magic

J.K. Rowling writes that Ilvermorny was a magical school of witchcraft and wizardry, founded by a pureblood Irish wizard named Isolt Sayre in the 17th century. Ilvermorny sat atop the highest peak of Mount Greylock enshrouded by powerful concealment enchantments.

Sayre was a descendant of Salazar Slytherin and the renowned Irish witch Morrigan. Sayre lived with her parents in a small Irish town till the day her mother's estranged sister Gormlaith Gaunt (pureblood zealot) murdered Sayre's parents and kidnapped her away to Hag's Glen to stop her from marrying a muggle.

A decade later, following imprisonment and continued attempts at indoctrinating Sayre, she stole her aunt's wand, and managed an escape. 

Sayre went on to pose as a Muggle boy, sailing to the 'New World', where she came across a wealth of magical creatures and fellow wizards that'd ultimately help her create Ilvermorny.

The four Ilvermorny houses are named after magical creatures:

• Horned Serpent – a ‘great horned river serpent with a jewel set into its forehead’
• Pukwudgie – ‘a short, grey-faced, large-eared creature’
• Thunderbird – a creature that ‘can create storms as it flies’
• Wampus – ‘a magical, panther-like creature that is fast, strong and almost impossible to kill’

Check out the story over on Pottermore that was just released today!

No one cared what this guy had to say because the woman in the background seems to disappear halfway through the interview. Is it perspective or good, old fashioned magic? 

Commenters on the Imgur post of this video couldn't decide one way or the other:

In preparation for 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' which is set in the U.S., J.K. Rowling plans to release four new segments of writing about the history of magic in North America. The video description hints that tomorrow's piece will reveal more information about Ilvermorny, the magical school in North America. According to Pottermore, each piece will be released at 2pm GMT:

The first instalment of this exciting new series is called ‘History of Magic in North America’ and will be published on Pottermore in four pieces, starting tomorrow at 2pm GMT. Another piece will be revealed each day at 2pm until Friday 11 March.

It's easy to forget that insane people like David Blaine exist sometimes. Then, he uploads a video of him doing insane stuff, freaking out celebrities and you remember that the world has some straight up nonsense going down.

Blaine released a 2013 video of him performing the same trick for Will Smith's entire family, the Breaking Bad team of Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul and, in an unexpected pairing, the duo of Kanye West and Woody Harrelson.

It turns into a bonkers stunt, made all the better by the various reactions, none more charming than good ol' Aaron Paul.



Woody had the best line of the video, though. He lost his erection entirely.

There was nothing smoke and mirrors about Aug. 19's Late Late Show with James Corden, for it was the beginning of a beautiful new direction for Patrick Stewart and the show's host.

With great fanfare and awe-inspiring feats of dramatic arm movements, the two unveiled their new project — Cosmagnification. Cosgmaginfication is a redefining of modern 'magic' and strives to circumvent the expected and pull the curtain back on the truth behind the illusion behind the trick.

Also, at one point, Corden accidentally (?) messes up a trick, completely showing how they did it. He would be kicked out of the Magician's Alliance for sure.

But Patrick Stewart's commitment to the team cannot be understated. He approaches the illusionary arts with the reverence and seriousness of a pious monk. A pious monk that wears frilly shirts and a sequin jacket.

These guys could teach a thing or two to Gob.

New York magician Steven Brundage was pulled over for speeding last week, but he made his ticket magically disappear!

Well not exactly, but the curious cops did away with the ticket after he put on a little show for them with a Rubik's cube.

But seriously - how did he do that?

Trust us, it's more interesting than it sounds.

Oldie But Goodie of the Day: Grand Prix World Champion of Magic Shawn Farquhar performs a series of sleight-of-hand card tricks based on the lyrics to Sting's "Shape Of My Heart."

[tnw.]