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 he Magic realm is the manifestation of the ideal within the physical world, "often characterized as 'the way the world could be' (page 184, Ars Magica, 5th edition). The power of the Magic realm is a source of wonder and awe in Mythic Europe, and this is the realm that magi primarily draw upon for their magic.
Magic manifests in the world as Magic auras, magical beings, and magical abilities practiced by magi, hedge wizards, and many "cunning folk" throughout Mythic Europe. Magical talent may manifest through talents such as an ability to detect magical things, or to assume the form of an animal, or to entrance others into doing one's bidding. Magic may also manifest through the spells, rituals, and enchantments of magi of Order Hermei. The most potent magical power is wielded by those who possess Ingenium (The Gift), a talent for magic that arises in a few rare individuals. The power of the Magic realm seems to be strongest in the wild places of the world, away from the strife between Divine and Infernal, and away from the annoying Faerie manifestations of human imagination. Although Faerie and Magic are at least somewhat compatible, the human imagination seems inevitably to fall short of the ideal wonders manifest by the power of Magic. Nevertheless, magi do seek to express their imaginations, and their wills, through the power of magic. Perhaps The Gift is merely the manifestation of a more pure imagination, and perhaps the typical distrust and dislike others feel towards the Gifted is simply a primal recognition that the Gifted have touched upon something more pure and wondrous than lesser mortals can ever comprehend. Vis is raw supernatural power manifested in physical form. Although magi may use vis derived from any of the Realms, Magic vis is most commonly desired, for vis of other Realms can influence the working of magic in unusual ways. Magic itself is unpredictable, and magi who seek to tame it should always remember that the wonders of the world do not always surrender to the wills of the Gifted, and never surrender easily. Human creativity and the wonders of magic have a tumultous relationship. Magic manifests most readily in that which is least new and most ideal. The ancient and the primal are more readily idealized than the new and the innovative. Magi who seek to imbue magic into new works must exert great effort to do so.
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