This work presents an outline of the Old Norse vocabulary associated with magic and its practicioners. The research is focused on the individual words’ evaluative aspect and on their function within the texts, as well as on the narrative roles of magic as a literary motif and as a cultural concept. The literary motif of magic plays a significant role as a narrative device that enables the construction of multiple layers of meaning in the texts. The cultural concept of magic contributes to the conceptualization of various social and psychological aspects, such as the transformations of political power, gender roles, the transgression of norms, irrational impulses, and diverse forms of otherness.
Magic Words: A Dictionary is a oneofakind resource for armchair linguists, popculture enthusiasts, Pagans, Wiccans, magicians, and trivia nuts alike. Brimming with the most intriguing magic words and phrases from around the world and illustrated throughout with magical symbols and icons, Magic Words is a dictionary like no other. More than sevenhundred essay style entries describe the origins of magical words as well as historical and popular variations and fascinating trivia. With sources ranging from ancient Medieval alchemists to modern stage magicians, necromancers, and wizards of legend to miracle workers throughout time, Magic Words is a must have for any scholar of magic, language, history, and culture.
In this enchanting book, readers discover how prefixes and suffixes can change the meanings of words before their eyes! Guided by the Word Wizard, readers learn to create new words by combining root words with prefixes and suffixes. Discover how these spell-binding syllables can help unlock the meanings of new words.
In this fun-filled book, the Word Wizard helps readers understand synonyms and antonyms. From exploring shades of meaning and making comparisons to using a thesaurus, readers learn how to use synonyms and antonyms to enrich their writing and strengthen their communication skills.
The Lost Words by composer James Burton takes its inspiration and text from the award-winning 'cultural phenomenon' and book of the same name by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris: a book that was, in turn, a creative response to the removal of everyday nature words like acorn, newt and otter from a new edition of a widely used children's dictionary. Both the book and Burton's 32-minute work, which is written in 12 short movements for upper-voice choir in up to 3 voice parts (with either orchestral or piano accompaniment), celebrates each lost word with a beautiful poem or 'spell', magically brought to life in Burton's music. At its heart, the work delivers a powerful message about the need to close the gap between childhood and the natural world. Burton's piece was co-commissioned by the Hallé Concerts Society for the Hallé Children's Choir and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The piano accompaniment version was premiered at the Tanglewood Festival in 2019 by the Boston Symphony Children's Choir, of which Burton is founder and director. The Hallé Children's Choir will premiere the orchestral version of the full work in Manchester, UK, post-pandemic. Vocal Score Co-commission by Boston Symphony and Hallé Concerts Society for their respective Children's Choirs. Two versions - with orchestral or with piano accompaniment. The vocal score is the same for both versions. James Burton is a composer but also a conductor. He is conductor of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus and choral director of the Boston Symphony. The book The Lost Words, exquisitely designed, has won multiple awards and is an international best-seller. The vocal score includes Jackie Morris's beautiful imagery in its cover design.
A mysterious library book opens the door to a world of magic and danger in the first book in the beloved Young Wizards series. Bullied by her classmates, Nita Callahan is miserable at school. So when she finds a mysterious book in the library that promises her the chance to become a wizard, she jumps at the opportunity to escape her unhappy reality. But taking the Wizard's Oath is no easy thing, and Nita soon finds herself paired with fellow wizard-in-training Kit Rodriguez on a dangerous mission. The only way to become a full wizard is to face the Lone Power, the being that created death and is the mortal enemy of all wizards. As Nita and Kit battle their way through a deadly alternate version of New York controlled by the Lone Power, they must rely on each other and their newfound wizarding skills to survive--and save the world from the Lone One's grasp.
The Hexopedia is a one-of-a-kind story of magic words-what they're made of, where they came from, where they can take you, and how they interact with the world and with each other. It is a whimsical training manual on speaking, writing, and listening magically. It is a treasure chest of hands-on techniques to access the full wisdom and power for beginning things, attracting things, protecting things, and bestowing things. It reveals how to assemble, paint, and manipulate words, even invisible words. It teaches how to become fluent in the language, or rather languages, of spellcraft, and how to interact on a magical level with the elements, the animals, and the trees. It is meant to enlighten its young readers and inspire them to create pure wonder and awe whenever they speak. Sources range from the hierophants of ancient Egypt; to the high priests, medicine men, sorcerers, and alchemists of the Middle Ages; to the necromancers and wizards of legend and fairy tale; to the workers of wonders and miracles throughout history. The Hexopedia showcases those powerful words and spells that give shape and form to ungraspable feats. The Hexopedia was inspired by the fact that the shop windows of Universal Studios' Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Los Angeles and Orlando) display genuine-looking tomes of magic but don't offer them for sale. The Hexopedia looks, feels, and reads like an authentic artifact of wizardry, appealing to young fans of Harry Potter, Oz, Lord of the Rings, and other sword-and-sorcery books, films, and video games. Magic words are naturally as old as conjuring itself, echoes of the rhythm and vibration of creative power. A great many of these words have stood the test of time, passed on from master to apprentice, generation through generation. These ancient, musical, poetic incantations have a profound-but not necessarily unfathomable-mystique. For example, there is profound meaning in the clichéd image of a magician pulling a rabbit out of an empty hat with the word abracadabra. The magician is speaking an ancient Hebrew phrase that means "I will create with words." He is making something out of nothing, echoing that famous line from Genesis: "Let there be light, and there was light," only in this case the light is a white rabbit and perhaps a flash of fire. The magic word, whether it be abracadabra or another of the magician's choosing, resonates with us because there is an instinctive understanding that words are powerful, creative forces. Unlike with so many magic books on the market, parents need not fear any nefarious intent or ideological subtext; The Hexopedia promotes a deliberately positive, universal message about empowering one's communication skills for beneficial results. This is not an indoctrination into any system of belief or religious practice; rather, the book encourages readers' imaginations as it slyly teaches ways to choose words carefully. The book offers text and diagrams that seem mysterious and occult yet are constructive and purposively devoid of religious overtones of any kind. The Hexopedia is expressly designed to foster treasured youthful experiences, inspiring a love of literacy and learning as it promotes intellectual growth through enchantment and entertainment.
Your company has just announced a major change in its business direction. Even top performers are questioning their job security, and it’s your responsibility to see that productivity and quality levels are not disturbed, or the consequences could be even greater. How do you manage this situation and keep it from snowballing our of control?Downsizing, acquisitions, mergers, and plant closings are examples of changes that impact employees. When change strikes your organization, you need to find a way to position your people to take advantage of the situation, rather than be overcome by it. A rider pits human intelligence against the superior strength of a wild horse, in this case,change.You will not try to master the animal, but rather exploit its strength to achieve your goals. This book shows how to become a successful ”Change Rider.”Gary Kissler, in his past work and in his current position providing Change Management Services for Andersen Consulting, has had the unique opportunity to see how change is handled in organizations. InThe Change Riders,he offers these ”was stories” so that others may learn from them and he provides insights to explain their success or failure.The Change Ridersalso presents practical tools to guide organizations in managing the impact of change. These tools include a ”blueprint” showing major variables that need to be considered, and a ”roadmap” to plan out the steps.