How we cite our quotes: (Book.Chapter.Paragraph.)
Quote #4
She was not a serious witch like her sister Morgan le Fay—for her head was too empty to take any great art seriously, even if it were the Black one. She was doing it because the little magics ran in her blood—as they did with all the women of her race. (Q.1.52).
White distinguishes between greater and lesser varieties of magic, and also notes that certain races are more attuned to magical frequencies than are others. So, the women of the North—the Old Ones—like Morgause here, are more adept at magic than others.
Quote #5
[T]here came a magic barge from over the water, a barge draped with white samite, mystic, wonderful, and it made a music of its own accord as its keel passed through the waves. Inside it there were three knights and a seasick brachet. Anything less suitable than these to the tradition of the Gaelic world, it would have been impossible to imagine. (Q.5.60)
These novels are just lousy with magical ships, barges, canoes—you name it. If it sails, there's bound to be a magical version of it somewhere in these pages. But seriously: the first magical barge we see shows how magic and adventure can be linked. Good knights don't turn down an adventure, even if they have a hot lady they're trying to chat up (like King Pellinore). So, Pellinore, Sir Palomides, and Sir Grummore—along with Pellinore's trusty brachet—all hop into the barge and set sail for... who knows. They end up in Orkney.
Quote #6
"Now," says she, "I could make the ship be struck against the coast." "You could not do that," says the father. "Well, look at me now," says the little girl, and jumped into the well. The ship was dashed against the coast and broken into a thousand pieces. "Who has taught you to do these things?" asked the father. "My mother. And when you do be at working she teaches me to do things with the Tub at home." (Q.7.48).
One of the patterns in White's novels is that magic is passed down from mothers to daughters, or among sisters. Like with the Beautiful Cornwall Girls. So, in a way magic is largely a feminine realm, since Merlyn seems to be the only male practitioner.