QC

Rereading the Young Wizards series and thinking about sorting fictional magic systems by how left hemisphere / right hemisphere they are. LH: explicit laws, fixed effects, magic a kind of physics / engineering. RH: implicit, unpredictable, magic an art, a living thing.

One way to get at the distinction: is magic something you use (LH), or is it something you relate to (RH)? In Young Wizards (RH), magic often uses the heroes. It has intentionality, and also a moral component. Compare to e.g. Harry Potter, esp. HPMoR (very LH).

In Young Wizards things often happen because 1) magic wants them to, and/or 2) someone made a promise which is being fulfilled. The heroes are not in control, nor are they trying to be (RH). Meanwhile in HPMoR Harry is trying to control everything (LH).

Books with RH magic are crypto-spiritual guides. Narnia is maybe the most explicit example of this. In Young Wizards, magic involves open awareness (RH) - the heroes often make progress by noticing e.g. subtle hints about others' emotional states. Also they fight the Devil!

RH magic captures something vital that spiritually starved modern people badly want - the feeling of being able to trust and take refuge in something bigger than themselves. Meanwhile LH magic is science fiction with a sparkly coat of paint.