The whole world always knew of the four major elements that make the world. Earth, Fire, Air and water. Though lost to the knowledge of the normal humans (A.K.A. Eaters) the Fifth element has always existed. The Fifth element being the spirit. One cannot be truly connected to everything without having spirit. The pentagram have five points and that is why we see it used for alot of spells that require circles and sigyls. The world has lost its connection to their spirit. So most magic is lost.

Birch bark, a very common bark in the northe American continent, has been often utilized in instances to remove negative energy or even excorsice evil spirits. The knowledge of the Birch bark being burned predates written knowledges in many cultures, being one of the fun real factoids about AWL universe. The idea being it gives a white or grey smoke, is telling you supposedly if there is need for it to be burned. Utilized in similar instances as sage,lemon grass and other spiritual cleansers.

There always was an age where a witch would discover her magic. The prime age when raised in a family of witches is when they turn sixteen. As that is when the nature of their magic reveals itself. Little do most witches know, is they only age in accordance to how specific events of the moon occur to times of magical use. In instances such as the war of the pink moon, it can cause time to slow for witches, or even speed up the process of aging, depending on the nature of witch.

The War Of The Pink Moon happened when our protagonist, Annie, is merely three years of age, the War lasting several years. The War occurred during a Pink supermoon of which had impacted all witches in that timeline, they would no longer age like humans when the war would end. If Annie was to Survive, it would mean their chance of redemption as the Crescents Of Night. Though Asphodel made Granduos efforts to change the outcome, it inevitably was futile. She only could wait for Annie to age.