Harry Potter spells that Gen Z swears by and why they actually work

Harry Potter spells are currently crutches for feeling. They're not just words; they allow the demographic self-identifying as "Gen Z" to explain the messiness of life in ways nothing else can. J.K. Rowling may not have foreseen her spells becoming an emotional shorthand for an entire generation, but it is not the first time that it has happened. Ever wish you had a Time-Turner when deadlines are piling up? My friend, whom we'll call Janna,says "Expecto Patronum" before work interviews. "If Harry can handle dementors, I can handle recruiters." She had three interviews last week and sent me her "Patronus count." The nervousness was overwhelming, but for some strange reason, spells make it more manageable. Here are other ways people are integrating magic into self-care.

Digital Lumos: Spells in daily life

TikTok is filled with people yelling "Riddikulus!" over their failures. It's not just a boggart-repellent charm—it's survival. "Protego!" Bad vibes once more? Expelliarmus! Reducing difficulties to spells makes them small, on the cusp of comical.

Smartphones are sort of magic wands these days. It seems you can snap your fingers and meals materialize, rides materialize, even job prospects.

Kim Schneiderman L.C.S.W., M.S.W, psychotherapist, explains Harry Potter spell as the power of positive thinking. To post, "I need an Obliviate" isn't actually forgetting, it's "Today was bad. Forget about it." Magic of Hogwarts, on or off the internet.

Hogwarts to Healing

Hard emotions are reduced to something slightly more manageable by spells. "Reparo" after heartbreak. "Expelliarmus" for toxins. Even used metaphorically, magic makes life less complicated.

I once had a terrible day—I missed deadlines and was broke and burned out. Frustrated, I stood in my house, flailed my pen like a magic wand, and yelled, "RIDDIKULUS!" at my bills. Did they vanish into thin air? Nope. Did I feel somewhat less frustrated? Yeah. Sometimes, humor is its own kind of magic. (Although my bestie totally thought I was losing it.)

Besides humor, these spells contain something more—hope. "Wingardium Leviosa" is not just levitation. it's flying above yourself. "Lumos" is noticing the light in the dark. Even if the magic doesn't work, the reassurance does.

Find Your Wand

What spell do you need right now?

Potter will not solve real problems, but it gives us terms to use to describe them, a way to laugh about them, and the reminder that even the hardest of days can be a tiny bit magical.

Next time the world gets overwhelming, try some magic. Hold your pen as a wand. Hold your breath. Centered your mind. Whisper the spell you need. And eat a chocolate frog. Chocolate is good for you always. Ask Lupin. Trust me IT WORKS