There appears to be a strong connection and parallel between sexual acts and magic in the Good Intentions Series. This is an initial discussion on this. Additional thoughts, theories, and examples are welcome.
Magic and sex[]
As discussed by Molly and Onyx, the combination of sex and magic can be said to fall into four different groups:[1]
- Sexual spice
- Generate power
- Enter a specific state of mind
- A specific ritual or spell which incorporates sex
Molly’s and Onyx’s sexperimentation with Alex was used partially for experimentation; apart from being sexual spice it generated magical power and allowed Molly to enter a state of mind where she could cast spells which she was previously unable to cast.[1] They have also mentioned that Practitioners can bond through sexual intimacy, but it is one of many ways.[2]
Generating magical power[]
Sex can generate magical power, but the efficiency of this varies. Most of this is comes through or via Lorelei, and it is assumed that similar factors apply to both other succubae and to other forms of sexual magic.
Masturbation generates some power, but not much; Lorelei describes it as a “mere trickle”.[3] Sex with a partner increases the amount of generated power, probably by at least a magnitude.
Strength of emotional connection and depth of trust between the sexual partners also matters. Lorelei received much more power from Alex’s tryst with Taylor compared to the one with Audrey.[4] Later on she noted that “[s]he relished in his lighter, more spontaneous trysts, but those that came through deep and genuine affection were always much better”.[5] Lorelei’s observation that higher degrees of consent in sex provides her with more enjoyment could also very well apply to the amount of power generated by sex.[6] Trust and consent are good for sex, but also good for magic. If Lorelei reliably delivered great spiritual power to Hell could also go a long way towards explaining her fame and high status amongst the succubae.[7]
Other possible factors for the amount of generated power could be the symbolic importance of the sexual act or the magical power of the participants.
The most important case here is Molly’s and Onyx’s sexperimentation with Alex, which was more successful than their earlier experiments by themselves, both in generating power and in reaching a desired state of mind.[1] One possibility is that heterosexual sex is more efficient in sexual magic, however Molly dismisses that as “patriarchal heteronormative garbage”. It would also go directly against the positivity towards homo- and bisexuality that the series attempts to uphold. The sexperimentation can also not be said to be of great symbolic importance after their shared tryst a few weeks earlier.[5] Another possibility is that Alex’s status as Baal’s killer increases the sexual energy he creates, but Lorelei has, as far as I can tell, not given any hint of receiving more power from Alex afterwards.
Instead, some possible but not mutually exclusive reasons for the surprising effectiveness could be Molly’s and Onyx’s general increase in power after the destruction of the Brotherhood of Apollo,[6] that Alex’s status as Lorelei’s prey increases his ability to create magical energy through sex, or that the spiritual connection between Alex’s and Onyx’s souls acted as an enhancer that also benefited Mollly.
Reaching a state of mind[]
Outside of the sexperimentation there has been no case of sex being used to enter or reach a general state of mind for magic. There is however no reason to doubt Molly and Onyx on this.
Specific rituals[]
Garrison's ritual that would bind Rachel and Lorelei to him through intercourse is an example of a ritual incorporating sex. Given that trust and consent improves both magic and sex, it is also possible that Alex’s bond through consensual love-making became much stronger than the one Garrison could forge by rape.
There are two known ways of drawing a soul out of a body. One is done by a succubus while having intercourse with their prey, and is an example of ritual sex. It is unknown if this ability is unique to succubae (and most likely incubi). The other is drawing the soul out directly, and has only been demonstrated by Lilith and Katerina Sorrow.[8][9]
Lydia's ritual which summoned Baal could be an example of either the need for power or for casting the specific ritual, or a combination of the two.[7] Since the magic of a succubus is intimately tied to sex it is possible that this was the only way that Lydia could cast a summoning ritual or a ritual of that magnitude.
The succubae[]
Succubae appears to be very high-ranking amongst demons, both in status and in power, and the succubae are intimately connected with sex. They generate sexual power from sex like Practitioners, but they do so through every sexual act. They also do not need to be directly involved in it: sexual acts of their prey is enough.
Some of their magical abilities seems to be enhanced through sex as well. Apart from Lydia’s summoning of Baal mentioned above, their empathic and spiritual senses are enhanced by tasting a person—that is, giving oral sex.[3][10][11] It has also been implied that their sexual acts might lower sexual inhibitions in their surroundings.[12]
Closing words[]
There is a strong connection between sex and magic in the Good Intentions series, but there are still unexplored areas and unanswered questions. One such is how or why Rachel becomes horny from Alex’s charitable acts, apart from receiving magical or spiritual power. Another is if Lorelei—or other succubae—receive magical power through sex with other supernatural beings, or if it is something special with mortals in this regard.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 “Date Night”
- ↑ Natural Consequences, chapter 10
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Good Intentions, chapter 3
- ↑ Good Intentions, chapter 8
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Natural Consequences, chapter 11
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Natural Consequences, chapter 16
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Good Intentions, chapter 15
- ↑ Past Due, chapter 16
- ↑ Past Due, chapter 25
- ↑ Halloween for Life
- ↑ “Clear Communication”
- ↑ Past Due, chapter 10