What makes it real?
Pretend Makes it Real
It’s funny how sometimes the title steps in before the rest of the story. That’s what happened with this one. I was reading mindless drivel on the news. Not news, exactly, but those tricky, sneaky advertorial headlines that want you to click on them. Anyway, it was how there was a prequel movie to Practical Magic called The Rules of Magic that was going to come out. I was interested because I watched the movie Practical Magic several times over the years and have enjoyed it every single time. I discovered that The Rules of Magic was written by Alice Hoffman and figured that I’d like to read the book Practical Magic.
Unfortunately, the news was old and word on Internet Street after delving into the matter is that although at one time HBO had some plans for it, now? Nada.
However, the books are still there.
It turns out there is a series of books in the Practical Magic Series. The first one is Practical Magic, 1995. The next books is The Rules of Magic, 2017. Then, Magic Lessons in 2021 the prequel to Practical Magic. Finally, there is The Book of Magic in 2022.
So, what caught my eye? It was about witches. I’ve held a long fascination with them. When I was a little girl, I watched Bewitched with Samantha Stevens twitching her nose and finding herself in a lot of hot water, much like Lucy Ricardo used to do on I Love Lucy. I think it was having control over a situation that appealed to me. I, who seemed to have no control at all over anything was enthralled. That’s what I wanted to do.
Unfortunately, I grew up and although I did gain control over a lot of situations, witchery was not to be. Except, when I was 35 years old, I began to channel. I remember one of the early things my spirit guide, Seth, said to me was that people would call me a witch. Other than some twit on YouTube many years ago who went off on a truly impressive rant about me, nobody has ever said that. At the time my name was Lady Skye Fyre. She said I was Lady Sky Fry. The video wasn’t up there for very long, though I wish I could see it again. It was truly impressive. I think she talked about the devil a lot too and how I was going to Hell.
I did again want to be a witch when I was going through menopause and had any number of conflicts with some machismo types. I do have a moral code and would not wish ill on anybody except the orange haired one, though I was tempted. How about a case of hives? Anyone?
There are Karmic rules in place too, and I’d probably get a case of them myself. The only advice I got from anyone in spirit was that a spell needed not only a good amount of energy or enthusiasm associated with it, but it needed to rhyme. I’m not all that great at rhyming. So, it’s just been one of those things I’ve never really gone in for.
I’ve been happy enough with things the way they are.
Except.
I am also a writer and would be tickled pink to include some witchery in a story. I know from channeling how so far away from ordinary reality it is. I also know how very close to ordinary reality channeling is. It’s what two of the books I’ve written. They are lost for now to the Norton Blowup of the other week, but I will find a way to recovery them. One was a personal teaching memoir, and the other was advice on how to learn how to channel and save money on psychics. It’s just good, down-to-earth advice that anybody can do.
At 68 years old, I know in my heart everybody is already psychic whether they know it or not. Could the same be said of witchcraft? I’m thinking it might be. Being aware of nature. Manipulating natural forces, which I have done in the past would not be much more than a stone’s throw away from witchcraft. I think.
I’ve felt the heat of Reiki healing move through my hands. I’ve seen my index finger light up under the covers much like ET’s finger lights up in the movie. Another time I saw the fizzy gray smoke of an aura come out of the same fingertip and drift away after it had reached two or three inches in length. I’ve felt the cold of spirit come and go.
Then, once when my husband and I were having an argument about something dumb, we blew up the VCR in the other room. Big Boom. Another time one of the kitchen cupboards slammed shut. Yeah, stuff like that. Once, the most awful smell of rotten eggs pervaded the room for a few seconds. That caught my attention, I can tell you.
So, the bit about what makes it real, is that it is all real. It’s a hair’s difference between real and not real. In reality, it is all real.
You just haven’t noticed it yet.
We as writers know how to bring a story to life, how to deal with characters, how to bend them to our own needs, or just play along with them.
Characters are real too. I dare you. I dare you to think about meeting with your current characters in your dreams. It will take you about three to five days of thinking often during the day that you would like to talk to them in your dreams. All you have to do is pretend it is possible. If you don’t have a story going on right now, consider that you might allow a future character to come talk to you.
As writers we have many characters who pop in and out of our consciousness. Maybe this is a character for a future book you will write. All they are going to do is pop into one of your dreams, introduce themselves and you can have a chat. It might have nothing at all to do with what you are writing. Just a visit.
I know what I’m talking about. It is because of the power of words that I can ask you to pretend. I can make that suggestion. I can allow as how it is possible. How do I know? It happens to me. Lots.
Thanks for reading.
The Links: Alice Hoffman on Amazon Practical Magic — Midnight Margaritas on YouTube