Star City allowed Damien Darhk to gather souls from the dead people of Havenrock. Souls generally are the greatest resource for a dark mage, leading to Felix Faust's devising of a unique ritual that separates a soul from a body, once considered to be the unobtainable "Holy Grail of black magic".[1][2][3]
Incantation
Incantations may vary depending on the purpose of the spell. For example, certain spellcasters, like Damien Darhk, use incantations to amplify the Khushu Idol's powers, while others, like Baron Reiter, do not use such incantations. Known spells are cast in Latin.
Kanjigar Septum Vohnostrum (cast by Damien Darhk)
Eripe animam, flere sanguine venire ad me, et ponam te in somnum (cast by Felix Faust)
Et stabit de domino vestro, aliquis. Et stabit de domino vestro. Audite vocem meam (cast by Felix Faust)
Exorcizámos te, ómnis immúnde spíritus, ómnis satánic potéstas, ómnis infernális adversárii... in nómine et virtúte Dómini nóstri Jésu (dispelling; cast by John Constantine in the name of God, while drawing on the dark magic inside Willie Cole's acetate)
Known spells and effects
- Blood rituals
- Curse of the Banshee
- Demonic powers
- Icon of Pazuzu application:
- Khushu Idol application:
- Soul separating spell
- Possession
- Resurrection
History
According to Esrin Fortuna, dark and light magic are primordial energies, connected to different aspects of the universe,therefore God created Dark magic despite not normally being associated with those who use it. According to Manny, many of its rituals are connected to Satan and one cannot use both the Devil's and God's magic, although mages like Esrin and John Constantine demonstrate differently,as both were capable of using Light of the Soul and Dark magic. Additionally, God's power seems to be somehow connected to dark magic and can be used to dispel dark magic spells as, when Constantine used an incantation in Jesus Christ's name to banish an acetate containing the voice of the First of the Fallen, he explained that the spell called on the disk's own dark magic to plunge it into Hell.[2][1]
Dark magic is connected to various cultures, such as the makers of the Khushu Idol, or the creators of Nexus chambers on Lian Yu. Its study was a matter of interest for many immortals throughout history, as they tried to master magic akin to demons, along with a spell that would allow forceful separation of soul from body without a contract, with only Felix Faust succeeding.[3] Organization like the Brujeria worked to expand the powers of dark mages and the First of the Fallen through the Rising Darkness: a process that increased the activities of dark powers throughout the world in 2014.[4] Opportunists like Baron Reiter of the Shadowspire or Damien Darhk of H.I.V.E. would seek out artifacts of dark magic, like the Khushu Idol to outfit themselves with their powers. While others, like Felix Faust, learned the dark arts through study. Throughout time, the cultists of Mallus called on their dark "god's" powers, allowing it to possess them and project its power.[5]
Lists
Known users
Entities
- First of the Fallen
- God (Primordial creator; dispelling)
- Mallus
- Various demons and malevolent lesser deities:
Spellcasters
- John Constantine
- Damien Darhk
- Nora Darhk
- Felix Faust
- Esrin Fortuna
- Baron Reiter
- Vandal Savage
- Sinead
- Siobhan Smythe
- Taiana Venediktov
- Lannis Cadogan's wife
Known affected
- Damien Darhk (resurrection)
- Ghouls
- Kuasa (resurrection)
- Oliver Queen
- Thea Queen (unsuccessfully)
- Sinead (cursed)
- Siobhan Smythe (cursed)
Appearances
Constantine
Arrow
Season 4
|
The Flash
Season 2
Supergirl
Season 1
DC's Legends of Tomorrow
Season 1
Season 2
Season 3
|
Behind the scenes
- Black Magic Vol 1 is a DC Comics reprint of the Prize Publications series
- In mythology, Black magic or dark magic has traditionally referred to the use of supernatural powers or magic for evil and selfish purposes.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "The Devil's Vinyl"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Genesis"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Quid Pro Quo"
- ↑ "The Saint of Last Resorts"
- ↑ "Return of the Mack"