To read the official explanation of Tresum gives the illusion of the craft being a bona fide system of magical practice which lends itself to making it believable in the storyline and whetting viewers’ appetites to learn more of the mysteries. But, to be sure, it is an invented form of witchcraft that draws its inspiration from many sources including modern pagan beliefs such as Wicca, folklore and Hollywood’s classic interpretation of witches and witchcraft.

If you are looking to learn how to practice Tresum, look elsewhere. As depicted in the storyline the craft harnesses tremendous powers for spells, curses and other forms of control that rob a person of their free will. In the real world this form of magic cannot be practiced without dire consequences, but makes for great television viewing. But what is true in both realms is that it is how an individual wields the power that matters.

Aside from curses, spells, control over others, being immortal and dematerializing at will, there are similarities between Tresum and Wicca. So much so that an uniformed individual may wonder if Tresum is real or not. Adding to the realism was Grace’s initial snobbish reaction to Van. More prevalent in the past but still found today is this attitude in Wicca where certain paths tend to look down on self-initiated individuals who work as solitary witches rather than being born into it or initiated into a coven.

Modern witches also observe solstices (equinoxes and four other festivals), harness the power of herbs, work with the elements (earth, air, fire, water) and see the Sun as god and the Moon as goddess. Whereas Tresum appears, as it has thus far been revealed to us, to be solely concerned with amassing power and control, modern witchcraft practice is intent on harnessing the power within yourself to effect positive change.

Related
Tresum 101