The Goblins

Posted on Oct 8, 2020

Little Orphant Annie’s come to our house to stay,
An’ wash the cups an’ saucers up, an’ brush the crumbs away,
An’ shoo the chickens off the porch, an’ dust the hearth, an’ sweep,
An’ make the fire, an’ bake the bread, an’ earn her board-an’-keep;
An’ all us other childern, when the supper things is done,
We set around the kitchen fire an’ has the mostest fun
A-list’nin’ to the witch-tales ‘at Annie tells about,
An’ the Gobble-uns ‘at gits you
             Ef you
                Don’t
                   Watch
                      Out!

–“Little Orphant Annie”  -  By James Whitcomb Riley

Greetings, Friends!

Tobias here, writing a few days into October. The brutal heat of summer is beginning to give way to cool nights and pleasant, sunny afternoons. Fall is arriving, and it’s time to break out the sweaters, jackets, Halloween costumes, and scary stories!
October also contains some special things for those of us who love magic:

The week of October 25-31st has been proclaimed MAGIC WEEK by the City of New York, so that it coincides with The Society of American Magicians’ annual event. The mayor recognized that “More than a century ago, a group of New York City magicians gathered in the back room of Martinka and Company’s famous magic shop to form their organization. For more than fifty years, the Society has recognized the anniversary of the death of Harry Houdini with a special week of events to highlight the charitable work of its members throughout the year; during which magicians volunteer their talents performing in schools, veterans hospitals, senior facilities, and nursing homes, and for people who cannot afford to pay for this type of entertainment. MAGIC WEEK is when The Society of American Magicians takes its bows.”
– S.A.M. Magic Week Press Page

And, of course, that spookiest of holidays – Halloween, when all the ghosts and “gobble-uns” come out in full force. On Halloween, and on the Day of the Dead (Oct. 31-Nov. 1), it is said that the “veil between the worlds is thinnest,” and the time is ripe to contact and honor our ancestors who have passed on to the other side. As magicians and séance mediums, we love to play up the spooky and frightening nature of this time. Many cultures, however, think of it as a celebratory time—time to celebrate our ancestors and our roots.

Speaking of seances—we’re preparing our Las Vegas Séance Summit, November 6-8, all online. How does one conduct a séance over the internet? Well, I’ve been in on the planning calls, and I can tell you it is going to be an innovative endeavor! It will be groundbreaking, since it’s not only the class that will be online, but Jeff, Larry, Ross, and Terry Tyson will be giving you their own best thinking for creating your own online séance experience! If spooky storytelling and séance are something you’ve been interested in, this is going to be a wonderful 3 days for you!

I started today’s Museletter with one stanza from James Whitcomb Riley’s “Little Orphant Annie”—and with the intention of talking just a bit about those “Gobble-uns.” Here’s my question for you: What are your personal goblins? We all have them. You know, the little things that frighten you and you never talk about. Fears you may have hidden from yourself, but which hold you back from becoming your highest version of yourself.

Here’s one of mine: an irrational fear of approaching someone I don’t know with a request or an idea. “They don’t want to hear from me,” I think, to justify not reaching out. In fact, I think I’m afraid, “They’ll think poorly of me,” or “They’ll reject me.” But, if I’m honest—what do I care if they think badly of me? They don’t even know me, and I don’t know them. If we make contact and it doesn’t work out, neither of us have lost anything. But if we do find common ground, and create something wonderful together, that’s a big win for both of us. But my goblin whispers in my ear, “Don’t do it! It will turn out badly!” If I listen, I never make the call or send the email.

So…what are your goblins? It just might change your life for the better if you figure that out, and send those goblins packing!
Before I go:

  1. There is still time to register for Magic & Meaning, and it’s going to be a memorable one!
  2. The Séance Summit is filling fast. I’m not sure when we’ll offer this again. Jeff is busy procuring some very special “special guests” for that one, and it’s going to be fun.
  3. The Master Class for Mentalism still has a few non-performing spots available.
  4. We’re just putting the finishing touches on Beyond Deception – Acting, Stagecraft and Innovation for Magicians and Jeff’s new offering The Story Master Series, both for late November into early December.

Check all of those out at https://shop.magicalwisdom.com/events, or use the direct links in the calendar below.

In the meantime, all of us here at the Magic & Mystery School wish you a safe, healthy and magical autumn!
Sincerely,

Tobias Beckwith
tobias@yourmagic.com

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