pppendages viii-xiv seven final bits ff-!!!

[A]Mirror Play

Did we say, ‘Abracadabra, let’s play?’ Have a word that makes the association with play. For a series of complicated reasons, telling a mirror that it lies serves as my current play induction. I discovered quite by accident that mirrors don’t always tell the truth. They can make us look fatter or frailer or uglier than we remember. They can probably distort in the other direction though we flow more easily with that information. I know others know this. So I decided that when the mirror distorted my appearance that I would address it directly and playfully, and see if I could call its bluff and get it to play with me. I have been quite impressed with the results. I usually end up backwardly smiling at myself. I remind myself of that part of the sleeping beauty story where the queen addresses the mirror. I think we get swept up into the rest of the story too fast. Wisdom resides in talking back to the mirror. The word “relax” preceded back-talking to the mirror. Relax works though it doesn’t address underlying distortions.

[Mirrors begat distortions begat wisdom]

[Bra]Casting the Spell#6: Talking Back to the Mirror

Notice that the mirror consistently draws attention to an aspect of the body that engages the mind in serious judgment; talk back. Take a playful lunge at the set of beliefs held in collusion with the mirror. See if the mirror can speak differently. Tease the perception in the mirror. Flirt with it. Give it a run for all it’s worth. Start to reclaim influence over the image. Notice that the world has been paradoxically trying to clue us in to mirror play. Though we haven’t been encouraged, take the reins. Take the reign. She who spoke to the mirror after all was the queen.

[charm begat attention begat perspective]

[Ca]In a recent conversation a friend described how disappointed she felt with the playing card queens. They all looked cold and distant. We looked at an old foreign deck with beautiful queens. It has always seemed that the stories we are told of mean queens hide other stories of how power takes away the feminine aspect of life in all manner. The word ‘manners’ catches my attention. Play appears here, too. We can mix up etymologies and plunge into a round of dictionary word-rivers.

[Manners begat word rivers]

[Da]Margin Game #A Dictionary Word Rivers

Create a word river by looking up a word’s etymology in the dictionary; write it down; make a diagram. In the definition chose another word to look up, or skip to a word on the page that sparks interest. Proceed to the etymology, again looking for a spark. Draw lines and arrows as the process continues. See if any part reconnects with an earlier word or sound.

[manners begat word rivers begat anywhere begat maps]

[Bra]Casting the Spell#7: Making the Wand

Since most of us grew up with stories of magicians and faery godmothers who had wands, it seems appropriate to make a special wand to remind us of the importance of casting our intention. I suggest taking any size stick or rod of any material and decide which end is up. Attach to this end items that are light and flowing. At the other end, mark off the grip in some manner. Consider drawing it on. Attach a few special objects to the shaft. Although glue works as an option, I tend to like to bind things to the shaft with string or wire. Some things can end up completely wrapped. Let the decisions follow a whimsical flow. If not quite ready to embellish the staff, just choose it and then at a later time, let some idea or activity give inspiration to move the process along.

[wands begat invitations]
Abracadabra! MOON beauty