One question that lit up my imagination while reading the Harry Potter series was this: How are they inventing all the spells??

When I looked it up, it turned out that wizards tended to invent magic based on observation. They discovered issues in the world, noted phenomena which could be manipulated through incantation and magical gesture, and made the necessary connection! Magic, it appears, is a blend of necessity and creativity.

Did you know this is actually linked to a philosophical idea?

Whether it’s altering gravity, bending light, or changing the properties of everyday objects, magical invention involves both keen observation and creative thinking. This idea of inventing spells by watching and understanding the natural world can be linked to Aristotle’s theory of knowledge. Aristotle believed that all knowledge begins with sensory experience—seeing, hearing, touching, etc.—which is then processed through induction to form general principles of First Principles, or the four causes below:

  •  Material Cause: The substance that something is made from
  •  Formal Cause: What gives the matter its form
  •  Efficient Cause: The process behind something’s existence
  •  Final Cause: The purpose of the thing

Much like Aristotle’s idea that humans learn by perceiving the world and abstracting universal concepts, wizards in the Harry Potter world learn to manipulate reality by closely observing nature, as well as how their magic can manupulate it. It’s a magical form of Aristotelian empiricism!

I’d love to add some unique spells to the mix, based on my own observations. Here are five spells I’d conjure up, along with their incantations, wand movements, and reasons why they’d be must-haves in any spellbook.

1. “Tidywriggle” – The spellfolding charm
Incantation: “Tidiwrigo!”
Wand Movement: A Z shape, followed by a flip.
Purpose: This spell instantly uncrumples any  fabric.
Reason: For those of us who can’t seem to fold our clothes properly, “Tidywriggle” would be a game-changer. Imagine you’re back from a meeting at the Ministry of Magic, and don’t have the time to fold all your clothes—no worries! A flick of the wand, and that ungodly pile of laundry has turned into a column of perfect shirts. A must-have for neat freaks and procrastinators alike!

**2. “Quibbilify” – The Instant Distraction Jinx
Incantation: “Quibbilus!”
Wand Movement: A ling swirld followed by a point at the target.
Purpose: Causes the target to begin talking incessantly about their favorite subject, distracting them for five minutes.
Reason: Ever found yourself out of subjects two minutes into a conversation? Well, fear not that awkward silence! Quibbilify causes the target to launch into a monologue about their favorite subject, whether it be top-ten cauldron shapes or how much they adore the rain.

**3. “Mufflesis” – The Silent Step Spell
Incantation: “Mufflicus Ambulus!”
Wand Movement: A smooth hopping motion
Purpose: Silences footsteps and eliminates the noise of crunching leaves or creaky floors.
Reason: Oh no! You woke up and need a glass of water, but your friends are all asleep, and your House floors are notoriously creaky! Now you have Mufflesis, the mother of spells for insomniacs snooping around the house. Perfect for sneaking around the Hogwarts library after hours!

Conclusion
Inventing spells is a fascinating exercise in imagination and practical thinking. Much like Aristotle’s belief in learning through experience and induction, creating spells in the Harry Potter universe involves observing the world, identifying a need or desire, and finding creative ways to manipulate it through magic. And while these three spells might not make it into the curriculum at Hogwarts, I hope they add some magic to your life!

The post 3 Spells I’d Invent If I Were in the Harry Potter Universe first appeared on Majlis.