Magic words- a dictionary
Magic Words: A Dictionary
Magic Words: A Dictionary is a one-of-a-kind resource for magicians and word lovers, exploring the most intriguing magic words and phrases from around the world. 645 essay-style entries touch upon magic words’ multiple meanings, auras of mystery, origins and history, popular variations, amusing trivia, and fascinating examples of usage from literature and popular culture. Sources range from prominent modern stage magicians to their distant ancestors: the hierophants of ancient Egypt; the high priests, medicine men, sorcerers, and alchemists of the Middle Ages; the necromancers and wizards of legend and fairy tale; and the workers of wonders and miracles throughout history—all performers of their day, seeking to mystify, to enchant, and to entertain. This dictionary showcases those powerful words that give shape and form to a magician’s ungraspable feats, like a piece of silk, or that conjure up a puzzling new reality, like smoke and mirrors.
Our current fascination with magic words lies in the revival of interest in the art of close-up magic and grand illusions that began in the late twentieth-century and has continued into the twenty-first, fueled by the work of such performers as Lance Burton, David Copperfield, Siegfried & Roy, David Blaine, and Jeff McBride. Magic words are naturally as old as conjuring itself, echoes of the rhythm and vibration of creative power. Medieval conjurors first began using exotic words to give their performances an air of authentic secret knowledge. Whether they employed pseudo-Latin phrases, nonsense syllables, or esoteric terms from religious antiquity, these magicians were doing far more than merely adding a bit of enigmatic audio to their visuals. They were enhancing their specific illusions with a universal mystery: language as an instrument of creation. A great many magic words have stood the test of time, passed on from master to apprentice, generation through generation, to find expression on the modern stage and street. These ancient, musical, poetic incantations have a profound—but not necessarily unfathomable—mystique. From the familiar but oft-perplexing classics like abracadabra, alakazam, hocus pocus, presto-chango, shazam, and sim sala bim, to lesser known gems like the tongue-twisting tirratarratorratarratirratarratum, to whimsical modern inventions like izzy wizzy let’s get busy, these venerable magic words and phrases warrant a serious, scholarly tribute and indeed have earned a place of honor in their own special dictionary.
There is profound meaning in the clichéd image of a magician pulling a rabbit out of an empty hat with the magic word abracadabra. The magician is speaking an ancient Hebrew phrase that means “I will create with words.” He is making something out of nothing, echoing that famous line from Genesis: “Let there be light, and there was light,” only in this case the light is a white rabbit and perhaps a flash of fire. The magic word, whether it be abracadabra or another of the magician’s choosing, resonates with the audience because there is an instinctive understanding that words are powerful, creative forces. “The word has always held an ancient enchantment for humans,” says scholar Ted Andrews. “It hints of journeys into unseen and unmapped domains.” This dictionary seeks to reinstate dignity to the treasury of magic words that have lost some of their sparkle over the years, as well as to celebrate and codify the new magic words that magicians are adding to the lexicon every day. This dictionary is testament to the magic of language and urges magicians to reinvest their incantations with that primitive power everyone remembers at the deepest level. Whether the reader is a professional illusionist, an amateur at sleight-of-hand, or simply a word lover intrigued by the power of language, this dictionary is meant to enlighten and inspire everyone to create pure wonder and awe whenever they speak.
PRAISE FOR MAGIC WORDS
“[A]n impressive work. . . . The 'take away' I had from this book has less to do with the amusing words and their definitions, and more to do with a thoughtful consideration of the role of the magic word in my own work.” —Brad Henderson, MAGIC, The Magazine for Magicians
“I am in awe of the volume and variety of the usages and references discussed: the research seems monumental. . . . Yes, it will not only give you the importance of magic words, the kinds of magic words used under what circumstances, what the public (as expressed through references in literature) thinks about magic words and what are magic words, it will help you understand magic and your relationship to it. Recommended as a very useful resource for those who think and care.” —Phil Willmarth, Linking Ring Magazine
“. . . No matter how you approach it, Conley has given us a delightful resource that entertains, informs, and inspires. If only more books, especially those for magicians, offered as much.” —Gordon Meyer, author of Smart Home Hacks [Read Full Review]
“Truly words of magic about magic words!” —Bill Wisch, creator of “The Magic Word” program
“This is a great book. Loads of fun to browse through and stimulate understandings and possibilities. . . . fascinating information that is stimulating for the creation of either tricks or presentations, being quite difficult to let go of.” —Robert Neale, author of The Magic Mirror
“A fascinating piece of scholarship, and an invitation to wonder.” —Bernie DeKoven, author of The Well Played Game
“Too often we forget the real Magic in our lives. Craig Conley is a student of Wonder, and like all true Wonder Experiencers, he is moved to share that. Mr. Conley reminds us to open our eyes, minds, ears and hearts to the Wonder within and without. Those of us who travel along such paths are ever grateful for Those Few who travel with us in spirit. Craig Conley is one of Those Few.” —Kenton Knepper (The Mystic of Magic), author of Wonder Words
“Useful . . . entertaining.” —Taylor Ellwood, author of Pop Culture Magick
“A Magic Masterpiece!” —Magic-Al Garber, creator of “It’s a Magic-Al World!”
“Contains notes on everything from the fractal magic word abacaba-dabacaba to the typographically charged zxcvbnm, and a few more besides.” —Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
“We must return to the magic. We must open our minds.” —Marilyn Jenett, prosperity counselor
“Wonderful.” —Graham P. Collins, editor of Scientific American
Softcover • 6½" × 10¼" 127 pages • fully illustrated
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Magic Archetypes: The Art Behind the Science of Conjuring
Stage illusionists and amateur conjurors play out a mythic story, told through the deep symbolism underlying their age-old magic tricks and tools: the top hat, cups and balls, escape trunk, linking rings, white dove and rabbit, wand, handcuffs, restored ropes and papers, multiplying coins, etc. This book explores how magical props, as symbols, point beyond themselves to the larger mystery.
Magic Archetypes is a picto-poetic history of magic predating Robert Houdin’s Scientific School of conjuring, recalling the ancient Mystery School traditions. Told by artists from the 700s - 1600s who were influenced by the iconography of even earlier ages, this history is an initiation into the deeper aspects of magic: the meaning in the art beyond clever trickery, the archetypes at play since time immemorial. A fascinating, enlightening companion for professional illusionists, amateur conjurors, and art lovers intrigued by the power of archetypes.
PRAISE FOR MAGIC ARCHETYPES
“... I'm giving this five stars for its fine production, its uniqueness, and because I can't imagine how it might be improved. Ultimately, as a book with liberal doses of art, science, and philosophy its worth will be a subjective judgment. But if it speaks to you, there is much to be heard.” —Gordon Meyer, author of Smart Home Hacks [Read Full Review]
“Craig Conley’s Magic Archetypes is a feast for the eye and the mind. A marvelous read!” —Eugene Burger, author of Mastering the Art of Magic
“Magic Archetypes is a lavishly illustrated tome filled with thought-provoking visual concepts and captioned ideas intended to prod the reader to unleash the creative self.” —Joe Lantiere, author of The Magician’s Wand
“A treat for the eye as well as the mind.” —Robert Neale, author of The Magic Mirror
“Recommended!” —Jeff McBride, author of The Mystery School Book
“Great and very needed.” —Kenton Knepper (The Mystic of Magic), author of Wonder Words
“Terrific!” —Tobias Beckwith, Magic Producer and Manager
“Interesting and very unique.” —Joe Pon, Misdirections Magic Shop proprietor
“Very interesting.” —Paul Richards, magic inventor and Elmwood Magic proprietor
“Enjoyable.” —John Granrose, author of The Archetype of the Magician
“Interesting!” —The Daily Grail
