I personally don’t live off of signs or interpretational aspects of my life anymore. I need clarity and I need autonomy … this does not mean I do not dream or fantasize, creatively engage with things, being open or spontaneous. Magical thinking for me personally is dangerous and I think, to be able to do that requires a life that is highly individualistic (that is my understanding of it).
Like most things in life, awareness & moderation in magical thinking is key. As a play therapist, i help children & adults explore the role of imagination in their lives while also encouraging them to develop the critical thinking skills necessary to navigate the real world effectively. The ability to engage in elaborate fantasy play is an essential component to human growth & development. Traumatized children can have a harder time engaging in it because of a deeper sense of uncertainty & lack of safety, while others may retreat into fantasy as the only safety they have.
There are many ways to balance magical thinking with real-world decision-making. Perhaps we can hear from others on how they have practiced some of these strategies.
Sign or coincidence, stuff happens. No need to choose which it is each time, because we've still noticed it. Once seen, we can't unsee, so we either resist the mythical creature or embrace the unicorn.
You held on until you didn't. Your experience played a part in what happened next. We hold on to stuff—and stuff holds on to us—until grips loosen on one or both sides. That's why I'm enjoying Once Upon A New Moon... Things are holding on. What represents an absolute sign versus a coincidental sequence of events, we can't know. But it's fascinating!
Martin, that’s true! I like not needing to pick one or the other and of course, seeing the unicorn whether sent by the universe or a coincidental event, did shape my next decision. Thank you for reading and for your company while I get Once Upon A New Moon written.
I am certain the Universe is so much more alive than not. For me, there are so many instances when synchronicity is the obvious explanation of an otherwise unlikely event, or chain of events. I believe than when we lose the ability to appreciate that our very existence is magical, we miss the point of being here.
Richard, yes, I agree that there are many synchronicities and unexplainable chains of events. I have noticed though that I am more likely to look for them (and find them) when I feel more anxious. My current opinion is we may need a balance of the ability to recognize magic in the world while being aware of real world constraints. So, yes, to magic, but also recognizing wishful magical thinking! Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts!
As a chronic but recovering magical thinker, it is very reassuring to learn that this is a survivalist tendency and is fairly common. I also feel like there’s something to be said about the limitations of the scientific materialist paradigm that is currently dominant/mainstream. It doesn’t quite make space enough for other perspectives, and my bet is we will likely see some shifts in our understanding within our lifetimes. Thanks for this lovely note!
Uthara, I think you have hit the nail on the head! There is a dearth of myths and other grounding paradigms that offer a more bird’s eye of our lives and yet anchor us to the real world. Thank you for reading and for sharing your perspective!
I embrace magical thinking as a way of sorting through the noise in my head, and to find focus and meaning that might otherwise elude me. It’s not letting the universe make decisions for me so much as me telling the universe what I want. The old coin flip trick, for instance - when stuck between two choices, flip a coin and you’ll know from your reaction to the outcome what you really wanted all along.
Stace, I haven’t heard it phrased this way and it’s super important- it can be a tool in the toolbox rather than a thing that has to be gotten rid of or adopted blindly. In my story, I didn’t want to stay, but once I knew I wanted to leave, I unconsciously used it as a way to prepare. I didn’t have access to my agency when I saw the unicorn, but by the time I left, I had gotten more in touch with it. Thank you!
Call it magical thinking, pattern spotting, or synchronicity, I think humans are wired to seek patterns and make meaning of the world. As long as you don’t completely give up your agency, I think a bit of magical thinking never harmed anybody!
I love this. I often see things I’m looking for—having never seen them before. It’s as if a gate to vision opens in my brain merely because I wished for it. Magical indeed 🙏☺️
Well I am half finished an essay in acceptance, reality and magical thinking!! Although my definition is just what I’ve made up in my head. I didn’t realize there was a book about it and a very specific definition! Although I’m sure I would’ve gotten there by googling. I was looking for a sign to tie my essay together and I was missing the practical piece that you have here in quoting the book. Ha! So perhaps this is my sign. lol.
How amazing you saw a unicorn! And magical indeed. I'm inclined to think that thinking magically does keep us going and sane. The happiest people tend to be awe-inspired by small things. I say that having seen how my grandmother navigated the world. I don't remember having show me a sign kind of moments, however, my intuition would scream at me if I didn't listen to it and would calm down when I did. And I did experience moments that predicted my future (like dreams) and moments of synchronicity. Life is strange but beautiful like that!
Nadia, I really like this idea of choosing to think in a certain way adding to the inherent magic of the universe! Thank you, I appreciate your perspective!
I waited it out, but did leave eventually. When I saw the unicorn, it freaked me out enough that I stayed there at least until I was totally sure I needed to leave. I don’t know if it was the right sign. Looking back, I think of my lack of agency and wince! Thanks, Carissa!
I remember this unicorn story from last year. And since then I have actually thought about it a few times whenever people speak of synchronicity’s etc., as it is such a wonderful example.
I’m not sure what I said in the comments last time, but the way I think about synchronicity’s and magical thinking is that when you are pulling in the direction of what your soul or higher self or whatever you want to call it came here to do, the universe gives you nudges in the form of synchronicity’s to show you your on the right path.
Thanks, Michael! As I’ve gotten older, I have gotten less inclined towards magical thinking. I think I was too much on that side 😁 and am now more towards the center.
I personally don’t live off of signs or interpretational aspects of my life anymore. I need clarity and I need autonomy … this does not mean I do not dream or fantasize, creatively engage with things, being open or spontaneous. Magical thinking for me personally is dangerous and I think, to be able to do that requires a life that is highly individualistic (that is my understanding of it).
Thank you for reading and sharing your perspective. I appreciate it! I agree that it can be dangerous.
Like most things in life, awareness & moderation in magical thinking is key. As a play therapist, i help children & adults explore the role of imagination in their lives while also encouraging them to develop the critical thinking skills necessary to navigate the real world effectively. The ability to engage in elaborate fantasy play is an essential component to human growth & development. Traumatized children can have a harder time engaging in it because of a deeper sense of uncertainty & lack of safety, while others may retreat into fantasy as the only safety they have.
There are many ways to balance magical thinking with real-world decision-making. Perhaps we can hear from others on how they have practiced some of these strategies.
John, I can see that a balance of magical thinking and real world skills is beneficial. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts!
Sign or coincidence, stuff happens. No need to choose which it is each time, because we've still noticed it. Once seen, we can't unsee, so we either resist the mythical creature or embrace the unicorn.
You held on until you didn't. Your experience played a part in what happened next. We hold on to stuff—and stuff holds on to us—until grips loosen on one or both sides. That's why I'm enjoying Once Upon A New Moon... Things are holding on. What represents an absolute sign versus a coincidental sequence of events, we can't know. But it's fascinating!
Martin, that’s true! I like not needing to pick one or the other and of course, seeing the unicorn whether sent by the universe or a coincidental event, did shape my next decision. Thank you for reading and for your company while I get Once Upon A New Moon written.
I am certain the Universe is so much more alive than not. For me, there are so many instances when synchronicity is the obvious explanation of an otherwise unlikely event, or chain of events. I believe than when we lose the ability to appreciate that our very existence is magical, we miss the point of being here.
Richard, yes, I agree that there are many synchronicities and unexplainable chains of events. I have noticed though that I am more likely to look for them (and find them) when I feel more anxious. My current opinion is we may need a balance of the ability to recognize magic in the world while being aware of real world constraints. So, yes, to magic, but also recognizing wishful magical thinking! Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts!
As a chronic but recovering magical thinker, it is very reassuring to learn that this is a survivalist tendency and is fairly common. I also feel like there’s something to be said about the limitations of the scientific materialist paradigm that is currently dominant/mainstream. It doesn’t quite make space enough for other perspectives, and my bet is we will likely see some shifts in our understanding within our lifetimes. Thanks for this lovely note!
Uthara, I think you have hit the nail on the head! There is a dearth of myths and other grounding paradigms that offer a more bird’s eye of our lives and yet anchor us to the real world. Thank you for reading and for sharing your perspective!
I embrace magical thinking as a way of sorting through the noise in my head, and to find focus and meaning that might otherwise elude me. It’s not letting the universe make decisions for me so much as me telling the universe what I want. The old coin flip trick, for instance - when stuck between two choices, flip a coin and you’ll know from your reaction to the outcome what you really wanted all along.
Stace, I haven’t heard it phrased this way and it’s super important- it can be a tool in the toolbox rather than a thing that has to be gotten rid of or adopted blindly. In my story, I didn’t want to stay, but once I knew I wanted to leave, I unconsciously used it as a way to prepare. I didn’t have access to my agency when I saw the unicorn, but by the time I left, I had gotten more in touch with it. Thank you!
Call it magical thinking, pattern spotting, or synchronicity, I think humans are wired to seek patterns and make meaning of the world. As long as you don’t completely give up your agency, I think a bit of magical thinking never harmed anybody!
Shinjini, this idea of balancing pattern seeking and agency is so important! Thank you for reading and sharing your perspective!
Loved this the first time too ❤️
Thanks, Reena!
I love this. I often see things I’m looking for—having never seen them before. It’s as if a gate to vision opens in my brain merely because I wished for it. Magical indeed 🙏☺️
Thanks, Dee!
Well I am half finished an essay in acceptance, reality and magical thinking!! Although my definition is just what I’ve made up in my head. I didn’t realize there was a book about it and a very specific definition! Although I’m sure I would’ve gotten there by googling. I was looking for a sign to tie my essay together and I was missing the practical piece that you have here in quoting the book. Ha! So perhaps this is my sign. lol.
Funny how things come together! Thanks, Kim!
How amazing you saw a unicorn! And magical indeed. I'm inclined to think that thinking magically does keep us going and sane. The happiest people tend to be awe-inspired by small things. I say that having seen how my grandmother navigated the world. I don't remember having show me a sign kind of moments, however, my intuition would scream at me if I didn't listen to it and would calm down when I did. And I did experience moments that predicted my future (like dreams) and moments of synchronicity. Life is strange but beautiful like that!
Nadia, I really like this idea of choosing to think in a certain way adding to the inherent magic of the universe! Thank you, I appreciate your perspective!
I love signs from the universe, G-d, the divine, guardian angels, etc. I'm a believer.
So did this job work out well? Was it the right sign?
I waited it out, but did leave eventually. When I saw the unicorn, it freaked me out enough that I stayed there at least until I was totally sure I needed to leave. I don’t know if it was the right sign. Looking back, I think of my lack of agency and wince! Thanks, Carissa!
I remember this unicorn story from last year. And since then I have actually thought about it a few times whenever people speak of synchronicity’s etc., as it is such a wonderful example.
I’m not sure what I said in the comments last time, but the way I think about synchronicity’s and magical thinking is that when you are pulling in the direction of what your soul or higher self or whatever you want to call it came here to do, the universe gives you nudges in the form of synchronicity’s to show you your on the right path.
Thanks Priya :)
Thanks, Michael! As I’ve gotten older, I have gotten less inclined towards magical thinking. I think I was too much on that side 😁 and am now more towards the center.