Play the odds the witchcraft of one more go Life is filled with uncertainties and unknown outcomes. Every decision we make, every action we take is a gamble, a bet on the future. This inherent unpredictability can often lead us to feel lost and unsure of how to proceed. However, rather than being paralyzed by fear, we can embrace the idea of playing the odds and taking one more go. The concept of playing the odds is rooted in the idea of making educated guesses or calculations about the likelihood of success or failure. It involves carefully weighing the potential risks and rewards of a situation and making a decision based on the most probable outcome.
While this image for The Enchanted Forest has some similarities to the previous painting (with both using bats as a motif) this bat-rider is even more at home in nature than the witch. I love this painting for its evocative depiction of the beauties of an Australian marsh, with glass-like water; the transient yet constant presence of the reeds, and their silhouette against the sky. I can almost smell the water, hear the high squeaks of the bats on the edge of hearing, and feel the cooling breeze of twilight ripple the water and lift the rider's gauzy wings.
There I feel myself a part of something vast, eternal and powerful, and paradoxically when I am so awed by the majesty of nature I am at the same time so aware of the grandness of my identity. I love this painting for its evocative depiction of the beauties of an Australian marsh, with glass-like water; the transient yet constant presence of the reeds, and their silhouette against the sky.
It involves carefully weighing the potential risks and rewards of a situation and making a decision based on the most probable outcome. By doing so, we can increase our chances of achieving success and avoiding failure. In our pursuit of goals and dreams, there are bound to be obstacles and setbacks along the way.
Untraveled Worlds
I love solitude. There is a supremely powerful and elemental feeling that attends me only when I am alone in nature. Nowhere else, and at no other time do I feel my thoughts attune themselves so much with the infinite - do I become so convinced of the vital connections between myself and everything earthly and unearthly - do I hear and feel the rhythm of the wild.
Often I feel the urge to forsake society for a shadowed space of trees - therein to wander, slipping in between the boles; softly to tread the mulch of fallen leaves and touch the silk and shiny new-growth budding at the tips of twigs. I am ever drawn to the places of beautiful desolation, beyond the signs of human influence - such as a deserted shoreline lit by lonely stars, or an airy pinnacle overlooking a valley-basin filled with trees and ebbing clouds.
This is not to say that I am antisocial - that I misanthropically detest the company of others and find no enjoyment in human society. On the contrary - I love the company of friends, and rejoice in the discovery of kindred-souls, delighting in our mutual sympathy and inspiration. Despite all that however, I have a wildness in my soul that feels most fulfilled when alone among the things of nature. There I can dance within the wind and walk beside the creatures of the wild. There I feel myself a part of something vast, eternal and powerful, and paradoxically (when I am so awed by the majesty of nature) I am at the same time so aware of the grandness of my identity.
I cannot adequately describe the word-transcending freedom and glory of this kind of solitude - the kind of exultant isolation that the Romantic poets understood. To "wander lonely as a cloud" comes close - but does not express the whole.
Perhaps the art of Ida Rentoul-Outhwaite, Australian artist of the early twentieth century, can help me to convey the glory in the solitude my pen can only falteringly express. As you will see from her paintings and ink-drawings - she was a sister-wildheart of mine.
"The Little Witch" is probably Outhwaite's most famous painting - an illustration for the book Elves and Fairies, published in 1916. I love this picture for Outhwaite's ability to convey the tempestuousness of the young witch's spirit through her stormy hair, while the tree is deliciously Rackham-esque. This witch wears a dainty muslin gown - proper for a young lady of the town (outlined below the hill) - yet no demure maiden is the girl standing ready to take off into the unlimited freedom of the air, wearing her dramatic green cloak and peacock-feather hat and surrounded by her familiars the frogs and the cat - while the bats call to her to join them in jagged flight.
While this image for The Enchanted Forest has some similarities to the previous painting (with both using bats as a motif) this bat-rider is even more at home in nature than the witch. I love this painting for its evocative depiction of the beauties of an Australian marsh, with glass-like water; the transient yet constant presence of the reeds, and their silhouette against the sky. I can almost smell the water, hear the high squeaks of the bats on the edge of hearing, and feel the cooling breeze of twilight ripple the water and lift the rider's gauzy wings.
"Echo" is still more ethereal, with an overwhelming impression of wind and loneliness and longing. I am awestruck by Outhwaite's ability to depict a reflective surface - the surface of a shallow lake - using only black ink and white paper.
"The Last Fairy" has a mournful title - but the image itself does not strike me with a sorrowful feeling, rather one of wonder - the kind of wonder I feel when I am sometimes struck by something marvelous and strange in nature. This fairy stands beside a glowing pool - but lit from what radiance? Surely not the moon? I am also excited by the ultimate blackness of the forest behind her.
"Fairy of the Snow" is a picture full of elemental power. This comes closest to expressing my sense of the grandeur of the isolated self - a snow-spirit standing on a lonely rock, delicate beside the massive mountains behind her, but stronger than they, for she can cover their stern blackness in flurrying, terrible and glorious whiteness.
"Moonrise" - probably my second-favourite of all Outhwaite's artworks. It expresses my feelings sometimes when I, like the girl in the picture - leave the warmth of my house for the brighter moonrise.
My absolute favourite of Ida Rentoul-Outhwaite's pictures - "Ti-Tree". I don't know exactly why this one speaks so strongly to me - perhaps because I love to climb trees so much, and find such beauty in a windswept tree. Perhaps it is because I know there is an exhilaration to facing the the elements - riding and swaying on a whipping tree, feeling danger and delight in equal measure. Perhaps it is because the girl seems part of that illusion by which the moon appears to race in the sky through speeding clouds. Who can tell? Nevertheless, such is the wonder of solitude, and the power of nature.
"Fairy of the Snow" is a picture full of elemental power. This comes closest to expressing my sense of the grandeur of the isolated self - a snow-spirit standing on a lonely rock, delicate beside the massive mountains behind her, but stronger than they, for she can cover their stern blackness in flurrying, terrible and glorious whiteness.
It is natural to feel discouraged and defeated when faced with failure. However, by adopting the mindset of playing the odds and taking one more go, we can overcome these challenges and continue moving forward. The witchcraft of one more go lies in our ability to persist despite the odds. It is the belief that by trying one more time, we can unlock hidden opportunities and possibilities. Each attempt brings us closer to our desired outcome, regardless of the previous failures we may have experienced. Playing the odds and taking one more go requires courage and resilience. It means embracing uncertainty and being willing to take calculated risks. It requires a willingness to learn from failures and to adapt our approach accordingly. It also involves being open to the idea that success may not always come in the way we originally envisioned it. By playing the odds and taking one more go, we defy the limitations that fear and doubt impose on us. We recognize that life is a series of probabilities and that we have the power to influence those probabilities through our actions and choices. We understand that failure is not a final verdict but rather a stepping stone towards success. In conclusion, playing the odds and taking one more go is a powerful mindset that empowers us to face the uncertainties of life head-on. It is a reminder that success often requires perseverance and a willingness to embrace failure. By playing the odds, we can increase our chances of achieving our goals and dreams, even in the face of adversity..
Reviews for "The Witch's Second Chance: Leveraging the Power of One More Go"
- Emily - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Play the Odds: The Witchcraft of One More Go" based on the intriguing title and the enticing book cover. However, I was sorely disappointed by the actual content of the book. The plot was confusing and disjointed, making it difficult to follow the storyline. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to connect or care about their fates. Additionally, the writing style was repetitive and lacked finesse, leaving me feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied. Overall, "Play the Odds" failed to deliver on its promise of witchcraft and left me feeling disappointed.
- David - 1 star - "Play the Odds: The Witchcraft of One More Go" was a complete letdown. The premise sounded interesting, but the execution was far from satisfactory. The narrative was slow-paced and lacked any real excitement or suspense. The characters were poorly developed and their motivations felt weak and unconvincing. The dialogue was also quite stilted and unnatural, making it difficult to engage with the story. Overall, I found "Play the Odds" to be a forgettable and unenjoyable read that I wouldn't recommend to others.
- Sarah - 2 stars - As a fan of witchcraft and fantasy novels, I was excited to dive into "Play the Odds: The Witchcraft of One More Go." However, I found myself struggling to get through the book. The pacing was off, with long stretches of nothing happening followed by brief moments of rushed action. The world-building felt underdeveloped and the magical elements were poorly explained. The central conflict lacked depth and resolution, leaving me feeling unsatisfied. While the premise had potential, the execution left much to be desired. Overall, "Play the Odds" was a disappointing read that failed to captivate and transport me to a world of witchcraft.