"The Year of Magical Thinking" is the title of both a book and an audio recording by Joan Didion, a renowned American writer. In this record, Didion narrates her deeply personal exploration of grief following the sudden death of her husband, John Gregory Dunne, and the serious illness of her daughter, Quintana Roo Dunne. Throughout the audio, Didion masterfully delves into her experiences and emotions during this tumultuous time in her life. She reflects on her own process of coming to terms with loss, grappling with grief, and trying to make sense of the inexplicable. Didion's narration brings an intimate quality to her words, allowing listeners to feel as though they are sharing in her most vulnerable moments. "The Year of Magical Thinking" is not just a memoir of personal loss; it is also a powerful meditation on the nature of grief itself.
Nyman worked for 20 years on illusionist and mentalist Derren Brown’s TV specials, which fed into the book, and they wanted to replicate in prose that niggling doubt we all have at the back of our minds where we know what we’re seeing is just a trick … but it seems like actual magic.
The lines between fact and fiction blur even further with documented cases of the real-life intelligence services trying to tap into the paranormal, most famously recounted in Jon Ronson s book and then film The Men Who Stare at Goats , an investigation into how American military tried to tap into and weaponise psychic abilities. Women are mystical, magical creatures to me, with a most complex physiological tendency toward loving nurture, which is why it perplexes the heck out of me when I hear about women would tearing each other down.
"The Year of Magical Thinking" is not just a memoir of personal loss; it is also a powerful meditation on the nature of grief itself. Didion explores the ways in which the mind attempts to cope with tragedy by creating narratives and magical thinking. She delves into her own attempts to rationalize her husband's death and the irrational belief that her love and actions could have prevented his passing.
Women Have Magical Powers
And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.
I’ve heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.
Women are mystical, magical creatures to me, with a most complex physiological tendency toward loving nurture, which is why it perplexes the heck out of me when I hear about women would tearing each other down.
I wonder if it’s a case of being over-dominant in the masculine function which causes this phenomenon? Knowing some very skilled intuitives, folks who are gifted empathically, and straight-up, down-to-earth grounded-in-their-perception women, it’s easy for me to have faith in women to heal and change.
Amidst our patriarchal way of life (that most complain about at some level which doesn’t personally work in their favor) many do not see it working in themselves. This model persists in all cultures, all over the world, embodied by most men and women, for lack of knowing another way, or lack of seeking one out.
When I witness or hear women tearing one another down- frothing with animosity, resentment, jealousy and untruths, it diminishes my hope-which I’m very keen on maintaining. Hope is the thing with feathers, it’s been said.
Women are creators, the givers of life, Great Mother in the flesh. We are infused with the breath of life, the masculine animation to move and act, and we can use that locomotion for good, if we choose, to elevate our perspectives. We can raise our children with patience and empathy, tend gardens and animal creatures with love and kindness, and treat one another with the respect and admiration we seek for ourselves. And warrior like Artemis on behalf of the voiceless when called to, of course.
It’s not that we women have magical powers, except that creation is pretty dang magical. It’s not that we have sorcery up our sleeves, however, we do have some pretty sharp intuition when we learn to listen. It’s not that we have a direct hotline to God, but that we can learn to sense the divine light which shines through us when we slay old shame at the altar, and move from that light place. I believe all women have the potential to be activated in the womb, after millennia of smackdown, the crossroads for creativity and healing. We each contain the seeds and ancestral wisdom for our own healing and subsequent radiance.
There are a great many people who are not loving themselves, and worse, are not willing to. This is a grand shame for them and for the world at large. There are folks online who will not recognize the flaws in their story until they meet you in person and can shake your fleshy hand and hug your solid bones and see you as a radiant human being. We are not very open to receive online, as we are in person.
Having online identities means that folks don’t get to look you in the eye. They don’t get to see how you move. They don’t know how you parent your children, speak with arrogance or humility, deliver on your claims-unrealistic expectations are formed around the illusion of who you are perceived to be, which can ultimately be disappointing. Or heartening! Depending on who it is.
Something to think about:
Find your familiars.
Go toward those who carry HOPE.
Don’t listen to those who have made careers out of putting other people down.
Honor your MAGICAL POWER as a woman.
Yes, I said MAGICAL POWER.
And I’ll probably get in a bit of trouble for it.
Comments
- Elizabeth says September 3, 2015 at 11:50 am
You have no idea how much I needed to hear this today, with fear chittering at my edges over some of those professional critics. (And not even critics, as that implies a desire to see something get better. Just muck-wallowers, intent on bringing folks down a peg. Because that’s productive. o__0.) And magic’s just another name for an awesome that defies comprehension, really. Science thought magnets were magic once upon a time; maybe someday, we’ll be able to put our finger on women’s magic and measure it and know what makes it so we can all get better at it consciously, instead of just feeling the stir and the pull between poles. We ARE magic. Magic beyond measure.
THIS email spoke LOUD and CLEAR to me. Chills … felt called to join Soulodge Earth Medicine School in 2016 because of it. Thank you PIXIE. So much love to you and ALL you do.
Yes. To all of this. Especially: “It’s not that we have a direct hotline to God, but that we can learn to sense the divine light which shines through us when we slay old shame at the altar, and move from that light place. I believe all women have the potential to be activated in the womb, after millennia of smackdown, the crossroads for creativity and healing. We each contain the seeds and ancestral wisdom for our own healing and subsequent radiance.”
::Let’s lift each other up::
- Terri Rowland says September 3, 2015 at 6:41 pm
I love you so much sister! Tomorrow will be 22 years since you told me my garter was too big and I didn’t believe you. You proving me wrong is the only thing that kept me from crying through the service. Instead Mark and I plotted on how he could pick it up without anybody noticing. I knew when he pulled that off and nobody noticed I had chosen wisely!! What a great memory I get to hold about you on my wedding day.
#remi-gel (wasn’t that the name of the antacid Mark asked for upon waking?) I’m so proud of you!
- Pixie Lighthorse says September 3, 2015 at 7:28 pm
HA HA! Terri! It’s anniversary time! I love you, woman. You pulled it off. “May I have a remi-gel, please??”
I think there’s a tendency when we’re powerless, to align with the side in power and to behave like one of them. It likely keeps us from being attacked. That’s the story I tell myself about why women tear other women down. I think that they are also externalizing their self-hatred. I feel for them… but I refuse to take their shit. I agree that women have magical powers. In fact, I think every human being was given a seed of magical power… and it can be magnificent when we choose to tend it. I AM A MAGIC TENDER! xo,
Jill
Aho.
Love you Pixie and your blazing heart. May we remember that the magic that we hold within has the power to heal Gaia, holding each other with love.
Celebrating you + your fierce heart today. Let’s talk soon! Bowing to your wisdom + powerful voice. xo
as always, the timing of reading your words is perfect
thank you sister
we ARE magic
and that magic is so much more powerful and effective when we stand together love and light dear sister
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The audio also delves into the profound impact of grief on relationships and the human psyche. Didion examines the complex dynamics between herself and her daughter as they navigate their respective grief and illness. She delves into the societal expectations of mourning and how individuals cope with loss in different ways. Ultimately, "The Year of Magical Thinking" audio offers a candid and deeply personal account of the author's journey through grief. It invites listeners to confront their own experiences with loss and reflect on the universal human capacity to find meaning and solace in the face of tragedy. Didion's honest and vulnerable narration makes this audio a poignant exploration of grief and its profound impact on the human spirit..
Reviews for "Understanding the Role of Magical Thinking in Audio Drama"
- Jessica - 1 star - I really did not enjoy "The tear of nagical thinking audio". The narrator's voice was incredibly monotonous and lacked any emotion, making it difficult to stay engaged in the story. Additionally, the story itself was confusing and hard to follow. I found myself constantly getting lost and having to rewind to try and understand what was happening. Overall, I was very disappointed with this audiobook and would not recommend it.
- Mike - 2 stars - I found "The tear of nagical thinking audio" to be quite underwhelming. The storyline felt disjointed and convoluted, making it hard for me to fully grasp what was going on. The pacing was also quite slow, which caused me to lose interest multiple times throughout the audiobook. Additionally, the voice acting was lacking and did not do justice to the characters or the overall atmosphere of the story. Overall, I was disappointed with this audiobook and would not choose to listen to it again.
- Sarah - 2 stars - I was not a fan of "The tear of nagical thinking audio". While the concept sounded intriguing, the execution fell short for me. The writing felt flat and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to connect with the characters or the events of the story. Furthermore, the audio quality was subpar, with background noises and static frequently disrupting the listening experience. Overall, I found this audiobook to be disappointing and would not recommend it to others.
- David - 1 star - "The tear of nagical thinking audio" was a major letdown for me. The narrator's voice was incredibly grating and distracting, making it almost impossible for me to focus on the story. The dialogue was also unnatural and forced, lacking any authenticity. I could not connect with the characters or their motivations, which made it difficult for me to care about their journey. Overall, I was highly disappointed with this audiobook and would not recommend it to anyone.
- Emily - 1 star - I was not impressed with "The tear of nagical thinking audio". The narration was monotone and lacked any sort of emotion, which made it incredibly difficult for me to engage with the story. Additionally, the plot felt repetitive and predictable, leading to a lack of suspense or excitement. The overall pacing was slow and dragged on, making it a struggle to get through the entire audiobook. I would not recommend this to others looking for an enjoyable listening experience.