There's basically two types of magic in Eorzea, each with a specialization.
First, you have Thaumaturgy and it's specialization, Black Magic. Then you have Conjury, and it's specialization of White Magic.
Now, Conjury is all about communing with the elements themselves. Conjurers draw Aether (Eorzea's lifeblood, essentially) from the air around them using a staff or a wand, and then use that aether to cast spells or healing magic.
Thaumaturgy, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. They use mediums, such a scepters and staves, to draw Aether from within their own bodies. They harness their own energy and channel that through their medium of choice to cast magic.
Lastly, mana. You'll honestly get a few different opinions on this most likely. Some feel that mana is just a representation of mental fortitude. The longer you cast, the more mentally drained you find yourself until you reach a point where you simply cannot cast any more and need time to recharge.
Then there are people who believe mana is a form of energy that is simply drained as you cast spells and needs to recover over time.
Edit: Here's some actual quotes.
"Conjury calls upon the elements of earth, wind, and water and concentrates them to a potency at which spells can be weaved. Through practiced meditation on the essences of creation, conjurers draw forth and absorb aether from their immediate surroundings. A wand or cane made from unworked wood is then utilized to focus the aether until it manifests as the desired spell.
Versed also in magicks that restore and strengthen, conjurers are regarded as accomplished healers."
First, you have Thaumaturgy and it's specialization, Black Magic. Then you have Conjury, and it's specialization of White Magic.
Now, Conjury is all about communing with the elements themselves. Conjurers draw Aether (Eorzea's lifeblood, essentially) from the air around them using a staff or a wand, and then use that aether to cast spells or healing magic.
Thaumaturgy, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. They use mediums, such a scepters and staves, to draw Aether from within their own bodies. They harness their own energy and channel that through their medium of choice to cast magic.
Lastly, mana. You'll honestly get a few different opinions on this most likely. Some feel that mana is just a representation of mental fortitude. The longer you cast, the more mentally drained you find yourself until you reach a point where you simply cannot cast any more and need time to recharge.
Then there are people who believe mana is a form of energy that is simply drained as you cast spells and needs to recover over time.
Edit: Here's some actual quotes.
Conjury
"Conjury calls upon the elements of earth, wind, and water and concentrates them to a potency at which spells can be weaved. Through practiced meditation on the essences of creation, conjurers draw forth and absorb aether from their immediate surroundings. A wand or cane made from unworked wood is then utilized to focus the aether until it manifests as the desired spell.
Versed also in magicks that restore and strengthen, conjurers are regarded as accomplished healers."
Thaumaturgy
"In the hands of a skilled practitioner, thaumaturgy can be a force of terrifying destruction. At the heart of this school of magic lies the ability to call forth and command the latent aether within oneself through deep introspection.
To then mold that aether into sorcery, the thaumaturge makes use of a scepter or staff, within which is housed a medium—a natural stone imbued with magical properties. Thus armed, the thaumaturge is capable of wreaking considerable havoc via ruinous spells and curses."
"In the hands of a skilled practitioner, thaumaturgy can be a force of terrifying destruction. At the heart of this school of magic lies the ability to call forth and command the latent aether within oneself through deep introspection.
To then mold that aether into sorcery, the thaumaturge makes use of a scepter or staff, within which is housed a medium—a natural stone imbued with magical properties. Thus armed, the thaumaturge is capable of wreaking considerable havoc via ruinous spells and curses."