Unicorns & Magic

I made this page to list off all the uses for magic that I highlighted as I watched the show.

Unicorns über alles.

Magic can be used to mend broken items. (ACW 1, LBYS)

Magic can be used to open and close doors. (Many)

Magic can perfectly slice apples. (ACW 1)

Magic can manipulate objects. (Many)

Magic can help carry objects. (Many)

Magic can help you read books, sometimes with lightning speed. (TCP, Many)

Magic can be used to create forceshield bubbles. (ACW 1&2, PC, TROH 2)

Magic can be used to relieve headaches. (ACW 1)

Magic can be used to force ponies to stop arguing. (ACW 1)

Magic can help make clothes: sewing, manipulating scissors, moving the cloth, etc. (Many)

Magic can be used to teleport yourself and others. (Many)

Magic can be used to forcefully teleport others. (ACW 1, DQ, SoME)

Magic can be used to project images of yourself onto crystals. (ACW 2)

Magic can be used to fire energy beam attacks, and also rapid-fired as a machine gun. (ACW 2)

Magic can be used to disintegrate objects. (ACW 2)

Magic can be used to force subjects to kneel before you. (ACW 2)

Magic can be used to move heavy objects such as rocks and princesses. (ACW 2)

Magic can be used to play instruments. (ACW 2)

Magic can be used to mind control minions. (ACW 2, others?)

Magic can be used to throw objects. (Many)

Magic is used in royal duels. (ACW 2)

Magic can be used to dispel Changeling disguises. (ACW 2)

Magic can be used to cleanse Changeling goo. (ACW 2)

Magic can often be unpredictable, triggering massive chaotic bursts to save the day when things are FUBAR. (ACW 2, HWE, TCMC)

Magic can be used to write with. (Many)

Magic can be used for cleaning up without getting your hooves dirty. (ACW 2, TLR, SHS, ABITH)

Magic can be used for large scale repair jobs, i.e. a dam. (TMMDW)

Magic can be used to open jars. (TMMDW)

Magic can be used to spread things on bread, i.e. peanut butter. (TMMDW)

Magic can be used to grab books off shelves. (SoME, MitM, many others)

Magic can be used to close curtains. (SoME, ACW 1)

Magic can be used to levitate many objects at once. (SaE, SoME, others)

Magic can be used to assist with dining preparations: setting tables, stirring, carrying dishes, etc. (Many)

Magic can be used to eat: picking out food, levitating your drink close to you, using utensils, etc. (Many)

Magic can be used to be annoying, i.e. tugging on someone's ear, pulling other ponies' tails, etc. (Many)

Magic can be used for putting on and removing clothing from yourself or others. (SoME, PC, Many)

Magic can be used to open locks. (IAT, BC)

Magic can be used to walk through walls. (BC)

Magic can be used to fly. (BC)

Magic can be used to create light. (ACW 2, BB)

Magic can be used to light candles. (SoME)

Magic is directly connected to the unicorns horn, so that if they are using it to grab an object, pulling on the unicorn themself will also pull their magic's grasp. (HWE)

Magic is required to raise and set the sun and moon. (HWE, MitM, Many)

Magic can control the weather, being able to summon storm clouds, lightning, etc. (BB, HWE, LE, MD, MMC others)

Magic was seen as 'freaky' in older time periods, becoming much more accepted after Equestria was founded, merely being a Unicorn could have it's advantage in making others fear you. (HWE)

Magic can possibly be used to predict the future. (HWE)

Magic can be used to steal items from other's grasps. (TLR, SoME, others)

Magic can be used to power, and possibly create, complicated machinery. (SSCS6k)

Magic can be used for meddling in others' lives. (RiaW, HF, others)

Magic can be used to craft toupees. (AFID)

Magic can be used for pickpocketing. (PYHD)

Magic can be used to stop time. (IAT)

Magic can be used to time travel. (IAT)

Magic can be used to cut hair. (IAT)

Magic can be used to train animals. (IAT)

Magic can be used to send scrolls. (IAT, TRoH 2. others)

Magic can be used to punish underlings. (IAT, LZ, others)

Magic can be used to create a flashlight effect. (IAT)

Magic occurs naturally in the world, creating things such as zap apples. (FAD)

Magic can be used to seal packages. (PC)

Magic can be used for espionage and/or thievery. (MotFE, PC)

Magic can be used to keep out solicitors, i.e. forceshield around your home. (PC)

Magic can be used to help transport cakes. (MofFE)

Magic can potentially be used to construct high-tech gadgets, as seen with Con Mane's arsenal. (MotFE)

Magic can simultaneously manipulate mass objects, such as pulling down curtains, for dramatic effect/thievery purposes. (MotFE)

Magic can be used to perfectly slice and serve desserts. (MotFE)

Magic can be an assistance in detective work. (MotFE)

Magic can be used to manipulate simple devices, like an abacus. (HF)

Magic can be used to corral, then disintegrate, make invisible, or teleport away mass objects at once. (DQ)

Magic is possibly created by alchemy, as seen with Zecora the Zebra's potions, i.e. a magical tooth repairing brew. It can also create magical plagues, such as the Cutie Pox. (TCP, others)

Magic can randomly create auras when a Unicorn is resolute on accomplishing something. (SHS)

Magic can be used to rearrange furniture. (LZ)

Magic can be used to enchant items. (LZ)

Magic can be used to dispel other magical effects. Sometimes via great blasts of magical energy. (LZ, TRoH 1, others)

Magic can be used to create love potions, causing the two imbibers to fall madly in love. (HaHD)

Magic can be used to create chaos, as seen with Discord. (TRoH 1/2)

Magic can be used to seal entryways, like the vault for the Elements of Harmony. (TRoH 1)

Magic is the most powerful, and elusive, of the six Elements of Harmony. (TRoH 1)

Magic is probably one of the most powerful forces in the Ponyverse period, and the Elements of Harmony are the most powerful form of magic. (MitM)

Magic can be used to remove, and return, pony tribe traits like wings and horns. (TRoH 1)

Magic can be used to corrupt and 'reverse polarity' one's personality, i.e. making the sweetest, kindest pony into an asshole. (TRoH 1/2)

Magic can be used to create extremely convincing illusions. (TRoH 1, LE, EoH)

Magic can be used to force others to have flashbacks. (TRoH 1)

Magic can be used to accentuate your speech by summoning lightning/clouds. (LE, EoH)

Magic can be used to force Fluttershy into situations she does not want to be in. (LE)

Magic can be used to alter your appearance. (LE, EoH)

Magic can be used to animate in-animate objects. (LE, WWU, BB)

Magic can be used to transform objects, and living beings, into extravagant things, like an apple into a carriage, mice into mice-horses, and Twilight's parents into plants. (TBNE, TCMC)

Magic happens for a reason, and can activate itself to help you find your destiny/cutie mark. (TCMC)

Magic can be used to hatch dragons. (TCMC)

Magic can be used to enlarge the size of living beings. (TCMC)

Magic can create a spotlight effect. (GIYC)

Magic can be used to gain complete control over a victim's body, controlling their movement and even making them sound like, for example, a dog or donkey. (GIYC)

Magic can be used to detect gems. Depending on the srrength of the Unicorn, this can vary between highlighting one gem cluster, to highlighting all gem clusters in the immediate area. (ADaPS)

Magic can be used to give wings to non-pegasi. (SR)

Magic can be used to let non-pegasi walk on clouds. (SR)

Magic may have been used to create the urns/cauldrons the pegasi use to make clouds in Cloudsdale. (SR)

Magic can be used to transmute objects into other things, such as a stick into a fancy walking stick, a rock into a top hat, a string of leaves into a tuxedo, or a curtain into a beautiful dress. (FPK, BB)

Magic may potentially allow you to transform into a flaming nightmare. (FPK)

Magic can be used to put on a badass show, conjuring up lighting effects, movie-quality scenes, and objects such as flower petals and candy. (SFS)

Magic is likely used to remove the leaves off the trees in some regions, as it is possible they don't fall off on their own, since almost all other weather has to be created by ponies. (FWF)

Magic can potentially be used to reveal a pony's cutie mark before they have it. Twilight failed, but it's possible Celestia or Luna (or other powerful magic users) could succeed. (CotC)

Magic is used to change the seasons in some regions, i.e. Canterlot. (WWU)

Magic can be used to force animals to 'talk' i.e. make a bird sing. (WWU)

Magic can be used to try and starve a specifically targetted group of victims/make them no longer desire food. (SotC)

Magic, real magic, comes from within, and is a skill you are born with. Fake magic such as curses, is all smoke and mirrors, made from potions and incantations, designed to scare you. (BG)

Magic can be used to shape tree branches/bushes into art. (LBYS)

Magic can be used to create magical lightning rods. (LBYS)

Magic can be used to remove curlers and instantly return your, and others, hair to their normal style. (LBYS)

Magic can be used to construct the perfect S'mores. (LBYS)

Magic can be used to deflect incoming projectiles, then launch them back at your attacker. (LBYS)

Magic can be used to perfectly make up a bed. (LBYS)

Magic can be used to conjure mustaches. (BB)

Magic can be used to conjure bouquets. (BB)

Magic can be used to put on, well, magic shows, including: animated fireworks, automated trumpets, dancing lights, spinning sparklers, etc. It can also be used in classic stage magic form, using bursts of light to distract while you perform a trick. (BB, MD)

Magic can be used to animate rope ala snake charming, which can mesmerize, tie up ponies, and pluck apples from a tree. (BB)

Magic can be used to conjure up a cartoon zipper to silence ignoramuses. (BB)

Magic can be used to rapidly spin a victim, sending them into the air and then crashing to the ground. (BB)

Magic can be used to transform a victim's hair into a nasty green mess. (BB)

Magic can be used to help brush your hair. (BG, BB)

Magic can be used to randomly conjure up a doorway. (BB)

Magic can be used to conjure wind and create music. (BB)

Magic can possibly be used for telepathy/'far seeing' purposes, as in Boast Busters we see Twilight using massive amounts of power to move far distant objects without issues. (BB)

Magic can be used to vanish in a cloud of smoke. (BB)

Magic can be used to mass harvest apples. (AS)

Magic can be used for delicate tasks, like pulling petals off flowers. (TTM)

Magic can be used to transform into a mist form. Although this may be a Nightmare Moon/Luna only ability. (EoH)

Magic can be used to distort things, such as turning trees into monstrous effigies. (EoH)

Magic can be used to transform into objects, such as a thorn. (EoH)

Magic can be used to turn yourself into a tornado. (EoH)

Like the Force, there is a dark side version of magic, channeled by negative emotions. (TCE)

(Dark) Magic can be used to curse enormous cities, causing them to vanish for 1,000 years. (TCE)

Magic can be used to disembody a being and turn them into shadow. (TCE)

Magic can be used to seal the aforementioned disembodied being in ice. (TCE)

Magic can likely be used to imbue crystals with images, and magic can then be used to activate the crystal and display the image, like a map. (TCE)

Dark magic can be used to rock dominate ponies, especially crystal ponies. (TCE)

Magic is used by the Crystal Empire to reflect the emotions of its citizens across Equestria. (TCE)

Magic can be used to skip across water like a basilisk. (TCE)

(Dark) Magic can be used to disable a unicorn's magic by covering their horn in crystals. (TCE)

Magic can be used to 'spread love and light' which may create a barrier that can shield a large area from the surrounding brutal weather, and beings of darkness. (TCE)

Magic can be used to carve crystals. (TCE)

Dark magic can be used to reveal an alternate, dark side version of the Crystal Empire. (TCE)

Magic can be used to reverse gravity. (TCE)

Dark magic can be used to create a magical doorway. It will move on its own, denying attempts at entry, until dark magic is used upon the crystal atop of it. It will then open and the pony that looks in will see their greatest fear come to life. The pony would be incapacitated until somepony else comes along to help them snap out of it. Normal magic can then be used on the crystal and the door will be a normal door, leading further into the crystal palace. (TCE)

(Dark) Magic can be used to place motion sensors, and possibly crystal traps. The crystal trap is also anti-magic, as Twilight tries to teleport out and gets denied. (TCE)

Magic can be used to transform things into oranges, including living beings. (TMPP)

Magic can be used to transform a pegasus' wing into a giant, cumbersome wing. (MD)

Magic can be used to fuse ponies together, for example, Snips and Snails get their horns fused. (MD)

Magic can be used to turn somepony into a basketball. (MD)

Magic can be used to project images, displaying events. (MD)

Magic can be used to rip a muzzle off a pony with a magical mouse cursor and drop it into a magical garbage can icon. (MD)

Magic can be used to summon pies. (MD)

Magic can be used to summon and dismiss a parasprite. (MD)

Magic can be used to conjure an immense amount of snow. (MD)

Magic can be used to heat an area, melting snow. (MD)

Magic can be used to alter a ponies age with an age spell, making them younger or older. (MD)

Magic can be used to conjure an enormous glass dome. (MD)

Magic can be used to conjure water, or move it back into a tipped cup. This was also seen performed by a zebra! (MD)

Magic can be used to tickle torture. (MD)

Magic can be used to walk on water. (MD)

Magic can be used to set up a forcefield that alerts you when someone tries to go through. (MD)

Magic can be used to 'break the fourth wall' and return Pinkie's missing muzzle. (MD)

Magic can be used to 'dream walk' into ponies' dreams. (SIP)

Magic can be used to project an image of yourself on the moon and talk to a specific pony. (SIP)

Wild magic is used to animate timber wolves. (SAYS)

Magic can be used to release petrified victims with the aptly named 'releasing spell' by casting it on/with the Elements of Harmony. (KCAFO)

Magic can be used to brainwash a pony, I guess, as they have something called a 'reforming spell.' (KCAFO)

Magic can be used to swap cutie marks/destinies. (MMC)

The magic of friendship/destiny can alter ones cutie mark, as well as making their eyes glow. (MMC)

The magic of destiny can restore a pony who's had theirs altered, having their life flash before their eyes. (MMC)

Magic is used to transform a pony into an alicorn. (MMC)

The creation of new magic gives you the right to be a princess, apparently. (MMC)

Magical Artifacts

 

Elements of Harmony - The most powerful magic known to ponydom, these six gems/crystals represent aspects of friendship: Loyalty, Kindness, Generosity, Laughter, Honesty, and Magic. The form they assume may be based on their current owner, but when dormant they appear to revert to stone orbs with engraved symbols upon them. To activate the Elements, there needs to be a 'spark,' something in all of their hearts about how happy they are to be friends.

They can be used for offensive purposes and seem to do random effects, although it is unclear whether the wielders choose the outcome or the Elements themselves. They have been seen turning something into stone (the victim was still alive and aware, just covered in stone and unable to do anything until hit with the Elements again), banishing an entity into the moon itself and putting a giant image of that entity on the moon, and later cleansing that victim back to what they were before the entity corrupted them.

The Elements are also possibly used to send a pony who has fulfilled their destiny to a higher plane.

 

Alicorn Amulet - Created by methods unknown by an unknown pony, the Alicorn Amulet is one of the most mysterious, powerful, and dangerous of all the magical charms. Whomever wears the amulet is blessed with untold power, at the cost of it corrupting the wearer. It will let the unicorn cast the most powerful spells (which are normally reserved for the 'highest level' unicorns). It is unclear whether Trixie knew what this thing was and sought it out herself, or if the amulet itself drew her in, as the shopkeeper mentions. The only way to break the curse is for the wearer to willingly remove it, where they will then return to normal.

As a side effect, the amulet turns the unicorn's magic aura into dark side red.

 

 

Crystal Heart - This is a foci of sorts and the key component to the Crystal Empire. Every year, the Empire has a Crystal Faire with activities for the crystal ponies such as jousting, sweets making, crafts, a petting zoo, and flugelhorns. The sole purpose of the Crystal Faire is to life the spirits of the crystal ponies so that the light within them can power the Crystal Heart, which protects the Empire. The Heart not only keeps the Empire protected, it also helps reflect love and hope across Equestria. (Or hate and fear, if that's what the crystal ponies feel)

 

When it is powered up, it also emits a burst of magic which crystallizes normal ponies in the proximity and obliterates evil ones like Sombra as well as his dark magic corruption.

 

It also potentially has the power to reverse the 'turn to shadow' spell Celestia and Luna used on Sombra, as he got his body back when he got near it.

 

 

Magical Locations

 





The Crystal Empire - Homeland of the crystal ponies, this place has the ability to reflect the emotions of its citizens across Equestria. It is protected by the Crystal Heart and is a bastion of warmth and greenery amidst the arctic clime of the Frozen North. It is also heavily tied to emotions, with there even being an alternate version of the place accessible only when wielding dark magic/hatred and fear.

 

Everfree Forest - Possibly the only location in all of Equestria where the plants grow on their own, the animals take care of themselves, and the clouds move on their own. Cockatrice, manticore, sea serpents, timber wolves, and more call the forest home. It also features the castle of the Royal Pony Sisters (Celestia and Luna), which was abandoned. It is possible that when Luna became Nightmare Moon, there was a magical battle in the palace (it's kind of trashed) and the fallout from that caused the forest to go wild with magic.

 

The Mirror Pool - Located in a cavern below Everfree, when a rhyme is said and a pony looks into the pond, they can bring forth a duplicate. It is unknown how well the doppelgangers can truly be, as the only one who we see use it is Pinkie Pie, and hers are all fairly single-minded.

 

"Where the brambles are thickest, there you will find, a pond beyond the most twisted of vines! And into her own reflection she stared, uh, yearning for one whose reflection she shared, and solemnly sweared not to be scared, at the prospect of being doubly mared!"

 

A spell can be used to send the images, and potentially the original pony, back to the Pool.

 

Celestia's Observatory - This is some kind of astral plane or pocket dimension that is accessible by Princess Celestia and ponies that fulfill their destinies. Here, Celestia observes ponies she has interest in, being able to watch everything they do on magical view screens. When a pony has fulfilled their destiny, they are either sent on their own or Celestia uses magic to summon them, where she then explains what is going on. Celestia then casts a spell, transforming them into an alicorn and returning them back to the prime material plane, where they appear in the sky as a giant, radiant version of their cutie mark before returning to normal as they descend.

 

 



The Downsides to Unicorns and Magic

In all fairness, I should list the negatives as well. =]

A Unicorn's horn is their greatest weakness. It is super sensitive and they can be momentarily stunned if it is struck. (SHS?)

A Unicorn's horn also provides a 'handle' for larger creatures with hands to grab on to it. (PYHD)

Channeled spells can be easily interrupted by losing concentration.

Magic is verboten on some occasions, like Winter Wrap Up Day in Ponyville, forcing Unicorns to make-do without one of the key features of their tribe.

Magic in the wrong 'hooves' can lead to all sorts of problems. (These hooves usually belong to Twilight...) (SotC, HaHD, TCP, LZ, IAT)

Unicorns record their spells in tomes and scrolls, leaving their greatest secrets vulnerable to sabotage and loss if some horn-envied group was able to destroy them all. (IAT, SR, TBNE, KCAFO, MMC, TMMP) *Hah, I had this done pre-season 3, lo and behold Discord does just that. =]

Sometimes magic, or the particular Unicorn attempting the spell, just isn't strong enough to get the job done. Although if that is the case, you know things are FUBAR anyway. (TRoH 1, SotC, BB, HWE)

Magic potentially manifests in the various beasts of the realm, creating badass things like Phoenix, and horrendously evil things like Cockatrice, Hydra, etc. (DQ, ABitH, SM, FPK, others)

Spells can backfire. (SotC, others?)

Unicorns are probably stereotyped as thieves and criminals because of their magical abilities and greed for gems.

All Unicorns are magic, but not all magic is usable by all unicorns. Each Unicorn is born with varying degrees of potential magical prowess. Twilight, for example, is an Anakin Skywalker-esque prodigy. Best example would be her gem finding spell (huge area of effect) versus Rarity's (single target). (ADaPS)

Continuing with the last entry, it is explicitly stated that a Unicorn only gets a little magic to compliment their special talent (cutie mark) unless the Unicorn's talent is magic. (BB)

Magic is seen as 'freaky' and Unicorns may be ostracized because of it. (HWE, BB)

Magic is almost guaranteed to be extremely useful in Ponyverse wars, unless they have a Geneva Convention prohibiting its uses. If there are no rules, Unicorns are probably the first ones to get taken out.

Twilight Sparkle's Uses for Magic

 

Twilight uses magic to enhance her meddling in so, so, many ways. (Many)

Twilight uses magic to be a germaphobe. (MotFE, HF)

Twilight uses magic to embarrass her friends. (MotFE)

Twilight uses magic to pull Rainbow Dash's tail. (LZ, HF)

Twilight uses magic to physically punish Spike, i.e. slamming him into walls. (Many)

Twilight uses magic to read books while walking about, usually resulting in her hitting into some pony or vice versa. (ACW 1, HaHD. others)

Twilight uses magic to further her obsessive nature. (LZ, others)

Twilight uses magic to ensorcell her friends and neighbors. (LZ)

Twilight uses magic to forcefully move friends or enemies around. (LE, ACW 2)
 
Twilight uses magic to steal candy from a baby (dragon). (LE)

Twilight uses magic to rip 'toys' out of a baby's (dragon's) grasp. (ACW 1)

Twilight uses magic to make phony excuses, i.e. pulling all the books off the shelves behind her. (PoO)

Twilight uses magic to force victims to eat things they don't want to. (ABitH)

Twilight uses magic to pull the old Charlie Brown football gag on Rainbow Dash, causing her to crash into bookshelves. (Ds)

Twilight uses magic to take away things Spike loves, like a mustache. (BB)

Twilight uses magic to conjure up a doorway, and then slams it in Spike's face. (BB)

Twilight uses her teleportation power to constantly get in ponies' faces until she get her way. (AS)

Twilight uses magic to 'rip up', from a certain point of view, Grand Galloping Tickets after parading them around the room. (TTM)

Twilight uses magic, and rage, to uproot the Library and launch it into the air. (TCE)

Twilight uses her magic to drag goldbricking ponies. (GPP)

Twilight uses magic to rip the blanket off her sleeping dragon slave to wake him up. (MMC)

Twilight uses her magic for levitating group hugs. (MMC)

 

Chaos Magic

 



So far, chaos magic is wielded solely by Discord, the spirit of disharmony. Princess Celestia wanted to use this magic for her own interests and agendas, but we have yet to see just what that would be. This magic is extremely powerful, being able to do many reality warping effects such as simultaneously ripping all pages containing a certain spell out of the books in Ponyville library, outright removing a unicorn's horn or pegasus' wings, instantly transforming the weather (although normal magic can do this too (MMC)), altering a pony's personality to the opposite of what they are, making it rain chocolate milk, etc.

Alright, I've gone through all my posts. So unless I missed some, that should be all the uses for magic I have highlighted since I started watching. =] Feel free to leave a comment if I missed one and I'll get it added.