History Main / RitualMagic

* The majority of spells in ''CallOfCthulhu'' are rituals; they are extremely costly and/or dangerous to do.

* JakubWedrowycz uses complex rituals to perform his exorcisms. He also knows some other ones, such as the ritual that opens a gate to {{Hell}}.

Stories that feature Ritual Magic can certainly have characters who know more rituals and are better at casting them be perceived to be powerful wizards, but much like arts and sports, ''anyone'' can potentially learn and master Ritual Magic. This is why [[TheSmartGuy intelligence]] is a [[JustifiedTrope justified]] trait of ritualists, and why

* In ''TheBartimaeusTrilogy'', the entirety of magic is based on saying the right words and using the right symbols, and although it is draining beyond the sheer physical act, anyone can do it. This is a fact the magicians are keen for people not to pick up on, and exaggerate the risks and difficulty as well as discouraging higher education among non-magicians to make it less apparent.
* Magic in ''TheElricSaga'' is mostly ritualistic in nature. Essentially, doing a spell means summoning a supernatural creature with the desired power through a ritual, and having it perform the task for you.
* This is also the most common form of magic in the CthulhuMythos, and is usually implied to be in fact highly sophisticated science unrecognisable to humans.
* In RobertEHoward's ConanTheBarbarian story "Literature/{{Beyond the Black River}}", Balthus and the other captive deduce they are to be [[HumanSacrifice Human Sacrifices]] as part of Zogar's ritual. A ritual is also used to ressurect Xaltotun in ''HourOfTheDragon".

* [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin The Canim Ritualists]] of the ''CodexAlera'' do this. The precise mechanics by which it works are never explored (the Ritualists are a secretive bunch who aren't about to share their secrets with just anyone]], but the ritual shedding of blood (their own or someone else's) is essential, and sometimes they use incantations as well.

* RitualMagic exists in [[DresdenFiles Dresdenverse]]. Basically, any person who knows the ritual, wizard or not, can perform this ritual and obtain the magical result. Alas, the magical power behind such rituals always comes from [[DemonLordsAndArchdevils something unpleasant]], and a ritualistic caster becomes an {{unwitting pawn}} of it. What's interesting is that, according to Harry, the best way to disable a particular ritual is to make it general knowledge, only a limited amount of power can be channel into the world. If numerous people are trying a ritual only a very small amount of power can get through per person.
** In one of the side stories there appears an organization devoted to erasing the names of these supernatural beings, and thus cutting their connection to this world. This brings them into direct conflict with the White Council on occasion, since the latter's SOP is to publicize the ''shit'' out of the names of ritual-powering-beings. Apparently, the Brothers Grimm were Council.

** As with most cases, TheVerse has RitualMagic for other stuff.

* In RobertEHoward's ConanTheBarbarian story "Literature/{{Beyond the Black River}}", Balthus and the other captive deduce they are to be [[HumanSacrifice Human Sacrifices]] as part of Zogar's ritual.

* In RobertEHoward's ConanTheBarbarian story "Beyond the Black River", Balthus and the other captive deduce they are to be [[HumanSacrifice Human Sacrifices]] as part of Zogar's ritual.

* The Magico universe has a booming ritual magic economy.

One of the oldest conceptions of magic is Ritual Magic, a method of casting spells based on the performance of [[MagicalIncantation specific words]], [[MagicalGesture gestures, actions]] and [[EyeOfNewt offerings]] at [[MagicPrerequisite specific places and times]]. Magic isn't a question of [[TheGift talent]], [[HarmonyVersusDiscipline spiritual enlightenment]], or [[MagicAndPowers a power]] you're [[WitchSpecies born with]]. It's something that anyone can learn, even (perhaps dangerously) a {{Muggle}}. This puts Ritual Magic closer to technology than other forms of FunctionalMagic; it works because of knowledge that has been collected about the natural world and used in a certain way, and witches and wizards are essentially "engineers" of magic. This concept of magic is very old, going back to [[OlderThanDirt ancient Egyptian]] beliefs and practices.

* RitualMagic exists in [[DresdenFiles Dresdenverse]]. Basically, any person who knows the ritual, wizard or not, can perform this ritual and obtain the magical result. Alas, the magical power behind such rituals always comes from [[DemonLordsAndArchdevils something unpleasant]], and a ritualistic caster becomes an {{unwitting pawn}} of it. What's interesting is that, according to Harry, the best way to disable a particular ritual is to make it general knowledge, only a limited amount of power can be channel into the world. If numerous people are trying a ritual only a very small amount of power can get through.

* In ''The Devil To Pay'', [[{{ptitlewo6dni8e}} Dorothy L. Sayers']]s take on the {{Faust}} legend, Mephistopheles is conjured by rituals that Sayers found in actual Renaissance grimoires.

One of the oldest conceptions of magic is Ritual Magic, a method of casting spells based on the performance of [[MagicalIncantation specific words]], [[MagicalGesture gestures, actions]] and [[EyeOfNewt offerings]] at [[MagicPrerequisite specific places and times]]. Magic isn't a question of [[TheGift talent]], [[HarmonyVersusDiscipline spiritual enlightenment]], or [[MagicAndPowers a power]] you're [[WitchSpecies born with]]. It's something that anyone can learn, even (perhaps dangerously) a {{Muggle}}. This puts Ritual Magic closer to technology than other forms of FunctionalMagic; it works because of knowledge that has been collected about the natural world and used in a certain way, and witches and wizards are essentially "engineers" of magic. This concept of magic is very old, going back to [[OlderThanDirt Ancient Egyptian]] beliefs.

One of the oldest conceptions of magic is Ritual Magic, a method of casting spells based on the performance of [[MagicalIncantation specific words]], [[MagicalGesture gestures, actions]] and [[EyeOfNewt offerings]] at [[MagicPrerequisite specific places and times]]. Magic isn't a question of [[TheGift talent]], [[HarmonyVersusDiscipline spiritual enlightenment]], or [[MagicAndPowers a power]] you're [[WitchSpecies born with]]. It's something that anyone can learn, even (perhaps dangerously) a {{Muggle}}. This puts Ritual Magic closer to technology than other forms of FunctionalMagic; it works because of knowledge that has been collected about the natural world and used in a certain way, and witches and wizards are essentially "engineers" of magic. This concept of magic is very old, going back to [[OlderThanDirt Anceient Egyptian]] beliefs.

One of the [[OlderThanDirt oldest]] conceptions of magic is Ritual Magic, a method of casting spells based on the performance of [[MagicalIncantation specific words]], [[MagicalGesture gestures, actions]] and [[EyeOfNewt offerings]] at [[MagicPrerequisite specific places and times]]. Magic isn't a question of [[TheGift talent]], [[HarmonyVersusDiscipline spiritual enlightenment]], or [[MagicAndPowers a power]] you're [[WitchSpecies born with]]. It's something that anyone can learn, even (perhaps dangerously) a {{Muggle}}. This puts Ritual Magic closer to technology than other forms of FunctionalMagic; it works because of knowledge that has been collected about the natural world and used in a certain way, and witches and wizards are essentially "engineers" of magic.

* A common form of magic in the works of Katherine Kurtz, such as the {{Deryni}} series.

* RitualMagic exists in [[DresdenFiles Dresdenverse]]. Basically, any person who knows the ritual, wizard or not, can perform this ritual and obtain the magical result. Alas, the magical power behind such rituals always comes from [[DemonLordsAndArchdevils something unpleasant]], and a ritualistic caster becomes an {{unwitting pawn}} of it. What's interesting is that, according to Harry, the best way to disable a particular ritual is to make it general knowledge, as demons have only a limited amount of power and cannot deal with many requests for it.

* In RobertEHoward's ConanTheBarbarian story "Beyond the Black River", Balthus and the other captive deduce they are to be HumanSacrifices as part of Zogar's ritual.

One of the [[OlderThanDirt oldest]] conceptions of magic is Ritual Magic, a method of casting spells based on the performance of [[MagicalIncantation specific words]], [[MagicalGesture gestures, actions]] and [[EyeOfNewt offerings]] at [[MagicPrerequisite specific places and times]]. Magic isn't a question of [[TheGift talent]], [[HarmonyVersusDiscipline spiritual enlightenment]], or [[MagicAndPowers a power]] you're [[WitchSpecies born with]]. It's something that anyone can learn, even (perhaps dangerously) a {{Muggle}}. This puts Ritual Magic closer to technology than other forms of FunctionalMagic, it works because of knowledge that has been collected about the natural world and used in a certain way; witches and wizards are essentially "engineers" of magic.

Most worlds use a little of both when they create their system, perhaps requring a mix of raw magical talent and mental acuity. Interestingly there is a notable shift as you move from one side of the scale to the other. On one end, you are likely to find MagiTech as the studious "magic engineers" research new rituals and their applications, and the general populace using said inventions in MagicRealism. On the other, purely innate magic setting you have (usually) fewer mages with various ages and personalities, and are much more likely to have trained other skills as well (eg. [[MagicKnight being a good physical fighter)]] since having their magic come naturally allows them to devote more effort to other things.

* In ''[[KingArthur Le Morte d'Arthur]]'' a certain priest "conjures on a book" to force a demon to reveal secrets about a certain deceased knight.

* In ''TheBartimaeusTrilogy'' the entirety of magic is based on saying the right words and using the right symbols, and although it is draining beyond the sheer physical act, anyone can do it. This is a fact the magicians are keen for people not to pick up on, and exaggerate the risks and difficulty as well as discouraging higher education among non-magicians to make it less apparent.

* In ''Angelology'' the nuns of St. Rose use a ritual to summon an angel in their defense when attacked by Gibborim.
* [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin The Canim Ritualists]] of the ''CodexAlera'' do this. The precise mechanics by which it works are never explored (the Ritualists are a secretive bunch who aren't about to share their secrets with just anyone]] but the ritual shedding of blood (their own or someone else's) is essential, and sometimes they use incantations as well.

* RitualMagic exists in [[DresdenFiles Dresdenverse]]. Basically, any person who knows the ritual, wizard or not, can perform this ritual and obtain the magical result. Alas, the magical power behind such rituals always comes from [[DemonLordsAndArchdevils something unpleasant]], and ritualistic caster becomes an unwitting pawn of it. Interesting that, according to Harry, the best way to disable a particular ritual is to make it general knowledge, as demons have only a limited amount of power and cannot deal with many requests for it.

* In the ''{{Buffyverse}}'' ideally magic is done by adepts, but we've seen on at least one occasion {{Mook}}s with no magical abilities just reading it out of a book, as if it were a recipe.
** As with most cases TheVerse has RitualMagic other stuff.

* In ''The Devil To Pay'', [[{{ptitlewo6dni8e}} Dorothy L. Sayers']] take on the {{Faust}} legend, Mephistopheles is conjured by rituals that Sayers found in actual renaissance grimoires.

* Damien Thorne, a charismatic demonologist from the ''GlobalGuardiansPBEMUniverse'' who claims to be the son of [[{{Satan}} the Devil]] himself, uses nothing but ritual magic. He's not quite [[HermeticMagic hermetic]] about it (he likes mixing it up, and HermeticMagic is too time-consuming for actual fighting) but he comes close.

[[folder:Live Action TV]]

** As with most cases TheVerse has RitualMagic and WildMagic.

** There may be a distinction between ''spells'', as used by witches and sorcerers, and rituals, which can be performed by anyone. Angel never showed the slightest magical inclination, but was able to perform a ritual to create a Living Flame; he followed an established magical procedure to achieve a preset goal. While as a witch Willow could presumably do the same, but could also magically lift objects and make them do whatever she personally wanted using her magic.