Magical Objects

The power magical objects hold - and the power we give them

I have several special objects on my writing desk I like to think give me luck, or at least, the power to defeat writer's block. There’s a chunk of tiger’s eye to boost my creativity and willpower, a stuffed crocheted octopus gifted by one of my readers to remind me there are actual people out there reading what I write and I’m not just shouting into a void, and a red ceramic ox money-box, because red is lucky, the ox is my Chinese zodiac sign, and the money-box—well, here’s hoping.

I am convinced these items will improve my lot, and I know I’m not the only one. Who among us doesn’t have a lucky charm to carry when extra oomph is required; a talisman to ward against danger and negativity, and to attract all the good stuff? A lucky pair of undies, a special pair of hoops, a diamond anything? In my 20s I had a ‘Lipstick Of Power’, and every time I wore it to the club, I felt sexy, gorgeous, and invincible—although to be fair, that could have been just copious amounts of wine. (If you’re interested, it's L’Oreal Colour Riche 337—a darkish purple with sparkles that I think has been discontinued. It looked nicer than it sounds!)

With my imagination and will, I turned these everyday bits and pieces into magical artifacts, with the power to calm, protect and inspire. Sure, it may be the placebo effect—but then again, what if it isn’t?

Throughout fiction and mythology, magical objects have had the power to raise kings and raze kingdoms: the one ring from The Lord of the Rings, King Arthur and his sword Excalibur, the Valheru armour that bewitched Tomas, Jamie and the Magic Torch, etc.

Writers LOVE giving inanimate objects extraordinary capabilities. Is it any wonder I sleep with a rose quartz under my pillow and carry around a battered 10-cent piece found in the park? It’s not my fault; the library made me do it.

In the first Esha Chronicle, I gave my heroine a charmed paintbrush. (She was an artist—it seemed fitting.) With it she can create glamours and illusions, and create an enchantment out of nothing. When I was writing it, I had the feeling that I was doing exactly the same thing—creating something out of nothing, a glamour to enchant my future readers.

Magical objects raise the stakes of the story. Sometimes the hero forgets that the tool he wields may also have its own mission—a singular desire to fulfil its destiny. It may have been created for a purpose greater than our hero’s, and therefore works through him for its own ends. Sometimes all the hero can do is to destroy it before it destroys him. It reminds me of the allure of alcohol to make one sexy, gorgeous and invincible … up to a point.

Undefeatable swords, truth mirrors, enchanted pendants, genie lamps—I love all magical objects! And there’s always room for another crystal under my pillow 😊