I went online to dictionary.com and pulled three definitions for the word “magic.”
The art of producing illusions as entertainment by the use of sleight of hand, deceptive devices, etc., conjuring.
To pull a rabbit out of a hat by magic.
The art of producing a desired effect or result through the use of incantation or various other techniques that presumably assure human control of supernatural agencies or the forces of nature.
Any extraordinary or mystical influence, charm, power, etc.
The magic in a great name; the magic of music; the magic of spring.
The first definition is the one that most people think of when the word is used. The second is what people think storybook witches and wizards do and the third, a great way of using the word when talking about marvelous things in life.
I am going to toss out definition number one because, while valid, it just isn’t the kind of magic I want to discuss.
Let’s look at the second one. Any good witch can tell you, it isn’t the incantation of other techniques that assure the desired outcome, that’s all for effect. It might even be called “fluff.” What does create the desired results is what is happening in the mind as well as the energy applied and even then, controlling the forces of nature is no easy feat! And my magic is never about controlling supernatural agencies. I am not even sure what they mean by that. Is it our goddesses, spirits, our ancestors? I am not sure, but attempting control is not a good idea in any case!
My favorite definition is the last one, not the definition itself, but the actual joy of experiencing magic.
When I was a little girl, I was fascinated by snakes and lizards and yes, even bugs. The idea that a snake sheds its skin was an amazing thing. I would often find those skins after the snake shed it. That was magic in my little girl mind.
When I would come home from playing in the mountains, which I was forbidden to do, it was always magic to me that my mother always seemed to know I had been there. In reality she could smell the sagebrush on me but I didn’t know that!
When I was a the beach, the sand crabs I could scoop up in my hands were magic to me. How could they possibly live under that sand in the water as well? I would scoop them up and then watch them bury themselves back where they came from. Amazing! Magic!
Even as a child I found the sun setting over the Pacific a most magical happening. This giant red ball, so brilliant the whole sky would follow suit and turn red as it lowered itself into the far distant water. That surely is where my child mind thought it was going. Magic!
As a teenager I would drive into town on Sunday mornings to go to church. I would always go early so that I could sit on the boulders overlooking the ocean far below me the waves would crash at the base of those boulders sending spray all the way to the top, the smell, salty and fresh. Magic!
My first child was born when I was twenty, after an easy labor. When I looked into his eyes for the first time, this beautiful little boy, all his fingers and toes perfect. Magic!
All my life I have loved trees. It amazes me how a tree can speak to us if we just listen. Magic!
There are so many other things I could share here about my experiences with magic. Lately I have been having many synchronous events. People met, connections made. Magic!
Here’s my point …. Don’t ever let anyone ever tell you there is no such thing as magic!
Watcher
Watcher sits just behind my left shoulder,
His disdainful look ever with me.
I asked him once what I could do to make his job easier
And he declared quite vehemently, “open your eyes.”
Hawks see everything below them
Soaring as they do on high
Their keen eyes missing nothing
In their search for predator and prey.
Solitary creatures by nature
Territorial, sharing only with owl,
Hunting by day as owl seeks at night
Allowing no other intrusion.
Soaring majestically in your realm
You have chosen to enter mine,
Offering clear vision for what I miss
In my narrowly focused world.
It is like having an added sense,
A keen knowing beforehand,
Of what is coming
Before my poor eyes can see.
Let me take up my drum
And climb upon your back.
We’ll visit new realms on wings together
seeing with wonder the land below.
Treasured friend, bonded brother
You offer this gift of sight
You are steadfast and loyal
As you for me watch day after day.
Brother in spirit, may I be worthy
Of your loyalty and love,
For your gift of vision and clear seeing
I honor you and trust you always.
(Meet Mago Contributor) Deanne Quarrie.
Image Creative Commons Zero – CC0.
thank you!!
I loved this post… magic is a word that I have historically stayed away from using because commonly the understanding is that it pertains something supernatural -usually induced by a witch or two! And the wonders of Nature are never supernatural, they just are! I prefer mystery to describe the wonder of synchronicity, a morning sunrise, the appearance and teaching of an animal god or plant – but you use the word in a way that is meaningful to me opening new vistas, like the hawk who flies with you! Thanks Deannie
And by the way I loved the poem!
And being able to comment… I’ll never take that for granted again!
I am happy that you enjoyed it. I am a fan of your writing so your comments are even more meaningful to me.
And I am a fan of your writing so I feel the same way!
Wow! Your prose and poetry are magic! Lovely, thank you!
Dear Deanne,
Have you read ‘H is for Hawk’ by Helen McDonald? Your poem reminded me of it.
Susan
No, I haven’t read it but I will look for it!