Can non-unicorns see magical auras?

[Tiger]

I haven't seen anyone talk about this yet, which quite intrigues me.

From what I've seen in the show, they don't seem to be able to. Or, at least Applejack and Pinkie Pie don't seem to be able to.

Remember when Twilight wanted to help Applejack out in Winter Wrap Up (S1 E11), and used her magic. Magical glowy aura was all around the thing, but Applejack didn't even notice. Only when Applejack was caught in Twilight's big, rolling snowball did she say "You used magic, didn't you!?" or something along those lines. Spike could see her horn glowing though, so it seems that the inability to see magic might only be confined to Earth Ponies.
Applejack also seemed surprised that the spool and needle floated up during the song "A True, True Friend" (S3 E13) when Rarity lifted them up with her magic.

In S2 E13 Baby Cakes, Pinkie Pie was utterly shocked by the butterfly toy flapping and flying "on its own". Given, she COULD have just been so shocked that Pumpkin Cake was already able to make things levitate with her magic. But judging from her facial expression and eye direction when she came nearer to the cot, she had only just begun to realise that the toys were floating because of Pumpkin Cake's magic.

Though, that's all I really remember. I don't remember if the pegasi could see the magic.
So, can they?

[Little Judas]

The aura around the horns and the objects is probably just so kids, you know those annoying loud beings the show was intended for,
could understand what was happening.
So by that logic, there is no such thing as an aura or not a visible one at least.
Which could be explained by the fact that the only way Spike knew Twilight was using magic
is because he is smart enough to know that she isn't strong enough to move such large objects.
Though a counter argument may be that dark magic like Sombra's was visible.
Which would lead us back to your original statement, where EP are unable to see magic.

But there might be a more... fun answer, where no one who put much thought into aura-colouration when creating an OC will get sad.
And if this is true I think you punched a hole in Magus Magic-Theory, a hole right where EP an even Pegasi should have been.

[Spencer the Pegasus Guard]

They see it using the muffin button.

[Tiger]

And if this is true I think you punched a hole in Magus Magic-Theory, a hole right where EP an even Pegasi should have been.

Might I ask what the Magus Magic-Theory is? I haven't been able to find anything about it from google-ing.

[Little Judas]

And if this is true I think you punched a hole in Magus Magic-Theory, a hole right where EP an even Pegasi should have been.

Might I ask what the Magus Magic-Theory is? I haven't been able to find anything about it from google-ing.

perhaps:

Spoiler: my theory • show

[quote author=The Wandering Magus link=topic=642.msg24964#msg24964 date=1333207537]
all types of magic are different but essentially driven by the same thing: willpower.  They are also seamlessly intertwined with pony biology; in fact, mana channels in ponies work remarkably like Chi lines in humans, affecting every part of the body and being effected by the body in turn.  Focus points of the channels differ from race to race.

For instance, the main focus point on unicorns is obviously the horn.  Although on the outside it is mostly hardened bone, it can still feel sensations of heat, and is filled with mana channels linked directly to the unicorn's neurological system.

Pegasus ponies have less obvious magic, but their focus points are clearly distributed throughout the wings.  Although their biology is generally optimized, their flight is actually predicated on their special magic aura, which creates an invisible aerodynamic shield around them and channels the wind.  This same shield is what allows them to walk on clouds or create storms and gale winds.  It is not only weather, but also to a certain extent gravity-based, and with careful training it is theoretically possible for pegasi to control gravity much as they control weather.

Earth ponies are by far the least obvious in terms of magic.  Their mana channels do not have specific focus points that I can think of, except perhaps their hooves.  They are linked intimately with the ley energies rooted in the very soil of Equestria, thus giving them access to their plant abilities.

There is crossover between the three races whenever focus points are placed differently due to genetics; for example, some unicorns are capable of flight due to vestigial wing focus points left over from pegasus ancestry.  Some pegasi have focus points on their hooves, linking them with the ley energies and thus with the earth.

Now biologically, the mana channels within the body are most concentrated in organs called mana glands.  These glands contain pockets of concentrate mana surrounded by cells which purify the substance.  Small resonance channels act like tiny biological pumps, bringing mana into magic resonance coils which interact with the aether of the Equestrian atmosphere.  When these coils resonate together, they create the magic fields which in turn create the observable effects, such as giving off electromagnetic waves.

Unicorn horns are comprised of a thick bundle of nerves called a horn chord with mana channels and blood vessels surrounding it and branching out into a biological array of mana glands.  Marrow insulates and protects the glands and chord from damage and excessive vibration.  Near the base of the horn are pheremone glands linked to some of the mana channels leading to a small opening at the tip of the horn.  These sensitive constructs are surrounded in turn by the bony horn itself, which being hard layers of dead cells has no nerves or blood vessels to damage.  Due to varying thickness along its length however, valleys in the horn and especially the base and tip of the horn can be sensitive to vibration and temperature differences.

Pegasus wings themselves are mostly similar to a mix between bird and bat wings; three "finger feather" bone structures extend from the wrist joint along with tendons connected to muscles at the base of the elbow joint on the wing.  These "finger feather" bones are crucial to pegasus magic.  The structure is similar to unicorn horns: a core bundle of nerves, blood vessels and mana channels with mana glands branching out from it, surrounded by protective marrow and sheathed in bone.  Unlike unicorn horns, however, the bones here are covered with two additional layers of flesh- a layer of blood vessel-dense spongy tissue, and a layer of nerve-dense skin, which are then connected to the less sensitive skin stretching between "finger feathers" and the arm.  These sensitive areas are protected by layers of down and rigid bony feathers.  When stimulated in particular manners, the spongy tissue fills with blood, causing the wings to involuntarily flare and the protective feathers to rise, exposing the sensitive down and skin beneath in a vestigial courting display.

Earth pony mana focus points are as of yet unknown, but are believed to contain similar constructs of mana channels and glands.

More from RAoM RP:
"Correct.  All magic, regardless of origin, is fundamentally based on mana, the massless substance which permeates every single part of the universe.  Let's start with a little history lesson."

Images of ancient magic researchers appeared around the room.

"Until recently, the specialized magics of different living things such as griffons, zebras and ponies have long been regarded as entirely separate phenomena which had no relation whatsoever with each other.  To that end, countless journals and manuscripts have been written detailing the specific properties of each field, but never comparing results or attempting to explain some overarching principle.  Alchemy, for example, would have been considered completely self-contained, and no amount of persuasion would have convinced a weather pony that it had any similarity at all beyond superficial points with weather magic."

An illusion of the familiar steam train appeared.

"It was during the transitional period of Equestria, around the time the Trans-Equestrian Railway was first being built, that my father, Lightning Scroll, a professor at the Royal Academy of Magic, postulated that all magic, regardless of origin, was fundamentally the same.  It took quite a number of years, but eventually research showed that any and all forms of magic could be effectively analyzed, predicted, and quantified using very specific equations."

"Thaum was the conventional means of quantifying magic in Classical Magic Studies, yes.  There were also Resons, Primes, and other systems of measurement.  However, most recently it has been discovered that the most accurate means of quantifying what we perceive as magic is by Magitrons, each of which is approximately 3.189 x 10^-32 milliPrimes.  That would be about 2.10 x 10^-53 Thaums for those of you who prefer using the more traditional system.  The reason for the shift is fundamental to the understanding of modern Magitronics and Inter-Magical Forces."

An image of a Thaum appeared, with the rapidly vibrating Resons within.

"Now, the traditional model up until a few decades ago stated that Resons were the smallest building blocks of Magic.  However, study has shown that individual Resons themselves are further separable into individual Magitrons.  Each magitron has only two states, In and Out.  Each Reson is composed of approximately twenty magitrons, which determine the 'flavor' of the Reson by their state."

Images of infinitesimally small particles appeared inside each darting Reson.

"Now, due to the nature of Inter-Magical Forces, every single spell, every single bit of magic in the universe, can be predicted through six simple equations which determine the state of the magitron."

The six Scroll Equations appeared.

"As usual, variables in the equation can be denoted by either the letters of the modern Equestrian alphabet or Ancient Equestrian.  Quantities here are expressed in the Modern system rather than the Traditional system, for reasons that will soon become clear."

"In summary of what we've learned so far, magic is fundamentally composed of and guided by the states of magitrons, infintesimally small particles of zero mass which exist only in two states.  The state and properties of these magitrons can be found through the six Scroll Equations."

"It turns out that the properties of magitrons are dependent on their states, but that their states can indeed be affected by the states and properties of nearby magitrons.  These magitrons, then, create very specific quantifiable effects on their surroundings, by the generation of Spell Fields.  An individual magitron of magical energy mu travelling at a speed v in one direction creates a Spell Field whose direction is clockwise around the direction of the velocity vector of a magnitude given by the first Scroll Equation."

The appropriate equation lit up.

"These Spell Fields, which occur naturally in magnitudes too small to affect any save the tiniest particles, such as nearby magitrons, are the basis of all spells and magic effects.  To illustrate, let's briefly take a look at the microscopic properties of potions."

An image of a bottle of generic toothache potion floated to the center.

"In potions, for instance, solutions and mixtures of various substances create minute channels of magitrons all clumped together inside the particles which make up the alchemical components.  Without going into too much detail, the net effect of the interacting Spell Fields is to alter and interact with specific organic compounds, cells and substances within range of the potion in specific manners determined on a macroscopic scale by the components and on a microscopic scale by the behavior of the individual magitrons in relation to each other as defined by the Scroll Equations."

"Another example of the power of the Spell Fields of a large number of magitrons interacting with each other may be seen in Unicorn and Pegasus abilities.  The actual effects themselves have long been observed and examined on a macroscopic scale, most notably by the quantification of the magical energy necessary for each spell by the traditional methodology, but the microscopic interactions have never been fully understood until now."

The figures "zoomed in" to tiny coils and glands inside the wing and horn.

"As you all probably know or will learn in Biology, wings and horns in ponies and other magical creatures contain specialized mana glands which concentrate the mana absorbed through food and breathing before channeling the substance into resonance coils.  Now it is at these coils that the overlap between biology and Magitronic theory occurs."

The zoom closed in on the coils and stopped.  The illustration of swirling mana coursing along through the coils made a soft noise like flowing water, although in actuality the noise was just to help illustrate the concept of mana flow.

"Traditionally, it was thought that the mana being channelled was somehow dependent on the biology of the wielder, as previously stated.  In simpler terms, the magic, or so it was thought, was completely different due to being a unicorn or a pegasus.  But according to Magitronic Theory, all Magic must be fundamentally the same.  How to solve this apparent contradiction?"

Vector fields with thousands of tiny arrows pointing in a circular motion around the coils appear, along with magnifications illustrating the individual magitrons flowing through, their state denoted by a small up or down symbol.

"The solution lies in the discovery that the specific Spell Fields produced, and their resonance, are directly proportional to the ratio of the two possible states of the magitrons being channelled.  That proportionality is found to be precisely as stated in the Second Scroll Equation."

The equation glowed.

"Now, when the specific Spell Fields within the coils are produced, they create a sort of push-pull action on neighboring fields.  The magnitude of the effect is related to the frequency, and when multiple fields oscillate at a specific frequency, a resonance fields is produced.  These fields in turn affect neighboring fields, and the net effect may be observed as a macroscopic Magic Field.  Depending on the states of the magitrons as mentioned before, the Magic Fields may then manifest physically as flame, antigravitational force, or other observable effects."

"The frequency, and the resonance, are directly proportional to the ratio of the two possible states of the magitrons being channeled, as predicted by the Second Scroll Equation.  The transfer is similar, but not exactly the same; perhaps the best way of describing the transfer is by relating it to the constructive and resonant interference between electromagnetic waves, such as in light amplification through the stimulated emission of radiation, or the resonant transfer of electrical energy across large distances through specifically shaped coils," replied Feather.

"Now, before we get to amplification, let's first discuss efficiency.  The process of converting magical energy to physical effect is not always entirely efficient.  In fact, it has been discovered that it is impossible within the limits of our world to have 100% efficiency.  I say 'within the limits of our world' because beyond our world there exist entities which do in fact have 100% efficiency or greater..."

He coughed, somewhat embarrassed.

"...but the study of such creatures is both beyond the scope of this course and currently prohibited by Equestrian law to anypony not bearing a research licence.  Returning to the subject at hoof, however, the result of this inefficiency is the conversion of some of the magical energy into physical energy, whether that be in the form of heat, light, or a force pushing a unicorn into the ground."

He lifted a pen with telekinesis to demonstrate the light and sound surrounding his horn, then replaced it on the table and brought up an image of a spell matrix.

"You may be wondering what any of this has to do with magitronics.  In fact, Spell Matrices were originally designed specifically to attempt to increase the efficiency of spells to the known limit.  It has long been known that imbuing certain materials, such as jade or onyx, with magical energy, generates a flow of mana.  It was also known that then placing said materials in specific patterns could create effects on spells.  I'm sure Mr. Nova and Mr. Disk, our Summoning and Dark Magic professors, are quite familiar with geometric magic of this form."

He nodded to Nova and smiled absently at Ryo.

"What was not known was that when placed together in specific patterns predicted by the Third Scroll Equation, these "runestones" were actually capable of changing the state of the moving magitrons.  By very carefully connecting or placing these runestones in specific formations, then, it was theoretically possible to convert one type of magic to another, generate spells, or, most importantly, amplify the power of spells, answering your question from earlier, Mr. Nova."

The Third Scroll Equation, a complex formula involving gradients, partial derivatives and various preexisting constants, came to the front and glowed clearly.

"As you can all see, it turns out that the preciseness, efficiency, power and complexity of a spell matrix are all directly related to each other as well.  This should not be surprising, since more complex matrices will have more points at which energy loss is possible, an imprecise matrix is prone to be inefficient, and inefficient matrices tend not to be as powerful as efficient ones."

To illustrate, an image of a simple spell matrix appeared, then separated into several alternatives, each demonstrating the relationships between the variables denoting efficiency, preciseness, power and complexity, as well as planes which measured the gradient of the three-dimensional surfaces of the matrix to denote the locations of runestones.

"One interesting phenomenon that has been observed during the development of Magitronic research was the fact that Magic Fields themselves were capable of a sort of 'resonance' similar to that of Spell Fields.  This discovery led directly to the modern understanding of Magitronics, whereby actual Inter-Magical Forces, or effects of particular Magic, Spell and Resonance Fields on each other and on the state of magitrons, are utilized to create powerful macroscopic effects.  Thus, it is indeed possible to amplify the power of an original spell or create a similar effect many more times as powerful with the same amount of mana.  It is, of course, possible to leech power from other sources... but that is another topic entirely, probably related to Binding or Summoning magic, I would assume.  As for manipulating magitrons from a distance, the first two equations show the relationship between field strength and distance."

He pointed to the distance variable in the First and Second Scroll Equations.

"Now it must be stated that the concept of a Spell Matrix is not strictly a modern invention, as Mr. Disk and Mr. Nova can probably tell you.  Indeed, official statements released by the Royal Court reveal that the binding spells which froze Discord and sealed Nightmare Moon were, in the most basic sense of the term, Spell Matrices.  That is, they utilized multiple spells interacting with each other to create a net effect greater than would normally be possible given an equivalent amount of mana.  Many seals and bindings are in fact of this nature.  Now at the risk of starting an inter-department argument, I would have to say that the key difference between the modern Spell Matrix and these ancient though very effective traditional matrices is that modern magitronic spell matrices are a direct result of our analytical understanding of the basic principles of magic rather than divine knowledge, oral tradition, trial and error, or idealized macroscopic equations.  That is, rather than creating an ideal model which works within the specific parameters of the everyday world and breaks down at extremely small or extremely large levels and complexities, Inter-Magical Forces examines the minute interactions on a scale much, much smaller than ordinarily perceivable and thus is that much more accurate when brought up to the large scale, all credit to other fields of magic, of course."
[/spoiler]
[/quote]
If you have an evening...
It's worth reading into.

But if you don't have time, to summarize,

Mana (aka Magic) flows through unicorn and focusses itself in the horn.
but it flows through Pegasi and Earth Ponies too with as focus points respectively their wings and an unknown body part presumably hooves.

--> my own interpretation on both theories:
This would mean that every race of ponies is magic and thus can see magic happening.
This being said with the idea that the change of focus point does not change the essence that is Mana.
But then again, if all are magic how come the magic of Pegasi and EP does not result in an aura?

[Tiger]

She does have a point there, about the Pegasi and Earth Ponies with passive magic.
Then again, their magic is not the same. What if the magical auras of unicorns can only be seen by those of the same race, because it is a different type of magic from the EPs and Pegasi?

...This would mean that our cameraman is a unicorn 

[Blues-Music]

I think the surprising thing is them is the kind of magic. Like how in most shows if a person uses magic in front of a person that can't it still surprises them even if they clearly see a wand glowing , or anything. They do  see the aura , but don't know what spell they are casting so it surprises them to see it.

[Tiger]

I think the surprising thing is them is the kind of magic. Like how in most shows if a person uses magic in front of a person that can't it still surprises them even if they clearly see a wand glowing , or anything. They do  see the aura , but don't know what spell they are casting so it surprises them to see it.

Can't be plausible since Applejack didn't know that Twilight was using magic in Winter Wrap Up until she was in that rolling ball of snow. If she had seen the aura, she would've known, but she didn't.

[Blues-Music]

Well yeah , but we can't be 100% sure. I could just make up a lousy excuse like she wasn't focusing. Either way I have no opinion on this. I'm fine with both possibilities.

[The Wandering Magus]

rule of perception http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RuleOfPerception

same reason that lasers are red lines and fast ponies make dust clouds.  also helpful for the audience to tell who is controlling what (multiple unicorns, multiple auras).

pegasi don't need a "glow" because it's self-explanatory: flap wing, body levitates, or wind lines appear that travel directly to wherever they want the tornado etc.  unicorns do, because just waving their horn isn't explanatory enough.

[The_Soarin]

First post

Reading over all of the thoughts maybe the reason they don't see the aura is because they don't recognize it as a sign of magic. Applejack was brought up on a apple farm all her life with EP's. And Pinkie was brought up on a rock farm with EP's. Maybe the reason they don't see it is because they don't realize it is a sign of magic.

Edit:
Ponyville was also started up by EP's so everything was done by hoof and not by magic (and pretty much everything still is done by hoof). The only time I ever recall any unicorns doing magic in public is Trixie. As for the pegasi, Cloudsdale has only pegasi and no unicorns so it would also be normal for them to not be able to recognize the aura.

[ArtVeigar]

First post

Reading over all of the thoughts maybe the reason they don't see the aura is because they don't recognize it as a sign of magic. Applejack was brought up on a apple farm all her life with EP's. And Pinkie was brought up on a rock farm with EP's. Maybe the reason they don't see it is because they don't realize it is a sign of magic.

Edit:
Ponyville was also started up by EP's so everything was done by hoof and not by magic (and pretty much everything still is done by hoof). The only time I ever recall any unicorns doing magic in public is Trixie. As for the pegasi, Cloudsdale has only pegasi and no unicorns so it would also be normal for them to not be able to recognize the aura.

The problem with this is that, even if they didn't knew it was magic, in the case of Applejack at the Winter Wrap Up, I think she would see that the glowing aura appeared only over Twi's cart and be smart enough to connect the dots. And having two unicorns as best friends, she should be already used to it.

[Asterian Starfall]

I haven't seen anyone talk about this yet, which quite intrigues me.

From what I've seen in the show, they don't seem to be able to. Or, at least Applejack and Pinkie Pie don't seem to be able to.

Remember when Twilight wanted to help Applejack out in Winter Wrap Up (S1 E11), and used her magic. Magical glowy aura was all around the thing, but Applejack didn't even notice.
So, can they?

I think they would be able to see it, but I think it's so subtle and happens so often in their day-to-day life they don't really notice it. It's like clouds in the sky; you're so accustomed to them being there you rarely even notice them.

[Tiger]

I think they would be able to see it, but I think it's so subtle and happens so often in their day-to-day life they don't really notice it. It's like clouds in the sky; you're so accustomed to them being there you rarely even notice them.

The glowing auras only happen when unicorns use their magic, but clouds just appear all the time. The Earth Ponies would sooner or later realise that the unicorns were producing the glowing auras and link it to magic. That is, if they CAN see the magical auras.

[Asterian Starfall]

I think they would be able to see it, but I think it's so subtle and happens so often in their day-to-day life they don't really notice it.

The glowing auras only happen when unicorns use their magic, but clouds just appear all the time. The Earth Ponies would sooner or later realise that the unicorns were producing the glowing auras and link it to magic. That is, if they CAN see the magical auras.

I was just saying they can see it; they probably just don't notice it because it happens so often they don't even give it a second glance.

For instance, you wouldn't stare at a car on the freeway because a car on the freeway is so natural and so integrated into our daily life it just becomes something called "static stimuli". Static stimuli is something that your brain is used to processing, so it does it automatically without you even thinking about it or realizing it.

In the same way, a unicorn's aura is static stimuli for earth ponies and pegasi.

[ArtVeigar]

But when you don't expect something to happen, it draws attention. If you are in a desert road and, from nowhere, a car appear, you will notice and stare at it. At Winter Wrap Up, in a farm full of earth ponies, there weren't supposed to be any form of magic. And AJ was already staring at Twilight, wondering what a little unicorn could do in that situation, and amazed by the fact that she was able to move something supposedly heavy. It would be impossible to not notice the glow in that situation if it was as visible for them as it is for us.

[Asterian Starfall]

But when you don't expect something to happen, it draws attention. If you are in a desert road and, from nowhere, a car appear, you will notice and stare at it. At Winter Wrap Up, in a farm full of earth ponies, there weren't supposed to be any form of magic. And AJ was already staring at Twilight, wondering what a little unicorn could do in that situation, and amazed by the fact that she was able to move something supposedly heavy. It would be impossible to not notice the glow in that situation if it was as visible for them as it is for us.

Again, static stimuli. Static stimuli can be right in front of you and you not notice until somepony else points it out.

Example:
How many letters are in this sentence?
That was a little unexpected...
Thirty-one. Odds are you wouldn't even think about that unless I pointed it out, but you know that there are thirty-one letters in that sentence by heart. You just don't realize it because it's become a part of daily life, and even if it's unexpected at times. That's all I'm saying; it's not that they are unable to see it; they just likely don't because they're so used to it.

EDIT: Okay, that wasn't the best example, but this should do it.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3223/2706672799_963ccc5ac0_o.jpg
See if you can spot the Navy SEALs hiding in this photo.
This time you're prepared for what's coming up and you know what you're looking for: guys in camoflague suits. But the reason you don't notice them isn't because your eyes don't recognize camo (if you've never seen camoflague before, what are you?), but it's because nopony has pointed out where they're hiding and you have limited data on where they are. You're trying to look at the big picture. Your brain's attention works light a two-mode spotlight: It can focus on one object at a time with excruciating detail, or it can focus on multiple things at once, but when it does that, you're more likely to miss things. Applejack was overseeing an entire team, so it's likely she could only glance at Twilight, and if Brain Games' research is any indication, people (and by extension ponies) have a limited attention span.
(For laughs one of them is hiding behind a tree in the center, you can see his arm if you look closely.)

[Tiger]

I wouldn't even be bothering about how many letters there are in a sentence.

I think I lean more to ArtVeigar's side. What if you're stranded on some island, and suddenly you see a wild cat/dog there? It's something common in normal life (or at least in my country), but not something you'd expect on an island.

Let's take a road. We see cars driving on it. We don't particularly care about the cars, but we DO know they're there.

Even with this thing called "static stimuli", I don't understand how AJ would be unable to notice the huge glowing aura all around the cart. It would be a bit ridiculous if she wasn't going to notice it.

[Asterian Starfall]

Allow me to show you what I mean when I say multiple things can happen and you won't notice them all.

Spoiler: show

In the same way, Applejack was busy watching everypony else, even if it was just out of the corner of her eye. She was staring right at Twilight but she didn't see the aura, similarly to how you stared straight at the penguin and brain and didn't see it. Yes there was a brain.

So... My opinion is just that: It's not that they have an inability to see the aura, they just don't because they're so accustomed to seeing it.

[ArtVeigar]

One thing is to have an unexpected thing happening outside your focus area. I was paying attention to the circles, so I didn't see the penguin. But AJ even comments "She is awful strong for such a little pony", and was paying attention to her all the time. Spike was able to see it, but he seemed to notice the glow of her horn only. That AJ could have missed, but not the big glow around all the thing.