Spellbound: Why we are drawn to magic

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merrymuhsman

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Please enjoy this guest post from Vanessa Finaughty!

A considerable portion of the world’s population is drawn to magic, be it in the form of stage magic, wizards and the like in fantasy worlds, or real-world magic such as using affirmations or the Law of Attraction or in spiritual practices, to name but a few. It’s not all ‘one personality type’ or people with the same beliefs, either – those who appreciate magic are often complete opposites, for example, the superstitious and the sceptical.

What is it about magic that draws so many different people from all walks of life? Here’s what I think…

Magic appeals to the sense of wonder we all like to experience as we feed our curious nature and our inherent desire to be privy to something extraordinary and seemingly inexplicable.

Magic allows us to escape reality as we suspend disbelief for a little while. Who hasn’t imagined, even once, having the ability of telekinesis, teleportation, invisibility or some other magical power? This brief escapism is excellent stress relief.

Magic makes us feel – from surprise, awe and amazement to amusement and a range of other fulfilling emotions in between.

Magic is entertaining. Whether it’s a magic show, a real-world mystery or a fictional power like that of the Charmed witches, magic is versatile and tends to leave a lasting impression.

Magic stimulates the imagination and the ability to solve problems creatively, which can be quite useful at times.

A belief in magic can give us strength and hope during difficult times. Belief in a higher power – be it related to religion, spiritualism or a belief in the energy all around us, or even the temporary ‘belief’ required to enjoy a fantasy movie or book – can offer a profound, potent motivation to get through the tough times. It can be extremely comforting and even give us some sense of control over our lives.

I think humanity’s attraction to the mysteries of magic will be as eternal as anything can be in this world.

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About the author

Vanessa Finaughty is a multi-genre author who has published more than 20 books, including school books published by Oxford University Press Southern Africa. Vanessa grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, and still lives there with her husband and their four children (two human and two furry, four-legged).

Vanessa has always been passionate about books, and knew from a young age that she wanted to write them one day. She loves animals, coffee and the smell of wet grass, and hates excessive weather, long queues and liars. Her interests include reading, photography, the supernatural, mythology, aliens and outer space, ancient history, life’s mysteries and martial arts, in which she has five years’ experience in Ki Aikido.

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Hello,

I’m Merry

Born and raised in Nebraska, Merry Muhsman is a fantasy writer, a nonfiction writer, and a flash fiction writer. Merry lives on a farm with her husband and son, a dog and lots of cats.

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