Carl Jung, the Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, is often associated with magic due to his exploration of the symbolic and spiritual aspects of the human psyche. While Jung's work is primarily centered around psychology and the study of the unconscious, his ideas regarding archetypes, dreams, and synchronicity have been interpreted by some as having connections to the realm of magic. One of Jung's central concepts is that of the collective unconscious, a reservoir of shared, universal experiences and knowledge that exists within each individual. This collective unconscious is believed to contain various archetypes, or primordial images and symbols, which tap into deeply rooted human instincts and experiences. These archetypes can be seen as analogous to magical symbols or sigils, with their ability to evoke deep emotions and associations within the individual. Jung also placed great importance on dreams as a means of accessing the unconscious and uncovering hidden aspects of the self.
Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. From Kyana s math teacher who proudly sports her hijab, to Ashley, her partner in magical shenanigans who is half-Dominican, and so many others, A Taste of Magic centers a tapestry of voices.
Jung also placed great importance on dreams as a means of accessing the unconscious and uncovering hidden aspects of the self. Dreams, according to Jung, contain symbols and images that hold meaning and insights into one's psychological and spiritual development. In this sense, dreams can be seen as a form of divination or magical exploration, connecting the dreamer to the realm of the unconscious through symbolic language.
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I’m J.Elle or Jess (I even answer to “hey you,” I’m not picky) and I’m excited to share my debut middle grade novel with you! A Taste of Magic is a super special story, and I can’t wait for kids to dive into this unforgettable magical adventure in your classrooms! It’s told in a voice that doesn’t talk down to kids, is snappy and fast-paced, and it leads with humor, which I firmly believe is the surest way to a kid's heart!
As a former fifth and sixth grade educator, my teacher hat often slips on without me even realizing it, ha ha! And so, while this book is a hilarious, heartwarming, adventurous read, I composed it in such a way to enthrall even the most reluctant reader. Growing up without much, my bus pass to the library was the highlight of my week. Literacy was a gateway in my life to upward mobility and opportunity, which is why creating readers is my entire passion. Books can literally change lives. And I can’t wait for A Taste Of Magic to bring so much joy to your students!
Thank you so much for your interest in Kyana’s story, and celebrating Brittany Jackson’s beautiful cover art with me. And in case it’s helpful, here are a few of my favorite tidbits that make A Taste Of Magic such special story!
• It’s hilarious. And after the last couple years it feels like we’re all eager to find something that warms us up inside like buttery chocolate cookies. I wanted A Taste of Magic to be a book that makes you grin without even realizing it. It’s full of heart and laugh out loud funny. Think delightfully cute, like A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd. Peek at the first page and meet Kyana. You’ll see what I mean.
• It’s accessible. I wrote A Taste of Magic to straddle the line of contemporary and fantasy because, as an inner-city kid, I’d never seen myself in a fantasy novel. I wrote this book, full of worldbuilding and magic, to transport my fantasy loving readers, but steeped in the beautiful richness of an inner-city community. Because there’s something deeply powerful--I’m talking life-changing powerful--about fantasy’s ability to inspire kids to imagine the seemingly impossible. It has the well-grounded fantasy quality of Amari and The Night Brothers by B.B. Alston.
• It’s an Inner-City Magic School! The first ever! Where cauldrons are regular ‘ole giant pots, stoves spit out pizzas on demand, where a ferret with a security badge is much more intimidating than it sounds, where magical spirits tethered to furniture is a sure source of calamity, and where ball caps and wigs transform into wizard robes in all styles and colors. Think wildly original like Ghostsquad and School For Good and Evil.
• It’s empowering. I’m excited for kids to see that there’s magic right in their own community. From the local grocery store to the beauty supply shop, there are so many nostalgic gems in A Taste of Magic that will feel immediately familiar to young readers. I mean imagine there was a whole room of magic supplies in your local mini mart! In fact, that’s exactly what Kyana does in the early pages of this story--she begins to realize there’s magic everywhere around her. That Park Row, and by extension--she--is special. As a mother of three young children, I really believe that’s a message kids can’t hear enough. It has the self-affirming, thought-provoking vibe of a Jason Reynolds or Renee Watson novel.
• It’s diverse. “Inner-city” and “Black community” are so often interchangeably used, but communities like Park Row are a vibrant mix of socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, and gender diversity. From Kyana’s math teacher who proudly sports her hijab, to Ashley, her partner in magical shenanigans who is half-Dominican, and so many others, A Taste of Magic centers a tapestry of voices.
Those are just a few reasons I’m so excited for young readers to discover A Taste of Magic! I appreciate you so much for sharing Park Row’s magic with your students. I do hope I get to meet you, and them, someday!
Thank you, J.Elle! Congratulations! -John Schu
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Furthermore, Jung's concept of synchronicity, the meaningful coincidence of events that cannot be explained by cause and effect, has been associated with magical thinking. Synchronicity suggests that certain events or experiences are not simply random occurrences but are connected by a deeper, meaningful pattern. This notion of interconnectedness and meaningful coincidence is reminiscent of magical belief systems that attribute significance to seemingly unrelated occurrences. It is important to note, however, that Jung himself did not explicitly identify as a practitioner of magic. While he explored and embraced the symbolic and spiritual dimensions of human experience, his work was firmly rooted in the realm of psychology and scientific inquiry. Jung saw the exploration of the unconscious and the study of symbols as a means of understanding and integrating the various aspects of the self, rather than as a pursuit of supernatural or magical powers. In conclusion, the association of Carl Jung with magic arises primarily from the connections that can be drawn between his ideas and certain elements of magical thinking. Jung's exploration of archetypes, dreams, and synchronicity offer insights into the symbolic and spiritual aspects of the human psyche, which can be seen as resonating with magical belief systems. However, it is important to distinguish Jung's psychological approach from explicit magical practice, as his work was firmly grounded in scientific inquiry and the understanding of the human mind..
Reviews for "Carl Jung's Influence on Modern Occultism"
1. Sarah - 1 star
I was really disappointed with "Carl Jung Magic". I found the book to be overly complex and difficult to understand. The concepts and theories presented were not explained clearly and I often felt lost while reading. Additionally, the writing style was dry and lacked any sort of engaging or captivating elements. Overall, I did not find the book to be helpful or informative, and I would not recommend it to others.
2. Michael - 2 stars
While I appreciate the attempt to delve into the world of Carl Jung and magic, I felt that this book fell short of its goals. The author's explanations were too convoluted and did not provide a clear understanding of the subject matter. I also found the organization of the book to be confusing, as it jumped from topic to topic without much coherence. I was hoping for a comprehensive exploration of Jung's ideas on magic, but instead, I felt overwhelmed and frustrated. Unfortunately, this book did not meet my expectations.
3. Emily - 1 star
I found "Carl Jung Magic" to be a tedious and tiresome read. The author seemed more focused on showcasing their own knowledge and intelligence rather than providing a clear and accessible explanation of Jung's concepts. The writing style was overly academic and full of jargon, making it difficult for someone without prior knowledge of the subject to follow along. I struggled to stay engaged with the book and ended up abandoning it halfway through. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a beginner-friendly introduction to Jung's ideas on magic.
4. Daniel - 2 stars
"Carl Jung Magic" left me underwhelmed and unsatisfied. While I appreciate the subject matter and the attempt to explore the intersection of Jung's theories with magic, I found the book to be confusing and poorly executed. The author jumped between ideas and concepts without providing sufficient explanation or context, leaving me feeling lost and frustrated. Additionally, the writing style was dry and lacked any sort of excitement or enthusiasm. Overall, I do not believe this book effectively conveyed the potential connections between Carl Jung's ideas and magic, and I wouldn't recommend it to others seeking a deeper understanding of the topic.