I have been thinking about magic and meaning – not the wonderful book by Burger and Neale, although I have to admit it has been influential in my work along with Neale’s Magic Mirror. It may be the passing of the anniversary of 9-11 that has influenced my thinking. It may be the constant bombardment of threats of war and endless destruction, but I cannot not wonder what role magic needs to play in our living. A recent poll has shown that people are feeling anxious, depressed, and feel that "something" is going to happen again. This feels like the results the terrorists wanted, to strike fear and uncertainty into our hearts and our beings.

I feel that magic and wonder needs to be reawaken in our living. I do not mean the trivial magic that fills the catalogs, the shops, and the magic advertisements, but magic that just seems to happen. Magic that opens space for people to experience wonder and astonishment in the world they are living. The tools of the conjurer can facilitate this, but it’s not through the performance of "Stratospheres" or the "Live Stock Dagger Vanish." It comes from using magic to apparently "solve" some of life’s small problems.

Jeff McBride has a notion of "Magician 24/7." Quite simply, this is bringing magic into people’s lives at any moment. Simple magical moments – little spaces – where people can experience wonder and astonishment – a bend of their reality. Some may call this impromptu magic, but this term does not feel right to me. It still feels like performance, rather than an "in the moment" experience.

I was recently at a magic flea market trying to sell some wares to new owners. The table next to me was occupied by Kirk Charles, a full time professional magician here in Seattle. For those of you who may not know of Kirk, he is a wonderful magician and entertainer and has written two books on restaurant and walk-around magic as well as a well-received book on marked cards. We were talking when most of the attendees were watching a contest. I asked Kirk, "If we were real magicians, would we do most of what is on sale in this room?" "No," he replied, "we would produce a sandwich if we were hungry and a couple of dollars to meet our debts." "Yes, perhaps a mini-miser’s dream to take care of our necessities," I said. We both laughed.

If you think about this, its profound that the real magic we would do is quite simple and direct compared to the tubes, boxes and other trappings of our Art. To pay our bills, we would produce a few dollars. To feed ourselves, we would produce some food. To soothe a hurt, we would produce a Band-Aid. We would fill needs that are crying to be filled.

So how do we do this? I am afraid that this is not an easy question to answer. There is a need – right here, right now – for "real" magic - magic that touches our audience. I believe that this is possible but work is required. I am not afraid of a little work, are you?

We need to be aware of the conditions around us and be prepared to use those conditions to create moments of wonder. It’s not a choice, but a demand in our world.