The world of Harry Potter is indeed magical. Spells, wands, Hogwarts, Quidditch…the list is endless. For all the aspiring wizards and witches out there, here is a list of many of the known magic spells, which have been uttered throughout the series. You, too, can be a wizard or witch in the vast world of J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter. The pronunciation and description of the spells are located below. Spells that are italicized have no pronunciation, as the pronunciation is not known.
Accio
Accio is the summoning charm. It can be used in two ways: casting the spell and then saying the item that is to be summoned, or by pointing the wand at the object and casting the spell. It’s opposite is Depulso, the banishing charm (see below).
Aguamenti
Aguamenti causes a stream of water to shoot from the caster’s wand. For example, if a fire starts, the wizard or witch can cast Aquamenti to put out the fire.
Alohomora
Alohomora can be used to unlock and open doors. It can open doors that were sealed with the Colloportus (see below) spell.
Anapneo
Anapneo clears a person’s throat, if blocked. It is a useful substitute to the Heimlich maneuver.
Anti-Cheating Spell
The anti-cheating spell can be cast on the students’ quill to stop the student from cheating.
Anti-Disapparition Jinx
The anti-disapparition jinx stops Disapparition (in Muggle words, teleporting) into or out of a certain area.
Antonin Dolohov’s Curse
Cast twice by Antonin Dolohov in a Death Eater battle. The curse causes a burst of purple flames to zigzag towards an enemy. Although it causes no external effects, it seems to cause many internal effects.
Aparecium
Aparecium makes invisible ink and other invisible items appear.
Avada Kedavra
Avada Kedavra is the killing curse and is one of Unforgivable Curses. The spell creates a burst of green light and kills the target immediately.
Avis
Avis makes a group of birds fly from the caster’s wand.
Depulso
Depulso, the banishing charm, is the opposite of Accio (above). Depulso causes an object to fly away.
Bat-Bogey Hex
The Bat-Bogey Hex causes bogies (or boogers in American slang) to change into bats that can be used to attack.
Bubble-Head Charm
The bubble-head charm creates a bubble to appear around the caster’s head. Can be used as a breathing set.
Carpe Retractum
Carpe Retractum can be used to send yourself to an object. It is similar to Accio (above).
Cheering Charm
The Cheeing Charm makes a target extremely happy.
Colloportus
Colloportus seals a door, making it locked. However, if Alohomora (above) is used, the door is unlocked.
Color-Change Charm
The color-change charm can change the color of a certain item.
Concealment Charm
The concealment charm is simply used to hide an object.
Confundus
Confundus confuses a target.
Conjunctivitus Curse
The Conjunctivitus curse changes a target’s eyesight.
Crucio
Crucio causes the victim to suffer greatly. It is one of the three Unforgivable Curses.
Cushioning Charm
The cushioning charm creates an invisible cushion.
Daydream Charm
Created by the Weasley twins (Fred and George) the daydream charm gives the wizard or witch a 30-minute daydream.
Deletrius
Deletrius erases pictures and after-effects.
Densaugeo
Densaugeo causes a target’s teeth to grow extremely fast.
Diffindo
Diffindo tears an object, such as a bag.
Dissendium
Dissendium is used to access Honeydukes. By casting the spell, the statue of a witch opens up, revealing the secret passageway.
Disillusionment Charm
Basically a camouflaging charm, the disillusionment charm causes an object to blend into the background, but does not make it invisible.
Drought Charm
The drought charm causes water to fade away and dry up.
Dumbledore’s Charm
Dumbledore’s charm is an extremely powerful charm that was used by Dumbledore against Voldemort.
Due to the fact that the vast world of Harry Potter contains so many intriguing spells, I have separated the spells into separate articles. Look for more of the spells in future articles.
Reference:
- Spells in Harry Potter.” Wikipedia. URL: (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spells_in_Harry_Potter)