I'm looking for a more descriptive choice of words to evoke the sense of "magic in the air", or "something in the water", something intangible, hard to place, etc, to describe a phenomenon that is ostensibly unexplainable or unplaceable, so the best explanation is attributing it to some supernatural power.
The community's unmistakably rural feel is not due to [something intangible]; it can be explained by zoning and minimum lot size regulations.
So far, the best word that gets at what I'm trying to say is "alchemy" or something along those lines: witchcraft, black magic, etc. Are there any idioms that capture this idea as well? I'm seeking either single words, or multiple word phrases. I understand that the words I've floated so far span a range of connotations; I'd welcome suggestions covering a spectrum of positive to negative connotations.
Any insight on this type of construction would be appreciated. Especially examples of similar ideas expressed in literature or common speech.