Gandalf was a maiar, despite being in mortal form. There may be a difference between proper magic and enchantments that allows the blades of the barrow-downs to be embued with special properties. In tLotR there are quite a few instances of mortal/immortal men who can use, or claim to use sorcery. The Witch-King and the Mouth of Sauron spring immediatly to mind.
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Fearlessness is better than a faint-heart for any man who puts his nose out of doors. The length of my life and the day of my death were fated long ago.
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