Happy Chinese New Year of the Magical Rabbit! As I sit here reflecting on the many things going on for me presently that tie into what rabbit years are about, I’m reminded of the synchronous and timely unfoldings taking place. The Year of the Rabbit holds many positive and supportive energies to be excited about. Look forward to more calm, peace, diplomacy, creativity, artistic expression, developing & birthing new projects, consistent ambition, good communication, solid, steady growth and endurance and luck and ease of financial flow. In honor of the Rabbit and my dear little ones, Nestor (my magical soul mate whom passed 3 years ago and whose birthday was just 2 days ago synchronously) and Joy (my new little lop earred friend and healing companion whom Nestor brought into my life), I’d like to share this article I wrote about how we too can embrace the “magician within”:

Our fascination with “magic” conjures up visions of mystique and intrigue that we seem to long for in our lives. History and stories of lore have mystified and enchanted us, continually tantalizing our desires to quench that unnerving thirst for a bit of the miraculous. Modern day magicians continue their predecessors’ practice of illusionary entertaining, satisfying our need to believe in something more; our need for a bit of mystery and a taste of the exotic. This desire and quest for the power of magic has spanned the ages, leaving us now with aspirations to capture some of that sparkle in the here and now. From the hierophants of ancient Egypt to the alchemists of the Middle Ages, from the Mayan high priests, to the Celtic druids, whether medicine men, sorcerers, or wizards of legend and fairy tale, these workers of wonders and miracles have left their mark beyond the world of their day. And let us not forget the high priestesses and druidesses, prophetesses and witches, medicine women and shamans, and our beautiful fairy queens. Magic has no gender. It also has no boundaries. And yet, who are these magicians, these conjurers of enchantment? Are they truly something for us to dream about and place in awe, as we project an omniscient quality onto that which seemingly is outside of ourselves? Or is there more to this “magician thing” than meets the eye? And what about that rabbit?

Actually, aren’t we all wanting simply to lead more of a so-called “charmed life?” It seems the desire to be magicians of our experiences and masters of our destinies is one we all share. Some people seem to naturally emanate a magical quality and we can see it in that sparkle from their eyes, that glow of an aura they exude, the way whatever they touch in their path seems to light up, almost like pixie dust that traverses any room they enter. And then some of us simply need to realize that if we can see in others such miracles of wonder, then we are closer to it than we think. Those of this nature merely mirror our own inner magician–the one whom we can call upon to cast our own magical spells of enchantment whenever we so choose. We just have yet to realize that magic is simply our innate art of creative power. Recognize it, exercise it, utilize it, and what do you know, “abracadabra,” you have yourself the ingredients for some home-made magic stew!

Speaking of “abracadabra,” let’s turn back the page to our friend the rabbit and the meaning of this most inane word. I think we’ve been missing something. Here is what Magic Words: A Dictionary, by Craig Conley has to say:

“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.'”

Enough said I think. Magic is a primitive power of creation through whatever means we use. Things take on magical qualities because of the energy we give it and the belief we put behind it. The power of language, personal meanings, and symbols enlighten and inspire us to create pure wonder and awe whenever they are spoken, connected with, or simply seen, worn, or held in our experience. We are the masters of projecting ourselves and our power onto everything around us, not realizing the magic skeleton key to everything we desire was always there within us. That’s not to say we shouldn’t have personal talismans and symbols or enchanting words in our lives. Sometimes the simple joy of that projection can help us to connect more deeply with ourselves and the collective around us, seeing and understanding how we are all so similar, all sharing the experience of the wonder of the world and all the beauty it holds for us each to see in it, the mirror of our own magical essence.

Symbols are beautiful and powerful things. The Egyptians carried amulets and magic figurines and Greeks sought out priests called Oracles. Alchemists searched to discover magical substances to turn lead into gold, cure disease, and extend life. We all need to believe in a bit of magic, yet the elixir of life is simply believing in you.

It is our friend the rabbit who holds all the magician’s answers to his, her, OUR projected magic. And we come to see how the rabbit is the true key to the magician’s power. Embrace and become your own inner rabbit and you too will discover an enchanted world of your own creation.

*Dedicated to, and inspired by, Nestie aka Nestor. Love is magic and I know no greater magic than the love between myself and my very own rabbit, Nestor, who has shown me the meaning of the Rabbit’s Magician and beyond.