About the magic in this world, does it work like an energy (to build on your breating analogy, eg. stamina allowing breathing to occur) or is it a process (eg. inhale from the mouth, exhale from the nose)? I ask this to know if a persons magical prowess is limited by their individual innate magical reserve or their knowledge on how to perform the magic (whether they can learn or not), so does it depend on how big your lungs are or your breathing techniques?
After typing that, I realised.... por que no los dos! 

Edit: Does magic come from within the individual or from the natural magically saturated environment? Which ties back with
[quote=Nemaisare]
Like say.... A tree. Could a tree theoretically use magic? Insofar as I know, a tree does not have any sentience as we'd recognise it, but they can, and will, develop natural defenses. Could an ordinary tree, over the course of time and a few generations, develop defenses (or seed spreading tactics) that utilise this magic in much the same way as a redwood has thick bark against fire or an acacia has thorns against browsers? 
[/quote]

I hope you understand why I ask about these limits. What's stopping a Theon Vilicus from putting a magical aneurysm in Ned D'Cerf's brain the minute they see each other?
And also, will children be magicking like in Harry Potter? Able to have emotional magical outbursts? Do adults naturally get better at focusing their magic or do they require training in a Hogwarts? 

The problem with magical societies is that they dont have many natural barriers to getting what they need to live. With no limits, they can magic food, shelter, clothes, whatever. Unless all witches are evil and bloodthirsty, there seems to be no motivation for the killing and the fighting. I.e. if they lose farmland, no probs, move to a new area, magic the land to grow food. If they lose a castle, no probs, magic one from any material you can find. The idea of power in society is usually related to controlling something that everyone around you want or need or desire. But magic takes out the strife which fuels the desire or need for anything. If everyone was magical, youd imagine a society like the Elfes in The Lord of the Rings.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that, I'm really interested :) This sounds interesting :nat