Magic

 

Magic, occasionally referred to as "the higher mysteries" is a powerful but little understood force in the world. In Westeros it is believed, particularly by the Maesters of the Citadel, that magic, if it ever existed, is now gone from the world. Only one in every hundred Maesters, Luwin among them, bother to study the subject long enough to earn a Valyrian steel link for their chains. Nevertheless, in Essos, magic is still practiced, particularly in the eastern corners of the continent, although its effects and the power of its practitioners are frequently questioned. 

In any event, with the rebirth of dragons, magic (or at least eastern magic) seems to be slowly making its way back into the world. Charlatans have found that their tricks are becoming spells, while the power of established practitioners has begun to greatly increase.

 

• Blood magic: practiced by maegi, involving sacrifice of both animals and humans. It is forbidden among the Dothraki.

• Warging: the ability to enter the mind of an animal and experience and/or control its actions.

• Greensight: experiencing prophetic dreams. Associated with the Greenseers of the Children of the Forest.

• Shadow-birthing: Shadowbinders may give birth to shadows shortly after being impregnated by a man.

• Kiss of Life: Red Priests have the ability to resurrect the newly dead.