Magic: Phyrexia All Will Be One Phyrexia, a world in the Magic: The Gathering universe, is a dark and sinister plane ruled by the Phyrexians, a race of mechanically augumented beings. This malevolent civilization seeks to achieve perfection through the Phyrexian completion process, which involves transforming organic life into mindless machines. In the storyline of Magic: The Gathering, Phyrexia has been a recurring theme since its introduction in the Antiquities expansion set. It is a plane of corruption and decay, constantly seeking to spread its influence to other worlds. The Phyrexians view everything as imperfect and therefore strive to assimilate all life into their twisted form. The Phyrexian completion process involves various means of corruption and transformation.
Take Datura stramonium, for example. Sometimes called thorn apple because of its prickly fruits. Sometimes called angel’s trumpet because of the form of its flowers.
Because of the hallucinogenic properties of the plant, and its form it has long been attributed with magical powers and is used in certain magic rituals. As some plants in the family contain thujone, a hallucinogenic compound, researchers believe that folks in Asia, Europe, and North America have used it to bring on visions and dreams since the Stone Age.
The Phyrexian completion process involves various means of corruption and transformation. This includes the use of phyrexian oil, a black corrosive substance that can infect and alter living organisms. Through this process, the Phyrexians seek to strip away individuality, emotions, and free will, leaving only devoted servants to their cause.
Witches weeds and ghostly plants for Halloween
I thought I would conjure up a few ghoulish characters from the magical world of plants for Halloween.
Believe me, there are plenty of them. Some poisonous, some spooky, some just shocking in appearance, but all with fascinating stories.
And if you want to impress your friends with more supernatural gardening knowledge join our RHS Level 2 course or learn how to grow your own Halloween veg with Sally Nex's veg gardening.
Plants with surprising qualities still hit the headlines and shock the modern world when their hidden powers come to the surface. Never assume that the insignificant green plant growing in the hedgerow or garden is harmless, it may have the ability to get the upper hand….
The so called witches’ weeds include plants used to make magical potions. Often poisonous, in smaller quantities them may be hallucinogenic, anaesthetic and sense numbing. There may be a scientific explanation behind their properties, but their powers may be seen to go far beyond the barriers of science if you are a witch or believe in her magic.
Take Datura stramonium, for example. Sometimes called thorn apple because of its prickly fruits. Sometimes called angel’s trumpet because of the form of its flowers.
Also called devil’s trumpet because of its poisonous qualities. You may find this relative of belladonna growing by a roadside in Greece of Turkey, or it may turn up unexpectedly in your garden.
It also has the curious name Jimsonweed. The name is attributed to a garrison of soldiers based in Jamestown. When they ran out of food they picked and ate the fruits. Discovered in various places throughout Jamestown days later they were delirious and naked because of its powerful hallucinogenic properties.
Deadly Nightshade, or belladonna, botanically Atropa belladonna is perhaps one of the best known of the witches’ weeds.
The name, which means beautiful lady comes from its cosmetic use in eye drops which were used to dilate the pupils to make the eyes more appealing.
It contains powerful toxins but has been used as an anaesthetic and medicine. Extract of the berries was also used to tip poisoned arrows. However it is best known as a poison and features in many a deadly tale.
Henbane, Hyoscyamus niger is another darkly powerful relative, another member of the solanum family. Used in magic brews to induce psychoactive response it is thought to have been utilised by the oracles to induce trance. Its many uses over the years include flavouring certain beers – I bet they had a kick in them!
Most will know mandrake, Mandragora officinarum from their brilliant portrayal in the Harry Potter movies. Contrary to current belief they don’t squeal and wriggle, their powers go much deeper. Native to certain areas of the Mediterranean the mandrake forms a rosette of leaves with a swollen tap root that resembles a human, supposedly.
Because of the hallucinogenic properties of the plant, and its form it has long been attributed with magical powers and is used in certain magic rituals.
Monkshood or Devil’s Helmet, Aconitum napellus may be one of the most beautiful blues in the herbaceous border, but it is also the most deadly.
See beyond the colour and the shape of the individual flowers of this most poisonous of plants suits its sinister character.
This is one that has hit the headlines in recent years and certainly not for its use as a garden perennial or cut flower. The Queen of all Poisons probably gets its name from ‘akon’ the Greek for javelin. The poison, aconite, was used to tip poisoned arrows.
The magic of some plants is more harmless. Their ability to grow in an unconventional way without soil and water holds a certain fascination.
As a boy I recall the Voodoo Bulb being as popular as a Venus’ fly trap to grow on your window sill. Botanically Typhonium venosum it has the ability to produce a vigorous shoot and an unpleasant arum flower without soil or water; just stand it on a saucer and watch it happen. The stinking flower is so much more appealing to a schoolboy than a colchicum.
Dracunculus vulgaris, the Dragon arum is the ultimate horror to grow in your border. True it is dramatic and architectural and the colour is stunning.
However that wine and black bloom earns the name dead horse arum when the putrid stink pervades the garden to attract flies which effect pollination.
We all know that plants are green, due to chlorophyll which enables them to photosynthesise. The ghost plant, Monotropa uniflora defies that belief.
This parasite is a spooky, translucent white perennial that forms an association with the mycorrhizal fungi that associate with tree roots. Tree makes food, benefits mycorrhizal fungi, ghost plant draws nutrient from fungi – how magical is that?
This ghoulish selection of curiosities for Halloween are hardly things of beauty. So I’ll leave you with a good spirit – the ghost tree, Davidia involucrata.
Also known as the handkerchief tree or dove tree this is perhaps the most beautiful of flowering trees. In late spring or early summer the branches are festooned with large white bracts surrounding a dark centre. First discovered in China by the missionary Abbe Pere David it was introduced into cultivation in 1904.
It can take several years to flower but when it does it demonstrates the amazing power of plants to fill any mortal with awe and wonder.
Ready to take your gardening to the next level (spooky or not) - try our Garden Design Diploma:
The inhabitants of Phyrexia are a motley collection of twisted beings, each representing different aspects of the completion process. Some of the notable Phyrexian beings include the Praetors, powerful leaders of the different factions within Phyrexia, and the Phyrexian horrors, grotesque creatures that embody the nightmarish essence of the plane. One of the key storylines involving Phyrexia is the Invasion block, where the Phyrexians launch a full-scale invasion of other planes. This conflict culminates in the epic battle between the forces of Phyrexia and the defenders of Mirrodin, a plane corrupted by the Phyrexians. The war between the two forces results in drastic changes to the fabric of both planes. Phyrexians have become one of the most iconic and enduring villains in Magic: The Gathering lore. Their influence and presence are felt across multiple sets and storylines, demonstrating the long-lasting impact they have on the game's narrative. In conclusion, Phyrexia is a dark and sinister realm that seeks to assimilate all life into its twisted form. The Phyrexians are relentless in their pursuit of perfection, using the completion process to transform organic life into mindless machines. Their influence and presence in Magic: The Gathering make them a formidable and enduring force..
Reviews for "Phyrexia's Influence on Black Magic: The Dark Side of Spellcasting"
1. Sarah - 1/5 stars - Magic Phyrexia All Will Be Onew was a huge disappointment for me. The storyline was confusing and lacked depth. It seemed like the writers were just trying to create shock value without any real substance. The characters were also poorly developed, and I found it difficult to connect with any of them. Overall, this book felt rushed and poorly executed. I would not recommend it to anyone who is a fan of the Magic the Gathering series.
2. David - 2/5 stars - As a longtime fan of the Magic the Gathering series, I was excited to read Magic Phyrexia All Will Be Onew. However, I was left underwhelmed. The plot felt disjointed and lacked coherence, making it difficult to follow and understand what was happening. The dialogue was also unconvincing and didn't seem to accurately represent the characters' personalities. While the artwork was impressive, it wasn't enough to save the overall experience. I hope future installments in the series will offer a more engaging and cohesive storyline.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - Magic Phyrexia All Will Be Onew was a letdown for me. The writing felt uninspired and lacked the captivating storytelling that I had come to expect from the Magic the Gathering series. The pacing was inconsistent, with slow sections that dragged on and exciting moments that were over too quickly. Additionally, the ending felt rushed and left many loose ends unresolved. Overall, this book didn't live up to its potential and left me feeling unsatisfied as a reader. I hope that future books in the series will be more engaging and deliver a more fulfilling reading experience.
4. Michael - 1/5 stars - I found Magic Phyrexia All Will Be Onew to be a tedious and uninteresting read. The narrative was convoluted and difficult to comprehend. It felt like the writers were trying too hard to be complex, but ended up confusing the reader instead. The characters were forgettable and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their fates. The writing style was also cumbersome, with excessive use of jargon and unnecessary descriptions. Overall, this book was a disappointment and I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating and well-executed story.