Classifying Wixenkind by Core Type
In today's society we classify wix in two main ways. First, by core type and secondly by blood purity. Both are significant, although to varying degrees and both prove to be highly divisive issues. This leads to a void of information in the general populace that is to everyone's detriment. In this chapter and the next, we will discuss both classification systems, the issues and challenges they raise and the various subsets of wix that fall under each classification, considering their strengths and weaknesses.
First, and perhaps most importantly, wixenkind can and should be classified by core affinity. However, in today's society, classification in such a way often leads to segregation and prejudice. This will be addressed later in the chapter. It is important to remember that our core affinity directly affects the way that we interact with our magic and therefore we are fundamentally different from one another. Not necessarily better or worse but certainly different. This difference will influence our lives significantly, from how we learn to perform magic to even how we think about magic itself. For dark wixens for example, magic is instinctual and emotional and therefore dark wix often have a greater emotional connection to Mother Magic and her gifts. While light wixen see magic more as a power or tool to be used. This is not to say that they do not appreciate Mother Magic as there are many light wixen that still worship Mother Magic, however it is certainly less prevalent.
As previously explained, there are three core affinities: Light, Neutral and Dark. It is important to remember what we mean by these affinities when considering these classifications. Light Wixen have an affinity for focus fueled magic, Dark wixen have an affinity for emotion fueled magic and Neutral Wixen have an affinity for core fueled magic and can practice both focus fueled magic and emotion fueled magic with relative ease.
Light Wixen, their Strengths and Weaknesses:
Light Wixen by definition interact with magic through focus and concentration. They thrive in educational settings such as that provided at Hogwarts where lessons are structured and heavily based on theoretical knowledge. Light magicals are usually exceptionally good at focus fueled charms and often receive the highest grades at both OWL and NEWT in this subject. However, they can find their ability in charms inconsistent as they struggle more with the dark charms on the syllabus. It is rare for a light wix to gain accomplishment in dark magic of any kind. Although it is not unheard of, especially in ancient tomes.
These magicals are often more than capable of performing adequate if not highly accomplished neutral magic as the skills they have inherently learned since infancy when interacting with their magic aid them in this endeavor. Interacting with magic in a neutral way - i.e. fueled by your core rather than focus or will - is not too great a challenge and almost always happens accidentally during their first few years at Hogwarts, and once the light cored child has experienced core fueled magic, even unintentionally, their magic begins to accept that this is just another path it can take. Their focus and determination to perform neutral magic seems to almost inspire the core to behave in a way that is not inherently within it's affinity.
While Light Wixen do well in educational settings, it is unfortunate that the Hogwarts syllabus does not instruct more light magic. Light Wixen while perfectly capable of performing well at neutral magic would do better to have a syllabus that caters to their particular affinity. As any wixen that practices the arts that fall under their affinity diligently will see a marked improvement across the wide spectrum of magic.
Light Wixen often have something of an emotional disconnect with magic. This is most likely due to the way they interact with magic as a force or power rather than an entity. This disconnect can lead to them under appreciating the importance of worshiping Mother Magic and the other celestial deities. This has significant consequences upon society and can lead to disharmony between wixens of different core affinities and an imbalance of magic itself.
Dark Wixen, their Strengths and Weaknesses:
Dark Wixen are not inherently evil. It is important to remember that dark does not automatically mean evil. Magic is neither good or bad. Dark magicals interact with their magic through their emotions. This means that they tend not to thrive under the heavily structured nature of a school environment such as Hogwarts. This is not to say that with dedication they cannot excel but rather it will be more challenging for them than their peers. However, if they push through the initial challenges of education to reach further study post Hogwarts, they often find they make exceptional ward masters, healers and aurors.
They are often exemplary at the healing arts and superb duelers both offensive and defensive. Their instinctual abilities with protective magic (abjuration) and illusionary magic, is often not realised until after they complete their Hogwarts education as they subjects are not truly expounded upon until mastery level.
Like Light Wixen, Dark Wixen are able to perform neutral magic with relative ease. In fact, it is often easier for Dark Wixen to accomplish this than their Light counterparts. This is because the mastery and understanding of one's emotions is so key to the use of dark magic. Dark magicals are taught from an early age how to reach into their magic through the act of meditation. Therefore the use of core fueled magic is almost as instinctual by the time they reach Hogwarts as emotion based magic is - even if they have never intentionally performed a neutral spell at that stage in their development. They will likely have had both dark and neutral bouts of accidental magic.
Performing light magic, however, is much more challenging for the Dark magical and is a skill that can take some time. Only with complete control of their own emotions will a Dark Wix be able to adequately perform light magic. This is one of the many reasons why dark families teach their children the mental arts from a young age. As Occlumency proves itself very helpful in aiding them in this mastery over their emotions.
Neutral Wixen, their Strengths and Weaknesses:
Neutral Wixen are very fortunate. They not only have an affinity for core fueled magic but they can perform both light and dark magic without much difficulty, although they may find one easier than the other. That said, depending on where they sit on the spectrum, they may still struggle with some of the issues that the other affinities find themselves confronted with. More light leaning neutrals may struggle with an emotional disconnect with their magic while more dark leaning neutrals might need to master their emotions before succeeding at light magic.
They tend to do best at neutral subjects such as transfiguration, however, neutrals with a lower magical capacity may still struggle with neutral magic. It is unfortunate that we do not classify wixenkind by core capacity because that would most likely be a more helpful guide towards how to help magical students at Hogwarts than whether or not they have 'pure blood.'
The Issues and Challenges Raised by Classifying Wixenkind by Core Type:
Multiple problems arise from this classification. Although it is hard to say if it is the act of classifying wixen itself that is at fault, or if these challenges arise merely because we are different.
1. Prejudice
Across the wixen world and not just in Wizarding Britain, it is clear to see different prejudices arising from core affinity classification. In certain parts of Asia, where those with Dark affinities are more prevalent, there is a prejudice against light magicals. However, in Wizarding Britain, the opposite is true. For generations, there has been an imbalance between dark and light in the U.K. that has led to dark magicals being seen as 'evil'. This mostly seems to be born from an inadequate understanding of magical theory and as a result of the various wizarding wars that have taken place in recent history, creating a sort of 'Catch Twenty-Two' effect as my muggleborn friends would say.
Dark wixen are seen as evil so they rebel against the establishment, resulting in civil war, which in turn leads to further restrictions on their magical choices and so on.
2. Disconnect
As already discussed light wixen are at risk of suffering from an emotional disconnect. This lack of emotional connection to their magic is glossed over as we perceive emotion based magic to be 'evil'. This is highly problematic as this potential for disconnection to their magic can have very serious consequence. Not only can it harm their own ability to interact with other types of magic but it has an averse affect upon their relationship with Mother Magic. This is clearly seen in the way society as a whole is shying away from acknowledging Mother Magic publically. It is questionable if contemporary light magicals even worship Mother Magic and the other celestial deities at all.
This disconnect leads to further prejudice as Dark Wixen resent Light Wixen's disregard for Wixen society's traditions and religious beliefs, especially where those very traditions are made illegal. As Dark Wixen feel a greater magical connection to their magic, they feel the loss of these traditions to a greater degree than their light counterparts. Not only that, but historically they have relied on light wixen to perform the white magic - conjuration - on the sacred days to facilitate their worship. It is unfortunate that those who least appreciate the gift on conjuration are those with the most potential for it.
3. Imbalance
Both of the previous issues lead to an imbalance in magic. As we know this goes against the fundamental laws of magic and is a very serious issue indeed. As more dark magic and magical traditions become illegal, the balance that magic demands is lost. The consequence of this loss of balance will prove devastating if we do not fix it. It is already evident in the increased number of squibs born each year, the loss in core capacity from generation to generation and the seeming loss of many family gifts.
We as a society are fools if we do not recognise these things as the warnings they are. Our magic is a gift, to be appreciated and treasured. But above all protected.