A Weird Magic Drummed In His Blood

A line taken out of context, from our dictionary of magic words:

There was magic in the words, a weird magic that beat through Matt’s head and drummed in his blood.

In other news, after long years of studying both the mystical Tree of Life and color symbolism, we're honored to be a part of this new release.

Just a reminder: the new home to our ongoing research into magic words and symbols is here:

http://mysteryarts.typepad.com/magicwords/

Prescriptions for Better Magic

When we're not studying mysterious old words, we're most likely making pictures of them. We had the pleasure and honor of illustrating the hysterical wordplay in the chapter titles of famed magician Jeff McBride's new book, The Show Doctor.

Catch up on our ongoing research into magic words and symbols here:

http://mysteryarts.typepad.com/magicwords/

Chiaroscuro

I have the magic word, chiaroscuro, and I shall pass through the labyrinth.
—Teresa Flavin, The Crimson Shard (2012)

Chiaroscuro is the interplay of light and shadow.

The illustration is from an 1895 issue of The Canadian magazine.

A reminder: our posts about magic words and symbols spotted in the wild have officially moved here:

http://mysteryarts.typepad.com/magicwords/

A Lovely Mention

We're honored by this delightful mention:

Craig Conley, bless him, has given us plenty of literary treats - but his Magic Words: A Dictionary is one of the excellentest. The entries are essay-style, so they're fun to read (like I would ever recommend anything that wasn't), and feature words and symbols from around the world - each with its own etymology, as well as mythical, historical, and cultural background. Illustrations of symbols and icons are included where applicable. Bippity boppity boo.
—"Books by Design: Reference Books You'll Actually Use"

A reminder: our posts about magic words and symbols spotted in the wild has officially moved here:

http://mysteryarts.typepad.com/magicwords/

We're Moving

You're cordially invited to join us at our new digs over at Typepad. From here on, that's where we're posting magic words and symbols spotted in the wild:

http://mysteryarts.typepad.com/magicwords/

We'll allow this spot at Blogger to lie fallow.

(Photo by Bruce Harlick)

Zodiac

"And the magic word is ...?"
"Zodiac, sir. It was the only word I could think of offhand that starts with Z."
—Roger Keevil, Feted to Die: An Inspector Constable Murder Mystery (2012)

Reading Shifts Reality

We've been constructing a series of tests (the first of their kind) for proving that the act of reading shifts reality. Perhaps appropriately (given the whimsies of quantum physics), the test results are proving to be simultaneously mind-blowing and funny. We'll share this project as it nears completion.

Meanwhile, here's the latest review of our companion to magic's greatest magazine, and please note that while people are selling used copies of our book for $195, Amazon still offers it new for a mere $18.

[Jinx Companion] might be the book that starts you on a vibrant path toward new and more creative magic. ... The authors have done a herculean task in researching every word of The Jinx to mine the best material; they sorted carefully through it and pulled out the best of the best for you. ... I applaud their intense research. It is the kind of investigation and mind-expansion that we all should be doing. ... It is not for everybody, but for those of you who have the time and inclination to see why what is old is often new again, this is a nice journey at a very reasonable price. —Jim Kleefeld, M-U-M Magazine